By Heather Cooper •
The public comment period on the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) Rule Proposal toEstablish Soil Protection Standards on Preserved Farmland has been extended to February 23, 2024. Theproposed new rules, N.J.A.C. 2:76-25, Soil Disturbance on Preserved Farmland and N.J.A.C. 2:76-25Aand Supplemental Soil Disturbance Standards can be accessed at the following website:https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc. To make a comment […]
By Heather Cooper •
Janet Castellini (Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis) is conducting a study concerning therelationships of farmers in South Jersey to nature—how those relationships have developed and howthose relationships have been expressed in their lives. The purpose is to understand from people in ourarea, firsthand, how their personal experiences have shaped the way they think about and […]
By Heather Cooper •
Anne Nielsen We are putting together a survey to identify key insect problems facing Eastern Tree Fruit growers(specifically for apples and peaches). The goal is to generate a targeted research project to addressthese needs integrating sociological and economic information with research findings. Please help by filling out this survey, it should only take a few […]
By Heather Cooper •
Michael Westendorf; Plant and Pest Advisory The United States is nearing the goal line after a 70 year battle against Scrapie, a fatal disease that affectsthe brain of sheep and goats. Sheep and goat producers can help the USDA achieve this goal. The current program has been very successful to drastically reduce the amount of […]
By Karleen Wilford •
Hamilton Square, N.J., Oct. 19, 2023 — The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) inNew Jersey is now accepting applications for High Tunnels through the Environmental QualityIncentives Program (EQIP) and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA). High Tunnels are designed to help producers extend the growing season, increase productivity, keepplants at a steady temperature, and conserve water […]
By Karleen Wilford •
Michelle Pedano NRCS; Michelle.Pedano@usda.gov Hamilton Square, N.J., October 6, 2023 – The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)in New Jersey is now accepting applications for climate-smart practices through EnvironmentalQuality Incentives Program (EQIP) funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Applications throughACT NOW funding for cover crop, no-till and reduced (minimum) tillage practices may be acceleratedif […]
By Karleen Wilford •
February 6-8, 2024; The 2024 Annual New Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting and Agricultural Convention is being held at Harrah’s Resort and Waterfront Conference Center 777 Harrah’s Blvd. In Atlantic City, New Jersey. This is the same location from previous years. To register and make hotel reservations go to https://vganj.com. The program this year covers a […]
By Karleen Wilford •
Michael Westendorf; Plant and Pest Advisory A metabolic syndrome that sometimes affects ruminants, particularly cows on lush fall pastures isAcute Bovine Pulmonary Emphysema (ABPE), sometimes referred to as “Fog Fever”. ABPE can occur inruminants, especially cattle, transitioning from dry summer pastures or poor quality forage in thefall, to pastures that may be lush and fresh. […]
By Karleen Wilford •
SARE Farmer grant proposals are due November 14, 2023. Approximately $800,000 has been allocatedto fund projects for this grant cycle. Awards of up to $30,000 are available, depending on thecomplexity of a project. This is a good opportunity for a grower to try new practices on their operation.Proposals are submitted online at: https://projects.sare.org/. If you […]
By Karleen Wilford •
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a newcrop insurance program designed for agricultural producers who use controlled environments in theiroperations. The new Controlled Environment program from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) isspecifically for plants grown in fully enclosed controlled environments and provides coverageagainst plant diseases subject to […]
By Karleen Wilford •
Jeff Wolfe; New Jersey Department of Agriculture TRENTON, N.J. — A 13-year-old Salem County Standardbred mare has been identified as the secondcase of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a serious mosquito-borne illness in horses, in New Jerseyfor 2023. The horse’s vaccination status is uncertain. The mare was humanely euthanized on October13, 2023. There had been one […]
By Karleen Wilford •
Tim Waller In preparation for 2024 Nursery IPM training we invite ALL growers (nursery, greenhouse, Christmastree, vegetable, row crops, landscape professionals) to attend the following educational sessionssurrounding overall plant health and pest management principals. Pesticide credits have beenapplied for. Double Session: October 25th 2023How Chemicals Work and Which to Use & Science and Application of […]
By Karleen Wilford •
Stephen Komar The presence of Corn Tar Spot (Phyllachora maydis) has been confirmed in New Jersey. Laboratoryexamination of a corn sample from New Jersey revealed the presence of tar spot. Tar spot is afoliar disease of corn that commonly occurs throughout Mexico, Central America, South America, andthe Caribbean. The disease was identified in the United […]
By Karleen Wilford •
Hemant Gohil; A Chambourcin wine tasting and evaluation meeting for New Jersey winemakers was held on November10, 2022, at the Autumn Lake Winery, Williamstown, in Gloucester County. The notes below are basedon individual observations of Chambourcin growers and winemakers, follow-on discussions, andrelated literature. The responses to the survey sent before the event are also summarized. […]
By Karleen Wilford •
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced theavailability of $65 million through two funding opportunities for new tools, approaches, practicesand technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the ConservationInnovation Grants (CIG) program. Two separate CIG funding opportunities are now available on grants.gov: $50 million through CIG […]