By Heather Cooper •
The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is designed to assist agricultural producers in developingnew products, expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing their income through value-addedactivities. Maximum grant awards for working capital are $200,000 and $50,000 for planning grants.Individuals can apply for the planning grant for feasibility studies, developing business plan, etc andthen the following year come […]
By Heather Cooper •
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering more than $16 billion in total Congressionallyapproved disaster relief. FSA is now accepting applications for assistance through the second stageof the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) from agricultural producers who sufferedeligible non-indemnified, uncovered or quality crop losses due to qualifying natural disasters in 2023and 2024. Stage Two covers […]
By Heather Cooper •
Michelle Infante-Casella – Rutgers Plant & Pest Advisory – February 17, 2026 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance […]
By Heather Cooper •
Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program (ASAP) is a unique new training concept forNew Jersey high school students ages 16 and older to gain understanding about the aquacultureindustry through education and practice. With a combination of in-person instruction and on-farm workexperience, participants will discover the inner workings of shellfish aquaculture, gain entry-level workskills, and learn what […]
By Heather Cooper •
When: April 1, 2026 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMWhere: Rutgers Specialty Crop Research & Extension Center, 283 Rt. 539 Cream Ridge, NJ 08514Cost: $50 per person (lunch included)Registration deadline: March 18, 2026Sign up or for more information https://onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu/ftguworkshop/This interactive, field-based workshop focuses on practical skills you can implement immediately —including risk assessment, sanitation practices, and […]
By Heather Cooper •
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 7-9:00 pm at theCumberland County Rutgers Cooperative Extension291 Morton Avenue, Millville, NJ 08332
By Heather Cooper •
Hard copies available at RCE 291 Morton Ave., Millville, NJ$35.00 cash or check
By Heather Cooper •
Wes Kline As to the Produce Safety Rule, there are changes related to pre-harvest water. The requirementsfor pre-harvest (irrigation, spraying, etc.) the new regulations go into effect for operation $250,000 orhigher this year. For those $25,000 to $250,000 they take affect next April. Water testing has beendeemphasized. Testing is not a requirement for pre-harvest water […]
By Heather Cooper •
Due to the NJ State of Emergency and the related weather and travel conditions, we’ve made thedecision to postpone Total Pro Expo to ensure the safety of everyone attending. New Event Dates:February 17–18, 2026- NJ Expo Center | Edison, NJUpdated February Format:
By Heather Cooper •
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers UniversityMarch 19, 2026Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health Building, Room 1018:30 – 9:00 AM Registration 9:00 – 9:10 AM Welcome – Laura Lawson (Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources)9:10 – 10:20 AM SESSION I: Abiotic Stress & Warm-Season Turfgrasses (Moderator: Bingru Huang)9:10 – 9:30 AM Stephanie Rossi […]
By Heather Cooper •
Plant & Pest Advisory – January 14, 2026 – Andy Wyenandt It is extremely important to know which pathogen is causing damping-off problems during transplantproduction and which fungicide to properly apply. The key to controlling damping-off is being proactiveinstead of reactive. Damping-off is caused by a number of important vegetable pathogens and is very common […]
By Heather Cooper •
The Department of Environmental Protection will be sending out the Annual Water Use Report formsfor Agricultural Registrations and Certifications. You will receive the form by mail or email. Theseforms report monthly water use for 2025 and are due February 28, 2026.These are the same annual report forms the certification/registration holders receive every year.There will receive […]
By Heather Cooper •
Plant & Pest Advisory – January 14, 2026 – Andy Wyenandt, Maria Creamer, and Amanda Quadrel Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has caused significant problems for some fresh-market tomato andpepper growers in New Jersey the past few growing seasons. Although not uncommon, economiclosses these past few years have been extensive.TSWV is vectored by various species […]
By Heather Cooper •
Plant & Pest Advisory – William Errickson Friday, February 279:00 am – 3:00 pmMonmouth County Ag Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJRegistration: $75 per person (includes Continental Breakfast & Lunch)Call 732-431-7260 or email CatherineVanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.usRegistration by cash, check, or purchase order only.Agenda:CORE Pesticide Safety for Ornamental IPM – Tim Waller, Ph.D.Boxwood BMPs and Alternative Shrubs – […]
By Heather Cooper •
Andy Wyenandt is collaborating with a group of researchers across the United States that are working to improve Phytophthora control and breeding of peppers. Below are two surveys that he would like you to take to help with their research. The first is from New Mexico State University. The research team plans to use the […]