Vegetable Crops Edition

Seasonal updates and alerts on insects, diseases, and weeds impacting vegetable crops. New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations updates between annual publication issues are included.
 
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November 2, 2026

Northeast SARE to Host Farmer Grant Q&A Sessions in November

Question and Answer Sessions for the Farmer Grant program are taking place on Tuesdays at Noon throughout the month of November. Register once to attend any of the sessions.

Northeast SARE Farmer Grants provide the resources farmers need to explore new concepts agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Projects address issues that affect farming with long-term practical impacts in mind.

Farmer Grants are designed to be a strong starting point for farmers interested in pursuing grant funding for projects. Before starting their proposals, potential candidates identify a Technical Advisor who can provide non-farming expertise in areas such as research design, troubleshooting, and promotion. The Technical Advisor acts as a go-to support person throughout the grant project, making it easier on first time grantees and forging new relationships in agricultural communities across the Northeast.

Approximately $1M has been allocated to fund projects for this grant cycle. Awards of up to $50,000 are available, depending on the complexity of a project. Proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on December 8, 2026.

To sign up for the Q&A Sessions go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6Vi5Lt9SScO7U7duEpYulQ#/registration

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With:
October 30, 2026

NJDEP Compliance Advisory Alert #2026-08

NJDEP: Issued on 10/28/2026, this advisory impacts individuals or businesses who are holding or seeking to obtain the following pesticide licenses: commercial applicator business, commercial applicator, commercial operator, dealer business, dealer, and private applicator. NJDEP’s Bureau of Pesticide Control is undergoing issues related to invoicing, license printing, and status updates due to issues with outdated […]

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
October 29, 2026

Grant Opportunity for Beginning Farmers to Adopt Conservation Practices

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is accepting applications for the Next Generation Farmer Fund through December 1, 2026!

Beginning farmers or ranchers under the age of 40 (as of December 31, 2027) are eligible to receive $10k-$50k to support implementation of new conservation practices during the 2027 growing season. These practices must be new on the land where the project will take place and improve soil health, water management, energy use, and biodiversity. Practices that fall within those categories include:

  • Cover cropping
  • Rotational grazing
  • Nutrient management plans
  • Renewable energy infrastructure
  • High tunnels
  • Pollinator plantings
  • And more!

To learn more about grant eligibility requirements, the application process and timeline, and other details, consider signing up for an informational webinar hosted by NYFC on November 5th at 7pm ET. You can also reach out to nextgenfarmerfund@youngfarmers.org with questions.

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , ,
October 26, 2026

Registration Deadline, October 30th – Remote Course – Drone Pilot Training for Farmers on November 6 & 13, 2027

This comprehensive online hybrid training prepares farmers and agricultural producers to obtain their FAA Drone Part 107 certification exam, which is required for all commercial drone operations. Featuring the same rigorous test preparation content as the in-person sessions, this online format allows you to complete coursework remotely while mastering the fundamentals of small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) used in modern agriculture.

What’s Included & What You Need

  • Online Learning Platform & Live Sessions: Students will be provided with official credentials to access an online learning management system, along with Zoom meeting links for two live online class sessions (November 6 & 13).
  • Textbook Requirement: Students are required to purchase their own textbook separately via Amazon (approximately ~$30; link provided upon registration).
  • Curriculum Topics Covered:
    • Introduction to aviation & regulations
    • Airspace classification & sectional charts
    • Aircraft maintenance, inspections, and performance
    • Accident reporting, emergency procedures, and weather effects
    • Air operations and scheduling for your test

Registration & Pricing

  • Registration Fee: $150 per person registration (Note: Payment can be made with credit card via link to “Clover Account” with WCCC Phillipsburg Education Center) (payment link to be provided, payment made to WCCC after registering).
  • Class Materials: You are encouraged to purchase a hardcopy textbook that provides a code for unlimited practice tests ~$30. Link to be provided upon final registration for purchase via Amazon.
  • Online Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/9VXvvWC7aN

 Questions & Inquiries: Please contact Stephen Komar at 973-948-3040 x3 or email komar@njaes.rutgers.edu with any questions.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , ,
October 20, 2026

Equipment Day Event 11-14-26

The RU Ready to Farm Program will be hosting ‘Equipment Day’ on 11-14-26. The event is geared towards new and beginning farmers and will focus on small to medium farm equipment and will feature several Rutgers programs that provide services to new farmers. The event is free, but registration is required, see link and schedule below.

Feel free to contact Linnea Eberly (lce28@njaes.rutgers.edu) or Trevor Styles (tds88@njaes.rutgers.edu) with any questions about the event.

Location: Hlubik Farms, 92 Chesterfield-Georgetown Rd, Chesterfield, New Jersey 08515
9:45 am – 10:00 am Registration
10:00 am – 10:05 am Welcome, David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
10:05 am – 11:00 am Small Equipment, Trevor Styles, Program Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension. BCS Machine and Implements, Tillmor, Small Seeders.
11:00 am – 11:15 am Pesticide Safety, Grayson Tung, Senior Coordinator, Pesticide Safety Education Program.
11:15 am – 11:25 am Soil Testing Lab, Stephanie Murphy, Rutgers Soil Testing Lab.
11:25 am – 11:35 am Plant Diagnostic Lab, Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Lab.
11:35 am – 11:45 am On-Farm Food Safety, Meredith Melendez, Mercer County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
11:45 am – 11:55 am Integrated Pest Management, Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinator, Vegetable IPM. Overview of Fruit and Vegetable IPM programs and services provided.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch, Networking with Fellow Growers, Extension Personnel, and Ag Service Providers.
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Optional Orchard Tour, David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Medium Scale Vegetable Production Equipment, David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Small Tractor, Transplanter, Plastic Mulch Layer, Safety.
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm Sourcing Used Equipment, Bill Hlubik, Retired, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
2:00 pm End/Networking.
This event is free, but pre-registration is required:
Please RSVP by November 6th to reserve your spot: https://go.rutgers.edu/6iqwqax4

Filed Under: Fruit, Vegetable Crops, work shop
October 9, 2026 and

Vegetable IPM Update 10/09/2026

Greetings from the Veg IPM team! This will be our last regular post for the 2026 season. If an urgent pest issue arises, we will send out a specific P&PA post.

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Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , ,