Landscape, Nursery, & Turf — Plant & Pest Advisory

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Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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November 2, 2026 Michelle Infante-Casella

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: SARE Grants

November 1, 2026 Steven K. Rettke

Orangestriped Oakworm: A Late Season Defoliator

Orangestriped Oakworm (Anisota senatoria) (1917 GDDs = Egg hatch)

Overview and Host Plants: Orangestriped Oakworm larvae are summer caterpillars. They feed & cause damage primarily during August & September. Host plants include oaks (primarily within the red oak group) & can occasionally be found feeding on birch, maple, chestnut, & hickory trees.

Orangestriped Oakworm mid-instar larvae defoliating pin oak leaves. Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.

Adult Moths: Female adult moths can have a wingspan of up to 2 inches & are orange to brown in color (each wing has a white spot near the middle of the wing with dark stripes that dissect them). Adult moths are first seen during the summer in early July & begin laying eggs before the end of the month. There is a single generation per year in the northeastern regions of the country. Further south, there can be 2 generations per year.

October 30, 2026 Pat Hastings

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 30, 2026 Tim Waller

NJDEP Bureau of Pesticide Control – Compliance Advisories related to licensing and product registration

If you have a NJDEP pesticide license, please review this information.

The NJDEP Bureau of Pesticide Control have issued two Compliance Advisories this week

Compliance Advisory DEP 2026-08 – click here (related to pesticide licensing)

Compliance Advisory DEP 2026-09 – click here (related to pesticide product registration)

Below is from NJDEP Bureau of Pesticide Control – Compliance Advisory 2026-08 (related to pesticide licensing)

PESTICIDE LICENSING PESTICIDE APPLICATOR SYSTEM (PAS)

WHO IS AFFECTED BY THIS ADVISORY?

Individuals and/or businesses that hold, or are seeking to obtain, any of the following pesticide licenses: Commercial Applicator Business, Commercial Applicator, Commercial Operator, Dealer Business, Dealer, and Private Applicator.

WHY IS THE DEPARTMENT ISSUING THIS ADVISORY?

The Department’s Bureau of Pesticide Control (BPC) is currently experiencing issues with invoicing, payments, license printing and status updates due to significant functionality issues with outdated platforms.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT DOING?

The BPC is allowing pesticide licenses set to expire on October 31, 2026 to remain valid until full functionality to our system is restored and renewals can be processed. However, the deadline for recertification credits will not be extended beyond October 31, 2026. Licensees must have obtained the requisite recertification credits on or before October 31, 2026. Additionally, because the BPC cannot print new licenses, individuals eligible for initial licensing must wait until full functionality is restored and license applications can be fully processed.

Once full functionality to our system is restored, the Department will send an email blast notifying all licensees and the current “System Notice” message currently posted on the BPC website will be updated.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Current licensees may continue to conduct their business as usual under their current license. Current and prospective licensees may monitor the BPC websites provided below for updated information on system functionality. Finally, licensees can monitor their email for the above referenced email blast which will relay when BPC licensing functionality is restored.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?

For licensing questions, please contact:

NJDEP Bureau of Pesticide Control pcp@dep.nj.gov

(609) 984-6568

https://dep.nj.gov/pesticides/

WHERE CAN I UPDATE MY CONTACT INFORMATION OR PROVIDE AN EMAIL ADDRESS?

The following website provides forms for updating Commercial Applicator Business, Commercial Applicator, Commercial Operator, Dealer Business, Dealer, and Private Applicator licenses.
If you have not previously provided an email address, please complete the correct form using the link listed below.
https://dep.nj.gov/pesticides/licensing-registration-and-permitting/pesticide-licensing-forms/

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

The following websites can be accessed for additional information.
For further information regarding the Compliance Advisories and posting locations: https://dep.nj.gov/enforcement/advisories/ https://dep.nj.gov/pesticides/advisories/
For further information regarding BPC Licensing & Registration: https://dep.nj.gov/pesticides/licensing-registration-and-permitting/
Once full functionality is reinstated, licensing payment can be made here: https://dep.nj.gov/pesticides/licensing-registration-and-permitting/annual-license-payments/

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf

October 29, 2026 Kate Brown

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:

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 5^th 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: conservation, grant opportunity, grazing management, renewable energy, soil health

October 26, 2026 Michelle Infante-Casella

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: Drone Training, drones, online training, Remote Course