On May 12, NJ Governor Murphy signed Executive Order #241 eliminating the requirement for wearing masks in outdoor spaces taking effect immediately. Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher has summarized the changes that may impact agriculture operations. The full text of his letter can be read in this attached file.
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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NJ Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations
Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.
Letter from Secretary Fisher Regarding Governor’s Executive Order #241 Eliminating Requirement for Masks in Outdoor Spaces
3rd Agritourism Webinar: Visitor Incidents and Media Communication
Rutgers Cooperative Extension is working with other extension professionals in the northeastern states to deliver weekly, one-hour webinar programming for agritourism and on-farm direct market operators. The 3rd session will focus on what to do in the event of an confrontation, accident, or injury, and how to communicate with the media in a crisis. Registration is being handled through the University of Vermont. See information below to join the webinars. There are separate registrations for each event.
Session 3: What to Do when Something Goes Wrong, Incident Response and Media Relations, When: May 18, 2021 7:00-8:00 PM Eastern Time. Presenters: Bill Bamka, Stephen Komar, Bill Hlubik, Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Register HERE
Session 4: Liability Insurance, When: May 25, 2021 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern Time. Presenter will be an insurance agent from VT: – Register HERE
Recorded past sessions will be posted to this website if you missed any sessions: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/vtagritourism/safety-and-liability-farms-during-covid-19
To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Christi Sherlock at 802-476-2003 or Christi.Sherlock@uvm.edu for assistance.
Letter from Secretary Fisher Regarding Governor’s Executive Order #239 Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions
On May 12, NJ Governor Murphy signed Executive Order #239 regarding the easing of COVID-19 restrictions which will become effective on May 19. Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher has summarized the changes that may impact agriculture operations. The full text of his letter can be read in this attached file.
Vegetable IPM Update 5/12/21
Sweet Corn
IPM Program personnel have re-established the black light trap network in New Jersey. With very cool evening temperatures, no corn earworm (CEW) and very few European corn borer (ECB) moths have been captured. As numbers increase, look for population maps of ECB, CEW, brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) and CEW catches from pheromone traps in this weekly publication. The resulting full-state maps will include interpretive information.
The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 5/12/21 are as follows:
Jones Island 1
Milltown 1
Woodstown 1
Recordings of Webinar – Ask the Expert: Orchard Soil Fertility and Tree Nutiriton
Please use below links for the audio and video recordings of Webinar – Ask the Expert Series -V held on May 5th. The recording includes lively discussion on various aspects of orchard soil fertility and plant nutrition, including Q &A from growers, with, Dr. Robert Crassweller from PSU; and Dr. Joseph Heckman, Dr. Megan Muehlbauer and Dr. Hemant Gohil from Rutgers NJAES. Some of the information is also applicable to other crops. [Read more…]
Resuming In-Person RCE Programming – A Guide for Attendees
Rutgers Cooperative Extension has announced the resumption of in-person programming beginning this month. Extension professionals across all program areas have the option to offer in-person programming, limited at this time to outdoor events with no more than 25 total in attendance. This includes farm and field visits, twilight meetings, and pesticide applicator recertification events. Resuming in-person events doesn’t mean that online or hybrid events will end; both are essential tools for successful RCE programming.
These RCE guidelines and expectations are for all participants to follow to attend these events:
Voluntary Participation – Participation at in-person RCE activities is completely voluntary – there is no requirement for attendance.
Health Screening Form – Attendees will be required to bring a completed RCE Health Screening Form, which can be be accessed at https://go.rutgers.edu/RCE.healthform. Once completed, please take a screenshot of the big green checkmark or print out a copy to show when you arrive before being allowed to attend.
Face Masks – Every participant will be required to wear a face mask / covering over their mouth and nose at all times. Arrive wearing your mask, and make sure to keep it in place during the entire event.
Physical Distancing – Everyone will be required to practice physical distancing, staying at least 6 feet apart.
Hygiene & Sanitation – Everyone who attends is expected to practice good hygiene habits. Participants should wash or sanitize their hands when they arrive and before they leave, and as needed throughout the activity. You are encouraged to bring your own hand sanitizer to limit shared surfaces.
What to Bring With You – Food will not be provided and sharing food is not permitted. Make sure to bring your own refreshments, filled water bottle, tools/equipment, notebook and writing tool, camp chair, etc. depending on the event you’re attending.
All participants are expected to follow these rules and procedures to help make every RCE in-person event safe and enjoyable for everyone. Please be sure to check the NJAES Calendar of Events and the RCE office in your county for upcoming events.