Archives for January 2013

January 14, 2013

Upcoming NJDEP Certification Exams:
2013 Locations & Dates

State Pesticide Applicator and Dealer Certification exams are administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Pesticide Control Program (PCP).

Find information about exam prerequisites and application on the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Pest Management Office website. The complete exam application must be received by the PCP at least 14 days before exam dates chosen. Any application received after the 14 day time frame will be scheduled based on the 2nd and 3rd exam site choices; if all exam dates are after the 14 day time frame, the exam will be scheduled in the following month.

Certification Exam Schedule for 2013 [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates
January 14, 2013

Production & Acreage Reports Due January 15, 2013

By gardenstatecropinsuranceeducationinitiative

REMINDER! Tomorrow January 15 production and acerage reports are due for Apple, Peach, Blueberry and Cranberry policies if you have any questions please call your crop insurance agent or our toll free number at 1-800-308-2449

Source: NJ Crop Insurance Education

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates
January 13, 2013

Tall Fescue Varieties for New Jersey Sports Fields

By Bradley S. Park, Sports Turf Education & Research Coordinator &
James A. Murphy, Extension Specialist in Turf Management
Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS1186 | December 2012

Use of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) as a forage and conservation grass increased in the United States with the release of ‘Alta’ and ‘Kentucky 31’ in 1940. It has long been used for control of soil erosion along right-of-ways such as highway roadsides. By the 1960s, ‘Kentucky 31’ became more widely recognized as a useful turfgrass in the transition zone (boundary between the temperate and subtropical climates) of the United States due to its good heat tolerance and adaptation to a wide range of soil (pH, fertility and moisture) and light conditions.

  • Selecting Varieties
  • Purchasing Seed
  • Establishment of Tall Fescue
  • Maintenance of Tall Fescue for Sports Turf
  • Performance of Tall Fescue Varieties

Read more…

Filed Under: Turf
January 11, 2013

American Cranberry Growers Association Winter Meeting

American Cranberry Growers Association Winter Meeting will be held Thursday, January 24 at the EcoComplex in Bordentown, NJ.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cranberry
January 10, 2013

Mark Chien Wine Grape Info January 2013

From Mark Chien, Viticulture Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension
Wine Grape Information for Pennsylvania and the Region

This month Mark talks about:

  • 2013 Viticulture and Enology Regional Events Calendar
  • Upcoming Meetings
  • Winter Courses at HACC: Spring Vineyard Operations and Winery Regulations
  • New Offerings on the PA Wine Grape Network website

Full content PDF

Filed Under: Wine Grape
January 4, 2013

Proposed Rules Released for
Food Safety Modernization Act

The Food and Drug Administration released their proposed Standards for “Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption” today. This is a 547 page document. There is a 7 page executive summary at the beginning which will serve most people. The comment period for the proposed rules end May 16, 2013.

We will be putting out more information for growers over the next couple weeks as there is time to digest the document. Growers should be encouraged to at least review the summary since this rule will impact most growers in New Jersey. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Meredith Melendez or myself.

Website Announcement
Proposed Rule under FSMA for Produce: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption

Document
Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption

Filed Under: Food Safety