Archives for January 2016

February Events: Grapevine Pruning Workshop & More

terhune-vines-in-winterDate: Wednesday February 17, 1:00 to 3:00pm
(rain date: February 19)
Location: RAREC Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center
121 Northville Road
Bridgeton, NJ 08302

This winter pruning workshop for beginning as well as experienced grape growers will feature dormant pruning methods demonstrated by Rutgers NJAES and Cooperative Extension experts Hemant Gohil, Gary Pavlis, and Dan Ward.
There is no registration fee however pre-registration is required.
To pre-register, please call or email Joan Medany: (856) 307-6450; jmedany@co.gloucester.nj.us

Don’t Miss the 2016 NJ Ag Convention & Trade Show Wine Grape Sessions

Click link to view 2016 Convention Information & Registration
Tuesday February 9, 2016
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Tree Fruit Meeting for Commercial Growers

The 2016 South Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, February 25th. The meeting will be held at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, NJ.
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On-Farm Food Safety Trainings – UPDATED!

Winter on-farm food safety trainings are currently being offered throughout the state.   Third party audit, Good Agricultural Practices, and opportunities for writing a farm food safety plan are offered this winter.  Registration is required!2016 training schedule

We are no longer offering the certificate based training for the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Rule, and are waiting on the FDA to release their approved training materials. The FSMA trainings will most likely be held starting in the fall of 2016.  All scheduled on-farm food safety trainings will include an overview of the FSMA so that you can better understand the regulations and its implications for your produce operation.

 

2016 NJ Ag Convention & Trade Show

Date: February 9 – 10 – 11, 2016
Location: Harrah’s Resort & Waterfront Conference Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Sponsors: Vegetable Growers’ Association of NJ, New Jersey Blueberry Association, Garden State Wine Growers Association, Rutgers NJ Ag Experiment Station, & NJ Department of Ag

View 2016 Convention Information & Registration
View 2016 Educational Program

Trade show and educational sessions will open on Tuesday, February 9, at the Harrah’s Resort & Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show will feature exhibits and displays from many of the industry’s suppliers and business associates. This year, the educational program features twenty-five sessions, including an all-day Farm Food Safety training session and Basil Workshop Session. Start 2016 off right: learn from the best, touch base with fellow growers, and earn re-certification credits, all in three jam-packed days.

2016 CVPRDaily passes for the trade show and educational sessions are available for $50 a person. NJ Vegetable Grower Association memberships are $100 for 2 people who may attend the trade show and educational sessions all day/every day. Click the Information & Registration link above for more information on hotel and meal reservations. Members receive the comprehensive 2016 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.

In addition, the 2016 State Agricultural Convention will open with its regular business session on Wednesday, February 10, and continue on Thursday, February 11, 2016. The meeting will focus on developing and setting a policy agenda for the industry over the coming year through the resolutions process. The listening sessions, during which members of the agricultural industry can provide on-the-ground experiences and ideas for policy, will also be an important part of the convention. This year’s listening sessions will highlight Locally Grown, as well as feature an Agricultural Agents Micro Speed Session, where county agents will provide an update on their current projects.

Killing Freezes… Finally

Many people are pleased that typical winter temperatures have taken so long to show up. Below are some interesting observations from early- to mid-winter in New Brunswick. Relatively warm soil temperatures (as high as mid-60s °F) stimulated growth late into December.


Dandelion-bloom-300x169Dandelion bloom on 15 December 2015 in New Brunswick.

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