Archives for February 2018

February 26, 2018

US Food & Drug Administration Announces Microbiological Surveillance Sampling for Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Basil & Parsley) to Continue Through 2018

The US FDA has announced an ongoing surveillance program started in October 2017 will continue through 2018 until they collect at least 1600 samples each of fresh cilantro, parsley and basil. FDA inspectors will be visiting farm packinghouses, wholesale packers, domestic and import warehouses and shippers, as well as retail purveyors, From their press release,

From 1996 to 2015, the FDA reported nine [food born illness] outbreaks linked to basil, parsley, and cilantro, which resulted in 2,699 illnesses and 84 hospitalizations. Four of the outbreaks were linked to basil, three to cilantro, and two to parsley.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
February 26, 2018

New Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Website!

I’m forwarding this from Meredith Melendez and Wes Kline. If you thought you were subscribed to receive food safety updates in the past but have been wondering why you haven’t been receiving any news, please go to your subscription page and change from ‘Food Safety’ to ‘Commercial Agriculture Updates’. Long story short, but the food safety category was combined into the commercial ag updates, and for some reason, many subscriptions were not transferred to the new category.

Visit the new Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website for information on Good Agricultural Practices, the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, and USDA Third Party Audits.  Information can also be found on upcoming on-farm food safety workshops, publications and resources to help you understand and implement on-farm food safety practices.

Filed Under: Fruit, Vegetable Crops
February 26, 2018

NJ DEP Annual Ag Water Use Reports Due 2/28

If you downloaded the RCE irrigation pump log sheet posted here last fall, and you haven’t sent in your water use report yet, you have until Wed to calculate your monthly water use and submit it to NJ DEP. Keeping a hard copy of the log sheet by each well makes a simple way to record actual water use, but tallying the monthly and annual totals will take one more step. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
February 23, 2018

New Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Website!

Visit the new Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website for information on Good Agricultural Practices, the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, and USDA Third Party Audits.  Information can also be found on upcoming on-farm food safety workshops, publications and resources to help you understand and implement on-farm food safety practices.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety
February 22, 2018

Still Time to Register for North Jersey Commercial Vegetable and/or Tree Fruit Meetings

Morris County Agent Peter Nitzsche and Hunterdon County Agent Megan Muehlbauer indicate there is still limited time to register for two upcoming educational events they are hosting at the Hunterdon County Complex in Flemington:

What:  North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Grower Meeting
When:  February 27, 2018
Where:  Hunterdon County Complex, Flemington, NJ
For Program & Registration Details go to https://events.rutgers.edu/pdfs/North_Jersey_Commercial_Vegetable_Growers_Meeting_2018.pdf

What:  North Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Meeting
When:  March 6, 2018
Where:  Hunterdon County Complex, Flemington, NJ
For Program & Registration Details go to https://events.rutgers.edu/pdfs/NorthJerseyFruitMeeting_Program_2018.pdf

NJ & PA PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED FOR THESE PROGRAMS

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
February 21, 2018

Central NJ Turf and Ornamental Institute Educational Event

The Central NJ Turf and Ornamental Institute has been providing the latest information to nursery growers and landscapers now for 40 years.  This educational event on Thursday, March 1st features an exciting presentation on new Rutgers ornamental plants & nut trees for New Jersey as well as presentations on Integrated Pest Management for nurseries and landscapes. We are pleased to have our new weed control specialist sharing the latest on weed control options. The C.J.T.O.I. is an annual event intended to benefit all those who work in grounds maintenance including school board members, maintenance supervisors, employees of highways, parks, industrial grounds, lawn services, garden center operators and nurserymen.  The event includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Pesticide Credits available will include 1A 6 units, 3A 5 units, 3B 5 units, 6B 3 units, 13 6 units, CORE 4 units and PP2 6 units. Two NJ Certified Fertilizer Applicator Credits will also be available. To register online visit  cpe.rutgers.edu/CJTOI  Questions about your registration? Phone: 848-932-9271, Option 2

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf