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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October 29, 2026

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:

  • Cover cropping
  • Rotational grazing
  • Nutrient management plans
  • Renewable energy infrastructure
  • High tunnels
  • Pollinator plantings
  • And more!

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 5th 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: , , , ,
October 26, 2026

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: , , ,
October 20, 2026

Equipment Day Event 11-14-26

The RU Ready to Farm Program will be hosting ‘Equipment Day’ on 11-14-26. The event is geared towards new and beginning farmers and will focus on small to medium farm equipment and will feature several Rutgers programs that provide services to new farmers. The event is free, but registration is required, see link and schedule below.

Feel free to contact Linnea Eberly (lce28@njaes.rutgers.edu) or Trevor Styles (tds88@njaes.rutgers.edu) with any questions about the event.

Location: Hlubik Farms, 92 Chesterfield-Georgetown Rd, Chesterfield, New Jersey 08515
9:45 am – 10:00 am Registration
10:00 am – 10:05 am Welcome, David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
10:05 am – 11:00 am Small Equipment, Trevor Styles, Program Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension. BCS Machine and Implements, Tillmor, Small Seeders.
11:00 am – 11:15 am Pesticide Safety, Grayson Tung, Senior Coordinator, Pesticide Safety Education Program.
11:15 am – 11:25 am Soil Testing Lab, Stephanie Murphy, Rutgers Soil Testing Lab.
11:25 am – 11:35 am Plant Diagnostic Lab, Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Lab.
11:35 am – 11:45 am On-Farm Food Safety, Meredith Melendez, Mercer County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
11:45 am – 11:55 am Integrated Pest Management, Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinator, Vegetable IPM. Overview of Fruit and Vegetable IPM programs and services provided.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch, Networking with Fellow Growers, Extension Personnel, and Ag Service Providers.
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Optional Orchard Tour, David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Medium Scale Vegetable Production Equipment, David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Small Tractor, Transplanter, Plastic Mulch Layer, Safety.
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm Sourcing Used Equipment, Bill Hlubik, Retired, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
2:00 pm End/Networking.
This event is free, but pre-registration is required:
Please RSVP by November 6th to reserve your spot: https://go.rutgers.edu/6iqwqax4

Filed Under: Fruit, Vegetable Crops, work shop
October 9, 2026 and

Vegetable IPM Update 10/09/2026

Greetings from the Veg IPM team! This will be our last regular post for the 2026 season. If an urgent pest issue arises, we will send out a specific P&PA post.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
October 6, 2026

Agricultural Drone Training Opportunity for New Jersey Commercial Farmers

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is offering a valuable training opportunity for New Jersey commercial farmers on Friday, November 6, and Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Rutgers Snyder Research Farm, 140 Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, NJ.

Through a USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Grant, the Rutgers Agricultural Drone Team, led by Agricultural Agent Stephen Komar, is offering a two-day agricultural drone training at no cost to participating farmers. Grant funding for this course is specifically intended to provide drone training to commercial farmers in New Jersey.

The course will prepare participants to learn how to obtain their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107), which is required to operate drones for commercial agricultural purposes. Training will include information and resources to help participants prepare for the Part 107 certification examination. On the second day, participants will also receive hands-on instruction and have the opportunity to fly drones at the Rutgers Snyder Research Farm.

Limited Enrollment — Please Commit to Both Days

Enrollment is limited to 10 participants. Those pre-registered prior to the class being filled, will receive access to training materials for studying and practice tests to help prepare for the Part 107 certification exam.

Because space and training materials are limited, please register only if you are able to attend both November 6 and November 13. If you register and do not attend, you may prevent another New Jersey farmer from participating in this training opportunity.

To ensure that the training is available to as many farms as possible, registration is limited to one person per farm. Participants must also be 18 years of age or older.

Please see the bulletin below for additional information.

Registration:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EU6CBcmpBG

Questions Contact:
Stephen Komar, Agricultural Agent
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Sussex County
Email: komar@njaes.rutgers.edu
Phone: 973-948-3040, ext. 3

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, training, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
October 2, 2026 and

Vegetable IPM Update 10/02/26

Greetings from the Veg IPM team!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , ,