A press release from Purdue University last week was titled Study reveals listeria bacteria can hide inside tissue of romaine lettuce – Common sanitization practices may not be sufficient in killing bacteria. Assistant Professor of Food Science Amanda Deering’s research revealed “that the bacteria could live within lettuce in every stage of the plant growth process, residing inside the plant tissue” [Read more…]
Farm-to-School/Farmers Market Nutrition Survey Looking for Mid-Atlantic Produce Growers
Fruit or vegetable farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region (PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, WV, and DC) that have participated or have considered participating in:
- Farm to School sales or activities, OR
- Farmers’ Market Nutrition Incentive programs (like FMNP & SNAP matching programs)
are invited to participate in a survey about their choices to participate or not.
Megan Lehnerd, a PhD student at the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition, is conducting a study to learn more about why farmers choose to participate or not participate in these programs. The survey will take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete.
If you complete the survey, you can choose a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Johnny’s Selected Seeds. For more information or to take the survey, visit: http://sites.tufts.edu/farmersurvey or contact Megan at megan.lehnerd@tufts.edu.
Megan Lehnerd, MS
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Tufts University
Farmer Energy & Water Efficiency Training Feb. 22
Learn from Industry and Academia Experts about Innovations in Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation, that Positively Impact our Environment and Can Increase the Profitability at Your Farm
The Rutgers EcoComplex and the Rutgers Food Innovation Center have partnered together to provide this critically-needed and unique seminar for farmers, that will help companies to reduce their energy and water use, create or enhance their sustainability program, and save money in their operations. The trainers in this course are industry experts who have first-hand experience in the field.
More details here.
Date: February 22, 2017
Time: 8 am registration, Program from 8:30am – 4:30 pm
Location: 140 Locust Grove Rd, Pittstown, NJ 08867
Cost: $20 per person
Vegetable Growers’ Twilight 4/28 6PM East Vineland Fire Hall
Vegetable growers are invited to Rutgers spring South Jersey Integrated Crop Management Twilight meeting tonight, 4/28/2016, 6–9 PM, located at the East Vineland Fire Hall on Landis Ave. (across from Savoy Restaurant).
The program offers 2 Core and 4 Cat 1A and PP2 pesticide re-certification credits, using drones on farms, [Read more…]
Hobby UAS (Drones) – New FAA Registration Requirements
Alert: Disaster Preparedness for Production Agriculture
Governor Chris Christie today declared a state of emergency throughout the state as a result of severe weather conditions expected in the coming days. The National Weather Service is forecasting a dangerous nor’easter weather pattern impacting New Jersey beginning on October 1, 2015, including high winds, very heavy rain, inland river flooding, as well as major coastal flooding with heavy surf and beach erosion. The National Hurricane Center currently has forecasted the track for the impending weather event Joaquin, now a major hurricane, showing it moving northward off the mid-Atlantic coast late on or about October 4, 2015, which may cause significant flooding, dangerous storm surges between eight and ten feet, substantial wind damage, and stream and river flooding threatening homes and other structures, and endangering lives in the State.
ReadyAG Can Help Plan and Prepare
ReadyAG Workbook
Just as we’ve finished National Preparedness Month, Governor Christie has declared a state of emergency. In case Hurricane Joaquin takes a turn toward the Jersey Shore this weekend, there are many resources and tools to help get your families and homes prepared. Make sure your farm business is ready too.
[Read more…]