June 30, 2026

Dangerous Heat: Actions to Stay Safe

Dangerous heat will impact NJ and the region this week, with maximum air temperatures Wednesday to Saturday forecasted to reach the mid-90s to 105 degrees. The heat index, which factors in relative humidity, is expected to soar as high as 110 degrees. As a result, an Extreme Heat Warning has been issued for the majority of NJ (Wednesday to Saturday) with an Extreme Heat Watch being issued for the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland (Thursday to Saturday).

Precautions must be taken to prevent heat-related illnesses among the agricultural workforce:

  1. National Weather Service graphic on extreme heat watches and warnings for the region. Adjust work schedules and discontinue outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day.
    1. You can utilize the OSHA/NIOSH Heat Safety Tool (phone app) for site-specific heat indices to aid planning.
    2. Remember: heat index is measured in the shade and does not factor in the effect of work in direct sunlight.
  2. Reduce workload intensity by increasing the number of workers per task, rotating jobs, and increasing the frequency of breaks.
  3. Train everyone on the farm to recognize and respond to signs of heat-related illness in themselves and others.
    1. Reinforce training with signage such as this informative ‘Prevent Heat Illness at Work’ poster from OSHA which is available in English, as well as Spanish.
  4. Keep hydrated! Cool water should always be available to everyone. Drink water constantly including before, during, and after work and encourage others to do the same. Sports drinks are generally not necessary when you drink ample water and eat regular meals.
  5. Select light-colored, breathable clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Your clothing must allow for rapid evaporation of sweat – the body’s mechanism for cooling.

Take extreme caution over the next several days to safeguard yourself and others from heat-related illnesses. For more resources on preventing heat-related illness among the agricultural workforce, visit our Heat Stress and Agriculture website. 

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
April 16, 2026

Farm Safety Needs Assessment Closing May 1

The Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Working Group is conducting a survey to evaluate the priority needs of New Jersey farmers for training and resource development related to safety and health.  As a New Jersey farmer, you are invited to complete this survey by Friday, May 1, 2026. Click here to access the survey and learn more.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
February 19, 2026 , , and

Produce Safety Rule Training Part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

When: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 9:30-4:30 PM.

Where: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638

Cost:  $100.00 (lunch included) as part of registration process you will ask to pay by card.  Online ticket Sales end on Friday, March 6, 2026. If paying after the deadline or in person payment must be by check made out to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

 To sign up and information: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2tP1FhE34sviJv0

Who Should Attend

  • Fruit Growers
  • Vegetable Growers
  • Growers who have farms that fall under the Produce Safety Rule
  • Growers who have farms that do not fall under the rule but will in the future.

 Benefits of Attending the Workshop

Individuals who participate in this course will gain a basic understanding of:

  • Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.
  • Fulfills the requirement for at least one supervisor from a farm to complete food safety training at least equivalent to the standardized curriculum recognized by the FDA.
  • Microorganisms relevant to produce safety.
  • Where microorganisms may be found on the farm
  • How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm.
  • Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
  • Cleaning and Sanitizing

Areas Covered Under the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training:

  • Introduction to Produce Safety
  • Worker Health, Hygiene and Training
  • Soil Amendments
  • Wildlife, Domesticated Animals and Land Use
  • Agricultural Water (Part I: Pre Harvest Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
  • Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
  • How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

After attending the entire course and submitting the appropriate survey to their trainer at the end of the course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. This course fulfills the FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement for at least one supervisor per farm is trained by an FDA-recognized Produce Safety Alliance curriculum.

Does your farm fall under the FSMA PSR? Find out at the link below.
https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IagP1mbPyrp42N

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
February 13, 2026

Farm Safety Needs Assessment

The Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Working Group is conducting a survey to evaluate the priority needs of New Jersey farmers for training and resource development related to safety and health.  As a New Jersey farmer, you are invited to complete this survey. Click here to access the survey and learn more.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
February 6, 2026

Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendation Guide Available at Select County RCE Offices

Physical, spiral-bound copies of the recently updated 2026/2027 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendation Guide are now available at select Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices throughout the state. This publication is updated biennially with research-based information from land-grant university trials as well as knowledge and experience from farmers and other industry members in the mid-Atlantic region. The production guide is intended for use by commercial vegetable growers and includes general production and pest management recommendations, pesticide safety information, and commodity-specific recommendations.

Limited quantities of the guide are available for purchase at the following RCE offices. The cost is $35.00 (including tax) and payable by check made out to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Click here to locate your nearest RCE office and access contact information. We strongly encourage you to call in advance to confirm the availability of the guide.

  • RCE of Atlantic County (Mays Landing)
  • RCE of Burlington County (Westampton)
  • RCE of Cumberland County (Millville)
  • RCE of Hunterdon County (Flemington)
  • RCE of Mercer County (Ewing)
  • RCE of Middlesex County (North Brunswick)
  • RCE of Monmouth County (Freehold)
  • RCE of Morris County (Morristown)
  • RCE of Somerset County (Bridgewater)
  • Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Bridgeton)

This production guide is also available as a free downloadable PDF on the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station website (updated version coming soon) or purchasable online from Penn State Extension.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
February 2, 2026

RU-N Seeks to Buy Produce, Dairy, Meat, and Eggs from Female Farmers

Rutgers-Newark (RU-N) seeks to purchase fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, and meat from women-owned farms in New Jersey. Pick-up is available and all women-owned/operated farms located in NJ are eligible. The deadline is almost here! Interested farmers are asked to complete the interest form by Wednesday, February 4, 2026.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Vegetable Crops