November 2, 2026

Northeast SARE to Host Farmer Grant Q&A Sessions in November

Question and Answer Sessions for the Farmer Grant program are taking place on Tuesdays at Noon throughout the month of November. Register once to attend any of the sessions.

Northeast SARE Farmer Grants provide the resources farmers need to explore new concepts agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Projects address issues that affect farming with long-term practical impacts in mind.

Farmer Grants are designed to be a strong starting point for farmers interested in pursuing grant funding for projects. Before starting their proposals, potential candidates identify a Technical Advisor who can provide non-farming expertise in areas such as research design, troubleshooting, and promotion. The Technical Advisor acts as a go-to support person throughout the grant project, making it easier on first time grantees and forging new relationships in agricultural communities across the Northeast.

Approximately $1M has been allocated to fund projects for this grant cycle. Awards of up to $50,000 are available, depending on the complexity of a project. Proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on December 8, 2026.

To sign up for the Q&A Sessions go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6Vi5Lt9SScO7U7duEpYulQ#/registration

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Tree Fruit, 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 22, 2026

Farm Credit East to Offer Business Skills Training in Bridgeton and Virtually

Farm Credit East is a helpful partner to farmers in our region for many reasons. FCE offers training opportunities along with financial services. Starting soon, FCE is offering their GenerationNext program. This program may be beneficial to the future of your farm and can help train leadership to take care of the business-end of farming. Take some time to look over what is being offered.

GenerationNext is a dynamic workshop series designed for the next generation of ag managers and owners. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role or looking to strengthen your business acumen, this program offers the tools and insights you need to succeed.

Program Highlights:

  • Format: Choose between virtual (7 sessions) or in-person (3 sessions) options
  • Topics: Leadership, HR, financial analysis, marketing, risk management, and estate planning
  • Cost: $199/person (discounted from $1900 through our Young, Beginning, Small & Veteran program)

In-person classes are 3 sessions from 9:30-3:30

  • Auburn ME Office: Nov 19, Dec 10, Jan 14
  • Bridgeton NJ Office: Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 18
  • Batavia NY Office: Dec 3, Jan 14, Feb 3
  • Cortland NY Office: Dec 2, Jan 13, Feb 2
  • Potsdam NY Office: Dec 1, Jan 12, Jan 26
  • White River Junction VT Office: Nov 18, Dec 9, Jan 13

Online class is 7 weekly sessions from 2-4pm

  • Online: Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, Feb 25, Mar 4

For more information and to Register: Visit FarmCreditEast.com/GenerationNext
Register at least 2 weeks before your session begins.

For questions or to discuss which format is best for you, please reach out to Chris Laughton for more information. We look forward to helping you grow your farm business!

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, training, vegetable, work shop 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 1, 2026

2027 Rutgers Educational Sessions at NE Agricultural Expo in Atlantic City

Everyone should be very excited for this event in 2027. The NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions will begin on Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, 777 Harrahs Boulevard. The final day of educational sessions and trade show ends on Thursday, January 21, 2027. The trade show already has an abundance of vendors signed up for booths in 2027.

The planning committee for the expo is looking forward to providing many new opportunities, and Rutgers has confirmed many new speakers to offer excellent information, covering various topics from the 2026 growing season and research results to help farmers improve their practices. The Harrah’s conference center offers the best layout in Atlantic City for this convention. Come for the opportunity to network with others in the industry, to learn from over 72 presenters on a diversity of topics, and to gain pesticide recertification credits to keep your applicator’s license current. To register and for more information from the organizing association, go to the Vegetable Growers Association of NJ’s website at https://vganj.com.

Please see the DRAFT Rutgers Educational Program below. Pesticide credits have been applied for with NJ DEP. When the credits are assigned this program will be republished and promoted with credits.

 

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, pesticide credits, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Strawberry, training, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape, work shop Tagged With: , , , ,
August 27, 2026

Call Before You Dig


“Call Before you Dig” is the slogan used remind people to find underground utilities before doing any digging or excavation. Striking an underground utility line during routine farm projects—like installing fence posts, deep ripping, or laying drainage tile—can lead to dangerous injuries, costly repairs, and severe service outages. It is important for farmers, ranchers and others to call 811 or before any excavation to remain safe and to comply with the law.

In New Jersey, please review the following process to ensure a safe excavation/digging experience.

New Jersey Law requires anyone digging to call at least three full business days (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to beginning work. This is for everyone and includes property and homeowners’ contractors.

Contact New Jersey One Call at 811 or 800-272-1000 any time, day or night. Also see the website for New Jersey One Call for more information.

Key Safe Digging Tips:

• WAIT for the site to be marked with paint, flags or stakes. See the color chart and labels below for what each utility company uses for markings.
• RESPECT THE MARKS
• DIG WITH CARE by hand digging within two feet on either side of any marked areas.

Stop and Report Immediately: If equipment strikes a line—even if there is no visible damage—stop work and contact the utility company and emergency services right away.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf Tagged With: ,