Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Learn about growing garlic through:
– A virtual field trip
– Participation in a panel discussion with specialists and farmers
– Completion of a risk assessment to determine if this crop is right for you
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Dinner 5:30 p.m.
Class 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Choose your location: Cape May Court House, Bordentown, Bridgewater
Register online!
The FDA released several documents specific to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Large farming operations will still be expected to meet all produce safety requirements set by the rule for produce other than sprouts, except those related to agricultural water, by the original January 26, 2018 compliance date. However, FDA Commissioner Dr. Gottlieb announced that inspections to assess compliance with the non-water requirements of the Produce Safety Rule for produce other than sprouts will not begin until 2019.
The FDA released a proposed rule regarding the extension of compliance dates for the water portion of the Produce Safety Rule. If finalized, this rule would extend the compliance dates for the agricultural water requirements by an additional two to four years (for produce other than sprouts). The proposed extension will give the agency time to take another look at the water standards to ensure that they are feasible for farmers in all regions of the country, while protecting public health. The new agricultural water compliance date the FDA is proposing for the largest farms is January 26, 2022. Small farms and very small farms would have until January 26, 2023 and January 26, 2024, respectively. The proposed rule is open for public comment for 60 days on the FDA Public Inspection website.
Additionally the FDA has released a list of equivalent testing methods that growers may use to test their agricultural water for generic E. coli.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension is continuing its Ultra-Niche Crop Series with the upcoming workshop “Farming Basil.” This workshop, the fifth class in the Ultra-Niche educational series for farmers seeking new crop opportunities, will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., simultaneously in Cape May Court House, Bordentown and Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Ultra-Niche Crops are defined as exceptionally high-value crops that can provide a significant source of income to the farmer while using a minimal amount of land. In this session, farmers will learn how to grow, market and sell basil [Read more…]
Learn how to grow, market and sell plasticulture strawberries. Production basics, food safety considerations, post harvest handling specifics, budgeting and buyer preferences.
September 28, 2016 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at three locations:
– RCE of Somerset County, Bridgewater
– RCE of Cape May County, Cape May Court House
– Rutgers EcoComplex, Columbus
For more information call Jenny Carleo, Agricultural Agent at (609) 465-5115 or email Jennifer
Matthews at jmatthews@aesop.rutgers.edu
To register go to Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ultra-niche-crops-plasticulture-strawberries-tickets-26609094518
To join the mailing list for future classes go to The Ultra-Niche Crop Project
Six training dates for the FSMA Produce Rule Grower Training Course have been set at locations throughout the state.
Training Dates and Locations
December 14 and 15 – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County, 291 Morton Ave., Millville, NJ 08332
February 9 – New Jersey Agricultural Convention, Harrah’s Resort Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ
February 22 and 23 – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, 930 Spruce St., Trenton, NJ 08648
March 1 and 2 – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County, 291 Morton Ave., Millville, NJ 08332
March 8 and 9 – Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research and Extension Center, 125A Lake Oswego Rd., Chatsworth, NJ 08019
March 22-23 – (Tentative) Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County, 314 State Route 12, Bldg. 2 Flemington, NJ 08822
Who Should Attend
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), co-management, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce [Read more…]
