USDA has just announced that proposed audit fees for the Harmonized and GAP/GHP audits will increase to $155 per hour. The average Harmonized Audit runs anywhere from 12 to 15 hours, GAP/GHP audits average 5 to 10 hours. The current fee is $132 per hour. For anyone who needs an audit try to schedule before October 1, 2023 when the new rates take effect. For further information or discuss the proposed increases contact: Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, AMS, USDA, Room 2036–S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 205–9356, or email melissa.bailey@usda.gov.
May 24, 2023 Wes Kline and Meredith Melendez
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Changes to Audit Costs
April 18, 2023 Meredith Melendez
Your Input Needed on Preharvest Water use in Produce
Do you irrigate produce?
Have questions about Subpart E or agricultural water?
The On-Farm Food Safety Team is involved in a national survey to find out:
- Does the produce industry understand the rule?
- What areas of the rule are still unclear to the industry.
- How preharvest water is used and treated on farms across the U.S.
This survey will help us get a better understanding of what you know and how extension educators can assist the industry. Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey by clicking on the image to the right.
February 16, 2023 Meredith Melendez
Organic Grower Advisory 3/7 Registration Open
The Rutgers Organic Grower Advisory meeting will be held on March 7th. This meeting has served to increase communication between commercial farms using organic practices and Rutgers Cooperative Extension agricultural agents and specialists. This year the meeting will be held both in-person and online. We have a AV system that will allow for better sound quality for all participants. Please see details below, and use the Qualtrics link to register if you plan to attend.
March 7th 10:00 – 2:00
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County
1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing NJ 08638
OR Online via Zoom
In-person attendees will have a pizza lunch option at a cost of $5.00 per person, payable at the door.
Registration deadline is March 3rd, register here!
Examples of hot topics for discussion from the 2021 Organic Grower Advisory meeting are:
• Weed control updates
• Organic animal feed
• Allium leaf miner
• Spotted lanternfly
• Organic sweet corn
• Disease control
• Organic certifications
January 5, 2023 Meredith Melendez
Worker Training and Sanitizer Labeling and Use Recorded Webinars Now Available
We continue to see the need for resources focusing on farm worker training and sanitizers. We invited to produce safety experts to discuss the topics on recorded webinars. These recordings are now available for viewing on the Rutgers NJAES YouTube Produce Safety playlist.
Retraining and Upskilling Workers on Produce Safety Best Practices by Phillip Tocco, MSU Extension
Using Sanitizers in a Postharvest Setting: Selecting a Sanitizer and Understanding Its Label by Donna Clements, Produce Safety Alliance
Additional information can be found on the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website, including upcoming FSMA PSR trainings, USDA third-party audit workshops, and future webinars.
September 22, 2022 Meredith Melendez
Redroot and Smooth Pigweed: Non-Herbicide Management Options in Specialty Crops
Redroot and smooth pigweeds reproduce in abundance by seed which is easily transported across a farm. Using knowledge about the life cycle of this weed is important when making management decisions that require time and effort throughout a growing season. Learn more about non-herbicide management methods to control smooth and redroot pigweed populations on your farm by using the smooth and redroot pigweed decision tool fact sheet and a companion presentation. These resources are one of a five-part weed management series created by Extension Specialist Thierry Besancon and County Agricultural Agent Meredith Melendez, funded by USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant AM190100. You can provide feedback through an online survey about these resources.
September 16, 2022 Meredith Melendez
Hairy Galinsoga: Non-Herbicide Management Options in Specialty Crops
Hairy galinsoga spreads throughout a farm by seeds that germinate quickly once exposed to light, with multiple generations in a growing season. Using knowledge about the life cycle of this weed is important when making management decisions that require time and effort throughout a growing season. Learn more about non-herbicide management methods to control hairy galinsoga populations on your farm by using the hairy galinsoga decision tool fact sheet and a companion presentation. These resources are one of a five-part weed management series created by Extension Specialist Thierry Besancon and County Agricultural Agent Meredith Melendez, funded by USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant AM190100. You can provide feedback through an online survey about these resources.
