Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

Commercial Ag Updates + Farm Food Safety

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ag Agents provide updates on what they see in the field, upcoming events, and other important news that affects your operation, such as developments in on-farm Food Safety. Subscribe if you wish to be notified about workshops, meetings, and upcoming commercial ag events.
 
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January 18, 2022

On-line Ordering of Free COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits Now Open

Per the National Association of Community Health Workers <https://nachw.org/>,

“The COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of slowing down, especially given the rise of the Omicron variant. … It is more important than ever … to have the necessary tools to safeguard … against the disease. As a result, NACHW [is] be supporting the Biden-Harris Administration’s rapid test distribution [program] … to equitably distribut[e] over 500 million tests, with the end goal of the initiative being the proliferation of testing and vaccine resources to our hardest-hit and highest-risk communities.

Ordering for free at-home COVID-19 tests is now open. When you click on the order link below, you will be asked for your zip code. Ordering today will be available to zip codes with the highest vulnerability to COVID-19. Starting this Wednesday (January 19), ordering for free at-home COVID-19 tests through this program will be open to everyone. There is a limit of 4 tests per household address and kits will be shipped by the end of January via the US Postal Service.

Use this link to order – https://nachw.org/covidtests/

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf Tagged With: ,
January 7, 2022

Livestock Marketing Virtual Needs Assessment Roundtable and Producer Discussion Meeting

Livestock Marketing Virtual Needs Assessment Roundtable and Producer Discussion Meeting on January 24th, 2022 from 7-9pm, online.

Livestock Marketing Virtual Needs Assessment Roundtable and Producer Discussion 1-24-22

Register here: https://go.rutgers.edu/LivestockProcessingSurveySummary

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock
January 5, 2022

Online Paraquat Handling Certification, National Pesticide Safety Education Center

In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined in the ‘Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision’ that all certified pesticide applicators must successfully complete an EPA approved training program before mixing, loading and/or applying Paraquat. “The training provides important information about paraquat’s toxicity, new label requirements and restrictions, and the consequences of misuse.” – (EPA)

For additional information and frequently asked questions, go to https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-training-certified-applicators.

The certified course can be found online at the National Pesticide Safety Education Center at this link https://npsec.us/paraquat. The training module is available in both English and Spanish.

On August 2, 2021, the EPA released the interim decision (ID) regarding further mitigation measures that all applicators must follow. To download a copy of all mitigation measures including new product label mandatory spray drift management language, enclosed cab requirement, backpack sprayer prohibition, and alfalfa rate per acre limitation, go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0855-0307.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
January 4, 2022

2022 Northeast Cover Crops Council Conference

Registration for the 5th Annual Northeast Cover Crops Council Conference is now open!

The conference will be held virtually from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on two days – Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11, 2022. The agenda includes graduate student lightning talks and several concurrent sessions led by researchers, Extension and industry personnel and agricultural producers from throughout the country. Find the full agenda here! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates Tagged With: ,
December 22, 2021

Upcoming Webinar on Woodland Management

Brian McDonald, regional forester with the NJ Forest Service.

Under the Farmland Assessment Act, woodland owners can be eligible for reduced property taxes if they follow a state-approved woodland management or forest stewardship plan. In fact, New Jersey has more than 228,000 acres of private woodlands currently being managed under the Farmland Assessment Act with practices that include reforestation, timber stand improvement, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, fire hazard reduction, invasive species control, watershed protection, and wetland restoration.

If you’d like to learn more about woodland management or forest stewardship to qualify for farmland assessment, join the Rutgers Cooperative Extension ‘Homesteading Academy’ for their upcoming webinar “Woodland Management for Private Landowners in New Jersey”. This lunchtime webinar will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 12-1 p.m. and presented by Brian McDonald, a forester with the New Jersey Forest Service.

There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Register today at https://go.rutgers.edu/homesteading!

If you have any questions, contact Kate Brown, Program Associate with RCE-Burlington County. Email kbrown@njaes.rutgers.edu or call 609-265-5050.

 

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December 21, 2021

Upcoming Webinar Spotlights Agriculture in Region

Regional news of note:  The Philadelphia Society of Agriculture is hosting a webinar on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 1:00 pm with the Secretaries of Agriculture from PA, NJ, DE, and MD who will share their reflections on 2021 and their hopes and plans for agriculture in their state in 2022.

“A Visit with the Secretaries of Agriculture for the Region”

COVID has changed the agriculture and food industry in many ways. The leadership of the state departments of agriculture has been critical in filling the gaps that have arisen while, at the same time, carrying on their continuing mission of safety in the industry. Each state is different given the mix of agriculture in each. The Secretaries will address the differences and similarities in agriculture in the four states.

  • There is no registration fee but pre-registration is required by contacting pspaonline@gmail.com with the name(s) of the people attending, their affiliations, and emails. You will receive a Zoom link in return.
  • Contact Scott Sheely at pspaonline@gmail.com with any questions.  Registrations end by COB on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf