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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March 23, 2020

Rutgers NJAES Plant Diagnostic and Soil Testing Services Still Processing Samples

The Rutgers Plant Diagnostic and Soil Testing Laboratories are currently closed to the public.

However, lab employees will be processing samples during limited hours and without extra support from student workers.

Instructions for submitting plant samples and questions to the Diagnostic Lab are:

  • Samples may be shipped via UPS or FedEx (not via US Postal Service) directly to:  Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, Ralph Geiger Turfgrass Ed. Ctr., 20 Indyk-Engel Way, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. Please email us at rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu to inform us when to expect your sample (please provide tracking information if available).
  • Hand deliveries of samples may be left in the hallway at our front door. Please email us at rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu to inform us that you have dropped off a sample.
  • For questions, the best way to reach the lab staff is via email to rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu as we may have limited access to voicemail.

To for submit soil samples and questions to the Soils Testing Lab:

  • Soil samples may be mailed via the US Postal Service or shipped UPS or FedEx to: Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 57 US Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554.
  • In-person visits for dropping off samples are not permitted.
  • Soil testing kits can be mailed, or for clients without soil testing kits, sampling instructions and the soil test questionnaires are available on the NJAES/soil-testing-lab webpage: How to Have Your Soil Tested. It is important to select the correct kit/questionnaire for the type of soil you are testing and the analysis required.
  • For questions, the best way to reach the lab staff is via email to: soiltest@njaes.rutgers.edu as we may have limited coverage of phones.

With limited hours and no student workers to assist, please anticipate slower turnaround times. We thank you for your patience.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 21, 2020

COVID-19 Info for the Agricultural Industry

In an effort to keep the agricultural industry informed with relevant COVID-19 information The Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website will be updated as resources become available.  Check back periodically as materials are being updated and developed.

Please reach out to us via email if you have questions, we will do our best to answer them.  We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.

Wesley Kline wkline@njaes.rutgers.edu

Meredith Melendez melendez@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 20, 2020

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Working Through COVID-19

To learn the status of your Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) office, please visit the County Office tab at njaes.rutgers.edu. Note that the status of office access listed below is subject to change in this current state of emergency. Personnel in most offices are working remotely or in offices with restricted access, but are still available to assist via mail, phone or email.

From RCE Director Dr. Brian Schilling,

“…Cooperative Extension… continue[s] to operate under the directive that all Rutgers Cooperative Extension events, programs, and noncredit classes involving groups larger than 15 participants are to be cancelled through at least April 3.  Significant progress is being made with the movement of programs and associate resources into online formats.

“Over the past week, RCE county offices have begun altering their operations to promote social distancing and continue programs/service provision, as is feasible.  RCE and county government partners are working to ensure continuity of operations, which in many instances involves remote work arrangements and/or restrictions of the public to county facilities. The [current] operating status of our county offices is as follows:

    • Closed – 9 offices (Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Essex, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union)
    • Open, Public Access Limited – 10 offices (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Warren)
    • Open, No Restrictions – 1 office (Sussex)
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 18, 2020

ReadyAG – Dealing With Disaster May Be The Last Thing On Your Mind, But Are You Prepared?

The COVID-19 posts asking if your business could survive if you, as owner/operator/key manager, got sick reminded me that we never ‘plan to fail, but to often fail to plan’! ReadyAG is an online self-assessment tool that is meant to help you do just that. You can download the entire workbook or use the online versions to conduct your own review of your ability to deal with a disaster, make prioritized lists of items you might need to address, and create contingency plans and contacts to put all essential information into a centralized plan.

Hopefully COVID-19 avoids our farm community, but the ReadyAG workbook can be an eye opener about your farm business’s ability to cope with any disaster.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
March 17, 2020 and

Produce Pick-Up and Deliveries During the COVID-19 Outbreak- Keeping things Safe

New Jersey produce buyers and shippers are essential in keeping our produce department shelves stocked for consumers.  Questions have come into the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Team regarding best practices for the shipping or receiving of produce. Communication is key, and prominent signage is the best way to convey your policies.  Here are some suggestions to reduce risk:

-Train workers on proper handwashing.  Click here for printable signage on the proper technique and frequency.
-Implement an ill worker policy if you don’t have one already – workers feeling sick (fever, cough, flu-like symptoms) must stay home.
-Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces and other frequently touched surfaces regularly.  Products must be labeled for the intended use, and directions should be strictly followed.  Note that there is a “surface must stay wet” for a specified amount of time in order to be effective.

Some additional considerations:

1. If you are loading the truck have the driver stay in their truck, if possible
2. Do not allow the driver to walk around the loading area
3. If possible have separate bathroom and handwashing facilities for the truckers, keep these stocked and make sure to clean and sanitize at least daily
4. Have a sign explaining what is expected of drivers
5. Post signage on handwashing
6. For package drop-off, have one designated area for this activity

For more information on produce safety, visit the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Team webpage and Facebook page

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
March 17, 2020

Status of U.S. Consular Operations in Mexico in Light of COVID-19

In response to the global pandemic COVID-19, and in line with the Mexican government’s call to increase social distancing, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. consulates in Mexico will suspend routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services starting March 18, 2020, and until further notice. For farmers this means, H-2A workers and others from Mexico may be prevented from entering the U.S. until further notice. NJ Farm Bureau is researching the subject for more clarification. For now to see more information go to the U.S. Embassy’s website at: Field of plantershttps://mx.usembassy.gov/status-of-u-s-consular-operations-in-mexico-in-light-of-covid-19/

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape