Rutgers Cooperative Extension
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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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
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.
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…]
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.
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.
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.
Through our collaboration in the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) we’d like to share the following timely updates on the on-going pandemic and efforts to encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated and/or boosted now!
From today’s EXCITE newsletter, the CDC urges Get a Boost for the Holidays!
“We want to see you in the New Year… please remember to get your COVID booster shot, available for all persons 16 and up. As the omicron COVID-19 virus variant emerges and may impact holiday plans, the most up-to-date guidance will be on the CDC website. A new page on the omicron variant has been updated as of Dec. 14, 2021. The CDC page on travel and COVID-19 was updated Dec. 10. For guidance on flu, the CDC has a dedicated set of pages that will be updated throughout the holidays as new information becomes available.
From the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines for Children website:
CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19.
At this time, the Pfizer-BioNTech is approved for everyone from ages 5 and older. The Moderna and J&J/Janssen vaccines are only approved for individuals 18 years old and older.
