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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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.
The FDA recently released the long-anticipated proposed changes to the agricultural water requirements (Subpart E) of the Produce Safety Rule. On Thursday, December 16 at 3:00 pm ET, join United Fresh, PMA, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Northwest Horticultural Council and Western Growers for a timely webinar covering what FDA has proposed and where FDA is seeking public comment (due April 5).
To learn more about the proposed changes and the process of public comment sign up for the webinar: Webinar Registration – Zoom
Using a high-efficiency wood or pellet stove can be a cost-effective way to reduce your home heating costs compared to other fuels like natural gas, fuel oil, or electricity. According to Penn State Extension, the greatest savings are realized when you cut your own firewood rather than opting to buy pellets or have cordwood delivered. However, there are several hazards associated with use of a chainsaw or ax for felling trees or splitting firewood; the CDC estimates 36,000 people visit hospital emergency departments annually for injuries caused by chainsaws. If you plan to cut your own firewood this winter, it’s important to keep safety top of mind. [Read more…]
