The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) wants to remind New Jersey small grains producers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2021 crop year is September 30, 2020. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until September 30 to do so. [Read more…]
On-Farm Food Safety Section
Keep up with the latest news on this dynamic topic that impacts growers on multiple levels. Developing a farm food safety plan is a good idea for all growers, and may be required as part of food safety audits if you sell to certain buyers.
View NJAES On-Farm Food Safety Publications
August 28, 2020 Nick Polanin
Crop Insurance Listening Sessions Scheduled
As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress required USDA’s Risk Management Agency to solicit feedback about improved crop insurance coverage options for farmers and ranchers selling through local food markets. This includes discussing how existing crop insurance programs can be improved, as well as exploring the possibility of a new crop insurance program. Sessions are scheduled for September 1, 2, and 3 for the northeast region. [Read more…]
August 9, 2020 Nick Polanin
The Show Must Go On(line) – 2020 Ag Progress Days Virtual Experience
Continuing a 50-year tradition, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, brought to you by their College of Agricultural Sciences, is a one-stop shop this week, August 9-12, 2020, for the latest research, management practices, and regulations in agriculture.
This year, Penn State Extension educators and faculty have come together to provide a FREE virtual learning program filled with the latest in Ag research and best practices. This event is being offered at no charge to participants, but registration is required to receive the link to access a webinar. Even if you missed a day or a session, all registrants will receive access to the webinar recordings.
Online registrants can choose from more than 46 live webinars and get questions answered by the experts. Just check out the the live webinar schedule and register online. [Read more…]
July 20, 2020 Nick Polanin
Make Sure Your Farm or Ranch Counts – And is Counted!
Did you know that according to the 2019 State Agriculture Overview for NJ, 3,900 acres of peaches yielded 5/tons per acre at a value of over $25.6 million dollars? Or that 3,500 acres of peppers were harvested in 2019, with a value of $45.8 million dollars? Or that 9,300 acres of harvested blueberries were valued at $85.3 million dollars in 2019? And in 2018, NJ ranked 4th nationwide in cranberry and peach production, and third in bell peppers?
July 8, 2020 Rick VanVranken
Gov. Murphy to Sign Order Requiring Outdoor Face Coverings
As reported at njbiz.com Wednesday morning, NJ Governor Phil Murphy has indicated he will be signing “an executive order mandating that masks or other face coverings be worn outdoors, as the COVID-19 virus surges across the country and the transmission rate creeps up in New Jersey.”
The state currently requires the use of face coverings indoors and at many outdoor businesses, and strongly encourages their use when in crowded public spaces, such as at the beach. The new order will require that masks will have to be worn outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
There are many outdoor operations around the farm. Be sure to plan accordingly with supplies of masks/face coverings for all agricultural workers and harvesters, in addition to planning all field work with adequate space for individuals to keep socially distanced.
For more information on keeping you, your workers and your family safe, be sure to read and implement the recommendations in NJ’s “INTERIM CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) GUIDANCE FOR MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS, THEIR EMPLOYERS, AND HOUSING PROVIDERS.”
June 10, 2020 Wes Kline
On-Farm Readiness Reviews to Resume
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted the restrictions on carrying out On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRR). The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) in cooperation with Rutgers Cooperative Extension will start offering OFRR’s in the next couple of weeks.
The objectives of the On-Farm Readiness Review program are to:
- Offer a voluntary, non-regulatory, pre-inspectional “readiness” review primarily for covered farms and discuss whether the farm is covered by Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule or whether the farm may be exempt from parts of FSMA
- Promote coordination between farmers, regulators & educators
- Educate regulators about on-farm practices and conditions
- Familiarize non-qualified farms with the regulations
This is a confidential review of individual farm operations. Usually there are two individuals on the team, one each from NJDA and Extension. This is not a records review, but an overall assessment of the farm operation and how the farming practices conform to the Produce Safety Rule. The team walks around the operation with the grower and discusses the different aspects of the farm. Once the review is over the group sits together and reviews the findings and makes suggestions for possible changes to meet the rule. Any notes that are taken during the review are left with the grower.
Any fruit or vegetable operation with sales over $25,000 are eligible for the review. It is encouraged that someone on the farm has gone through the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) training prior to the review. The PSA training meets the requirement for training under the Product Safety Rule that someone on the operation must receive training recognized by FDA.
The OFRR is a good way to help a grower understand what is required under the Rule. How do you schedule for a review? Contact Chris Kleinguenther, NJDA, at Christian.Kleinguenther@ag.nj.gov. Chris will contact the grower and schedule a date and time for the review.
