Requirements for Private Pesticide Applicator Certification and Licensing
USDA is requesting input on rodent control in agriculture (due Monday January 23rd)
Recent Agriculture Bills Passed in NJ Senate and Other News
Bill A1929 Aca (1R)
Session 2022 – 2023 – signed in to Law, September 22, 2022.
“Directs Department of Agriculture to establish New Jersey Minority, Women, and Underserved Farmer Registry.”
For more information see: https://njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/A1929
For a synopsis of this bill see, https://wrnjradio.com/bill-assisting-minority-women-farmers-signed-into-law/
Bill A285. Session 2022 – 2023. ASSEMBLY, No. 285. Establishes “New Farmers Improvement Grant Program” to provide matching grants for farm improvements to beginning farmers.
For more information see, https://njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/A285/bill-text?f=A0500&n=285_I1
For a synopsis of this bill see https://wrnjradio.com/committee-clears-bill-that-will-create-grant-opportunities-for-new-farmers/
Other Bills of interest to New Jersey Farmers. Bill Text: NJ S757. “Authorizes special occasion events at certain commercial farms on preserved farmland, under certain conditions.” https://legiscan.com/NJ/text/S757/id/2608677.
For more on this bill and it’s implications, from the Secretary of Agriculture. “Please click the video below to hear from Secretary Douglas H. Fisher regarding an important bill, S757/A2772, which will allow additional, nonagricultural special occasion event to be held NOT JUST on preserved farm wineries – but on ALL preserved farms.”- January 13, 2023. Secretary of Agriculture.
Women farmers. For additional resources on agriculture business, finance, market, and biosecurity planning, see the late registration option for Annie’s Project. The next session is Wednesday, January 18th. Contact the project coordinator for late registation options via the instructions in: https://sites.rutgers.edu/annies-project/wp-content/uploads/sites/753/2023/01/Poster_2023_AnniesProject_Online.pdf
Pennsylvania Advises PA Poultry Owners to House Poultry Indoors
Poultry owners, please be aware of the advisory in Pennsylvania copied below regarding the continued spread of High-Path Avian Influenza.
The appropriate New Jersey letters are found in the following links:
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter for Veterinarians
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter to Poultry Owners
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter to Live Bird Markets
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter to Poultry Distributors
“January 9, 2023
Pennsylvania Poultry Industry
Dear Pennsylvania Poultry Producers,
As you know, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (H5) has been circulating in the wild bird population in the United States and was identified in commercial poultry in early 2022. On April 14, 2022, the first case of HPAI H5 was detected in a commercial layer flock in Pennsylvania. Since then, the virus has continued to spread into backyard flocks and commercial poultry facilities across the United States, affecting 47 states to date. More than 57 million birds have been lost due to HPAI. More than 4.5 million birds have been lost in Pennsylvania, and a total of 38 Pennsylvania flocks have been affected. Identification of new cases has continued across the United States. The most recent case of HPAI has been reported in the US as recently as January 4th. Wild bird detections continue in multiple states. These recent cases should act as a reminder that a virulent strain of Avian Influenza virus continues to circulate in the wild bird population and still threatens commercial and backyard poultry. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture first recommended that organic producers move poultry indoors in February 2022. At this time, we recommend that all poultry [In PA] be maintained indoors. Producers are also encouraged to implement strict biosecurity practices, monitor bird health, and report any unexplained mortality and morbidity [In PA] to the Department at 717-772-2852 (24/7).”
[state added by Melissa Bravo for clarification for plant pest advisory post]
Thank you,
Kevin D. Brightbill, DVM | State Veterinarian | Director
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture | Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services
2301 North Cameron Street | Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717.705.1626 | Fax: 717.787.1868
www.agriculture.pa.gov
kebrightbi@pa.gov
Updated Disaster Declarationss & Livestock Forage Disaster Program
Weekly LFP Program Eligibility Maps and Table
These maps and table depict the weekly LFP program eligibility by county for the US and Puerto Rico, based on grazing periods, drought intensity, and forage types – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-forage/index
On the LFP list as of a download on December 22, 2022 are:
NATIVE PASTURE 10-03-2022 34-NJ Hudson
FULL SEASON IMPROVED 10-03-2022 34-NJ Hudson
NATIVE PASTURE 10-10-2022 34-NJ Middlesex
FULL SEASON IMPROVED 10-10-2022 34-NJ Middlesex
NATIVE PASTURE 10-10-2022 34-NJ Somerset
FULL SEASON IMPROVED 10-10-2022 34-NJ Somerset
A map showing the counties across the country that have designations for pasture programs can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/Disaster-Assist/LFP-Maps/2022/native_pasture_2022.pdf
Contact your County Farm Service Agency regarding the most recent primary & contiguous county disaster declarations for 16 New Jersey Counties issued on December 22, 2022; and if any loss programs for hay and pasture in additional counties will become available.
Note: The dates of the USDA disaster declarations vary by declaration. Some counties are designated as primary or contiguous for Drought and Excessive Heat that occurred during July 1 through August 19. Others for Drought that occurred during July 1 through September 14. Others for Drought and Excessive Heat that occurred during June 18 through September 5. And others for Drought and Excessive Heat that occurred during July 1 and continuing. Contact your local FSA office for specific details and program eligibility requirements.
| Primary County Disaster Designations from USDA as of December 22. | ||
| Morris | Sussex | Warren |
| Hunterdon | Somerset | Burlington |
| Camden | Ocean | Atlantic |
| Cape May | Cumberland | Gloucester |
| Mercer | Middlesex | Monmouth |
| Salem | ||
Essex, Union and Passaic are listed as contiguous counties in at least one of the declaration designations date ranges. Hudson is listed in the LFP table referenced above. A few contiguous counties in NY, DE, or PA are also eligible within specific declarations.
You can also check this site on a regular basis to see if new declarations have been added: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/emergency-designations/index
For detailed information about all disaster assistance programs from USDA, see: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/index
Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree – Tim Waller & Bill Errickson Podcast on Ask the Agent
Just in time for the holiday season! Please listen and SHARE with clientele.
Listen to our NEW “Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree” podcast by clicking here
Agents Tim Waller (Cumberland) and Bill Errickson (Monmouth) were invited by Rutgers – Ask the Agent – hosts Steve Komar (Sussex), Bill Bamka (Burlington), and Lisa Chiariello (Sussex), to discuss all things Christmas Trees in New Jersey.
The goal of this podcast was to provide the general public with an idea of what it takes to produce a perfect Christmas Tree. We discuss tree production, why Christmas trees cost what they do, variety considerations, complexities of this industry, seasonal offerings, tree care (cut vs choose and cut vs B&B trees), the importance of supporting local communities and traditions, as well as offering some resources for current Christmas tree operators.
Please share this podcast with your clients, and keep an eye for more podcasts to come.
Please visit the Ask the Agent Podcast Page for more interesting topics!
