Fruit Crops Edition
Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting tree fruit and small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
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REGISTER & STUDY NOW: Pesticide Certification Testing Thursday 10am at NJACTS for New & Renewing New Jersey Applicators!
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
Worker Training and Sanitizer Labeling and Use Recorded Webinars Now Available
We continue to see the need for resources focusing on farm worker training and sanitizers. We invited to produce safety experts to discuss the topics on recorded webinars. These recordings are now available for viewing on the Rutgers NJAES YouTube Produce Safety playlist.
Retraining and Upskilling Workers on Produce Safety Best Practices by Phillip Tocco, MSU Extension
Using Sanitizers in a Postharvest Setting: Selecting a Sanitizer and Understanding Its Label by Donna Clements, Produce Safety Alliance
Additional information can be found on the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website, including upcoming FSMA PSR trainings, USDA third-party audit workshops, and future webinars.
Food Safety Trainings For Winter and Spring 2023
Not sure if your farm is covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule? Use this decision tool to find out: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IagP1mbPyrp42N
Please follow the links for each class to get more information and to register:
FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training –
Wednesday, Jan 11, 10:00 AM, FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, Ewing
Registration fee $75.00 includes lunch
Thursday, Feb 9, 9:00 AM FSMA PSR
Harrah’s Resort, New Jersey Agricultural Convention
Registration fee $50.00 and does not include lunch or registration for the Convention or Trade Show, deadline to register is Feb 3, 2023.
Third Party Audit Training-
Thursday, Feb 23, 2023 9:00 AM EST an ONLINE ONLY Introduction to Harmonized Audits.
Registration fee is $15.00, deadline to register is Feb 16, 2023.
Wednesday, Mar 1, 2023 9:00 AM EST Advanced Audit Training, ONLINE ONLY.
Registration fee at $15.00, deadline for registration is Feb 22, 2023.
Wednesday, Mar 15, 10:00 AM is the Food Safety Training for Blueberry Growers
Rutgers Philip E. Marucci Center in Chatsworth, NJ.
Registration fee $50.00 includes lunch, deadline for registration is March 8, 2023.
1 hour webinars-
ONLINE ONLY. Registration is FREE and is open until April 7, 2023.