NJ Governor Murphy signed Executive Order #242 lifting major COVID-19 restrections and moving forward with the state’s most significant reopening steps to date. Indoor mask mandates and 6ft social distancing requirements will be lifted this Friday, May 28, and indoor gathering/capacity limits will be lifted on June 4. Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher has provided a summary of the changes that may impact agriculture operations. The full text of his letter is attached here.
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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Letter from Secretary Fisher Regarding Governor’s Executive Order #242 Lifting Major COVID-19 Restrictions
USDA Spanish Language Resources Now Available for Organic Stakeholders
The USDA has translated its organic regulations and resources into Spanish. Available online are:
USDA Organic Regulations
Organic Foods Production Act
NOP Handbook
Organic Integrity in the Supply Chain
Training materials
Video resources on certified organic FAQ, preventive practices, and recordkeeping
Tip/Fact sheets on topics ranging from soil assessments, composting, manures, orchards, livestock, dairy, meat, and others
Reminder – Virtual DOH/DOL/NJDA “Ag Stakeholder Engagement Call” 2pm, May 25
NJ Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher has shared this attached letter inviting the agricultural community to join a virtual “Ag Stakeholder Engagement Call” on May 25 at 2:00 p.m. Hosted by the Departments of Health, Labor and Agriculture, the Commissioners and Secretary will discuss NJ’s response to COVID-19, provide updates on mitigation efforts and guidance, provide science-based information on the COVID vaccines, and answer questions.
This is a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only): +1 856-338-7074,,487903588# United States, Camden
Phone Conference ID: 487 903 588#
Find a local number | Reset PIN | Learn More | Meeting options
Eastern Viticulture and Enology Forum – Town Hall
Grower and Wine Maker Town Hall: Questions from the Field and Cellar
Rutgers/NJAES New Jersey Center for Wine Research and Education (NJCWRE) has collaborated with the Eastern Viticulture and Enology Forum. Regional viticulture and enology specialists will present a Grower and Winemaker Town Hall virtual meeting series to give seasonal updates and answer pre-submitted and live questions from grape and wine industry stakeholders. [Read more…]
Ag Community Invited to Join a Virtual DOH/DOL/NJDA “Ag Stakeholder Engagement Call” on May 25 at 2:00 p.m.
NJ Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher has shared this attached letter inviting the agricultural community to join a virtual “Ag Stakeholder Engagement Call” on May 25 at 2:00 p.m. Hosted by the Departments of Health, Labor and Agriculture, the Commissioners and Secretary will discuss NJ’s response to COVID-19, provide updates on mitigation efforts and guidance, provide science-based information on the COVID vaccines, and answer questions.
This is a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only): +1 856-338-7074,,487903588# United States, Camden
Phone Conference ID: 487 903 588#
Find a local number | Reset PIN | Learn More | Meeting options
Fruit IPM for 5/18/21
Peach:
Oriental Fruit Moth: First generation timings are updated below. Growers that have utilized mating disruption for OFM can focus on PC; GPA; and catfacing insect pests as described below.