The Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Working Group is conducting a survey to evaluate the priority needs of New Jersey farmers for training and resource development related to safety and health. As a New Jersey farmer, you are invited to complete this survey. Click here to access the survey and learn more. [Read more…]
Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition
Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
Subscriptions are available via EMAIL and RSS.
Companion Website Links:
Rutgers Turf Blog - Articles on turfgrass diseases and cultural practices for the commercial turfgrass industry. Subscription available via RSS.
Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.
January 20, 2026 Salvatore Mangiafico
Turfgrass ProFACT and CORE Pesticide credits – February 4 and 6, Williamstown, Woodstown, and Millville
Protecting Water Quality in the Landscape
and
Pesticide Safety for Turfgrass Professionals
Pesticide and ProFACT Credits:
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator License – 02 CORE credits
• Turfgrass Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification – 02 ProFACT credits
| Date | Time | Location | Registration |
| February 4, 2026 | 10 am – 12.15 pm | Peach Country Tractor, 1463 N Tuckahoe Rd., Williamstown | Charles, 856-226-3834 or charles @peachcountrytractor.com |
| February 4, 2026 | 2 pm – 4.15 pm | Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown | Sal, 856-769-0090 or mangiafico @njaes.rutgers.edu |
| February 6, 2026 | 10 am – 12.15 pm | Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 291 Morton Ave., Millville | Sal, 856-769-0090 or mangiafico @njaes.rutgers.edu |
PDF link: https://salem.njaes.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026_02_ProFACT_Flyer_Final.pdf
January 20, 2026 Salvatore Mangiafico
Salem County Pesticide Safety Meeting – Pesticide Credits Available – February 20, 2026 – Woodstown
Salem County Pesticide Safety Meeting
February 20, 2026
51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown, NJ
To register for morning, afternoon, or both
856-769-0090
molly.english@salemcountynj.gov
| Morning Session: 9 am – Noon. Credits: | CORE: 01 | 1A: 02 | 1B: 01 | 10: 03 | PP2: 02 | | |
| Farmland Preservation in Salem County | State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) staff |
| Pesticide Safety, Storage, Labels, Application | Raman Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
| Disease Control in Vegetable Crops | Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
| Early Season Pest Management in No-till Corn | Maria Cramer, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
| Animal Agricultural Pest Control | Hassan Warriach, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
| USDA Program Updates | USDA – NRCS / FSA staff |
| Afternoon Session: 1 pm – 4:30 pm. Credits: | 1A: 03 | 10: 03 | PP2: 03 | | |
| Weed Control in Pastures and Forages | Matthew Elmore, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
| Corn Fertility for Yield and Quality | Raman Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
| Commodity Market Outlook | Nathaniel Bruce, Delaware Cooperative Extension |
| Agricultural Safety and Emergency Response | Robert DiGregorio, Salem County Sheriff Office |
| Agrivoltaics | Dan Ward, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
| Forage Quality of Hay and Silage | Tess Stahl, Rutgers Cooperative Extension |
January 20, 2026 Salvatore Mangiafico
H2A Farm Labor Meeting – February 2, 2026 – Upper Deerfield, Cumberland County
Learn about H2A, the federal farm labor program.
Insights about costs, legal considerations, and practical matters, from experts, growers, and NJ Farm Bureau.
February 2nd, 2026
121 Northville Road
Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302
The Event is provided free of charge, but you must RSVP
Lunch and refreshments will be provided
To register, please contact Karen Adams:
adams@udel.edu
302-831-3328
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Check-in / Registration | |
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome | |
| 10:10 – 10:55 | Real Cost of H2A Workers | Nate Bruce, University of Delaware |
| 10:55 – 12:00 | Legal Aspects of the H2A Process | Brandon Davis, Phelps Dunbar LLP Paul Goeringer, University of Maryland |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch | |
| 12:45 – 1:10 | New Jersey Considerations for H2A Workers | Ben Casella, New Jersey Farm Bureau |
| 1:10 – 1:30 | Experiences with the H2A Program and Q&A | Henry Bennett, Bennett Orchards |
| 1:30 – 1:45 | Evaluations |
Speakers, times, and availabilities subject to change.
This work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
This event is brought to you jointly by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, a service of the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, a service of the UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources — both are land-grant institutions and are equal opportunity providers. If you have special needs that need to be accommodated, please contact the office two weeks prior to the event.
January 18, 2026 Michelle Infante-Casella
NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions Start Tuesday 1/20/26 to Thursday 1/22/26 in Atlantic City
The NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions Start Tuesday 1/20/26 at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, 777 Harrahs Boulevard. The final day of educational sessions and trade show ends on Thursday at 5pm.
The weather may be cold, but no rain or no snow in the forecast, and warm times inside the conference center to network with others in the industry. An afternoon Hospitality Room will be available 12-5pm on Wednesday and Thursday to relax and unwind in the trade show area. Come for the social aspects, education and gain pesticide recertification credits. Check out the Rutgers Educational Program to see what topics you would like to learn about. go.rutgers.edu/2026rutgerseduprog
What’s Happening
January 20 (Tuesday)
- Pre–trade show workshops and sessions
January 21 (Wednesday)
- Full day of educational sessions for all commodity groups • Year of the Women Farmer Luncheon
- Packed trade show with vendor booths sold out
- Live charity auction with FREE food
January 22 (Thursday)
- More sessions
- Another day packed trade show with vendor booths sold out
- Special appearance by Temple Grandin book signing /meet and greet, then her special session (additional cost)
Registration Options On-Site at the Regitration Counter (hallway of conference center) or On-line https://vganj.com/convention-tickets“>https://vganj.com/convention-tickets
✔️ VGANJ Membership – $100
Includes 2 Expo passes
Additional passes just $25 each
✔️ One-Day Pass – $60
Access to sessions + trade show
Register On-Line to
- Save time at registration
- Walk in, grab your badge
- Enjoy FREE breakfast (8am-10am Wednesday and Thursday in Trade Show)
- Head straight to learning, growing, and catching up with friends
This event under one roof, packed with education and energy, and celebrating New Jersey agriculture at its best.
Plus, buy your tee shirt or hoodie at the registration desk to “Support New Jersey Farmers” and tout “No Farmers No Food” – new this year.
January 14, 2026 William Errickson
2026 Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute
Rutgers Cooperative Extension presents
2026 Central Jersey TURF & ORNAMENTAL Institute
Friday, February 27
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Monmouth County Ag Building
4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ
Registration: $75 per person (includes Continental Breakfast & Lunch)
Registration Brochure: CJTOI Brochure 2026
732-431-7260 or email Catherine.VanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us
Registration by cash, check, or purchase order only.
Agenda:
- CORE Pesticide Safety for Ornamental IPM – Tim Waller, Ph.D.
- Boxwood BMPs and Alternative Shrubs – Bill Errickson, Ph.D.
- Managing Scale in the Landscape – Steve Rettke
- Integrated Pest Management for Invasive Plant Species in Woodlands, Fields, and Parks – R.J.Curcio and Maggie Coakley
- Mosquito & Tick Management for Green Industry Professionals – Emily Fontaine
- Things to Consider Before Applying Fungicides to Control Turfgrass Diseases – Ming-Yi Chou, Ph.D.
- Integrated Weed Management for Turfgrass – Matthew Elmore Ph.D.
- Turfgrass Fertility Management for Sports Fields and Grounds – Brad Park
Recertification Credits:
- Core = 2 credits
- PP2 = 4 credits
- 1A = 2 credits
- 2 = 2 credits
- 3A = 4 credits
- 3B = 3 credits
- 6B = 4 credits
- 8A = 1 credit
- 8C = 7 credits
- 9 = 2 credits
- 10 = 6 credits
- 13 = 1 credit
- ProFACT = 1 credit
