October 7, 2020

H-2A Employer Audit Webinar hosted by Maryland Farm Bureau

Maryland Farm Bureau will be hosting a webinar on how to prepare for an H-2A employer audit. Experts from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Maryland Department of Labor, and the private sector will be discussing what records need to be kept and produced in response to a labor investigation. Although geared towards Maryland employers, this webinar will certainly provide broadly applicable resources for those utilizing H-2A labor in New Jersey.

When: October 14, 2020, 8:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m.

Click here to register

Agenda

8:00- 8:05 Welcome and Introductions
8:05-8:45 Nicholas Fiorello & Kim Ga, United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
8:45-9:25 Jesús Díaz, Maryland Department of Labor
9:25-9:35 Break
9:35-10:05 Jesse Hammock, Esq., Partner, Parker Goodman Gordon & Hammock, LLC
10:05-10:15 Questions & Wrap-up

Moderated by Sarah Everhart, Agriculture Law Education Initiative

 

Filed Under: Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Vegetable Crops
September 30, 2020

Tips for Renewal of NJDEP Private Pesticide Applicators Licenses

RecieptRutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents have been receiving questions from farmers on what to do with the renewal applications they recently received from NJDEP Pesticide Control Program. The invoice may be somewhat confusing. So here are a few tips to help.

1. The $0.00 Amount Due is correct on the invoice. Farmers with a “Private” applicator licenses do not pay for licenses and renewals. So you do not need to send any payment and in the box where it says “enter the amount of your payment” enter $0.00.

2. The best way to complete this renewal is not to mail in the form, but instead renew online. CLICK HERE to renew your license online. YOU WILL NEED YOUR PAPERWORK WITH YOUR “INVOICE NUMBER”. Do not use the NJEMS Bill ID number, instead find the invoice number above.

It would be a good idea to print the screen with the confirmation that you renewed online, since the system does not send you an email confirmation. The screen also states, “License generation may take a few weeks”. So, please be patient and if you need to use your license number, continue to use the same number on your expired license for recertification credits, as your license number will not change. It also says to not send the paper forms once you did your online submission. See photo to the below for an example of the confirmation screen you will see when renewing online.Website

3. If you must mail the renewal, here are some TIPS:

a. You will need to provide your own envelope and a stamp when mailing back the forms.

b. Also, the form may be confusing since the bottom tab to return says to mail to Treasurer-State of New Jersey, while the “Reminder” section says to mail forms/letters to NJDEP Licensing and Registrations.

c. Do not mail the bottom tab and other information for renewal of your Private Pesticide license to NJDEP. It is to be mailed to the NJ Department of Treasury – as stated on the return portion at the bottom of the first page.

d. Fill out page 2 and check to see if all your information is correct on page 2. Do not forget to sign and date the bottom of page 2 before mailing with your “payment” tab from page 1.

e. It may be best to send these forms in using USPS “Certified Mail” or UPS or FEDEX to track that it was received. Your pesticide license is very important for your business and you would want to verify it was received.

If you need more assistance with pesticide licenses, contact the NJDEP. Contact information in the photo below.Zoom in of a reciept

Best wishes and we hope this information is helpful in renewing your NJDEP Private Pesticide Applicators License.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
September 22, 2020

Reminder: September Nursery Twilight This Thursday Night (Virtual)

Nursery Twilight Meeting

There is still time to register for the September 2020 Nursery Twilight Meeting (Virtual)

Registrations will be accepted until noon Thursday. Registration is required (Free).

This Thursday, September 24th, 2020

6:00-7:00 pm

please log-in between 5:30 and 5:50pm

Click here to register for the twilight meeting

Registration password: nursery

Click here to upload your government issued photo ID and Pesticide license prior to the meeting

In cooperation with the NJNLA, NJLCA, and NJCTGA

Instructions:

  • Register for event at the above link
  • Include your pesticide license number and date of birth if you would like recertification credits
  • After registration you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the actual twilight meeting.
  • Upload a copy of your government issued photo ID at the link above
      • Upload a copy of your government issued photo ID and Pesticide License
      • (This is required to receive pesticide recertification credits)  
      • If you click on the photo ID upload link using a smart phone/tablet you will have the option of simply taking a photo of your ID & pesticide license and uploading it directly into the system. Otherwise, you can scan a copy of your photoID & pesticide license into a computer and follow the directions at the upload link. If you are unable to upload documentation prior to the meeting we will work with you to verify your identity for NJDEP recertification credit purposes using the attendance roster to contact individuals that are seeking credits. 
      • Please upload files of your photo ID and pesticide license named as: 
      1. a)    “Last name_ First_ Photo ID”; and 
      2. b)    “Last name_ First_ Pesticide License”. 
  • Day-of: click the link in the registration confirmation email and select “join by browser-New” around 5:30pm
  • Day-of: Have your video on if you wish to obtain credits

Additional requirements for those seeking credits:  

  1. Licensed applicators with a recertification period expiring October 31, 2020 will be given an exemption from the NJDEP online credit cap of 25% and are eligible for all credits, otherwise this exemption does not apply.
  2. Required to be eligible to receive pesticide applicator recertification credits for this Twilight program:
  3. Attend the entire meeting with live VIDEO feed on, seated in the center of the frame. Those without a webcam or phone attendees without a live video feed are not eligible to receive credits.
  4. Attendees must participate throughout the entire session, staying to the end. Individuals are not eligible for credits if they arrive after the start of the first training topic or leave before the end of the last topic. Polls will be randomly scheduled, and attendance will be visually monitored to verify attendance.

Rutgers is dedicated to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information safe.  Upon upload, your files will be encrypted and stored to Rutgers Connect. Your information will be kept strictly confidential; used solely to meet NJDEP ID verification protocol for recertification credit; and will not be used for any other purpose. Your files will be deleted within 60 days after the training event.  

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
September 18, 2020

Tea roses imported into the state have been found expressing rose mosaic disease

Inspectors at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture recently flagged an unusually high number of tea roses expressing rose mosaic disease. These roses were shipped in from out of state. If you plan to inventory this type of rose for the upcoming season, it is highly advised that you have conversations about this with your distributer and more importantly, obtain the required virus-free certifications. Rose mosaic disease is a complex of viruses that most commonly includes Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), and to a lesser extent Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) and Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV). Singularly or in combination, these viruses can all trigger mosaic symptoms.

Excerpts from NJ Department of Agriculture on the rose quarantine:

  • Rose plants may be shipped onto the State of New Jersey only after they have been inspected during the growing season by a state inspector in the state in which they were grown at the time appropriate for symptom expression and found to be visibly free from virus diseases, especially viruses associated with rose mosaic disease.
  • All shipments of rose plants entering the State of New Jersey must be accompanied by an official certificate or statement issued by the proper state official in the state of origin, certifying that the plants were inspected during the growing season at a time when symptoms would be apparent and found visibly free of plant viruses.
Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
September 15, 2020

Register for the September Nursery Twilight Meeting (credit-bearing online webinar)

Nursery Twilight MeetingThursday, September 24th, 2020

6:00-7:00 pm

Click here to register for the twilight meeting

Registration password: nursery

Click here to upload your government issued photo ID prior to the meeting

We will NOT be checking photo-IDs within the actual session this time around (to better protect your information). However, you will still need to be visible on screen to acquire recertification credits.

Upload directions: If you click on the photo ID upload link using a smart phone/tablet you will have the option of simply taking a photo of your ID and uploading it directly into the system. Otherwise, you can scan a copy of your photo ID into a computer and follow the directions at the upload link. If you are unable to upload documentation prior to the meeting, don’t worry, we are here to help; Tim Waller will work with you to verify your identity for NJDEP recertification credit purposes using the attendance roster to contact individuals that are seeking credits.

Please note: the file upload goes to a secure Rutgers folder and no one other than the session host (Tim Waller) can view. Also, if you upload your information for the September meeting and plan to attend an October meeting, you will not need to upload your information again (good for 60 days).

September 2020 Nursery Crop Twilight Meeting 

NJ Pesticide License Recertification credits obtained: PP2 (2); 3A (2); 10 (1)

Online Program

5:30pm          Webinar opens and visual attendance check 

                        –Timothy Waller, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent for Cumberland County

(Recording begins) : Welcome Remarks

6:00pm          Preparing for a successful season; Understanding the factors that contribute to pest  and disease outbreaks– Timothy Waller, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent for Cumberland County

6:15pm          Emerging pests and diseases of New Jersey nursery crops – Rich Buckley, Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory and Nematode Detection Service, Director

6:30pm          Cultivating sustainable soils in ornamentals– Bill Errickson, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent for Monmouth County

6:45pm          Effective nutrient management via fertigation– Raul Cabrera, Rutgers Extension Specialist in Nursery Production & Management

(Recording ends)

7:00pm          Additional questions; Adjourn

 

In cooperation with the NJNLA, NJLCA, and NJCTGA

Instructions:

  • Register for event at the above link
  • Include your pesticide license number and date of birth if you would like recertification credits
  • After registration you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the actual twilight meeting.
  • Upload a copy of your government issued photo ID at the link above
  • Day-of: click the link in the registration confirmation email and select “join by browser-New” around 5:30pm
  • Day-of: Have your video on if you wish to obtain credits

Additional requirements for those seeking credits:

  • Licensed applicators with a recertification period expiring October 31, 2020 will be given an exemption from the NJDEP online credit cap of 25% and are eligible for all credits, otherwise this exemption does not apply.
  • Verification of identity is required prior to or in short duration after the meeting
  • Attendees must be visible throughout the entire session (with live video on) and must stay to the end.
  • Polls can be randomly scheduled, & attendance will be visually monitored by a moderator.
  • Call-ins (audio only) are not eligible for pesticide recertification credits as of now; you need a computer/phone/tablet with *live* video capability.

 

We are here to help you connect, please contact Tim Waller (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu) with any questions or concerns. Thank you very much for your willingness to cooperate within our online space!

Rutgers is dedicated to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information safe. Your information will be kept strictly confidential; used solely to meet NJDEP ID verification protocol for recertification credit. Any information will be deleted after 60 days.

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Turf
August 26, 2020

Reminder: August Nursery Twilight This Thursday (Virtual)

Nursery Twilight Meeting

There is still time to register for the August 2020 Nursery Twilight Meeting (Virtual)

Registrations will be accepted until noon Thursday. Registration is required (Free event).

Click here to register for the twilight meeting

NJ Pesticide License Recertification credits obtained: PP2 (1); 3A (1); 3B (1); 10 (1)

Instructions:

  • Register for event at the above link
  • Include your pesticide license number and date of birth if you would like recertification credits
  • After registration you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the actual twilight meeting.
  • Day-of: Please use the “join by browser-New” feature (not the “Join Now” feature)
  • Day-of: Have your photo ID ready if you wish to obtain credits
  • Day-of: You must have a video enabled device if you plan to acquire recertification credits. We must be able to see you. 

Thank you for your participation on this virtual front. 

Contact Tim Waller with any questions; twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf