Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ag and Natural Resources Dept Chair Nick Polanin has announced the good news that RCE has been able to hire Ms. Kate Brown as Program Associate II to work on commercial crop production in the RCE-Burlington County office. We welcome Kate to the job. In continuing some of the programs of retired County Agent Ray Samulis, Kate is now the Rutgers liaison to the NE Ag Safety and Health Coalition and has shared this news about next week’s celebration of National Farm Safety & Health Week (NFSHW). — Rick VanVranken [Read more…]
Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition
Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.
September 17, 2020 Kate Brown
Every Farmer Counts! 76th National Farm Safety & Health Week – Sept. 20-26, 2020.
September 15, 2020 Tim Waller
Register for the September Nursery Twilight Meeting (credit-bearing online webinar)
Thursday, 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.
August 28, 2020 Nick Polanin
Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in New Jersey
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) wants to remind New Jersey small grains producers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2021 crop year is September 30, 2020. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until September 30 to do so. [Read more…]
August 28, 2020 Nick Polanin
Crop Insurance Listening Sessions Scheduled
As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress required USDA’s Risk Management Agency to solicit feedback about improved crop insurance coverage options for farmers and ranchers selling through local food markets. This includes discussing how existing crop insurance programs can be improved, as well as exploring the possibility of a new crop insurance program. Sessions are scheduled for September 1, 2, and 3 for the northeast region. [Read more…]
August 28, 2020 Rick VanVranken
Sept 11 Deadline Approaching for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Application
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2020–U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers that the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is Sept. 11, 2020. This program provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19.
“FSA offers several options for farmers and ranchers to apply for CFAP, including a call center where employees can answer your questions and help you get started on your application,” said Richard Fordyce, Farm Service Agency administrator. “With only two weeks before the deadline, now is the time to check out the resources on our website and contact the call center or your local office for your last-minute questions.”
Over 160 commodities are eligible for CFAP, including certain non-specialty crops, livestock, dairy, wool, specialty crops, eggs, aquaculture, and nursery crops and cut flowers. All eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations can be found on farmers.gov/cfap.
Customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages the team at the FSA county office at their local USDA Service Center.
Producers have several options for applying to the CFAP program by the Sept. 11 deadline:
- Using an online portal, accessible at farmers.gov/cfap. This allows producers with secure USDA login credentials, known as eAuthentication, to certify eligible commodities online, digitally sign applications, and submit directly to the local USDA Service Center.
- Completing the application form using our CFAP Application Generator and Payment Calculator found at farmers.gov/cfap. This Excel workbook allows customers to input information specific to their operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form, which can be printed, then signed, and submitted to their local USDA Service Center.
- Downloading the AD-3114 application form from farmers.gov/cfap and manually completing the form to submit to the local USDA Service Center by mail, electronically, or by hand delivery to an office drop box. In some limited cases, the office may be open for in-person business by appointment. Visit farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status to check the status of your local office.
Go to Farmers.gov/CFAP
USDA Service Centers can also work with producers to complete and securely transmit digitally signed applications through two commercially available tools: Box and OneSpan. Producers who are interested in digitally signing their applications should notify their local service centers when calling to discuss the CFAP application process. You can learn more about these solutions at farmers.gov/mydocs.
All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap/apply. For existing FSA customers, these documents are likely already on file.
All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in the office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
August 27, 2020 Rick VanVranken
OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App
Thanks to our Univ of FL colleague Gene McAvoy for sharing news about this new tool. Would have been very valuable during July’s record heat wave, but there will still be hot, humid days ahead when this will help.
When you’re working in the heat, safety comes first! With the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, you have vital safety information available whenever and wherever you need it – right on your mobile phone – for planning outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. Featuring real-time heat index and hourly forecasts, specific to your location, as well as occupational safety and health recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH.
The App allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. Then, with a simple “click,” you can get reminders about the protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness-reminders about drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, adjusting work operations, gradually building up the workload for new workers, training on heat illness signs and symptoms, and monitoring each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
Working in full sunlight can increase heat index values by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this in mind and plan additional precautions for working in these conditions.
The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool features:
– A visual indicator of the current heat index and associated risk levels specific to your current geographical location
– Precautionary recommendations specific to heat index-associated risk levels
– An interactive, hourly forecast of heat index values, risk level, and recommendations for planning outdoor work activities in advance
– Editable location, temperature, and humidity controls for calculation of variable conditions
– Signs and symptoms and first aid information for heat-related illnesses
The OSHA NIOSH Heat Index App is available in English and Spanish at the Apple App Store or Google Play. To access the Spanish version, set the phone language to Spanish.
Stay informed and safe in the heat, check your risk level.
For more information about safety while working in the heat, see OSHA’s heat illness webpage, including online guidance about using the heat index to protect workers.
