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.

August 19, 2020

CFAP Webinars for Additional Eligible Commodities

Join the USDA Farm Service Agency this afternoon, Wednesday August 19th at 3 pm, for the “Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Producer Webinar: Additional Eligible Commodities Added.” USDA Farm Service Agency will discuss additional commodities that are now eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), providing detailed examples on nursery crops, specialty crops, cut flowers, eligible aquaculture, and more. Registrations for this webinar are being accepted here.

The New Jersey Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be hosting an informational Nursery/Cut Flowers Stakeholders Webinar on Thursday, August 20th at 10 am regarding nursery and cut flowers eligibility for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This webinar will be held by a virtual Teams Meeting. Instructions on how to enter a Teams meeting using a computer or smartphone can be viewed here. If you are unable to attend virtually via Teams, you may dial in to hear the presentation. Slides to be presented are available here, although they are subject to modification prior to the event.

Please contact Lindsay Caragher at Lindsay.Caragher@usda.gov or 609-438-3133 with any questions about Teams Meeting or the webinar in general.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is accepting applications through September 11, 2020 for the CFAP program which helps offset price declines and additional marketing costs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , ,
August 12, 2020

Additional “Guidance and Compliance Assistance on Farmworker Safety & Pay During the Pandemic” Offered by US Dept of Labor – Wage & Hour

The following message was shared by Shavonne Person, Community Outreach & Resource Planning Specialist (CORPS), and Steven Risko, Assistant District Director, U.S. Department of Labor – Wage & Hour Division, Southern New Jersey District Office in Lawrenceville:

“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforces some of our nation’s most comprehensive labor laws for agricultural workers, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
August 11, 2020

USDA Announces More Specialty Crops, Nursery Crops, Cut Flowers Eligible for CFAP Payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that additional specialty crops, including nursery crops and cut flowers, are covered by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and that the deadline to apply for the program is extended to September 11th. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
August 9, 2020

The Show Must Go On(line) – 2020 Ag Progress Days Virtual Experience

Continuing a 50-year tradition, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, brought to you by their College of Agricultural Sciences, is a one-stop shop this week, August 9-12, 2020, for the latest research, management practices, and regulations in agriculture.

This year, Penn State Extension educators and faculty have come together to provide a FREE virtual learning program filled with the latest in Ag research and best practices. This event is being offered at no charge to participants, but registration is required to receive the link to access a webinar. Even if you missed a day or a session, all registrants will receive access to the webinar recordings.

Online registrants can choose from more than 46 live webinars and get questions answered by the experts. Just check out the the live webinar schedule and register online. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,
August 7, 2020

Farmland Assessment for Woodland Owners Webinar

On Thursday, August 20th at 7pm, a free webinar entitled “Farmland Assessment on Woodlands: Multiple Benefit Activities” will be presented as part of the “Backyard Forestry in 90 Minutes” online program. The presenter, Andrew Kimm, is the President of New Jersey Forestry Association (NJFA). This session discusses the implementation of Farmland Assessment on woodlands and the many benefits derived from the active devotion practiced on those lands. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
August 6, 2020

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

 Thursday, August 27, 2020

6:00-7:00 pm

Click here to register for the twilight meeting

Registration password: nursery20

Please join us for presentations on pest management topics from our two nursery agents Tim Waller and Bill Errickson, Spotted Lanternfly updates from Steve Rettke, and water related updates from Sal Mangiafico. Given the current state of in-person meetings we are aiming to make this as educational and painless as possible. We would like everyone to feel comfortable with this online format for future meetings. We plan to have a longer meeting in late September (+2hr) to hear from more nursery specialists and provide another opportunity to obtain pesticide credits.

August 27th Agenda

(5:30pm)   Webinar platform opens to registrants; Photo ID Check, Welcome Remarks

__(recording begins)__

(6:00pm)  Effective IPM approaches Using Degree-days and Other Predictive Models– Timothy Waller, RCE (Cumberland)

(6:15pm)  Reduction of Pesticide Usage Through Cultural Practices- Bill Errickson, RCE (Monmouth)

(6:30pm)  Spotted Lanternfly Update & Review of Current Information Concerning This Invasive Insect- Steve Rettke, Ornamental IPM Program

(6:45pm)  Harmful Algae Blooms in NJ Lakes and Ponds and Their Effects on Agriculture- Sal Mangiafico, RCE (Cumberland & Salem)

__(recording ends)__

(7:00pm)  Additional questions; Photo ID Check, Adjourn

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

In cooperation with the NJNLA, NJLCA, and NJCTGA

Instructions:

  • Register for event at the above link
  • Include your pesticide license number if you would like recertification credits
  • After registration you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the actual twilight meeting.
  • Registered guests will receive a reminder 1 week prior to the event with more specific instructions.
  • Day-of: click the link in the registration confirmation email and select “join by browser-New” (if you do not currently have a WebEx app on your computer or video-enabled smartphone.
  • Day-of: Have your photo ID ready 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.
  • Government issued photo ID is required and will be verified prior or immediately after the  meeting (i.e. will not be video recorded)
  • Attendees must be visible throughout the entire session (with live video on) and must stay to the end.
  • Polls will 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, Turf