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March 25, 2020

COVID-19 Resources for Nursery, Greenhouse, Landscape, Garden Centers, etc.

Please contact Cumberland County Extension Agent Tim Waller if you would like to have an association added to the “Green Industry COVID links PDF”. twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

 

Defining Essential Businesses

Closing of non-essential retail businesses following New Jersey Executive Orders 107 and 108 have had many NJ green-industries wondering, “what does this mean for my business”.

Many NJ Green-Industries are now considered Essential Businesses (as of 3/24/20, list subject to change).

  • Nurseries
  • Greenhouses
  • Landscaping
  • Garden Centers
  • Farms
  • Farm equipment suppliers
  • Farmer-markets
  • Farms that sell directly to customers
  • Grocery stores
  • Hardware and home improvement stores
  • Livestock feed stores

These businesses can remain open as long as they adhere to the safety guidelines outlined in Executive Order 107 and the CDC recommendations (links in PDF attachment).

The included attachment (PDF) with web-links: has a number of important resources concerning COVID-19 at state and federal levels (click or copy links). East and west coast states have been included, as many nurseries will be shipping throughout those regions. Additionally, web-links to nursery and landscape associations of each state, have been included to serve as a point of reference when shipping in to or out of that state. Contact the local associations for additional clarification if needed. The list is in no way exhaustive as many states have numerous green-industry associations.

Links pertaining to international land border agreements between the USA, and Canada, and Mexico have also been listed.

 

(PDF): Green Industry COVID links PDF 3 30  (Click link. Copy web-address if not working)

 

Quick links to New Jersey Associations:

New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association: https://www.njlca.org/

New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association: https://www.njnla.org/

New Jersey Green Industry Council: http://njgic.org/

New Jersey Turfgrass Association: https://njta.wildapricot.org/

New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association: https://njchristmastrees.org/

New Jersey Farm Bureau: https://njfb.org/

 

BUSINESSES WILL NEED TO FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES.

Business social distancing:

Social distancing for customers will include but limited to, signage for customers to remain 6 feet apart from one another as well as a concerted effort by owners/employees to sanitize frequently used carts, doors, loading equipment, etc.

  • Commonly touched hard surfaces should be routinely disinfected while wearing disposable gloves with 70% alcohol, or other common EPA-registered household disinfectants (diluted bleach instructions below). Soft/porous surfaces should be cleaned with EPA-approved spray/aerosol sanitizers. Any fabric that can be laundered (uniforms, table cloths, etc.) should be done so separately from household laundry. The use of non-clothing linens should be discouraged. For example the use of tablecloths under cash registers is discouraged.

Employee social distancing:

These same efforts must be applied for social distancing amongst employees, including but not limited to, prohibit sharing of vehicles between different work crews or tightly packing single vehicles, routinely sanitizing commonly used tools and equipment, prohibiting congregations around break/lunch areas, etc.

  • Travelers per vehicle should be limited to maximize physical distance between employees/occupants. If possible 1 crew per vehicle for the duration of COVID-19 concerns should be implemented. While conducting business, employee sanitation efforts should be constantly minded. This would include cleaning hard vehicle interiors with disinfectant solutions (70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants) as well as soft interior surfaces with EPA-approved spray/aerosol sanitizers while wearing disposable gloves. Any fabric that can be laundered (seat covers, work uniform, bibs, etc.) should be done so separately from household laundry.

Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Detailed disinfection instructions can be found at the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html

 

Businesses are encouraged to give each employee a letter indicating that the employee works in an industry permitted to continue operations.

Employees reporting to work are permitted to travel to and from their place of business. This would also apply when nursery deliveries or landscapers services are being performed.

 

Ideas to generate more business during COVID-19:

  • Increase social media marketing, targeting local audiences
  • Offer delivery services or order online-pick up at store
  • Generate ‘kits’, of easy to grow plants for a new wave of horticulture enthusiasts
  • Offer online demonstrations or classes, branding your business as top-notch
  • Promote different horticulture techniques that should spur purchases
  • Promote unique plants that the average person has not seen and may take interest

 

In the case of economic disaster:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been approved for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which includes businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and non-profits. Application filing deadline is 12/18/2020.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

phone: (800) 659-2955

email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

 

OTHER IMPORTANT QUICK LINKS:

CDC COVID page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

NJ COVID page: https://covid19.nj.gov/

Inventory or donations of PPE (Executive Order No. 109): https://covid19.nj.gov/ppereport

All current and archived executive orders: https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/approved/eo_archive.html

 

 

Stay healthy. Exercise caution on- and off-the-clock!  

 

 

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,
March 23, 2020

Rutgers NJAES Plant Diagnostic and Soil Testing Services Still Processing Samples

The Rutgers Plant Diagnostic and Soil Testing Laboratories are currently closed to the public.

However, lab employees will be processing samples during limited hours and without extra support from student workers.

Instructions for submitting plant samples and questions to the Diagnostic Lab are:

  • Samples may be shipped via UPS or FedEx (not via US Postal Service) directly to:  Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, Ralph Geiger Turfgrass Ed. Ctr., 20 Indyk-Engel Way, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. Please email us at rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu to inform us when to expect your sample (please provide tracking information if available).
  • Hand deliveries of samples may be left in the hallway at our front door. Please email us at rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu to inform us that you have dropped off a sample.
  • For questions, the best way to reach the lab staff is via email to rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu as we may have limited access to voicemail.

To for submit soil samples and questions to the Soils Testing Lab:

  • Soil samples may be mailed via the US Postal Service or shipped UPS or FedEx to: Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 57 US Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554.
  • In-person visits for dropping off samples are not permitted.
  • Soil testing kits can be mailed, or for clients without soil testing kits, sampling instructions and the soil test questionnaires are available on the NJAES/soil-testing-lab webpage: How to Have Your Soil Tested. It is important to select the correct kit/questionnaire for the type of soil you are testing and the analysis required.
  • For questions, the best way to reach the lab staff is via email to: soiltest@njaes.rutgers.edu as we may have limited coverage of phones.

With limited hours and no student workers to assist, please anticipate slower turnaround times. We thank you for your patience.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 21, 2020

COVID-19 Info for the Agricultural Industry

In an effort to keep the agricultural industry informed with relevant COVID-19 information The Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website will be updated as resources become available.  Check back periodically as materials are being updated and developed.

Please reach out to us via email if you have questions, we will do our best to answer them.  We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.

Wesley Kline wkline@njaes.rutgers.edu

Meredith Melendez melendez@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 20, 2020

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Working Through COVID-19

To learn the status of your Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) office, please visit the County Office tab at njaes.rutgers.edu. Note that the status of office access listed below is subject to change in this current state of emergency. Personnel in most offices are working remotely or in offices with restricted access, but are still available to assist via mail, phone or email.

From RCE Director Dr. Brian Schilling,

“…Cooperative Extension… continue[s] to operate under the directive that all Rutgers Cooperative Extension events, programs, and noncredit classes involving groups larger than 15 participants are to be cancelled through at least April 3.  Significant progress is being made with the movement of programs and associate resources into online formats.

“Over the past week, RCE county offices have begun altering their operations to promote social distancing and continue programs/service provision, as is feasible.  RCE and county government partners are working to ensure continuity of operations, which in many instances involves remote work arrangements and/or restrictions of the public to county facilities. The [current] operating status of our county offices is as follows:

    • Closed – 9 offices (Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Essex, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union)
    • Open, Public Access Limited – 10 offices (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Warren)
    • Open, No Restrictions – 1 office (Sussex)
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 17, 2020

Green-up Started

Soil temperatures have been warming and reached the mid-40s °F last week at Rutgers Hort Farm No. 2 in North Brunswick NJ and are creeping into the upper-40s °F early this week. Dr. Clarke recommends that treatment of turf with a history of take-all patch be initiated when soil temperature averages 40 to 60 °F. […]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Turf
March 17, 2020

Status of U.S. Consular Operations in Mexico in Light of COVID-19

In response to the global pandemic COVID-19, and in line with the Mexican government’s call to increase social distancing, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. consulates in Mexico will suspend routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services starting March 18, 2020, and until further notice. For farmers this means, H-2A workers and others from Mexico may be prevented from entering the U.S. until further notice. NJ Farm Bureau is researching the subject for more clarification. For now to see more information go to the U.S. Embassy’s website at: Field of plantershttps://mx.usembassy.gov/status-of-u-s-consular-operations-in-mexico-in-light-of-covid-19/

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape