Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

April 21, 2025

North Jersey Tree Fruit Twilight Meeting I

North Jersey Tree Fruit Twilight Meeting I

In collaboration with the

New Jersey Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association

 

 

May 1, 2025

4:30 PM-7:30 PM

VonThun Farms

438 Route 57 West

Washington, NJ 07882

4:15 PM – Registration

4:30 PM – Strategies to Reduce Pesticide Exposure in Applicators

Kate Brown, Agricultural Agent III, Rutgers NJAES

5:00 PM – Using Web-Based Decision Tools for More Targeted Pesticide Use

Janine Spies PhD, State Fruit IPM Program Leader, Rutgers NJAES

5:30 PM – Tree Fruit Insect and Disease Update

Kaitlin Quinn, North Jersey Tree Fruit IPM Program Associate, Rutgers NJAES    

6:00 PM – Seasonal Tree Fruit Thinning Considerations

Megan Muehlbauer, Agricultural Agent II, Rutgers NJAES

6:30 PM – Light Refreshments

7:00 PM – Wagon Tour of Farm and Presentation to New Jersey Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association

Tim VonThun VonThun Farms

Light refreshments will be served.

The following pesticide recertification credits will be awarded

 

1 Unit CORE    3 Units 1A    3 Units 10    3 Units PP2

 

Please RSVP for the meetings with a call to:

Kim Crommelin at 908.788.1338 or kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, pesticide credits, Tree Fruit
February 19, 2025

North Jersey Commercial Fruit Grower Meeting Program and Registration

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL
FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 5, 2025
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Hunterdon County Complex
314 State Route 12, Bldg. 1
Flemington, NJ
Program

Program Chair
Megan Muehlbauer, PhD
Agriculture and Resource Management Agent
Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County

8:30 – Registration
Coffee and pastry, compliments of industry sponsors

9:00 – Welcome and Introductions

9:10 – North Jersey Tree Fruit IPM Updates
Kaitlin Quinn, North Jersey Fruit IPM Program Associate, Cooperative Extension

9:40 – Mycorrhizal Fungi Applications and their Effect on Soil Biology and Tree Health
Megan Muehlbauer PhD, ANR Agent, Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon

10:10 – Pest Updates for Tree Fruit in North Jersey
Anne Nielsen PhD, Specialist in Fruit Entomology, Cooperative Extension

10:40 – Weed Management Technologies for the Orchard and Vineyard
Thierry Besançon, Specialist in Weed Science, Cooperative Extension

11:10 – Compliance in Pest Management: Status Update for Chlorpyrifos and the Endangered Species Act
Janine Spies PhD, Statewide Program Leader and Agriculture Agent in Fruit IPM, Cooperative Extension

11:40 – Update on Farm Service Programs
Laura LaFevre, County Executive Director, Hunterdon/Somerset Office, Farm Service Agency

11:50 – Jersey Fresh Marketing Update
Joe Atchison III, Assistant Secretary, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
Christine Fries, Coordinator of Agricultural Marketing, NJ Dept. of Agriculture

12:00 – LUNCHEON (pre-registration required)

12:50 – What is New from Industry

1:10 – Understanding How Irrigation Water can be a Source for Soilborne Diseases in the Orchard
Kari Peter, Associate Research Professor Tree Fruit Pathology, Penn State University

1:40 – Bitter Rot in Apples What we Know and How to Control it
Kari Peter, Associate Research Professor Tree Fruit Pathology, Penn State University

2:10 – Pesticide Protection, Precautions and Procedures
Spencer Kerkhof, Environmental Specialist, Pesticide Compliance & Enforcement NJDEP

2:40 – What can the Rutgers Diagnostic Lab do for You

Rich Buckley, Director of the New Jersey Soil Testing & Diagnostic Services
Sabrina Tirpak, Laboratory Researcher II, Plant Diagnostic Laboratory Rutgers

3:10 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn

NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS ARE ANTICIPATED

 

Click here and fill out this form to register for the meeting then fax or email to:
Fax: (908) 806-4735
E-mail: kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

If you have any questions please call Kim Crommelin: (908)-788-1338

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, pesticide credits, Tree Fruit
February 10, 2025

Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting

There is still time to register for the 2025 Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting!

February 14th, 2025

8:30 am – 2:30 pm

at the Monmouth County Agricultural Building

4000 Kozloski Road

Freehold, NJ  07728

Registration: $40 (includes morning refreshments and lunch)

For registration questions, contact Cathy VanBenschoten at 732-431-7260

or email to Catherine.VanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

CJVGM Brochure 2025

NJDEP Pesticide Credits Approved

CORE – 02

PP2 – 03

1A – 03

10 – 02

 

Agenda  

8:30 am to 9:00 am: Registration

9:00 am to 10:00 am (1 hour): Pesticide Safety for Applicators and Handlers

George Hamilton, Ph.D. – Specialist in Pest Management, Rutgers, NJAES, RCE

Safe and effective use of pesticides is essential for controlling pests of vegetables, while protecting human health and the environment. This presentation will focus on the proper storage and use of pesticides and the requirements for training and record keeping applicable to commercial vegetable growers. Dr. Hamilton is an extension specialist and chair of the department of entomology at Rutgers University. He has been involved with the initial certification and recertification of New Jersey’s pesticide applicators since 1986.

 

10:00 am to 11:00 am (1 hour): Updates on Vegetable Disease Control

Andy Wyenandt, Ph.D. – Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers, NJAES

Crop losses due to vegetable diseases impact commercial growers every season. As new research findings emerge, our controls are becoming more efficient and effective for addressing these persistent challenges. This presentation fill focus on updates for controlling important diseases in vegetable production as well as new information in the 2023-2024 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.

 

11:00 am to 11:15 am (15 minutes): BREAK

 

11:15 am to 11:45 am (30 minutes): Updates from the Vegetable IPM Program (Pre-recorded presentation)

Amanda Quadrel – Senior IPM Program Coordinator, Rutgers NJAES

Managing insect pests continues to be a major problem for commercial vegetable growers in New Jersey. This talk will discuss important updates to the Rutgers Vegetable IPM program, such as new personnel, new trapping protocols, techniques or products to consider for the upcoming season, and updates on pests and pesticide resistance.

 

11:45 – 12:15 (30 minutes): Industry and Service Provider Updates

 

12:15 pm to 1:00 pm (45 minutes): LUNCH

 

1:00 – 1:30 pm (30 minutes): Food Safety Update for NJ Farms

Meredith Melendez – County Agent, Mercer, Rutgers NJAES, RCE

This talk will provide an Update of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule agricultural water regulations for the 2025 growing season, clarification on NJ Cottage Food Law ingredient allowances, and how gleaning activities can impact your FSMA PSR inspection.

 

1:30 pm to 2:00 pm (30 minutes): Laser Scarecrows for Bird Damage Control

Kate Brown – County Agent, Somerset, Rutgers NJAES, RCE

This presentation will introduce growers to lasers, how they work, and their role in the bird damage control toolbox. The primary goals of this presentation are to describe results from local and regional efficacy trials, highlight laser safety practices, and provide an overview of how lasers are currently being utilized on four NJ farms.

 

2:00 pm to 2:30 pm (30 minutes): Beginner Farmer Program Update

Bill Hlubik – County Agent, Middlesex, Rutgers NJAES, RCE

Matt Milburn – Program Associate, Middlesex, RCE

This presentation will provide an update on the Rutgers RU Ready to Farm Beginner Farmer Training Program and ask the group for input on practical applied research and programs the farmers would like to see in 2025 and beyond.

 

This Annual Event is brought to you by Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Filed Under: pesticide credits, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
February 6, 2025

North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Growers Meeting Program and Registration

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL
VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

February 19, 2025
8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hunterdon County Complex
314 State Route 12, Bldg. 1
Flemington, NJ

Program

 

Program Chair
Peter Nitzsche, Agriculture and Resource Management Agent
Cooperative Extension of Morris County

8:30 – Registration
Coffee and pastry compliments of industry sponsors

9:00 – Welcome and Introductions

9:10 – Vegetable IPM Update
Amanda Quadrel, Senior Program Coordinator – Vegetable IPM, Cooperative Extension

9:40 – Small Pumpkin Variety Trial and Nutrient Management
Michelle Infante-Casella, ANR Agent, Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County

10:10 – Beyond Butternut and Zucchini, Other Varieties of Squash & Pumpkin for NJ
Thomas Andreas, Independent Researcher

10:30 – Update on Farm Service Programs
Laura LaFevre, County Executive Director, Hunterdon/Somerset Office, Farm Service Agency

10:40 – Biodegradable Plasticulture in Habanero Peppers
William Sciarappa, ANR Agent, Cooperative Extension

11:00 – What is New from Industry

11:20 – Updates on Disease Control in Vegetable Crops
Andrew Wyenandt, Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Cooperative Extension

11:50 – Drones in Agriculture: Evaluating the Potential
Stephen Komar ANR Agent, Cooperative Extension of Sussex County
Adam Kyle, Teaching Administrator – Precision Agriculture, Warren County Community College

12:10 – LUNCHEON (pre-registration required)

1:00 – Sweet Corn Weed Control
Mark VanGessel Weed Specialist, University of Delaware

1:30 – Thrips Parvispinus: An Emerging Pest in Horticulture
Patricia Prade, Extension Entomologist, Penn State Extension

2:00 – Proper Pesticide Procedures Precautions and Protocols
Spencer Kerkhof, Pesticide Control Program Outreach Representative, NJDEP

2:30- Update on Agrivoltaics Research and the BPU Dual-Use Solar Pilot Program
David Specca, Assistant Director, Rutgers EcoComplex, NJAES

2:50- Food Safety Modernization Act, Produce Safety Rule Agriculture Water Update
TBD, Cooperative Extension

3:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn.  Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits

NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS ARE ANTICIPATED

Click here and fill out this form to register for the meeting then fax or email to:
Fax: (908) 806-4735
E-mail: kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

If you have any question please call Kim Crommelin: (908)-788-1338

 

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, pesticide credits, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
January 31, 2025 and

SAVE THE DATES!

North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Grower Meeting

February 19, 2025

&

North Jersey Commercial Fruit Grower Meeting

March 5, 2025

Hunterdon County Complex

314 State Route 12, Bldg. #1

Flemington, New Jersey 08822

8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Program and registration details forthcoming

Filed Under: Fruit, pesticide credits, Tree Fruit, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
January 14, 2025 and

REGISTER TODAY – NJ Ag Convention Coming Soon

We are only days away from the start of the 2025 NJ Agricultural Convention and Trade Show at Harrah’s in Atlantic City starting on February 3rd to February 6th. The convention has evolved over the years to include much more than vegetable topics. See the graphic below or the VGANJ website convention program for a list of expanded topics.

Nursery growers – we have a full day for you. Do you raise livestock? We have a new session for you. Want to learn about agricultural policies? Come to the session on Tuesday morning hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension Director, Brian Schilling and colleagues from the State Agricultural Development Committee. Need to learn about Food Safety Regulations, we have both a session and a workshop for you. USDA will be hosting sessions on Tuesday to promote programs for farmers. There are too many more topics to put into text so please check out the program on the VGANJ website. 

Need pesticide recertification credits? This year the workshops and sessions will help you fulfill the obligation to obtain those credits. Monday afternoon hosts a 6-CORE credit workshop that requires a separate special registration. Check out the program and how to register on the VGANJ website.

Have you registered for your hotel rooms yet? If not please use the room block and register online at https://book.passkey.com/GO/SHVEG5 or call to make Room Reservations on the phone at 1-888-516-2215 (8:00am-2:00am EST, 7 days a week), Group Name: New Jersey Vegetable Growers. Group Code: SHVEG5. There are plenty of rooms left in the room block, but the pre-registration ends soon, so reserve your rooms today. Please reserve your rooms through the group block to help us meet our obligations for the convention contract. 

Don’t miss the great Tuesday events. There is a FREE “Lunch and Learn” on Tuesday (sign up for tickets at registration on Tuesday, limited to 100 participants) in the back area of the trade show hall with time to meet with vendors and also discussion with the new NJ Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Wengryn. Tuesday night hosts a charity auction and if you attended last year, you know how great this event is with food, drink, and time to catch up with old friends and make new friends in farming. Thanks to VGANJ Secretary, Darcy Perehinys the Tuesday events will once again have amazing food! Lots of prizes from our sponsors will be available for bid at the Charity Auction. If you haven’t attended this event in the past, don’t miss it this year as it is much improved from years past. Tuesday is a big day and with the Lunch and Learn and Charity Auction Happy Hour – if you attend both these events you can eat for free!!!!

One more event you won’t want to miss is the annual awards banquet on Wednesday night. Tickets can now be purchased online on the VGANJ website. This year’s NJ Vegetable Grower of the Year award goes to Brian Porch, of Porch Farms in Salem County, NJ. The award will be presented by VGANJ President, Jim Abma. Come help us celebrate Brian and all the other award winners who will be honored by the NJ Department of Agriculture. 




Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, pesticide credits, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape, work shop Tagged With: ,