May 20, 2020

Wednesday Discussions: Ask the Ag Agent

Last night on “Ask the Ag Agent” we discussed The NJ Department of Health’s “Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Their Employers, and Housing Providers” guidance document. We will continue to facilitate discussion on “Ask the Ag Agent” forum for this topic and others next week. Please feel free to bring up any ag-related topics for discussion on this forum.

“Ask the Ag Agent” weekly 1-hour sessions for farmers will be hosted weekly and continue each Wednesday until May 27th. The online conferencing/call in events will begin at 7:00PM with an open forum to discuss ag-related questions about production, marketing, regulations and any other topics farmers wish to discuss. All are welcome. Events are hosted by William Bamka, Stephen Komar, Meredith Melendez and Michelle Infante-Casella – Agricultural Agents.

To access via WebEx on a computer go to https://go.rutgers.edu/rc9n3kxt

Or, Join by phone
+1-650-429-3300 USA Toll
Access code: 799 743 872

For additional Rutgers Cooperative Extension educational programs check out https://events.rutgers.edu/njaes/

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Fruit, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
May 19, 2020

NJMVC Further Extends Driver License, Registration, and Inspection Expiration Dates Due to COVID-19

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator Sue Fulton, on Monday, May 18th, announced additional extensions to driver license, registration, and inspection expiration dates in the continuing efforts to mitigate COVID-19 and safeguard public health.

Effective immediately, the following documents, if expiring between March 13 and May 31, have been extended to July 31. Documents expiring June 30 are extended two months to August 31, and those expiring July 31 are extended to September 30.

• All Standard driver licenses (including permits) and standard non-driver IDs
• Privately owned and commercial vehicle registrations (including Farmer and Farm Use registrations)
• Vehicle inspections
• Purple Heart/Disabled Veteran placards
• Temporary tags

“Get it done online now, if you’re able,” Fulton suggests. “We do anticipate that volumes will spike once we reopen and when we reach the end of these extensions. Our job is to serve customers in the most efficient way possible and one way we can do that is by steering people to our expanded list of online services.”

On March 13, the NJMVC initially announced two-month extensions for licenses, registrations, and inspection stickers expiring in March, April, and May, timelines that have now been pushed back.

The NJMVC encourages customers to utilize online services, which have been expanded during the COVID-19 crisis. In most cases, customers can renew a license, replace a lost license, change an address, renew a registration, and complete other transactions through the NJMVC’s Online Services portal.

Customers also should check NJMVC.gov for the latest information and updates.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , ,
May 12, 2020

Reasons to Add Soil Around the Transplant/Planting Hole on Plastic Mulch

Plastic mulch has been widely adopted by vegetable growers everywhere. The benefits of plastic mulch and raised beds have proven to improve crop quality and yields.

One practice some growers use, just after transplanting into plastic mulch, is to have workers place a small shovel full of soil around the Sapling growing in mulchbase of the plant and enough to seal the hole around the plant. This works best for transplants with tall stems – tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and cole crops.

One caution before using this beneficial cultural practice, is to understand the implications of herbicides applied between rows. If a herbicide was applied in row middles that is harmful to the crop planted into the plastic mulch, the transplant could be damaged, stunted or die. Read the herbicide label before using row middle soil to fill in the planting hole. If the row middle soil is safe to apply, then this practice is recommended.

Why is the tedious, time-consuming and laborious task so important?

There are a few reasons.

1. Placing soil around the transplant and planting hole will prevent water from puddling around the plant when significant rainfalls occur. Excessive puddling around the transplant can induce root and crown disease infections.

2. The extra soil will provide support and stability for the plant until roots can anchor the plant in the ground and the plants can be stakedSapling growing in mulch and tied.

3. By adding soil to seal-over the plastic mulch hole, the seal will prevent “venting” of hot air. This is especially important when plants are young, acclimating to outdoor weather and when hot and sunny days occur shortly after transplanting.

All reasons listed above will be important this week, as the weather conditions for Thursday call for rain in New Jersey and then flowed by temperatures in the 80s. Soil temperatures will rise and more critical, air temperatures under plastic mulch will be much higher than 80 degrees. The hot air venting on young, tender transplants will cause stress and can possibly lead to transplant death.

For these reasons, it is important to fill in and seal those transplant holes.

Filed Under: Organic Production, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
May 12, 2020

Labor Will Be Hot Topic For 7:00PM Wednesday Night Webinar – “Ask the Ag Agent”

This week, the webinar will be concentrated on the topic of farm labor. Since updates are coming to the industry and we have learned of some programs for migrant workers please join us for discussion. Please feel free to bring up other topics.

Ask the Ag Agent – 7:00PM Weekly – Every Wednesday – Farmer Video Conference/Call-In ForumAsk the Ag agent

“Ask the Ag Agent” weekly 1-hour sessions for farmers will be hosted again on Wednesday May 13th and continue each Wednesday until May 27th. The online conferencing/call in events will begin at 7:00PM with an open forum to discuss ag-related questions about production, marketing, regulations and any other topics farmers wish to discuss. All are welcome. Events are hosted by William Bamka, Stephen Komar, Meredith Melendez and Michelle Infante-Casella – Agricultural Agents.

To access via WebEx on a computer go to https://go.rutgers.edu/rc9n3kxt

Or, Join by phone
+1-650-429-3300 USA Toll
Access code: 799 743 872

For additional Rutgers Cooperative Extension educational programs check out https://events.rutgers.edu/njaes/

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
May 8, 2020

Spread the Word: “Killer” Hornet NOT Found in the Northeastern U.S.

By, Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent/Professor, RCE of Gloucester Co. and William Bamka, Agricultural Agent/Associate Professor, RCE of Burlington Co.Asian Giant Hornet

Although media reports have triggered panic over the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), there are no reports this pest is present anywhere else in North America besides the Pacific Northwest. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resource personnel have received inquiries to identify hornets found by the public. In New Jersey, Rutgers Cooperative Extension county offices have not identified any submitted specimens to be the Asian Giant Hornet. The Asian giant hornet has only had confirmed sightings in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada.

“The species has not yet been detected this spring in Washington State or the British Columbia or anywhere else on the West Coast”, said Professor Dina M. Fonseca, director of the Center for Vector Biology in the Department Entomology in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers–New Brunswick. “We do not know how the species arrived in the United States but it is important to not overreact.”

Washington State University’s information on the Asian giant hornet confirmed the first U.S. sighting of this hornet in the wild. The first two specimens were found in Nanaimo and White Rock, British Columbia, Canada in fall of 2019.
The hornets were reported to be attacking colonies of honeybees in Washington State. The Asian Giant Hornet is known to aggressively attack honeybees and can destroy entire honeybee colonies. Washington State University recently published an extensive fact sheet with identification and guidance for the public. According to the WSU Pest Alert, Asian Giant Hornets are not generally aggressive towards people, but may sting when threatened.

“The Asian giant hornet is unlikely to be present in New Jersey,” Fonseca said. “while citizens in the Pacific Northwest can help detect any emerging hornets this spring, which is critical for its control, the indiscriminate killing of bees, wasps or other hornet lookalikes, would be detrimental because of beneficial roles these insects provide as plant pollinators and predators of agricultural pests.”

An insect that looks similar and can be confused for the Asian giant hornet is the Cicada killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus). They large solitary Asian Giant Hornetwasps found throughout the U.S. and burrow holes in the soil. Even with their large size, dangerous appearance and “dive-bombing” habit, adult Cicada killer wasps rarely come in contact with people and it is rare they will sting. The males of this species will make “dive-bombing” flight patterns, but do not have a stinger and an attack would not result in a sting. The female’s tubular egg-laying structure on the rear end can function as a very weak stinger. Her mild sting is similar to a slight pin scratch and is not considered by most people to be painful. Rutgers Cooperative Extension has more information on the Cicada Killer Wasp and other bees and wasps.

As more information comes out regarding the Asian giant hornet, it is best to pay attention to where this insect has been confirmed and how far it has spread. It is most likely that the Asian giant hornet would first spread and be reported in surrounding areas bordering Washington State and British Columbia, Canada before any reports would occur on the East Coast. Knowing this information may help to calm fears when seeing other hornets and wasps. As always, take precautions and avoid contact with stinging insects. For identification and recommendations contact your local county Rutgers Cooperative Extension office.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With:
May 8, 2020

Sourcing Local NJ Farm Products and Concerns of Food Insecurity

By Michelle Infante-Casella and Stephen Komar, Agricultural Agents-Rutgers Cooperative ExtensionVegetable basket

Where does food come from? Does the U.S. produce enough food to feed all Americans? Let’s stop right there for a minute and go back almost 5 decades.

In the 1970’s gasoline and other energy prices soared causing an American economic crisis. Our country was reliant on foreign oil sources. The US economy struggled, unemployment rates soared, and uncertainties prevailed. Yes, fuel is necessary for transporting people, moving products, for industrial processes and heating homes. However, Americans adapted and made changes to their habits to adjust to the shock of high-energy prices. These changes presented many challenges, but we persevered and over-time the U.S. tapped into domestic resources and the energy industry developed technologies to make us less dependent on foreign energy.

Let’s move ahead to today. This time it is not energy supply at risk, it is literally human lives that are being impacted by a worldwide pandemic. Once again uncertainties – this time food supply and safety are at the top of the list and causing anxiety for many households. Again, the consumer has adapted their preferences and habits in response to this new challenge. Today, consumers still desire fresh, healthy food, but are adapting their shopping habits to include, social distancing, shopping online and other methods to meet their dietary needs.

Going back to our original question, ‘Where does food come from?” To those in the agricultural industry the answer is obvious, but where our food comes from is often not considered by many Americans. The New Jersey Farm Bureau coined the slogan, “No Farmers, No Food”. But how can our farmers meet the changing demands of the consumer in response to the Coronavirus pandemic? Just like the American consumer, New Jersey farmers are changing the way they provide delicious, locally produced food, directly to the consumer.

Let’s face it – everyone enjoys visiting a local farm or farmers market. Not only can customers purchase some of the freshest fruits, vegetables and other products directly from the farmers who produced them, they can enjoy spending some time in the beautiful outdoors. Although most people are familiar with the traditional roadside farm stand, there are several unique products being sold by New Jersey’s innovative farmers. Everything from farm-fresh cheeses to locally raised meats like beef and pork, locally produced beverages, salsa and jellies, to farm-fresh poultry products are being produced right in your backyard. Many local farmers have incorporated Center for Disease Control guidelines including enhanced food safety, social distancing and other precautions to help ensure consumer safety. Some farmers are now offering a variety of ordering and payment options and even providing prepackaged delivery to your vehicle curb-side or to your home.

A CSA or community-supported agriculture is a great way to share in the experience of a local farmer. Much like the stock market, CSA members pay a fee in exchange for a “share” of a farmer’s crop. In exchange for their investment in the farming operation, members receive a percentage of the annual harvest while gaining the satisfaction of knowing where their food was produced and watching it come to fruition throughout the growing season. CSA members are rewarded with delicious yields and excellent returns on their investment in the form of farm-fresh products. Some innovative producers are providing virtual tours of their farms to give consumers the on-farm experience from the comfort of their homes. To learn more about CSAs check out the Rutgers Cooperative Extension fact sheet, Community Supported Agriculture: A Farmer’s Overview.

To help get the word out about New Jersey agricultural products some resources are available. The public can use the Find Jersey Fresh webpage or the NJ Farm Bureau webpage Local Farms – Local Food to find nearby farms with retail markets. Additionally, using your own social media pages and other outlets can attract customers. Farming is an essential industry and everyone depends on farmers to provide food. NO FARMERS NO FOOD.

 

 

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