November 15, 2022

NJ Governor Murphy Authorizes 2022 Bear Hunt

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher shared today that Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 310 (attached) concerning the black bear population. EO 310 rescinds EO 34 and states that,

“…in consultation with the [DEP] Commissioner, I have determined that a regulated bear hunt that takes place on both state and private lands is necessary to protect New Jersey residents from harm and reduce the threat of tragic human-bear interactions, and I have concurred with the Council’s Statement of Imminent Peril; and

“WHEREAS, as a result of this emergency rulemaking, a Bear Hunting Season will take place pursuant to the Comprehensive Black Bear Management Plan and N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.6 from December 5 through December 10, 2022, and will be extended from December 14 through December 17 if necessary to achieve a 20 percent harvest rate;

 

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September 20, 2022

Youth on the Farm: Protect the Future of Agriculture

logo for national farm safety and health week 2022Growing up on a farm has many benefits for children, but farms can also be dangerous. Across the country, over 30 children are seriously injured in agriculture-related incidents every day, and a child is fatally injured on the farm once every three days. Take an active role to keep children safe on the farm by educating them about the risks, thoroughly training them for age-appropriate tasks, providing personal protective equipment, and maintaining adequate supervision. [Read more…]

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August 5, 2022

Upcoming Webinars on Sun Protective Products

On these hot and dry days we are reminded that farmers, farm workers, landscapers, and gardeners are at a high risk for UV exposure and skin cancer. Effective sunscreen and ultraviolet protective clothing are important tools to help you stay safe while working outdoors, as we shared in a recent Plant & Pest Advisory article.

To learn more about sun protection products and The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) Seal of Recommendation, check out the upcoming educational webinar series to be hosted by SCF. Details and registration information for these 30-minute, once monthly webinars can be found at https://webinar.skincancer.org/.

Sun safety figure from CDC

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July 20, 2022

Quick Tips to Beat the Heat

Daily high temperatures over the next 10 days will soar above 90 degrees each day, with the real feel exceeding 100 degrees at times. It’s important to take precautions to keep you and your workers safe from heat stress and other heat-related illnesses. Check out these 5 quick tips you can implement today to safeguard everyone on your farm during this extreme heat.

worker harvesting zucchini

USDA photo by Lance Cheung.

  1. Stay hydrated. The CDC recommends drinking at least 1 cup of water every 15-20 minutes during moderate activity. For more on hydration, see this factsheet from NIOSH.
  2. Dress appropriately. Choose light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of cotton or linen. Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
  3. Acclimatize employees to working in the heat. Gradual exposure to work in a hot environment is critical for both new and experienced employees. To learn more about acclimatization, check out this factsheet from NIOSH.
  4. Adjust workload. Plan strenuous tasks for cooler parts of the day, increase the number of workers per task to lighten workload, and shorten work periods to allow for breaks in the shade (at least) hourly. NIOSH offers recommendations for work/rest schedules to decrease risk of heat illness in this factsheet.
  5. Train employees to recognize signs of heat stress. Heat-related illnesses can range from heat rash to heat stroke. Review this NIOSH web page on heat-related illnesses to inform employees about symptoms and first aid response to each illness.
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December 11, 2021

Cut Costs (Not Fingers) When Prepping Firewood

Using a high-efficiency wood or pellet stove can be a cost-effective way to reduce your home heating costs compared to other fuels like natural gas, fuel oil, or electricity. According to Penn State Extension, the greatest savings are realized when you cut your own firewood rather than opting to buy pellets or have cordwood delivered. However, there are several hazards associated with use of a chainsaw or ax for felling trees or splitting firewood; the CDC estimates 36,000 people visit hospital emergency departments annually for injuries caused by chainsaws. If you plan to cut your own firewood this winter, it’s important to keep safety top of mind. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
October 18, 2021

Stay Safe on the Road During the Harvest

Autumn is harvest season on the farm, and farmers are rushing to get the harvest in before the weather becomes cold.  With harvest season getting underway, more heavy farm equipment is going to be out on the same roads as vehicle traffic, going from field to field, dramatically increasing the odds for accidents. During this season, it is important to be aware of the increased possibility of accidents and injury, especially when using farm machinery. One area to pay particular attention to is road safety while moving equipment. Here are some tips to help make sure the season is safe.

Truck drifting off the road

USDA Photo by Preston Keres

Make sure your farm vehicles and equipment are visible.

  • Verify that all lights and flashers on your farm vehicle are working properly.
  • Use warning flashers, flags, lights and slow-moving vehicle emblems on all equipment.
  • Apply reflective tape to machines to improve visibility for motorists at dusk.
  • Avoid traveling before dawn and after dusk if you can. If you need to drive during these times, ensure that your headlights are working. Headlights help you see and be seen.
  • Consider the use of an escort vehicle following with lights and flashers

Also, make sure you know the size of all tractors, vehicles and equipment. Be mindful of the height of your farm equipment and avoid power lines, low bridges and other overhead obstacles. Remember to communicate with fellow motorists on the road. Use turn signals and hand signals whenever possible to communicate with fellow drivers. Avoid distractions and make safety a priority on the road. Also, particularly important is to pay attention to when you are feeling tired and fatigued. Taking a break to rest is an important safety tool not to be overlooked.

This post was written by Bill Bamka, County Agricultural Agent with RCE-Burlington County. 

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