We’ve been asked to share the attached memo from NJDA Secretary Fisher regarding guidance on ag labor housing as it relates to COVID 19.
March 22, 2017 Hemant Gohil
DEP and NJDA Extend Allowance of Controlled Open Burns to Protect Crops from Frost Threats
(17/P23) TRENTON – With the state expected to experience more freezing temperatures tonight and Thursday night, the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Agriculture will again allow farmers to do controlled open burning or use specialized torches known as smudge pots to protect flowering crops from damage.
The two agencies previously authorized precautionary and voluntary use of smudge pots on March 10 due to below-freezing temperatures forecast through that weekend.
Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 20s tonight and Thursday night through most of the state. The expected freeze follows unusually warm temperatures in recent weeks that coaxed some economically important fruit tree crops to bud much earlier than normal.
Peach, blueberry and apple crops are particularly susceptible. Damage from freezing weather now can significantly reduce yields of these crops later in the season. There are concerns in particular about early varieties of peaches that are at a stage where buds are about to flower. [Read more…]
March 7, 2017 Rick VanVranken
Farm-to-School/Farmers Market Nutrition Survey Looking for Mid-Atlantic Produce Growers
Fruit or vegetable farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region (PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, WV, and DC) that have participated or have considered participating in:
- Farm to School sales or activities, OR
- Farmers’ Market Nutrition Incentive programs (like FMNP & SNAP matching programs)
are invited to participate in a survey about their choices to participate or not.
Megan Lehnerd, a PhD student at the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition, is conducting a study to learn more about why farmers choose to participate or not participate in these programs. The survey will take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete.
If you complete the survey, you can choose a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Johnny’s Selected Seeds. For more information or to take the survey, visit: http://sites.tufts.edu/farmersurvey or contact Megan at megan.lehnerd@tufts.edu.
Megan Lehnerd, MS
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Tufts University
September 14, 2016 Meredith Melendez
Plasticulture Strawberries – Ultra Niche Crop Series
Learn how to grow, market and sell plasticulture strawberries. Production basics, food safety considerations, post harvest handling specifics, budgeting and buyer preferences.
September 28, 2016 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at three locations:
– RCE of Somerset County, Bridgewater
– RCE of Cape May County, Cape May Court House
– Rutgers EcoComplex, Columbus
For more information call Jenny Carleo, Agricultural Agent at (609) 465-5115 or email Jennifer
Matthews at jmatthews@aesop.rutgers.edu
To register go to Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ultra-niche-crops-plasticulture-strawberries-tickets-26609094518
To join the mailing list for future classes go to The Ultra-Niche Crop Project
August 18, 2016 Dean Polk, Dave Schmitt, Atanas Atanassov, Carrie Mansue
Fruit IPM for 8/18/16
Peach:
Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): Trap counts still show captures above the treatment threshold of 6/trap. Treatments are needed anywhere trap counts exceed 6 males per trap, even at this late stage of the season on any variety that is at least 7-10 days away from harvest. [Read more…]
