March 17, 2021

Agrivoltaics – Combining Solar Power & Farming in NJ — CORRECTED LINK

THE REGISTRATION LINK IN THIS POST HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

Farming under solar panels = “Agrivoltaics”.

On Wednesday, March 24th 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Rutgers NJAES will host a webinar on “Agrivoltaics” to explore farming the ground under solar panels (photovoltaics), what’s possible and what’s not in NJ.

Please register in advance for this meeting (no cost) at:

https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUucuurrzkpHNGZTA7os7FizQOsd8Pv23Pu

Agrivoltaics (also called dual use solar on farmland) offers the potential to both create renewable energy and sustain the productivity and profitability of precious farmland. Properly designed agrivoltaic systems have the potential to be built in such a way that the photovoltaic panels allow for farm equipment operation and minimal impact on crop productivity.

This webinar will explore examples of Agrivoltaic systems from other parts of the world and detail the work that has been done by the UMass Clean Energy Extension Program.  Participants will be able to interact with the NJAES Photovoltaic Committee and the Director of UMass Clean Energy Extension Program.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , ,
December 8, 2020

Creating Virtual Farm & Food Experiences Webinar Wed, Dec 9 at noon

The University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Tourism Research Center is hosting a webinar on

Creating Virtual Farm and Food Experiences

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

9am Pacific time; 12pm Eastern time; 6pm Central European time; 10:30 Indian time

Whether it’s farm tours, private tastings, or conferences, we are all figuring out new ways to connect digitally with customers and colleagues. During this period of limited travel, farm and food businesses around the world are experimenting with innovative online formats to share their agricultural experiences and products. Join us to learn about lambing tours in Scotland and cider tastings in Vermont. Presenters will share their challenges, successes, and lessons learned as they have transitioned to virtual events during the pandemic.

Moderator: Lisa Chase, University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Tourism Research Center
Speakers: Eleanor Leger, Eden Specialty Ciders, Vermont, USA; Caroline Millar, Balkello Farm and Go Rural, Dundee, Scotland.

REGISTER HERE

To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Becky Bartlett at 802-257-7967 or Rebecca.Bartlett@uvm.edu so we may assist you.

Yonder, a new nature tourism platform, invites travelers to connect with the natural world and the people who steward it. Through the Yonder site and app, guests can discover and book overnight stays and activities at farms, ranches, vineyards, and other nature immersive escapes.
UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont.  University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates Tagged With: , , , , , ,
December 7, 2020

Sweet Basil Virtual Workshop This Thursday and Friday

Sweet basil infected with basil downy mildew.

Managing Basil Under Increasingly Challenging Conditions, a virtual workshop, will be held this Thursday, Dec. 10, and Friday, Dec. 11. Hosted by University of Massachusetts in collaboration with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the University of Florida as part of our USDA/SCRI/NIFA supported Sweet Basil Research Initiative, with Drs. Jim Simon and Andy Wyenandt of Rutgers co-coordinating the educational program for growers, Extension workers, researchers and industry reps.

The virtual sessions will be on the Zoom platform. Links and other means of connecting will be shared in another post before the meeting begins after you register here <https://forms.gle/iofJ79idzyG3j48ZA>.

Click here to view the updated agenda. All meeting times are Eastern Standard Time running 9:00am to 5:15pm on Dec. 10, and 9:00am to 12:30pm on Dec. 11. Feel free to join in or leave at any time to learn about the topics that interest you.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
October 27, 2020

Pre-register Today by 5pm to Apply for NJ Economic Development Authority Small Business Emergency Grants

The Atlantic County Economic Alliance shared this important news:

~ IMPORTANT! LAST DAY! ~

This is an important reminder from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority that preregistration for phase III of New Jersey’s emergency grants program for eligible small businesses is open until 5 p.m. today, Oct. 27.

Any small business that would like to apply for a grant must preregister. For more information and to preregister, please do so by clicking HERE and follow the instructions and links found on the FAQ page.

By preregistering, many small businesses and restaurants can join the many others that have already teamed up with the EDA to receive vital funding that has allowed them to remain open.

The ACEA Team

609-245-0019

www.aceanj.com

@ACEANJ

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
September 30, 2020

COVID-19: NJDEP Updates 2020 and 2021 Pesticide Certification & Licensing

[September 28, 2020]. Due to the continued COVID-19 public health emergency, the NJDEP has issued three new or revised alerts on pesticide certification and licensing: 1) paper license delays; 2)  examination resumption ; and 3) online CEU exemptions. These alerts are excerpted in whole below, and have been posted to NJDEP Licensing and Registrations – […]
Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
July 28, 2020

Unsolicited Seeds From Foreign Sources

Several states are now reporting and you may have read or heard news reports of packets of seeds arriving in the mail from foreign shipping addresses that were not ordered. If you receive such a packet, DO NOT open or discard them. Rather, follow these directions from the NJ Dept of Agriculture:

UPDATED NJDA ALERT (https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/hottopics/topics200727.html)

We have been receiving reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.

Here’s what to do if you receive unsolicited seeds from another country:

This is known as agricultural smuggling. Report it to the USDA!

  1. DO NOT plant them and if they are in sealed packaging don’t open the sealed package.
  2. Take a photo of the package and seeds and send the photos to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Joseph.zoltowski@ag.nj.gov and USDA SITC at  SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov
  3. Maintain the seeds and packaging and send to the USDA Office located at 1500 Lower Rd, Linden NJ 07036 for evidence. 

If individuals are aware of the potential smuggling of prohibited exotic fruits, vegetables, or meat products into or through the USA, they can help APHIS by contacting the confidential Anti-smuggling Hotline number at 800-877-3835 or by sending an Email to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov. USDA will make every attempt to protect the confidentiality of any information sources during an investigation within the extent of the law.

One-line email signature graphic: We R Here When You Need Us.

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