June 16, 2020

USDA Good Agricultural Practices, Harmonized and Harmonized Plus Audits

Wes Kline reports the New Jersey Department of Agriculture is now scheduling audits.

  • There had been an extension for audits before May 31, but there will be no additional extensions.
  • If you had an audit last year and need to schedule a renewal, or if you need a new audit, now is the time to make an appointment.
  • Anyone wanting an audit should have gone through food safety training which is held each year December through March.  The auditor will want to see that you have had some type of training.
  • To schedule the audit, email Chris Kleinguenther at christian.kleinguenther@ag.state.nj.us.
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
June 15, 2020

Tonight’s Webinar for Ag Employers – Updated Agenda

Understanding & Implementing NJ’s COVID-19 Guidance For Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers, Employers & Housing Providers
Tue June 16, 2020
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
All NJ agricultural employers are invited to learn directly from NJ Departments of Health, Labor and Agriculture who will discuss expectations for implementation of the “NJ COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, Their Employers & Housing Providers” document in a Webex webinar hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

This event requires registration and there will be a follow-up survey.

Agenda (Updated)
Welcome
  • Rick VanVranken & Wes Kline, Agricultural Agents, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Introductory Remarks
  • Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
Introduction of Speakers
  • Asst. Secretary of Agriculture Monique Purcell, NJDA
Overview and Expectations for Implementing COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Agriculture Employers and Housing Providers.
  • NJ Dept. of Health
    • Amanda Medina-Forrester, MA, MPH, Executive Director, Office of Minority & Multicultural Health &
    • Siobhan Pappas, Ph.D., Coordinator, Childhood Lead Program
  • NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development
    • Christine Blumauer, Policy Advisor, Office of the Commissioner
  • Comments from Federally Qualified Health Center representatives
    • Michelle Blanchfield, MPH, Zufall Health
    • Bridget Hogan, Ocean Health Initiatives
Moderated Questions & Discussion between each presentation
Reaction & Summary
  • Pete Furey, Exec. Director, NJ Farm Bureau
The webinar will end with a quick follow-up survey to assess your understanding and implementation of these guidelines. It will be completely anonymous.

The NJDOH partnered with the NJDA and the NJDOL to create this guidance for agricultural employers focusing on precautions to help protect farm employees from COVID-19 on New Jersey farms and in farm labor housing. This webinar will review these guidelines. Questions from participants will be taken and addressed during the webinar.

Register

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
June 11, 2020

Webinar Scheduled for Ag Employers – Understanding & Implementing NJ’s COVID-19 Guidance For Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers, Employers & Housing Providers

Cover 5-20-2020 NJ DOH Interim Guidance for Migrant-Seasonal Farmworkers
Tue June 16, 2020
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
All NJ agricultural employers are invited to learn directly from NJ Departments of Health, Labor and Agriculture who will discuss expectations for implementation of the “NJ COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, Their Employers & Housing Providers” document in a Webex webinar hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

This event requires registration and there will be a follow-up survey.

Agenda
Welcome
  • Rick VanVranken & Wes Kline, Agricultural Agents, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Introductory Remarks
  • Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
Introduction of Speakers
  • Asst. Secretary of Agriculture Monique Purcell, NJDA
Overview and Expectations for Implementing COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Agriculture Employers and Housing Providers.
  • Amanda Medina-Forrester, MA, MPH, Executive Director, Office of Minority & Multicultural Health, NJ Dept. of Health
  • Christine Blumauer, Policy Advisor, Office of the Commissioner, NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development
Moderated Questions & Discusson
Reaction & Summary
  • Pete Furey, Exec. Director & Ben Cassella, Field Representative, NJ Farm Bureau
The webinar will end with a quick follow-up survey to assess your understanding and implementation of these guidelines. It will be completely anonymous.

The NJDOH partnered with the NJDA and the NJDOL to create this guidance for agricultural employers focusing on precautions to help protect farm employees from COVID-19 on New Jersey farms and in farm labor housing. This webinar will review these guidelines. Questions from participants will be taken and addressed during the webinar.

Register

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
May 7, 2020

COVID-19 Guidance For Farmworkers & Employers

An Important Message from Secretary Fisher (May 6, 2020)

“As mentioned during the Governor’s press conference this afternoon by Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, a group led by the Department of Health, working in coordination with the Departments of Agriculture and Labor, is finalizing a Guidance Document, “COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Their Employers and Housing Providers.” As stated by the Health Commissioner today, this document is expected to be rolled out at the end of this week, with further communication about it coming next week.”

Details will be shared as soon as this guidance document is available.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
April 28, 2020

NJ Dept of Agriculture Memo RE: Labor Housing Guidance Forthcoming

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.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,