May 6, 2024

NJDA Announces 2nd RFP for Underserved, Beginning and Military Veteran Farmers Mini-Grant Program

Last Friday, the NJDA closed the Request for Proposals (RFP) period for our Underserved, Beginning and Military Veteran Farmers Mini-Grant Program. Due to a recent increase in interest in the program, we have decided to extend a second RFP window to members of our specialty crop community who qualify. The second RFP will be open to the public starting May 10th, with the final application deadline now May 31st @ 5PM.

A number of exciting applications from members of NJ’s specialty crop community were received during this first application period. To expedite the review process, all applications submitted prior to May 3rd will be reviewed over the next few weeks. Applicants from the first RFP period can expect a funding decision following the NJ Board of Agriculture meeting on May 22nd. Applicants who apply during the second RFP period can expect a decision following the June 26th NJ Board of Agriculture meeting.

For those interested in learning more about this program, the NJDA will be hosting a webinar to promote the Underserved, Beginning and Military Veteran Farmers Mini-Grant Program on Friday, May 10th at 11 am EDT. Please join to learn more about the program guidelines, eligibility, and application process. Q&A will follow the presentation.  Registration is not required. A recording of the webinar will be available for those who are unable to attend.

More information about the program is available at the following links:

Program Webinar – May 10th at 11am.

Program Webpage

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , ,
January 9, 2023

‘Annie’s Project’ Online Course for NJ Farmers Begins This Week – Still Time to Register

Offering important farm management lessons to help women* farmers succeed

Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) will present a new online version of the popular Annie’s Project, over the course of six weeks, one evening per week, starting this Wednesday, January 11. Registration (click here) is still open at the $100 price until the program begins and includes workshop study materials, and admission to the NJACTS (February 7~9). “Annie Goes Online: Risk Management On Your Kitchen Table,” will be offered virtually via Zoom on January 11, 18, and 25; February 15 and 22; and March 1 from 6 – 9 p.m.

The course starts this week with an insightful session on transition, and managing marketing, financial and human resource risks by keynote speaker Wenfei Uva, co-owner of Seaberry Farm – a 36-acre specialty fruit and flower farm in Federalsburg, Maryland. Uva received her Ph.D. from Cornell University in agricultural economics and was an extension leader for the Cornell Horticultural Business Management and Marketing Program from 1999-2007.

An optional all day in person tax workshop on Thursday, February 9th will be offered at the 2023 New Jersey Agriculture Convention and Trade Show (NJACTS) in Atlantic City.

“As in the previous Annie’s Project programs, this workshop is designed to educate and train new and aspiring farm women on risk management strategies and provide tools for successful business management,” says Robin Brumfield, extension specialist in farm management, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Financial assistance, provided by Farm Credit East, is available to those in need. Funds are available on a first-come-first-served basis to those who apply by filling out a scholarship application.

Course topics include:

  • Labor recruitment and labor laws;
  • business income and cash flow management, as well as personal finances;
  • food safety and water use regulations;
  • insurance and taxes;
  • production relevant risk management related to:
    • soil fertility and soil health;
    • crop/livestock production budgets;
    • controlled environment agriculture;
    • storm water management;
    • livestock-poultry disease biosecurity; and
    • marketing and supply channels.

“New, aspiring, and current women farmers will gain educational training on the essentials of preparing a business plan, considered a vital roadmap to success for any business,” says Brumfield. Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities with their peers and other agricultural professionals.

*While targeting women as primary owners and partners in farm businesses, Annie’s Project training is open to all.

For more information about the program, visit Rutgers Farm Management Website. Material for this program is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021-70027-34693.

 

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf Tagged With: , , , , , ,
September 17, 2020

Every Farmer Counts! 76th National Farm Safety & Health Week – Sept. 20-26, 2020.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ag and Natural Resources Dept Chair Nick Polanin has announced the good news that RCE has been able to hire Ms. Kate Brown as Program Associate II to work on commercial crop production in the RCE-Burlington County office. We welcome Kate to the job. In continuing some of the programs of retired County Agent Ray Samulis, Kate is now the Rutgers liaison to the NE Ag Safety and Health Coalition and has shared this news about next week’s celebration of National Farm Safety & Health Week (NFSHW). — Rick VanVranken [Read more…]

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