The planning committee for the expo is looking forward to providing many new opportunities, and Rutgers has confirmed many new speakers to offer excellent information, covering various topics from the 2026 growing season and research results to help farmers improve their practices. The Harrah’s conference center offers the best layout in Atlantic City for this convention. Come for the opportunity to network with others in the industry, to learn from over 72 presenters on a diversity of topics, and to gain pesticide recertification credits to keep your applicator’s license current. To register and for more information from the organizing association, go to the Vegetable Growers Association of NJ’s website at https://vganj.com.

Please see the DRAFT Rutgers Educational Program below. Pesticide credits have been applied for with NJ DEP. When the credits are assigned this program will be republished and promoted with credits.

The meeting will be held at the Rutgers Eco-Complex: 1200 Florence Columbus Rd, Fieldsboro, NJ 08505

8:00 am – 9:00 am   Registration, Coffee, and Refreshments

9:00 am – 9:05 am   Welcome, David Hlubik, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

9:05 am – 9:45 am   Rutgers Hazelnut Update, Thomas Molnar

9:45 am – 10:15 am  Food Safety Considerations for Hazelnut Production, Meredith Melendez

10:15 am – 10:45 am   Review of Labeled Pesticides for Hazelnut Production, David Hlubik

10:45 am – 11:00 am   Coffee Break

11:00am – 11:15 am   Specialty Crop Block Grant Update, AAC, Sean Walsh

11:15 am – 11:45 am   Cooperative Updates, AAC, NYTCA, KTCC

11:45 am – 12:00 pm   Cooperatives Group Discussion

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm   Lunch, Networking with Fellow Growers and Researchers

1:00 pm – 1:15 pm   April 2026 Freeze Damage Group Discussion, led by David Hlubik

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm   Grower Panel (3 growers, 5 min overview each, 15 min for discussion)

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm   Group Sharing and Open Discussion

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm   Break and Travel to Foggy Bottom Tree Farm: 26815 Mt Pleasant Rd, Columbus, NJ 08022 (8 minutes from Eco-Complex)

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm   Tour of Foggy Bottom Tree Farm

3:30 pm   End/Networking

This event is free, but pre-registration is required:

Please RSVP by October 14^th to reserve your spot:

Contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County

at 609-265-5050 or djh222@njaes.rutgers.edu

Box Tree Moth (BTM) Compliance Agreement Training + Rutgers RAREC Nursery Twilight 9/17/2026 

Nursery & Ornamentals Twilight Meeting

Collaboratively held by RCE, NJNLA, & NJDA

Location: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC)

121 Northville Rd., Bridgeton, NJ  08302-5919

Registration is required – Click here to register (select Guest if not a NJNLA member)

3:00PM to 4:00PM: 

Meeting: Box Tree Moth Compliance Agreement Training – Collaboratively held by RCE, NJNLA, and NJDA.

Please join if you grow, manage, or transport boxwoods. This official NJDA training satisfies the first mandatory requirement to be in compliance if the quarantine expands.

Approved Credits: 2 each of PP2, 2-3A, 2-9, Certificate of Completion

_______________________________

4:00PM to 7:30PM:

Meeting: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) – Nursery & Ornamentals Twilight

Collaboratively held by RCE & NJNLA

4:00 pm – Arrival / Networking / Vendors / Look at plots

4:30 pm – Dinner (BBQ Boyz) / Networking / Vendors

5:30 pm – Presentation (1hr): Ornamental IPM Implementation (Waller & Errickson)

6:30 pm – Presentation (1hr): CORE SAFETY UPDATES (Presenter TBD)

7:30PM – Adjourn and signing for credits

Approved Credits: 2 each of CORE, PP2, 2, 3A, 3C, 8C, 10

Registration is required – Click here to register (select Guest if not a NJNLA member)

CEU flyer for 9 17 2026

Registration is required – Click here to register (select Guest if not a NJNLA member) 

Please RSVP  by October 20, 2026

Contact Jocelyn Shillingford at (609) 465 5115 ext. 3607 or capemayag@njaes.rutgers.edu

In New Jersey, please review the following process to ensure a safe excavation/digging experience.

New Jersey Law requires anyone digging to call at least three full business days (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to beginning work. This is for everyone and includes property and homeowners’ contractors.

Contact New Jersey One Call at 811 or 800-272-1000 any time, day or night. Also see the website for New Jersey One Call for more information.

Key Safe Digging Tips:

• WAIT for the site to be marked with paint, flags or stakes. See the color chart and labels below for what each utility company uses for markings.
• RESPECT THE MARKS
• DIG WITH CARE by hand digging within two feet on either side of any marked areas.

Stop and Report Immediately: If equipment strikes a line—even if there is no visible damage—stop work and contact the utility company and emergency services right away.

UPDATE: Emergency BTM Compliance Agreement Meeting with NJDA

– Seabrook Firehouse, 3PM – Monday 31st

(Free – just show up if within a quarantined county)

90 Foster Road, Bridgeton (Upper Deerfield Township), NJ 08302

This PPA post has no legal bearing. 

This is a long but extremely important post about the expansion of the Box Tree Moth (BTM) Quarantine into the major boxwood production counties of New Jersey. This impacts everyone in NJ – Please read this message.

What is box tree moth:

Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is an invasive insect pest native to East Asia, as its larvae are voracious feeders that can completely defoliate and kill Boxwood (Buxus species) plants. The aggressive, destructive nature of the Box Tree Moth’s caterpillar life stage makes it essential to quickly take action as soon as damage is detected as defoliation can occur within 10 days. The risk of human movement of infested nursery stock, plant material, and debris will rapidly expand the pest’s range. The nursery and landscape industries that rely on Boxwood plants generate more than $9.8 million in economic activity annually within New Jersey and an estimated $140 million annually throughout the United States, according to data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) National Agricultural Statistics Service. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (“Department”) has determined the Box Tree Moth to be an injurious insect that is dangerous and destructive to the horticultural and agricultural industries, residential landscapes, and heritage plantings of Boxwood plants throughout the State.

On June 10, 2026, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDAAPHIS) confirmed that Box Tree Moth was detected on residential plantings in Middle Township, Cape May County, New Jersey, and this was the first confirmed detection of this pest in New Jersey.

On August 21, 2026, the Department and USDA staff further detected Box Tree Moth on residential plantings in Commercial Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey; and the detection of Box Tree Moth in Cumberland County also threatens the nearby area of Atlantic County. USDA-APHIS has previously detected Box Tree Moth in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan, and every one of these states established intrastate quarantines that restrict the movement of host plants, plant parts, and any articles capable of harboring life stages of the Box Tree Moth.

All life stages of box tree moth are active in southern NJ as of today, 8/27/2026.

What is happening: Expansion of quarantine into Cumberland and Atlantic Counties

Important information from: Box Tree Moth Quarantine Order for Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties New Jersey State Board of Agriculture,  Approved by State Board of Agriculture on August 26, 2026 – PLEASE READ THE DOCUMENT – This is a ‘Stop Shipment’ level event in those counties. 

“C.  Quarantine area

1. By order of the State Board of Agriculture pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:1-21.5 and N.J.S.A. 4:7, in order to control the spread of Box Tree Moth the following Counties are hereby quarantined:
2. Cape May County
3. Cumberland County
4. Atlantic County
5. This Order shall not be construed to limit the Department’s authority to quarantine additional counties, as necessary, consistent with its existing statutory authorities.”

&

“II. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following requirements and restrictions concerning the movement of Boxwood plants, debris, and other regulated articles shall take effect:

Restrictions on movement of plant material; Disposal

1. No business may move any regulated articles listed in this Order outside the quarantine area designated in this Order without a signed Compliance Agreement and certification issued by the Department. 
2. A private individual or non-business entity seeking to move any regulated articles listed in this Order outside the quarantine area designated in this Order (Cape May, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties) must first receive prior written authorization from the Department.
3. Infested or dead Regulated articles must be disposed of within the designated quarantined area (Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic Counties). This requirement is applicable to all businesses, including those with a signed Compliance Agreement and certification.

Regulated articles

1. Regulated articles are as follows:
2. Boxwood plants (Buxus species).
3. Boxwood plant debris or dead boxwood plant material;
4. The Box Tree Moths at any life stage; and d. Any means of conveyance for the Boxwood plant including, but not limited to: soil, pots, containers, and truck beds, or when it is determined by the Department that the regulated article presents a risk of spreading Box Tree Moth.”

&

“F.  Mandatory Compliance Agreement for businesses; certification

1. No regulated articles may be moved out of the designated quarantine area of Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties, unless in compliance with the requirements set forth in this section.
2. Businesses moving regulated articles out of the quarantine area are required to sign a Compliance Agreement and receive a certification issued by the Department prior to moving the regulated articles.
3. The technical requirements, specifications, and standards for compliance with this Order are set forth in the Compliance Agreement labeled “BTM Compliance Agreement” at https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/BoxtreeMoth.shtml (www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/2026_BTM%20NJ%20Comp%20Agmt.pdf)
4. This includes technical requirements for the proper use of traps, pre-inspections of plant materials, employee training requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and the proper use of insecticides.
5. The “Pest Management Plan“” required by the Compliance Agreement shall be considered satisfied by the execution of the compliance agreement itself.
6. The “Certification” referenced in the Compliance Agreement is a general-use certificate authorizing a business to move Boxwood plants and other regulated articles out of the quarantine area in compliance with these rules. The Department does not require individual certificates for individual movements of regulated articles by businesses.”

If you operate in Cumberland, Cape May, & Atlantic Counties: 

1. Read and understand:
   • Box Tree Moth (BTM) Compliance Agreement for BTM Regulated Nurseries & Nursery Stock Plant Dealers [NJ]
     • Understand each section of the Compliance Agreement as this is the only path forward to resume shipping from quarantined counties. 
   • Box Tree Moth Quarantine Order for Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties New Jersey State Board of Agriculture,  Approved by State Board of Agriculture on August 26, 2026
     • Understand that this applies to ANYONE transporting any part of a boxwood from the quarantined counties. Understand disposal, this pest has caused severe landscape damage already in southern NJ.
2. Visit the NJ Department of Agriculture Box Tree Moth (BTM) webpage
3. Start the process of obtaining the mandatory traps, pheromone lures, and pesticide strips.
   1. From Compliance Agreement – 
   2. 
   3. Below is from the NJDA BTM website (linked above)
      1. Alpha Scents, Inc:
         • BTM Lure: https://alphascents.com/products/box-tree-moth-lure
         • Uni-trap (green): https://alphascents.com/collections/traps-1/products/uni-trap-green
      2. Evergreen Growers Supply
         • BTM Lure: https://www.evergreengrowers.com/box-tree-moth-lure.html
         • Uni-trap (green): https://www.evergreengrowers.com/green-uni-trap.html
      3. ChemTica
         • Uni-Trap (green) https://www.chemtica.com/site/?p=3700
      4. Great Lakes IPM
         • BTM Lure: https://www.greatlakesipm.com/monitoring/lures/home-amp-garden/gltr329225-trece-pherocon-box-tree-moth-btm-lures-25cs
         • Uni-trap (green): https://www.greatlakesipm.com/monitoring/traps/bucket-traps/glip235103-bucket-trap-green-3cs
         • https://www.greatlakesipm.com/monitoring/traps/bucket-traps/glip235125-bucket-trap-green-25cs
      5. Trece
         • has lures and may have green bucket traps:  https://www.trece.com/products/insect-traps-lures/
4. Note: If you have already been utilizing the monitoring traps – please contact your local nursery inspector to expedite the Compliance Agreement process and ability to resume shipping. 
5. Seek Compliance Agreement training:
   1.  Contact your local NJDA Nursery inspector to establish training appointments.
   2. Attend the Rutgers/NJDA/NJNLA BTM Training session on Sept. 17th – see details below. This is open to operators both within and outside of the quarantined counties and will count as the mandatory first step in Compliance Agreement training, regardless of your counties quarantine status.
6. Understand the mandatory pesticides as described in the Compliance Agreement – See Appendix 1. Insecticides for BTM control

Steps to take if you see this pest: 

1. Report BTM observations
   • New Jersey Department of Agriculture – Box Tree Moth (BTM) website (click here)
   • Direct link to NJDA – BTM Reporting Tool (click here)
2. THEN Eradication:
   • Treat infested plants with Compliance Agreement cited materials (within Compliance Agreement – Appendix 1). Follow all label requirements, especially REIs. The label is the law.
   • Only after treatment efficacy has been confirmed and REI completed can you consider moving to the next step.
3. (If applicable) Removal:
   • Once REI is complete, and the pesticide treatments are lethal to BTM, remove infested boxwoods. Boxwoods should be double bagged and taken to an in-county municipal dump.

Please educate yourself about this pest – Resources

If you see any significant amount of caterpillars in a boxwood plant it is EXTREMELY likely to be Box Tree Moth (BTM)

• Video: Click here for-  “Demystifying Box Tree Moth” – HRI 
• Factsheet: Box Tree Moth: Fact Sheet, Management & Visual Guide
• OSU Guide: What to look for with Box Tree (Boxwood) Moth
• USDA-APHIS Box Tree Moth : APHIS BTM Landing page

Box Tree Moth (BTM) Compliance Agreement Training + Rutgers RAREC Nursery Twilight 9/17/2026 

Nursery & Ornamentals Twilight Meeting

Collaboratively held by RCE, NJNLA, & NJDA

Location: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC)

121 Northville Rd., Bridgeton, NJ  08302-5919

3:00PM to 4:00PM: 

Meeting: Box Tree Moth Compliance Agreement Training – Collaboratively held by RCE, NJNLA, and NJDA.

Please join if you grow, manage, or transport boxwoods. This official NJDA training satisfies the first mandatory requirement to be in compliance if the quarantine expands.

Anticipated credits: 2-PP2, 2-3A, 2-9, Certificate of Completion

_______________________________

4:00PM to 7:30PM:

Meeting: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) – Nursery & Ornamentals Twilight

Collaboratively held by RCE & NJNLA

4:00 pm – Arrival / Networking / Vendors / Look at plots

4:30 pm – Dinner (BBQ Boyz) / Networking / Vendors

5:30 pm – Presentation (1hr): (Outside) Ornamental IPM Implementation (Waller & Errickson)

6:30 pm – Presentation (1hr): (Inside) CORE SAFETY UPDATES (Presenter TBD)

7:30PM – Adjourn and signing for credits

Anticipated credits: 2-PP2, 2-CORE, 2-3A, 2-2, 2-1A, 2-10

Registration is required – Click here to register (select Guest if not a NJNLA member) (link fixed*)

Registration is required – Click here to register (select Guest if not a NJNLA member)  (link fixed*)

Location: 44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733

NJ Pesticide License Recertification Credits

• 3A: 5
• 8C: 5
• 10: 5
• PP2: 5

Steve Rettke: IPM Program Associate, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Bill Errickson, PhD: Agriculture Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

Tim Waller, PhD: Agriculture Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County

This program will provide hands-on experience in IPM best management practices. Participants will tour the ornamental plants of the David C. Shaw Arboretum at Holmdel Park and learn about scouting, monitoring, timing, insect and disease ID for common issues in our area. Safe application of pesticides with a focus on reduced risk materials will also be covered for each pest. The Shaw Arboretum contains specimens of many of the common plant species that green industry professionals work with in the field, making it an ideal environment to learn about proper best management practices for common problems that they may encounter in their operations.

This program is geared towards commercial nursery growers and landscapers.

Space is limited.

Pre-registration is required: $25 (cash, check, or purchase order)

Please RSVP to reserve your spot.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

732-431-7260

Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Hosted by the Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth and Cumberland County

The following health and wellness services could be provided at individual farms or at community events. If you are interested or would like to learn more, please contact Annie Preston from the Pinelands Alliance at annie@pinelandsalliance.org or 301-675-0729.

Virtua Health Services (need 30 to 60 days advance notice)

• Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store and Mobile Farmers Market – accepts SNAP, sometimes can be a free produce giveaway
• Mobile Pediatric Screening Units: Screenings for children 6 and under: vision, hearing, dental, developmental; School and sports physicals for birth -12th grade; Flu vaccinations for all ages, including adults; Blood lead level screening for children under 6 and pregnant or lactating people
• Women’s Cancer Screening for insured and uninsured patients – need a minimum of 15 people to pre-register
• Cancer education
• Stop the Bleed First Aid and Tourniquet Trainings (class for up to 24 people at a time)
• Dietitians and nutrition educators
• Blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1c screenings (A1c needs temperature-controlled environment).
• Health Education and Stress First Aid
• Speakers representing a variety of medical specialties (subject to availability)

 Cherry Hill Free Clinic (need 2 weeks advance notice)

• Men’s Cancer Screenings
• Hepatology
• Diabetes care
• Vaccines (Gardasil, pneumovax, Shingrix).
• 20 medical specialties (subject to availability)
• Patients can use their Uber business account to book rides to the clinic, lab, and imaging appointments
• Remote patient monitoring including at-home glucometer kits, BP cuffs, and blood glucose implants. Good for up to 2 weeks before changed out.
• Vaccines (Gardasil, pneumovax, Shingrix).
• They can bring a Doctor/nurse practitioner who can write a prescription for meds on site.

Agri-Technology, Nursery, Agronomy, Fruit and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting at RAREC

Wednesday August 26^th, 2026 (4 pm until dark)

Location: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Hosted by: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Patrick McMullen, and Andy Wyenandt

Questions? Contact: Andy Wyenandt (wyenandt@njaes.rutgers.edu)

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase advances in crop production, integrated pest management, soil fertility, weed management, and innovative agricultural technologies for growers and stakeholders across the state.

• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC. Welcome to RAREC
• Wesley Kline, Cumberland County Agricultural Agent
  • ‘Impact of Cyclospora on fruit and vegetable production’ CORE: 30 minutes
• Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE Nursery Agent.
  • ‘Useful Nursery and Ornamental Crops and Considerations’
• Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management.
  • ‘Recent developments on substrates (for container-grown crops)’
• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC; Rutgers Agrivoltiacs Program.
  • ‘Update on the agrivoltaics research program at Rutgers’
• Ann Nielsen, Extension Specialist in Entomology
  • Emma Waltman, PhD candidate, ‘Land-use around farms impacts stink bug biological control’
  • Amanda Furuya, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Tackling Spotted Lanternfly in South Jersey Vineyards’
  • Octavio Menocal Sandoval, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Updating Monitoring and Management for Codling Moth in Apple’
• Thierry Besancon, Extension Weed Specialist for Specialty Crops.
  • ‘Update on new technologies for weed management in vegetable crops’
• Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Salem County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Optimizing Nitrogen Rate and Application Timing for Corn Yield and Quality’
  • ‘Evaluation of Sulfur Fertilizer Sources and Application Rates for Optimizing Soybean Growth and Yield in Southern New Jersey’
• Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinator, Vegetable IPM,
  • ‘Thrips management in tomatoes’
• Patrick McMullen, Atlantic County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Wilts of cucurbits: Identification and management’
• Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology.
  • ‘Updates on vegetable disease control’

NJDEP pesticide recertification credits approved: CORE (1), PP2 (4), 1A (4), and Category 10 (4).

Location: 44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733

NJ Pesticide License Recertification Credits

• 3A: TBD
• 8C: TBD
• 10: TBD
• PP2: TBD

Steve Rettke: IPM Program Associate, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Bill Errickson, PhD: Agriculture Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

This program will provide hands-on experience in IPM best management practices. Participants will tour the ornamental plants of the David C. Shaw Arboretum at Holmdel Park and learn about scouting, monitoring, timing, insect and disease ID for common issues in our area. Safe application of pesticides with a focus on reduced risk materials will also be covered for each pest. The Shaw Arboretum contains specimens of many of the common plant species that green industry professionals work with in the field, making it an ideal environment to learn about proper best management practices for common problems that they may encounter in their operations.

This program is geared towards commercial nursery growers and landscapers.

Space is limited.

Pre-registration is required: $25 (cash, check, or purchase order)

Please RSVP to reserve your spot.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

732-431-7260

Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Hosted by the Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth and Cumberland County

Location:
1076 Seahorse Winery
Seashore Road
Cape May NJ  08204

Program

6:00 PM – Registration / Light Refreshments

6:15 PM – Welcome – Claudia Gil Arroyo, County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of
Cape May County; Rutgers NJAES

6:20 PM – James Shope, PhD., Assistant Extension Specialist in Climate Services
Department of Environmental Sciences, SEBS, New Brunswick; Rutgers NJAES

6:50 PM – Joseph Heckman, PhD., Extension Specialist – Soil Fertility, Department of Plant Biology, SEBS, New Brunswick; Rutgers NJAES

7:20 PM – David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of
Burlington County; Rutgers NJAES

7:50 PM – Patrick McMullen, County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic
County; Commercial Vegetable Production; Rutgers NJAES

Light refreshments will be served.

The following pesticide recertification credits will be awarded:

Please RSVP by October 20, 2025:
Jocelyn Shillingford 609-465-5115 ext. 3607 or capemayag@njaes.rutgers.edu

CORE (1), PP2 (1), 1A (1), 10 (1)

Join us at the Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Station on Thursday August 20, 2026 for a Specialty Crop Twilight Meeting. The event will run from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and will be held at 283 Route 539, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.

This event will be a great opportunity for growers to see a demonstration of eight biodegradable plastic mulches and various ornamental nursery crops in a field setting. The full agenda is below.

This event is free, but pre-registration is required:

Please RSVP by August 13th to reserve your spot:

Contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

at 732-431-7260 or Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

5:30 PM – Sign-In, Light Dinner Served

5:55 PM – Welcome Remarks

6:00 PM – Pesticide Safety: Reading the Label and Selecting the Proper Product

David Hlubik, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County

6:30 PM – Biodegradable Plastic Mulch for Tomato Production (Field Tour)

David Hlubik, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County

7:00 PM – Blight Resistant Boxwoods and Alternative Shrubs (Field Tour)

William Errickson, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

Special thanks to the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey for sponsoring dinner!

Wednesday August 26^th, 2026 (4 pm until dark)

Location: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Hosted by: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Patrick McMullen, and Andy Wyenandt

Questions? Contact: Andy Wyenandt (wyenandt@njaes.rutgers.edu)

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase advances in crop production, integrated pest management, soil fertility, weed management, and innovative agricultural technologies for growers and stakeholders across the state.

• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC. Welcome to RAREC
• Wesley Kline, Cumberland County Agricultural Agent
  • ‘Impact of Cyclospora on fruit and vegetable production’ CORE: 30 minutes
• Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE Nursery Agent.
  • ‘Useful Nursery and Ornamental Crops and Considerations’
• Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management.
  • ‘Recent developments on substrates (for container-grown crops)’
• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC; Rutgers Agrivoltiacs Program.
  • ‘Update on the agrivoltaics research program at Rutgers’
• Ann Nielsen, Extension Specialist in Entomology
  • Emma Waltman, PhD candidate, ‘Land-use around farms impacts stink bug biological control’
  • Amanda Furuya, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Tackling Spotted Lanternfly in South Jersey Vineyards’
  • Octavio Menocal Sandoval, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Updating Monitoring and Management for Codling Moth in Apple’
• Thierry Besancon, Extension Weed Specialist for Specialty Crops.
  • ‘Update on new technologies for weed management in vegetable crops’
• Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Salem County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Optimizing Nitrogen Rate and Application Timing for Corn Yield and Quality’
  • ‘Evaluation of Sulfur Fertilizer Sources and Application Rates for Optimizing Soybean Growth and Yield in Southern New Jersey’
• Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinator, Vegetable IPM,
  • ‘Thrips management in tomatoes’
• Patrick McMullen, Atlantic County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Wilts of cucurbits: Identification and management’
• Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology.
  • ‘Updates on vegetable disease control’

NJDEP pesticide recertification credits are pending approval. Expected credits include CORE (1), PP2 (4), 1A (4), 3A (2), and Category 10 (3).

Tuesday, July 28th 12pm to 1pm.

The Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program hosts free live webinars on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from April through September.

The next session will feature Live IPM Updates for Green Industry Professionals and a presentation by Joe Boggs, Assistant Professor at Ohio State University Extension, on Taking Pictures for Insect Identification. https://bygl.osu.edu/node/51

All webinars are recorded and the slideshows can be downloaded for reference.

Here is the link for the recording of our last session on 7/14/26 featuring Live Pest Updates and a presentation by Paul Kurtz from NJDA speaking on Oak Diseases https://rutgers.zoom.us/rec/share/g7qt5jzed2o-vMK7YBT80vNTrlBStZ5XBFRce0GHEKyFIcvivtVDTNcKE1Diw0A-.IDvT98ltArj5T72O

Passcode: bq4UzSs#

The printable slides can be accessed here:  https://go.rutgers.edu/furqrefl

Or by scanning this QR code:

Visit the Rutgers Nursery IPM Website to sign up for this free program if you are not already enrolled: https://sites.rutgers.edu/nursery-ipm/

Please keep sending us your insect/disease photos and communicating what you are seeing in the field. We appreciate it and it helps everyone out!

Join us at the Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Station on Thursday August 20, 2026 for a Specialty Crop Twilight Meeting. The event will run from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and will be held at 283 Route 539, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.

This event will be a great opportunity for growers to see a demonstration of eight biodegradable plastic mulches and various ornamental nursery crops in a field setting. The full agenda is below.

This event is free, but pre-registration is required:

Please RSVP by August 13^th to reserve your spot:

Contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

at 732-431-7260 or Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Pesticide recertification credits have been requested and will be assigned soon.

5:30 PM – Sign-In, Light Dinner Served

5:55 PM – Welcome Remarks

6:00 PM – Pesticide Safety: Reading the Label and Selecting the Proper Product

David Hlubik, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County

6:30 PM – Biodegradable Plastic Mulch for Tomato Production (Field Tour)

David Hlubik, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County

7:00 PM – Blight Resistant Boxwoods and Alternative Shrubs (Field Tour)

William Errickson, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

Special thanks to the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey for sponsoring dinner!