Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, & Turf Edition - Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory

Early Season Tree Fruit Pest Control in 2026

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:01:06 GMT

Dormant Oil Sprays: In recent growing seasons, San Jose scale and white peach scale populations have been causing increasing amounts of damage. These pests create a superficial spotted injury caused by crawler stage feeding on the skin of apples and peaches, making the fruit unmarketable. In severe infestations, heavy crawler populations feeding on the sap of tree limbs can cause severe dieback. Scale overwinter on the limbs of trees asimmature crawlers under their protective waxy covering. In the spring when temperatures begin to rise, they respire through this covering. Dormant oil sprays are your first line of defense as they work to coat the protective covering of the scale and prevent respiration. Dr. Anne Nielsen’s lab found that another effective option at the delayed dormant timing is Centaur at 34.5 oz/A.

European red mite is another pest of concern that can be targeted at this stage. These mites feed on the foliage of tree fruit causing a bronzing symptom. Feeding from this pest can reduce fruit quality and tree vigor. European red mites overwinter in orchards as eggs. These eggs begin to hatch just prior to pink through bloom in apples. Dormant oil efficacy improves the closer you are to egg hatch for this pest so an application should be timed for green tip-half inch green in apple.

Pear psylla typically become active and begin laying eggs in NJ in mid-late March. Nymph stage pear psylla feed on the sap of pear trees and excrete honeydew which causes black sooty mold on fruit making it unmarketable. This pest also injects a toxin into the leaves as it feeds causing the leaves to blacken and eventually leads to defoliation. Dormant oil works to deter pear psylla from laying eggs and acts as a first line of defense against this pest.

Proper coverage with dormant oil is essential for it to work properly. Due to this, dormant oil should be applied as a full block spray instead of alternate row middle. It is important to ensure your sprayer is properly calibrated and that you are using a sufficient spray volume. Dr. Brett Blaauw from the University of Georgia found that 100 gal/A is a sufficient volume for coverage IF the trees are properly pruned prior to the dormant oil application (see University of Georgia factsheet). It is possible to achieve almost 100% coverage by making multiple dormant oil applications. This strategy is optimal because it also allows you to target both scale and mites at their optimal timings. One application can be made early on when temperatures first begin to rise above 51°F to target scale and a second application can be made between green tip and ½” green to target mites and continue controlling scale. An oil application at ½” green combined with Esteem at 4-5 oz/A will also provide control of aphids including wooly apple aphid. Wooly apple aphid populations have been becoming more prevalent in NJ apple orchards in recent years, likely due to dry end of summer conditions and pyrethroid use flaring populations. The first place this pest will begin to pop up will be pruning cuts so be sure to keep an eye out as the season progresses since early action is critical for effective control.

Dormant oil application rates depend on the phenological stage and the crop you are spraying. Typically, oil is recommended at a 2% rate or 2 gallons of dormant oil per 100 gallons of spray mix. You can perform concentrated sprays of 6 gallons of dormant oil per 100 gallons of spray mix in pome fruit based on the dilute volume of 300 gallons per acre (amount generally considered to cover a mature semi dwarf apple to the point of drip). In stone fruit, a concentrated spray would include 4 gallons of dormant oil per 100 gallons of spray mix based on the dilute volume of 200 gallons per acre (amount generally considered to cover a mature peach tree to the point of drip). Oil can safely be applied up to the pink stage of tree fruit, but the rate should be dropped the closer you get to this stage. For example, in pome fruit a full rate can be applied up to ½” green, this rate should be halved up to tight cluster and then halved again up to pink.

When applying dormant oil, it is important that you do not make an application within 2 days of the temperature dropping below 32°F. Another important consideration is that oil should not be applied within 2 weeks of Captan due to phytotoxicity concerns. There are other insecticides that can be mixed with dormant oils to target these pests; however, results are variable on whether the addition of these insecticides improves efficacy over oil alone.

Dormant Season Copper Sprays: Fire blight can be targeted at the dormant stage using copper as your first line of defense. The copper targets cankers caused by fire blight and reduces the amount of bacterial inoculum present in the field. Early season copper sprays can also be effective against apple scab if some green tissue is present in the bud. Copper should not be applied after ½” green due to concerns with phytotoxicity and fruit russeting. If tank mixing copper with dormant oil, extra precaution should be taken to ensure there is no risk of freezing temperatures since this can exacerbate issues with phytotoxicity and injure the tree.

The bacteria causing fire blight can only survive inside of living tree tissue. The winter is an optimal time to remove infected branches since the sap is not flowing, this reduces the risk of spreading the inoculum to your next cut. Removing the cankers caused by this disease where most of the bacteria are surviving will reduce your inoculum levels and make this disease easier to manage during the spring. It is a good practice to flag limbs that were infected with fire blight in the previous season to make the cankers easier to find when it comes time to prune. Pruning crews should be trained to look for sunken, dark, cracked areas on the tree bark that may be cankers. A knife can be used to peel away the tree bark to confirm the presence of the canker. If it is in fact a canker, the sapwood will be brown. You can continue peeling the bark away until you find the margin of the canker where the sapwood is still healthy and green. The pruning cut should be made at least 8 inches below the canker to ensure no inoculum is left behind in the tree. All canker prunings should be removed from the orchard since they can still act as a source of inoculum if left behind on the orchard floor.

If peach leaf curl was not targeted in the late fall at leaf drop, a fungicide application is also effective in the late winter prior to bud swell. Copper, Ziram, and Bravo (Chlorothalonil) are the most effective options at this timing.

Dormant Season Urea Sprays: Dormant season urea sprays are an extremely effective tool to reduce inoculum in orchards with high apple scab pressure. These sprays help to break down the leaf litter more quickly, which isessential for orchard sanitation and reduction of foliar disease inoculum. Urea applications are most effective if applied after leaf drop in the fall, but if you didn’t have a chance to make the application, it is not too late! Urea can be applied to leaf litter in the late winter or early spring using an airblast sprayer with nozzles pointed towards the ground or a boom sprayer at a rate of 40 lb/A in 100 gallons of water. A flail mower can also be used to chop leaf litter,which allows it to decompose more quickly. By using these methods, you can reduce your apple scab inoculum by 80% or more, which will make management easier and more effective during primary scab infection.

South Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

Janine Spies — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:44:10 +0000

March 25, 2026

2:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center

121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, NJ

Program

2:30 PM – Registration

3:00 PM – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 PM – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques

Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 PM – Early season management in peaches

Anne Nielsen PhD, Professor and Extension Specialist in Entomology

4:45 PM – Light fare & refreshments (pre-registration required)

5:00 PM – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application

Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 PM – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops

Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 PM – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn

NJDEP Pesticide Recertification Credits are anticipated.

Registration cost per person: $10.

Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

Pre-register by Thursday March 19.

Click here to register: South Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

Program Chair: Janine Spies, Agriculture and Natural Resources County Agent III, Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

If you have any questions please contact Janine Spies: (352) 231-6330, janine.spies@rutgers.edu

North Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

Janine Spies — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:43:45 +0000

March 24, 2026

2:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Clifford E. & Melda C. Snyder Research & Extension Farm

140 Locust Grove Road Pittstown, NJ

Program

2:30 PM – Registration

3:00 PM – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 PM – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques

Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 PM – Importance of Calibration for Optimal Pest Control and Resistance Management

Kaitlin Quinn, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

4:45 PM – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)

5:00 PM – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application

Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 PM – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops

Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 PM – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn

NJDEP Pesticide Recertification Credits are anticipated.

Registration cost per person: $10.

Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

Click here to register: North Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

Pre-register by Wednesday March 18.

If you have any questions please contact Kim Cromelin: (908) 788-1338, kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Program Chair: Janine Spies, Agriculture and Natural Resources County Agent III, Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

ALERT – Potential for Ambrosia Beetle flight early next week – if you regularly have issues with this pest – take notice

Tim Waller — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:01:56 +0000

The last few seasons we have seen an upswing in ambrosia beetle activity in nursery production, principally in field grown nursery stock of thin barked trees (commonly – dogwood, honey locust, magnolia, maple, redbud, zelkova, styrax, Prunus spp.). Based on evidence from multiple lines of trap collection data throughout the United States, adult female flights appear to be correlated to consecutive days (2-3) of 70F temperatures (highs) with daily average air temps around 65F (max+min/2). That is extremely close to what we will have throughout most areas of NJ early next week, based on 10-day weather forecasts. Note: this is historically very early for treatment of this pest and it will get colder the following days, however, we have missed control opportunities over multiple years so take treatment into consideration if you regularly encounter this pest.

Consider using pyrethroids in your production areas next Monday or Tuesday (weather dependent) if this pest has been a regular problem.

Contact insecticides:

Pyrethroids [3A]: –thrins (bifenthrin, permethrin, etc.) – Pyrethroids longer lasting residual activity is why these materials are so effective against ambrosia beetles.
Systemic insecticides DO NOT WORK

Stay informed:

Sign up for the 2026 – Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program – click here to sign up
First webinar 4/14/26
Program is free, but registration is required – Registration includes:
- Site visit to your ornamental nursery/farm from Rutgers agents
- Delivered printed IPM resources (Guides, factsheets, bulletins)
- Free pheromone & sticky trap kit + guidance on setup/monitoring (for commercial nursery/greenhouse and Christmas tree farms)
- Access to live bi-weekly webinars (Zoom)
- (First session TUESDAY 4/14 @ 12PM)
- Every Second and Fourth, Tuesday, April through September

about – Ambrosia Beetles (Xylosandrus spp.)

Host plants: Hundreds of deciduous, thin-barked species, commonly – dogwood, honey locust, Magnolia, maple, redbud, Zelkova, Styrax, Prunus spp.

Overview:

New Jersey notable species in ornamentals: Black stem borer (Xylosandrus germanus) and Granulate borer (Xylosandrus crassiusculus)
As of 2025, the invasive Redbay Ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) is currently in the southern USA, but moving north
Number of generations is subject to debate, often 1-2
Very small, reddish brown to black, cylindrical beetles (2-2.5 mm), entrance/exit holes ~ 1 mm in diameter
Adults overwinter, mate, and lay eggs in sapwood galleries (tunnel system)
Ambrosia beetles create these galleries to grow ‘ambrosia’ fungi, as their sole food source which are transported to new hosts by adults in a specialized structure known as a mycangia
Are attracted to and infest stressed plants that are releasing ethanol
Infestations increase plants’ risk for infection by opportunistic pathogens
Symptoms include sawdust and frass ‘toothpicks’, increased sap production, branch wilting, dieback, bark cracking, and wood staining

Cultural Practices:

Avoid transporting infested plants
Reduce plant stress; particularly water-related stressors such as waterlogged roots (an anaerobic condition) which are more likely to produce ethanol and be attacked
Closely monitor new plantings, especially if planted during adverse climatic periods such as excessive rain, drought, or intense heat
Monitor ethanol baited traps (soda bottle traps, Lindren funnel traps, black panel traps, ethanol-soaked wood bolts) at wood line and within production area

Materials:

Contact insecticides:

Pyrethroids [3A]: –thrins

Systemic insecticides:

None- these beetles feed on ambrosia fungi in galleries, not plant tissue

Biorationals:

Limited efficacy: entomopathogenic – fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium spp.
Research focused on antagonistic fungi, endophytes, ambrosia fungi management and plant defense activators is promising

Critical Target Windows and Pesticide Use Considerations

Once ‘toothpicks’ are observed on a host plant, it is too late to use contact pesticides on that plant
Monitor early spring weather forecasts – evidence that adult flight often occurs after successive (2-3 days) of temperatures above 70ºF
Redbud bloom is a useful plant phenology indicator (PPI)
Use contact insecticides with caution as they can harm beneficial insects

PESTICIDE USE DISCLAIMER. THE LABEL IS THE LAW . The Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory is not intended for homeowners. Recommendations and considerations given herein are designed to be specific to the state of New Jersey, even though it may be broadly applicable across multiple geographic areas. A pesticide applicator is legally bound by the labeling found on and with the pesticide container in their possession. Before using a pesticide, check and always follow the labeling distributed with the product at the point of sale for legally enforceable rates and restrictions. New Jersey notes. 1. Private and commercial applicators must be certified AND possess a valid applicator license to make applications or supervise the use of ANY* EPA-registered pesticide (*as required NJAC 7:30; limited exemptions exist). 2. Only certified applicators possessing a valid New Jersey applicator license may purchase restricted use pesticides (RUPs). 3. Pursuant to NJ S1016, neonicotinoids can only be applied in agricultural settings. Commercial applications in outdoor, non-agricultural settings (i.e. landscapes) is prohibited, with no pest-specific exceptions, as of the printing of this document. In addition to the pesticide chemistries and Mode of Action (MoA) listed in this document, others may be commercially available. It is understood that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Rutgers Cooperative Extension is implied. THE LABEL IS THE LAW. Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.

Approaching boxwood blight season – 2026 (threat this week in Central and Southern NJ)

Tim Waller — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:37:54 +0000

March weather is always unpredictable, however, if we have sustained periods of increased temperatures (above 50F) and spring rains, boxwood blight (BWB) can become an issue quickly.

[pictorial tri-fold] Common Boxwood Pests and Diseases (click-here). This includes Box Tree Moth images. Print the PDF out double-sided, then fold.

If you suspect Boxwood Blight and would like to have this verified – please contact the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (click here) for sample submission instructions

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 3/2/2026
Region	Location	Station CODE	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT
Region	Location	Station CODE	2-Mar	3-Mar	4-Mar	5-Mar	6-Mar	7-Mar
Southern	Upper Deerfield	NJ50	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Infection Risk	Low	Low
Southern	Vineland	NJ73	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Infection Risk	Infection Risk	Infection Risk
Southern	Millville	KMIV	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Infection Risk	Low	Low
Southern	Bridgeton	D4116	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Infection Risk	Low	Low
Southern	Mays Landing	G4661	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Infection Risk	Low	Low
Central	Howell / Freehold	NJ10	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Low	Low
Central	Princeton	F0303	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Infection Risk	Very Low
Central	Somerville	F6261	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Infection Risk	Infection Risk
Northern	High Point	NJ59	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Low
Northern	Randolph	AU137	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Low
Northern	Belvidere	E7133	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Very Low
Please check your local boxwood blight risk at (https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app)

There is a minor potential for boxwood blight infections this Thursday, Friday, & Saturday throughout Southern and Central NJ. Incoming rains, coupled with warmer temperatures may initiate boxwood blight infections this week. This will likely extend into the following week with anticipated higher temperatures.

It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in boxwoods throughout the state if you have not already done so.
If BWB is important to your business – Use the USPEST – PUSH Alerts – (click here) – to setup weekly email alerts. Create an account, watch the tutorial, and then set up your subscriptions. You select which locations (as many as you like), days you want to receive emails, and what you would like to receive alerts about (BWB and a variety of other pests and diseases). Rutgers is not directly affiliated, however this is an incredible tool.

These advisories are general in nature, change rapidly over time, are site-specific…therefore Someone from your business should be using this risk model daily or set up Push-Alerts (described above) if boxwood is important to your financial stability– In 30 seconds you can have a better idea of boxwood blight (and other pathogens) activity in your immediate area! Please contact Tim Waller if you need help using this service (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu), we want to help!

If your area is not listed (throughout all of NJ please visit the USPEST.ORG Boxwood Blight Risk Model – CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL PREDICTIONS)

Fungicides;

You very well may have these materials already applied as ‘cover-sprays’ – But – be mindful that protectant fungicides loose efficacy the more rain (or overhead irrigation) they are subjected to, and reapplication may be warranted.
ROTATE between Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC codes) to avoid this pathogen becoming resistant to specific chemicals

Format: [FRAC code]: Chemical name (Trade names * no endorsement implied, other options exist)

[M05]: Chlorothalonil (Daconil WS)
[M05 + 1] Chlorothalonil + Thiophanate methyl (Spectro 90WDG)
[11] Trifloxystrobin + [7] Fluopyram (Broadform)
[11] Trifloxystrobin + [3] Triadimefon (Armada 50WDG)
[M03] Mancozeb
[12] Fludioxonil (Medallion WDG)
[3] Tebuconazole (Torque)BW

DISCLAIMER: The label is the law, always refer to it for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, re-entry intervals (REI), and mix compatibility information. Production and pesticide information on this site are for private/commercial pesticide applicators and landscape professionals only, and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Trade-names listed do not imply endorsement and are used as examples only. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.

Boxwood Resources

Background on Boxwood Blight pathogen:

Click here for more detailed Boxwood blight posts with many other links and background information

Box Tree Moth – Resources:

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
Compliance agreement and information: National Plant Board – Box Tree Moth
- HRI VIDEO – “Box Tree Moth Compliance Agreement Explained”

Produce Safety Rule Training Part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:53:23 GMT

When: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 9:30-4:30 PM.

Where: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638

Cost: $100.00 (lunch included) as part of registration process you will ask to pay by card. Online ticket Sales end on Friday, March 6, 2026. If paying after the deadline or in person payment must be by check made out to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

To sign up and information: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2tP1FhE34sviJv0

Who Should Attend

Fruit Growers
Vegetable Growers
Growers who have farms that fall under the Produce Safety Rule
Growers who have farms that do not fall under the rule but will in the future.

Benefits of Attending the Workshop

Individuals who participate in this course will gain a basic understanding of:

Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.
Fulfills the requirement for at least one supervisor from a farm to complete food safety training at least equivalent to the standardized curriculum recognized by the FDA.
Microorganisms relevant to produce safety.
Where microorganisms may be found on the farm
How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm.
Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Cleaning and Sanitizing

Areas Covered Under the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training:

Introduction to Produce Safety
Worker Health, Hygiene and Training
Soil Amendments
Wildlife, Domesticated Animals and Land Use
Agricultural Water (Part I: Pre Harvest Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

After attending the entire course and submitting the appropriate survey to their trainer at the end of the course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. This course fulfills the FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement for at least one supervisor per farm is trained by an FDA-recognized Produce Safety Alliance curriculum.

Does your farm fall under the FSMA PSR? Find out at the link below.
https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IagP1mbPyrp42N

North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Growers Meeting Program and Registration

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:29:07 GMT

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL
VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

March 11, 2026
8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Harvest Hall, Alstede Farms
100 Route 24
Chester, NJ 07930

Program

Program Chair
Peter Nitzsche, Agriculture and Resource Management Agent
Cooperative Extension of Morris County

8:30 – Registration
Continental breakfast compliments of industry sponsors

9:00 – Welcome and Introductions

9:10 – Vegetable IPM Update
Amanda Quadrel, Senior Program Coordinator – Vegetable IPM, Cooperative Extension

9:40 – Developing a Targeted Worker Training Program for Produce Safety
Meredith Melendez, ANR Agent, Cooperative Extension of Mercer County

10:10 – Update on Farm Service Programs
Kristen Lake, County Executive Director, Farm Service Agency

10:20 – Jersey Fresh Marketing Update
Christine Fries, Coordinator of Agricultural Marketing, Division of Markets, NJ Dept. of Agriculture

10:30 – Strawberry Disease Management: How Environment Changes the Game
Nancy Sharma, Specialist in Fruit Pathology, Cooperative Extension

11:00 – Resistance Management and the Pesticide Label – What You Need to Know
Kate Brown, ANR Agent, Cooperative Extension of Somerset County

11:30 – What is New from Industry

11:40 – Next-Generation Weed Management Innovative Solutions for Specialty Crop Productions
Thierry Besancon is an Extension Specialist in Weed Science for Specialty Crops

12:10 – LUNCHEON (pre-registration required)

1:00 – Updates on Disease Control in Vegetable Crops
Andrew Wyenandt, Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Cooperative Extension

1:30 – Update on Rutgers/NJAES Agrivoltaics Crops Research
Daniel Ward, Associate Research Professor, Dept. of Plant Biology, NJAES

2:00 – New and Emerging Vegetable Pests
Patricia Prade, Extension Entomologist, Penn State Extension

2:30- Specialty Winter Squash for NJ Growers
David Hlubik, ANR Agent, Cooperative Extension of Burlington County

3:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits

NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS ARE ANTICIPATED

North Jersey Veg Meeting Registration 2026 then fax or email to:
Fax: (908) 806-4735
E-mail: kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

PRE-REGISTRATION BY MARCH 4, 2026 REQUIRED FOR LUNCH

Directions:
Harvest Hall, Alstede Farms 100 Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930
Look for the Harvest Hall sign at the entrance to the driveway.
The entrance to the Harvest Hall driveway is directly across the street from Chubb Park ~¼ mile east of the farmstand.

If you have any question please call Kim Crommelin: (908)-788-1338

North Jersey Commercial Fruit Grower Meeting Program and Registration

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:28:02 GMT

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL
FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 4, 2026
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Hunterdon County Complex
314 State Route 12, Bldg. 1
Flemington, NJ
Program

Program Chair
Megan Muehlbauer, PhD
Agriculture and Resource Management Agent
Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County

8:30 – Registration
Continental breakfast compliments of industry sponsors

8:50 – Welcome and Introductions

9:00 – NJDEP’s Pesticide Safety and Regulations
Spencer Kerkhof, Environmental Specialist Pesticide Compliance & Enforcement NJDEP

10:00 – Ambrosia Beetles: How to Manage Them in Tree Fruit Orchards
Monique Rivera PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, Cornell AgriTech

11:00 – Mycorrhizal Fungi Applications and their Effect on Soil Biology and Tree Health
Megan Muehlbauer PhD, Hunterdon County Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

11:30 – Update on Farm Service Programs
Laura LaFevre, County Executive Director, Hunterdon / Somerset Office, Farm Service Agency

11:45 – Jersey Fresh Marketing Update
Joe Atchison III, Assistant Secretary, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
Christine Fries, Coordinator of Agricultural Marketing, NJ Dept. of Agriculture

12:00 – LUNCHEON (pre-registration required)

12:50 – What is New from Industry

1:00 – Peach Variety Updates
Hemant Gohil PhD, Gloucester County Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

1:30 – Management Strategies for Scale in Tree Fruit
Anne Nielsen PhD, Extension Specialist in Entomology, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

2:00 – Season Summary and Updates from the Tree Fruit IPM Program
Janine Spies PhD, Agricultural Agent in Fruit IPM, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

3:00 – The Bitter Reality of Bitter Rot in NJ
Kaitlin Quinn North Jersey Fruit IPM Program Associate, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

3:30 – Disease management strategies in apple and peach orchards
Nancy Sharma PhD, Specialist in Fruit Pathology, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

4:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits.

THE FOLLOWING NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS WILL BE AWARDED

4 CAT-10 4 CAT-1A 2 CORE 4 PP2

North Jersey Fruit Meeting Registration 2026 then fax or email to:
Fax: (908) 806-4735
E-mail: kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

PRE-REGISTRATION BY February 26, 2026 REQUIRED FOR LUNCH

If you have any questions please call Kim Crommelin: (908)-788-1338

Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program: Contact FSA and Reporting Due March 13, 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:13:47 GMT

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. Specialty crop producers have until March 13, 2026, to report 2025 acres to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“President Trump has the backs of our farmers, and today we are building on our Farmer Bridge Assistance program with the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. Our specialty crop producers continue to feel the negative effects of four years under the Biden Administration, suffering from record inflation, a depleted farm safety net, and delayed disaster assistance,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump and the entire cabinet are working every day to fight bidenflation and lower prices for consumers. If our specialty crop producers are not economically able to continue their operations, American families will see a decrease in the food they rely on, wholesome and nutritious fruits and vegetables. Putting Farmers First is essential to the Make America Healthy Again movement and we are doing both at USDA by expanding market opportunities and improving the farm economy for all producers. Today’s specialty crop announcement builds on our efforts to improve markets for real food into American schools, institutions, and family dinner tables.”

The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by FSA.

Eligible Specialty Crops

ASCF-eligible specialty crops include: (A) Almond, Apple, Apricot, Aronia berry, Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado (B) Banana, Bean (Snap or green; Lima; Dry edible), Beet (Table), Blackberry, Blueberry, Breadfruit, Broccoli (including Broccoli Raab), Brussels Sprouts (C) Cabbage (including Chinese), Cacao, Carrot, Cashew, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cherimoya, Cherry, Chestnut (for Nuts), Chive, Citrus, Coconut, Coffee, Collards (including Kale), Cranberry, Cucumber, Currant (D) Date, Dry Edible Beans and Peas* (E) Edamame, Eggplant, Endive (F) Feijou, Fig, Filbert (Hazelnut) (G) Garlic, Gooseberry, Grape (including Raisin), Guava (H) Horseradish (K) Kiwi, Kohlrabi (L) Leek, Lettuce, Litchi (M) Macadamia, Mango, Melon (All Types), Mushroom (Cultivated), Mustard and Other Greens (N) Nectarine (O) Okra, Olive, Onion, Opuntia (P) Papaya, Parsley, Parsnip, Passion Fruit, Pea (Garden; English or Edible Pod; Dry edible), Peach, Pear, Pecan, Pepper, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pistachio, Plum (including Prune), Pomegranate, Potato, Pumpkin (Q) Quince (R) Radish (All Types), Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rutabaga (S) Salsify, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberry, Suriname Cherry, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard (T) Taro, Tomato (including Tomatillo), Turnip (W) Walnut, Watermelon

*Dry edible beans and peas covered by FBA will not be eligible for ASCF.

ASCF payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres.

Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 p.m. ET on March 13, 2026. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of March. Crop insurance linkage will not be required for the ASCF Program. However, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) risk management tools to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.

More information on ASCF is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/fba or producers can contact their local FSA county office.

CHANGE OF DATE AND LOCATION: North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Meeting

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:00:46 GMT

CHANGE OF DATE AND LOCATION

FOR THE

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

March 11, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Harvest Hall, Alstede Farms

100 Route 24

Chester, NJ 07930

NO CHANGES FOR THE NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

DETAILS BELOW

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 4, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hunterdon County Complex

314 State Rt. 12, Building #1

Flemington, NJ

Program Details and Pesticide Credits are Forthcoming

Farm Safety Needs Assessment

Kate Brown — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:15:25 +0000

The Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Working Group is conducting a survey to evaluate the priority needs of New Jersey farmers for training and resource development related to safety and health. As a New Jersey farmer, you are invited to complete this survey. Click here to access the survey and learn more.

Participation in this research study is voluntary. If you choose to participate by completing the survey, you will be asked to respond to questions about priority hazards for educational outreach as well as personal preparedness for emergencies, motivations and barriers for improvement, and interest in specific trainings and services. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and no information that can identify you will appear in any professional presentation or publication. Responses are anonymous.

SAVE THE DATE: Sprayer Equipment Calibration Workshops for Specialty Crop Growers March 24 & 25

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:23:52 GMT

North Jersey Equipment Calibration Grower Meeting

March 24, 2026

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Clifford E. & Melda C. Snyder Research & Extension Farm

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station

140 Locust Grove Road

Pittstown, NJ

South Jersey Equipment Calibration Grower Meeting

March 25, 2026

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center

121 Northville Road

Bridgeton, NJ

Agenda, Registration and Pesticide Credits will be announced shortly.

Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendation Guide Available at Select County RCE Offices

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:39:49 GMT

Physical, spiral-bound copies of the recently updated 2026/2027 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendation Guide are now available at select Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices throughout the state. This publication is updated biennially with research-based information from land-grant university trials as well as knowledge and experience from farmers and other industry members in the mid-Atlantic region. The production guide is intended for use by commercial vegetable growers and includes general production and pest management recommendations, pesticide safety information, and commodity-specific recommendations.

Limited quantities of the guide are available for purchase at the following RCE offices. The cost is $35.00 (including tax) and payable by check made out to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Click here to locate your nearest RCE office and access contact information. We strongly encourage you to call in advance to confirm the availability of the guide.

RCE of Atlantic County (Mays Landing)
RCE of Burlington County (Westampton)
RCE of Cumberland County (Millville)
RCE of Hunterdon County (Flemington)
RCE of Mercer County (Ewing)
RCE of Middlesex County (North Brunswick)
RCE of Monmouth County (Freehold)
RCE of Morris County (Morristown)
RCE of Somerset County (Bridgewater)
Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Bridgeton)

This production guide is also available as a free downloadable PDF on the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station website (updated version coming soon) or purchasable online from Penn State Extension.

RU-N Seeks to Buy Produce, Dairy, Meat, and Eggs from Female Farmers

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 23:43:33 GMT

Rutgers-Newark (RU-N) seeks to purchase fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, and meat from women-owned farms in New Jersey. Pick-up is available and all women-owned/operated farms located in NJ are eligible. The deadline is almost here! Interested farmers are asked to complete the interest form by Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Purchased products will supply pantry+, a free resource for groceries available to students, staff, and faculty at RU-N.

Questions? Contact Bryan Barros, bryan.barros@rutgers.edu or 973-353-0257.

SAVE THE DATE: North Jersey Commercial Vegetable & Fruit Growers Meetings

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:32:42 GMT

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

February 25, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hunterdon County Complex

314 State Rt. 12, Building #1

Flemington, NJ

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 4, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hunterdon County Complex

314 State Rt. 12, Building #1

Flemington, NJ

Program Details and Pesticide Credits are Forthcoming

Turfgrass ProFACT and CORE Pesticide credits – February 4 and 6, Williamstown, Woodstown, and Millville

Salvatore Mangiafico — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:49:03 +0000

Protecting Water Quality in the Landscape
and
Pesticide Safety for Turfgrass Professionals

Pesticide and ProFACT Credits:
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator License – 02 CORE credits
• Turfgrass Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification – 02 ProFACT credits

Date	Time	Location	Registration
February 4, 2026	10 am – 12.15 pm	Peach Country Tractor, 1463 N Tuckahoe Rd., Williamstown	Charles, 856-226-3834 or charles @peachcountrytractor.com
February 4, 2026	2 pm – 4.15 pm	Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown	Sal, 856-769-0090 or mangiafico @njaes.rutgers.edu
February 6, 2026	10 am – 12.15 pm	Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 291 Morton Ave., Millville	Sal, 856-769-0090 or mangiafico @njaes.rutgers.edu

PDF link: https://salem.njaes.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026_02_ProFACT_Flyer_Final.pdf

Salem County Pesticide Safety Meeting – Pesticide Credits Available – February 20, 2026 – Woodstown

Salvatore Mangiafico — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:38:16 +0000

Salem County Pesticide Safety Meeting

February 20, 2026
51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown, NJ

To register for morning, afternoon, or both
856-769-0090
molly.english@salemcountynj.gov

Link to PDF

*Morning Session: 9 am – Noon. Credits: \| CORE: 01 \| 1A: 02 \| 1B: 01 \| 10: 03 \| PP2: 02 \|*
Farmland Preservation in Salem County	State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) staff
Pesticide Safety, Storage, Labels, Application	Raman Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Disease Control in Vegetable Crops	Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Early Season Pest Management in No-till Corn	Maria Cramer, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Animal Agricultural Pest Control	Hassan Warriach, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
USDA Program Updates	USDA – NRCS / FSA staff
*Afternoon Session: 1 pm – 4:30 pm. Credits: \| 1A: 03 \| 10: 03 \| PP2: 03 \|*
Weed Control in Pastures and Forages	Matthew Elmore, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Corn Fertility for Yield and Quality	Raman Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Commodity Market Outlook	Nathaniel Bruce, Delaware Cooperative Extension
Agricultural Safety and Emergency Response	Robert DiGregorio, Salem County Sheriff Office
Agrivoltaics	Dan Ward, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Forage Quality of Hay and Silage	Tess Stahl, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

H2A Farm Labor Meeting – February 2, 2026 – Upper Deerfield, Cumberland County

Salvatore Mangiafico — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:17:38 +0000

Learn about H2A, the federal farm labor program.

Insights about costs, legal considerations, and practical matters, from experts, growers, and NJ Farm Bureau.

February 2nd, 2026

121 Northville Road
Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

The Event is provided free of charge, but you must RSVP

Lunch and refreshments will be provided

To register, please contact Karen Adams:
adams@udel.edu
302-831-3328

Link for PDF

9:30 – 10:00	Check-in / Registration
10:00 – 10:10	Welcome
10:10 – 10:55	Real Cost of H2A Workers	Nate Bruce, University of Delaware
10:55 – 12:00	Legal Aspects of the H2A Process	Brandon Davis, Phelps Dunbar LLP Paul Goeringer, University of Maryland
12:00 – 12:45	Lunch
12:45 – 1:10	New Jersey Considerations for H2A Workers	Ben Casella, New Jersey Farm Bureau
1:10 – 1:30	Experiences with the H2A Program and Q&A	Henry Bennett, Bennett Orchards
1:30 – 1:45	Evaluations

Speakers, times, and availabilities subject to change.

This work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

This event is brought to you jointly by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, a service of the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, a service of the UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources — both are land-grant institutions and are equal opportunity providers. If you have special needs that need to be accommodated, please contact the office two weeks prior to the event.

NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions Start Tuesday 1/20/26 to Thursday 1/22/26 in Atlantic City

Michelle Infante-Casella — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:45:35 +0000

The NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions Start Tuesday 1/20/26 at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, 777 Harrahs Boulevard. The final day of educational sessions and trade show ends on Thursday at 5pm.

The weather may be cold, but no rain or no snow in the forecast, and warm times inside the conference center to network with others in the industry. An afternoon Hospitality Room will be available 12-5pm on Wednesday and Thursday to relax and unwind in the trade show area. Come for the social aspects, education and gain pesticide recertification credits. Check out the Rutgers Educational Program to see what topics you would like to learn about. go.rutgers.edu/2026rutgerseduprog

What’s Happening

January 20 (Tuesday)

Pre–trade show workshops and sessions

January 21 (Wednesday)

Full day of educational sessions for all commodity groups • Year of the Women Farmer Luncheon
Packed trade show with vendor booths sold out
Live charity auction with FREE food

January 22 (Thursday)

More sessions
Another day packed trade show with vendor booths sold out
Special appearance by Temple Grandin book signing /meet and greet, then her special session (additional cost)

Registration Options On-Site at the Regitration Counter (hallway of conference center) or On-line https://vganj.com/convention-tickets“>https://vganj.com/convention-tickets

VGANJ Membership – $100

Includes 2 Expo passes

Additional passes just $25 each

One-Day Pass – $60

Access to sessions + trade show

Save time at registration
Walk in, grab your badge
Enjoy FREE breakfast (8am-10am Wednesday and Thursday in Trade Show)
Head straight to learning, growing, and catching up with friends

This event under one roof, packed with education and energy, and celebrating New Jersey agriculture at its best.

Plus, buy your tee shirt or hoodie at the registration desk to “Support New Jersey Farmers” and tout “No Farmers No Food” – new this year.

2026 Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute

William Errickson — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:34:27 +0000

Rutgers Cooperative Extension presents

2026 Central Jersey TURF & ORNAMENTAL Institute

Friday, February 27

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Monmouth County Ag Building

4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ

Registration: $75 per person (includes Continental Breakfast & Lunch)

Registration Brochure: CJTOI Brochure 2026

732-431-7260 or email Catherine.VanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Registration by cash, check, or purchase order only.

Agenda:

CORE Pesticide Safety for Ornamental IPM – Tim Waller, Ph.D.
Boxwood BMPs and Alternative Shrubs – Bill Errickson, Ph.D.
Managing Scale in the Landscape – Steve Rettke
Integrated Pest Management for Invasive Plant Species in Woodlands, Fields, and Parks – R.J.Curcio and Maggie Coakley
Mosquito & Tick Management for Green Industry Professionals – Emily Fontaine
Things to Consider Before Applying Fungicides to Control Turfgrass Diseases – Ming-Yi Chou, Ph.D.
Integrated Weed Management for Turfgrass – Matthew Elmore Ph.D.
Turfgrass Fertility Management for Sports Fields and Grounds – Brad Park

Recertification Credits:

Core = 2 credits
PP2 = 4 credits
1A = 2 credits
2 = 2 credits
3A = 4 credits
3B = 3 credits
6B = 4 credits
8A = 1 credit
8C = 7 credits
9 = 2 credits
10 = 6 credits
13 = 1 credit
ProFACT = 1 credit

NEED PESTCIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS? REGISTER TODAY

Michelle Infante-Casella — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:27:04 +0000

4 CORE Credits – Pesticide Safety Workshop

A Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Workshop for Pesticide Applicators to gain CORE Credits towards their license will be held at the NE Agriculture Expo at Harrah’s in Atlantic City to start of this year’s event. This workshop will take place from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. Licensed applicators must accumulate 8 CORE Credits over a 5-year period to maintain their NJDEP Pesticide Applicators License. This workshop will offer 4 CORE Credits. Pre-registration is requested and can be found on the VGANJ website at https://vganj.com“>https://vganj.com. Registration cost is $25 per person and non-refundable. Registration for this workshop is separate from the convention registration and attendees must also register for the expo at https://vganj.com/convention-tickets. The topics include: Pesticide Safety – Personal Protection Equipment for the Pesticide Applicator; Update on US EPA Worker Protection Standards; Storage, Tank Mixing, Tank Cleaning, and Disposal; Pesticide Record Keeping and Notification. For more information contact Bill Bamka (bamka@njaes.rutgers.edu) or Michelle Infante-Casella (minfante@njaes.rutgers.edu).

For the full program (January 20-22nd) of Rutgers Educational Workshops and Sessions that offer more credits and diverse topics, see https://go.rutgers.edu/2026rutgerseduprog

2 “Stop the Bleed” Trainings North and South Jersey

Michelle Infante-Casella — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:31:37 +0000

2 STOP THE BLEED TRAININGS SCHEDULED
FOR FARMERS AND THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – NO COST

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10TH IN SUSSEX COUNTY STARTING AT 10:00AM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY STARTING AT 9:00AM

FOR SUSSEX COUNTY ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 10TH AT 10:00AM – CALL TO REGISTER: 973-948-3040

LOCATION: RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SUSSEX COUNTY, 130 MORRIS TNPK, NEWTON, NJ

-OR-

FOR GLOUCESTER COUNTY ON FEBRUARY 2ND AT 9:00AM – REGISTER USING THIS LINK OR QR CODE:
https://go.rutgers.edu/stopthebleed

LOCATION: GLOUCESTER COUNTY OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES
1200 N. DELSEA DR., CLAYTON, NJ

Rutgers Cooperative Extension’ Farm Health and Safety Team has 2 scheduled events for “Stop the Bleed” training for the farming community.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the life-saving skills of pressure application, wound packing, and use of tourniquets. The first 25 registrants at each location, will also receive a complementary bleeding control kit.

Space is limited, register today.

If you have questions contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Sussex County (973-948-3040) or Gloucester County (856-224-8040 ext. 1)

Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Team:
Agricultural Agents: Kate Brown, Michelle Infante-Casella, William Bamka, and Stephen Komar

Wednesday Luncheon at the NE Ag Expo 1/21/26 – Sign Up Today

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:18:27 GMT

All are welcome to the 2026 Celebration of the International Year of the Female Farmer on Wednesday, January 21st at the Northeast Ag Expo at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. Your $25 ticket includes access to the luncheon and keynote speakers – Carrie Edsall from New York and NJ Dairy Princess – Dakota Meys. Lunch is a full hot food buffet and dessert. This event will be inspirational and is also a very affordable way to have lunch while at the expo. Spend this time to network with fellow farmers and support women in agriculture. To register for the Expo and the Wednesday Luncheon go to https://vganj.com/convention-tickets

Farm, Fisher, and Aquaculture Wellness Study

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:33:32 GMT

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Department of Family and Community Health Sciences is conducting a study to understand the impact of industry stressors related to the Farm, Fishery and Aquaculture industries.

As a member of the Farm, Fishery and Aquaculture industry, you are being invited to take part in this research. Your participation in the study is completely voluntary. If you agree to take part in this research, you will be asked to respond to survey questions that relate to your knowledge and experience about industry stressors. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and no information that can identify you will appear in any professional presentation or publication.

The survey and additional information can be found here: Farm, Fisher, Aquaculture Wellness Study

Empowering Farmers Through Knowledge: Annie’s Project 101 Launches in January 2026

Claudia Gil Arroyo — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:46:29 +0000

Empowering Farmers Through Knowledge: Annie’s Project 101 Launches in January 2026

As agriculture continues to evolve, so do the challenges and opportunities faced by farmers—especially women and beginning farmers. That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of the Annie’s Project 101 Course, a comprehensive farm business management training series kicking off in January 2026.

Hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension and supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Project, this six-week webinar series is designed to equip farmers with the tools they need to thrive in today’s dynamic agricultural landscape.

Course Overview

Dates: Wednesdays, January 7 – February 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Format: Live webinars + asynchronous learning
Fee: $45
Registration: Click here to register

What You’ll Learn

Each session focuses on a key area of farm risk management, featuring expert-led presentations and practical strategies:

Legal Risk (Jan 7): Lease agreements and legal foundations for farm operations
Financial Risk (Jan 14): Agritourism pricing and profitability analysis
Market Risk (Jan 28): Marketing plans and niche development
Human Resource Risk (Feb 4): Farm crew management and wellness strategies
Production Risk (Feb 11): Food safety and equipment selection
Legal & Financial Risk Wrap-Up (Feb 18): Insurance and business planning essentials

Special Note

There will be no webinar on January 21 to allow participants to attend the Northeast Ag Expo at Harrah’s Resort & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

Whether you’re a beginning farmer, a seasoned producer, or someone exploring agribusiness, Annie’s Project 101 offers valuable insights and connections to help you grow your farm with confidence.

Don’t miss out—register today and invest in your farm’s future!
#AnnieProject101 #FarmBusiness #WomenInAg #RutgersExtension #AgWebinarSeries #FarmSmart

FREE Tick Disease Testing for NJ Cattle Available Through 2025

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:53:30 GMT

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) Division of Animal Health has launched a free testing program to partner with cattle producers and veterinarians to track and manage the emerging Theileria orientalis Ikeda parasite in New Jersey herds. Free testing is available until the end of the year (2025) to identify infected animals and guide response strategies. Producers are encouraged to contact their herd veterinarian or the NJDA Division of Animal Health (609-671-6400) for more information.

They also have released more information explaining the parasite Theileria orientalis Ikeda and signs/treatments available. This information can be found by scanning the QR code above or clicking the link below:

Click to access T_orientalis_Producer_Handout.pdf

Visit the Rutgers Food Innovation Center!

Claudia Gil Arroyo — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:41:00 +0000

There’s still time to register to the field trip to the Rutgers Food Innovation Center on November 19!

Two-day online Food Safety Modernization Act: Produce Safety Rule Training: December 9 and 10

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:43:28 GMT

The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under a standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

You’ll need to attend both days to receive a certificate, and you must always have a camera on during the training according to the Produce Safety Alliance Online Training Policies.

For more information and to sign up go to: Our Trainings – Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety [onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu] Registration closes November 14^th.

Not sure if your farm falls under the Produce Safety Rule: Take this survey to find out: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IagP1mbPyrp42N [rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com]

North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Regenerative Farm Network Grazing School

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:37:36 GMT

Calling NJ Grazers!

Looking to improve pasture productivity, resilience, and farm profitability through better grazing and pasture management? Join the North Jersey RC&D for their 2026 Grazing School.

Whether you’re new or experienced, this program can help you gain practical tools, proven techniques, and valuable connections to improve your grazing system.

About the event:
This two-day, hands-on workshop is designed for farmers and grazers of all experience levels who want to make the most of their pastures through adaptive grazing. Participants will gain practical tools and techniques to take their grazing management to the next level. More than just a class, Grazing School opens the door to ongoing, one-on-one farm support that continues well beyond the workshop. It’s an unbeatable mix of expert instruction, field-based learning, and extended technical assistance tailored to each farm.

More information on the program, including dates/location and registration details, can be found at: https://www.northjerseyrcd.org/grazing-school

Workshops on Taxes, Estate, and Succession Planning

Kate Brown — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:46:10 +0000

The NJ Department of Agriculture, State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) has two upcoming workshops on ‘Taxes, Estate, and Succession Planning’ as they relate to farmland preservation. These in-person workshops are best suited for farmers, farm owners, and their professional advisors. This is not a series – select the workshop location closest to you.

Monday, November 17, 2025 (Mercer County)

D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
6:30 to 8:00 pm

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 (Salem County)

Salem County Ag Building, 51 Cheney Road, Woodstown, NJ 08098
6:30 to 8:00 pm

If you have questions or need additional information, you can contact Stephanie Kreiser (stephanie.kreiser@ag.nj.gov) and Cindy Roberts (cindy.roberts@ag.nj.gov) or call 609-984-2504.

Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, & Turf Edition - Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory

Early Season Tree Fruit Pest Control in 2026

South Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

North Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

ALERT – Potential for Ambrosia Beetle flight early next week – if you regularly have issues with this pest – take notice

Stay informed:

Approaching boxwood blight season – 2026 (threat this week in Central and Southern NJ)

It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in boxwoods throughout the state if you have not already done so.

Produce Safety Rule Training Part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Growers Meeting Program and Registration

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

March 11, 2026 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Harvest Hall, Alstede Farms 100 Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930

Program

PRE-REGISTRATION BY MARCH 4, 2026 REQUIRED FOR LUNCH

North Jersey Commercial Fruit Grower Meeting Program and Registration

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 4, 2026 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Hunterdon County Complex 314 State Route 12, Bldg. 1 Flemington, NJ Program

PRE-REGISTRATION BY February 26, 2026 REQUIRED FOR LUNCH

Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program: Contact FSA and Reporting Due March 13, 2026

CHANGE OF DATE AND LOCATION: North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Meeting

CHANGE OF DATE AND LOCATION

FOR THE

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

March 11, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Harvest Hall, Alstede Farms

100 Route 24

Chester, NJ 07930

NO CHANGES FOR THE NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

DETAILS BELOW

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 4, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hunterdon County Complex

314 State Rt. 12, Building #1

Flemington, NJ

Program Details and Pesticide Credits are Forthcoming

Farm Safety Needs Assessment

SAVE THE DATE: Sprayer Equipment Calibration Workshops for Specialty Crop Growers March 24 & 25

North Jersey Equipment Calibration Grower Meeting

March 24, 2026

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Clifford E. & Melda C. Snyder Research & Extension Farm

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station

140 Locust Grove Road

Pittstown, NJ

South Jersey Equipment Calibration Grower Meeting

March 25, 2026

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center

121 Northville Road

Bridgeton, NJ

Agenda, Registration and Pesticide Credits will be announced shortly.

Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendation Guide Available at Select County RCE Offices

RU-N Seeks to Buy Produce, Dairy, Meat, and Eggs from Female Farmers

SAVE THE DATE: North Jersey Commercial Vegetable & Fruit Growers Meetings

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

February 25, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hunterdon County Complex

314 State Rt. 12, Building #1

Flemington, NJ

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL

FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 4, 2026

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hunterdon County Complex

314 State Rt. 12, Building #1

Flemington, NJ

Program Details and Pesticide Credits are Forthcoming

Turfgrass ProFACT and CORE Pesticide credits – February 4 and 6, Williamstown, Woodstown, and Millville

Salem County Pesticide Safety Meeting – Pesticide Credits Available – February 20, 2026 – Woodstown

H2A Farm Labor Meeting – February 2, 2026 – Upper Deerfield, Cumberland County

NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions Start Tuesday 1/20/26 to Thursday 1/22/26 in Atlantic City

2026 Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute

NEED PESTCIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS? REGISTER TODAY

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL
VEGETABLE GROWERS MEETING

March 11, 2026
8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Harvest Hall, Alstede Farms
100 Route 24
Chester, NJ 07930

NORTH JERSEY COMMERCIAL
FRUIT GROWERS MEETING

March 4, 2026
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Hunterdon County Complex
314 State Route 12, Bldg. 1
Flemington, NJ
Program