Image by Dragon Claws, licensed via Adobe Stock (Education License)

Ask a New Jersey middle schooler what they think about when choosing what to eat, and you’ll probably hear: taste, texture, and whether it’ll upset their stomach. Ask them what they do to help the planet, and they’ll mention picking up litter or recycling. What most won’t mention? The connection between the two. A new study out of Rutgers University set out to understand what drives food choices among New Jersey fifth graders — and why so few of them link their diet to climate change — with the goal of building better classroom curricula to bridge that gap.

The study was led by Rutgers researchers, including affiliates of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute, Sara Elnakib, lead author and associate professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences at Rutgers Cooperative Extension; and co-authors Shauna Downs, associate professor in the Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy at Rutgers School of Public Health; Peggy Policastro, director of Behavioral Nutrition-Rutgers Dining Services; and Ethan Schoolman, associate professor in the Department of Human Ecology at Rutgers University; and— all co-authors on the study.

The authors interviewed 41 fifth graders from three different New Jersey schools — an urban school serving low-income students, an urban school serving middle-income students, and a rural school serving middle-income students. The schools were chosen to reflect the diversity of communities across the state. The students were asked about what factors matter to them when choosing food, and separately, what they do to take care of the planet.

The findings, published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, showed that taste topped the list when it came to food choices, followed by health, hunger, and how food affects the body — including digestion. Family influence also played a big role, as did friends, who often nudged kids toward less healthy options. Notably, most students didn’t think much about food price or convenience unless their parents brought it up.

When asked about helping the planet, students were engaged and thoughtful — but their ideas centered on littering, recycling, and protecting forests and oceans. Almost none of them connected food choices to climate change. Only one student mentioned avoiding meat for environmental reasons. This gap is significant: food production — especially beef and other red meat — is a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting toward more plant-based diets is one of the most impactful ways individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

“These kids genuinely care about the environment; they just haven’t been shown how their everyday food choices are part of the picture. If we can connect what they eat to the things they already care about, like reducing waste, we have a real opportunity to shape healthier habits and a more sustainable food system at the same time,” stated Downs.

The study’s findings carry direct implications for education policy. In 2020, New Jersey became the first U.S. state to require climate change education in schools — and this research was designed to help shape how that curriculum addresses food and diet. The authors suggest that effective messaging should focus on taste and texture of plant-based foods, connect environmental impact to tangible behaviors students already understand (like “this meal uses as much water as leaving your tap on for X minutes”), and tie food choices to protecting animal habitats — something the students cared deeply about. Involving families alongside students could also amplify impact, particularly in communities where parents have strong influence over what kids eat.

As states across the U.S. begin integrating climate education into their schools, this kind of research offers a roadmap for making those lessons stick — by meeting students where they are and connecting big global issues to the everyday choices they already care about. Read the full study here.

This article was written with assistance from Artificial Intelligence, was reviewed and edited by Oliver Stringham, and was reviewed by Shauna Downs and Sara Elnakib, co-authors on the study.

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Haskin Lab scientists performing oyster stock assessment on an industry vessel. Photo credit: Jenn Gius

The Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory has played a central role in supporting New Jersey’s oyster industry through decades of research, collaboration, and science-based management. Since 1953, the lab has worked closely with the Delaware Bay oyster industry and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife to address challenges affecting oyster populations and to help sustain this vital natural resource.

The partnership began when the industry sought assistance in identifying the causes of declining oyster stocks in 1953. In response, the Haskin Lab established annual population surveys of oysters in Delaware Bay. These surveys continue today and provide the scientific foundation for managing the fishery and supporting a sustainable harvest. Over time, and with external expert review that includes NJDEP scientists and active oyster harvesters, the lab has helped guide the development of a sustainable oyster fishery recognized as a leading model both regionally and nationally.

A key component of this success is the use of a “total allowable catch” approach, which differs from many shellfisheries that rely on license limits or shortened harvest seasons. This method allows for more precise, science-based management of the resource while balancing ecological sustainability and industry needs.

An industry vessel moving oysters to enhance the oyster population. Image courtesy of Haskin Lab.

The Haskin Lab continues to convene and contribute to important statewide discussions and decision-making processes. On February 4–5, 2026, the lab hosted the Annual Delaware Bay Stock Assessment Workshop, bringing together scientists, industry representatives, and resource managers to develop harvest recommendations based on the status of the stock.  Results were presented to the Shellfisheries Council on March 3, helping inform policy decisions grounded in current data and research.

Following these recommendations, the council approved a potential harvest of 79,866 bushels, which is about 2% of the stock. The fishery works hard with the NJDEP and the Lab to complete enhancement activities designed to support long-term population recovery.

The Delaware Bay oyster fishery has a meaningful economic impact, particularly in rural areas of southern New Jersey. The industry supports a network of related businesses, including marinas, shipyards, and local suppliers, in addition to the oystermen themselves. By the time oysters reach consumers, the total economic impact of the fishery is estimated to exceed $26 million.

Through its ongoing research, statewide collaboration, and leadership in hosting and presenting at key events, the Haskin Lab continues to play a critical role in sustaining both New Jersey’s oyster resources and the communities that depend on them.

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Apprentices explore the oyster nursery at the Aquaculture Innovation Center (AIC). Photo: Jenny Shinn

Ryan Myers became interested in New Jersey’s oyster farming industry two years ago when a Rutgers aquaculture expert spoke at his high school. 

Myers, now 18, heard about Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program  (ASAP), a workforce development program offered through Rutgers and its partners connecting students with businesses to learn about New Jersey’s oyster farming and receive on-the-job training.

The program starts with a one-week boot camp of intensified training followed by eight weeks of apprenticeship at a business. Students learn about shellfish hatchery operations in parallel with small business skills such as marketing, balancing finances and aquaculture regulations.

“The boot camp is the heart of the program,” said Michael Acquafredda, assistant extension specialist in aquaculture at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, who spoke at Myers’ school. “It ensures that each apprentice receives basic training and can operate safely on a farm. But the apprentices really develop their skills during their farm-based work placements, and they learn those skills directly from our partner farmers.”

Matt Williams (left) and Ryan Myers (right) pose by the Cape Shore Laboratory, where ASAP’s bootcamp is hosted. Photo: Mitaali Taskar

The program appealed to Myers. 

That summer he began working under the guidance of Matt Williams, who owns South Bay Shellfish Company, a wholesale oyster farming and shucking company in Cape May. The operation is fairly local – most, but not all, of his oysters are sold in Cape May County. It’s also a small operating team, consisting only of him, his wife, his brother and now Myers.

The timing of Myers’ arrival was right. The business was being housed in a new building with new machinery and Williams said he “wanted another set of hands to see the optimal rate of hands needed to work this machinery.”

By learning to cultivate oysters and other shellfish, Myers and students like him walk a path deeply rooted in New Jersey history. Rutgers has been involved in shellfishery research since the late 1800s and the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory is now situated in Port Norris, N.J., which is a historic oyster village with a rich history of harvesting and shucking.

Oyster production in New Jersey reached its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but, after years of overharvesting and two devastating diseases (MSX in the 1950s and Dermo around the 1980s and 1990s), the oyster populations dwindled. In response, Rutgers committed to breeding disease-resistant oyster lines. Today, the seeds from those lines are can be licensed by local farmers.

New Jersey oysters have been making a comeback since the 2010s – and the Rutgers Coastal Campus has spent the past 100-plus years supporting this resurgence.

ASAP was designed by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory (part of the Rutgers Coastal Campus), the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, and local industry partners.

“Oyster farming is a restorative practice,” Acquafredda said. “ASAP supports our greater mission at the Haskin lab to make our science usable and used.”

As of 2023, the New Jersey shellfish industry accounted for about 90% of New Jersey’s total aquaculture sales. Direct sales of mollusks, namely oysters and clams, had an estimated value of $11.78 million, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. With ASAP, students have the opportunity to engage in this blue economy.

Since its inception in 2022 to now, ASAP has worked within the Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties to promote aquaculture literacy. Through in-classroom lessons, the ASAP team has engaged more than 1,500 high school students in an effort to educate and recruit. Of those that apply, less than 15 students are selected for the program each year.

An apprentice (left) works with Lisa Calvo (right) during the summer program.
Photo: Jenny Shinn

ASAP was envisioned to hook young people into an industry they might not have even heard of and fill a need for seasonal and full-time workers. The program has trained 33 students, with 64% of the latest cohort continuing to work with their partner farmers in some capacity in the summer after the program ended.

“I don’t think there is a program like this elsewhere in the state,” said Jenny Shinn, a Rutgers field researcher who works with Acquafredda. She specializes in oyster restoration and community education.

The program was designed from the start to include members of the local industry as much as possible. One of the original collaborators is Lisa Calvo, a former Rutgers marine scientist and celebrated oyster farmer whose restaurant, Sweet Amalia Market & Kitchen, was named in the New York Times’ 2024 Restaurant List. 

“ASAP was her brainchild,” Acquafredda said. “Because of her uniquely keen insight into the skills the oyster industry needs “[Lisa] keeps us real and realistic.”

Acquafredda also collaborates with Diana Burich, the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s director of education, to design this out-of-school educational experience. Together, they run a part of the program out of the Cape Shore Laboratory and the New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center, both part of the Rutgers Coastal Campus.

ASAP has been renewed until 2027 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant Program and organizers of the program hope to eventually turn ASAP into a sustainable long-term partnership with its industry partners.

During the apprenticeship, Myers and Williams were working full-time, often spending around half the day in the water and half the day sorting the catch. Along the way, Williams found himself teaching Myers other crucial skills that popped up when running an oyster farm, such as welding.

Myers chose to stay with the company after the program. These days he is simultaneously working with Williams and earning a data science degree online. Myers said he plans to continue working on the farm after he graduates and starts looking for a job in his field of study.

“If AI takes tech away from me, at least oyster farming works out,” he said jokingly.

Williams said Myers “came with a good work ethic. And if you learn how to work hard as a teenager, it sets you up for life.” 

Williams credits ASAP for selecting hard-working candidates who are keen to listen, learn and work. He added students “don’t have to want to work here their whole life, but it does teach them hard work and responsibility.”

Editor’s note: This article was written by Mitaali Taskar, a science communicator and research project assistant with Rutgers Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and first appeared in Rutgers Today. 

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George Hamilton, professor and extension specialist, retired from Rutgers on January 1, 2026.

Effective January 1, George Hamilton GSNB’85, extension specialist in pest management and professor in the Department of Entomology, retired from Rutgers University, concluding a distinguished 38-year career marked by excellence in extension, research, teaching and service to the university and the agricultural community.

A member of the faculty since 1987, Hamilton made significant contributions to the fields of entomology, pesticide safety education, and the management of invasive insects affecting agriculture in New Jersey. He served as chair of the Department of Entomology for 15 years and held numerous university and statewide advisory roles related to pesticide regulation, environmental protection and agricultural policy.

Trained as an environmental biologist and entomologist, Hamilton earned his doctoral degree in entomology from Rutgers in 1985. Over the course of his career, he authored more than 200 research and extension publications addressing integrated pest management, pesticide use and environmental protection.

Through his work with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Hamilton became widely recognized for advancing pesticide safety education and integrated pest management programs that support New Jersey’s agricultural industries while protecting environmental and public health. His extension efforts reached thousands of growers, professionals and residents each year through workshops, training programs and outreach presentations.

Among his many contributions, Hamilton played a key role in statewide and national efforts to manage the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, a pest that threatens fruit, vegetable and specialty crops. His research helped improve monitoring and management strategies and contributed to multi-state integrated pest management initiatives aimed at reducing the pest’s impact on agriculture.

He also led and supported the development of integrated pest management programs for a range of crops in New Jersey, including tree fruit, vegetables, blueberries and field crops. These programs helped growers reduce pesticide use while maintaining crop productivity and environmental stewardship.

Nationally, Hamilton was an active leader in the Entomological Society of America, serving as treasurer and president of the Eastern Branch and completing two terms on the ESA Board of Governors.

During his career, Hamilton received numerous state, national and international honors, including awards from the ESA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizing his contributions to research, extension and integrated pest management programs.

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Brian Shilling, director Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), addresses participants in the 2026 RCE Annual Conference. Photo: OPOC

The 2026 Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) Annual Conference convened on January 15 at the Busch Student Center, bringing together faculty, staff, and stakeholders from across New Jersey. The annual gathering provided a shared space for networking, professional development, research collaboration, and the exchange of best practices in delivering research-based educational programming with service excellence.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Rhonda Breen-Simone, RCE Department Administrator, and Kathleen Howell, Associate Director of Administration. Their greetings set the tone for a day focused on impact, innovation and collaboration across the Extension community.

Addressing conference attendees, RCE Director Brian Schilling reflected on a year defined not by obstacles, but by progress.

2026 RCE Annual Conference attendees. Photo: OPOC

Despite the challenges of 2025, Schilling emphasized that Rutgers Cooperative Extension has much to be proud of. He pointed to growing partnerships, increased visibility across the university, and expanding recognition of RCE’s essential role in research translation and community engagement. He highlighted exciting new technologies and discoveries emerging from Rutgers’ agricultural programs—from drone initiatives developed in partnership with community colleges to artificial intelligence collaborations with Rowan University and Rutgers’ School of Engineering. Advances in breeding programs and production techniques, he noted, are strengthening both innovation and farm viability across the state.

Schilling underscored the importance of demonstrating measurable impact, describing new investments in measuring impact and strategic engagement with university leadership. He also stressed that strengthening internal partnerships and increasing student engagement remain central priorities. Above all, he reaffirmed RCE’s mission of expanding its expertise, resources and presence in communities across New Jersey, ensuring that Rutgers research continues to make a visible and meaningful difference statewide.

Hanh La, Senior Program Administrator, and Janice McDonnell, SEBS/NJAES Associate Dean of Research Impact, delivered a featured presentation on Impact, highlighting measurable outcomes across RCE programming and underscoring the importance of data-driven storytelling in demonstrating Extension’s value to communities statewide.

The morning breakout sessions offered attendees a range of practical and forward-looking topics while midday programming featured a dynamic Customer Service overview presented by John Eric Jacobsen, coach and president of Jacobsen Business Seminars, Inc., who emphasized communication, professionalism and relationship-building as cornerstones of Extension’s public-facing mission.

2026 RCE Annual Conference attendees participate in the poster sessions. Photo: OPOC

Following lunch, Laura Lawson, Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Executive Dean of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, delivered the Executive Leadership Address. She reflected on the strategic priorities of RCE, reaffirming its leadership in advancing science-based solutions, strengthening partnerships, and expanding statewide impact. She emphasized that RCE remains central to the land-grant mission of Rutgers University, serving as a critical connector that brings research and educational expertise into communities across New Jersey.

The afternoon workshops continued the day’s focus on applied learning and collaboration followed by the annual RCE Awards Ceremony, which recognized excellence across faculty, staff, volunteers and collaborative teams. The awardees are:

• Wilbur V. Runk Graduate Student Excellence Award – Jin-Jia Yu, a Ph.D. candidate in Entomology
• Excellence Award – Administrative/Support Staff – Cynthia Triolo, Office Administrator for Morris County
• Excellence Award – Paraprofessional – Kristine Rappaport, Somerset County 4-H Program Coordinator
• Excellence Award – Programmatic Staff – Sabrina Subhit, Senior Program Coordinator, Family and Community Health Sciences 
• Excellence Award in Volunteerism – Eileen McEnroe, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Essex County
• Faculty of the Year Award – Marissa Staffen, 4-H Agent and County Extension Department Head in Essex County,
• Mary Jane Willis Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award – Food is Medicine for South Asians (FIMSA) Team led by Nurgül Fitzgerald (PI), Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences & Extension Specialist, and Soko Setoguchi (co-PI), Director, Rutgers Health-RWJBarnabas Health Center for Climate, Health, and Healthcare
• Merle V. Adams Award – James Shope, Assistant Extension Specialist in Climate Service
• Best of the Best Award – Rutgers Nursery and Green Industry Working Group: Agricultural Agents Timothy Waller (Cumberland); William Errickson (Monmouth); Jean Epiphan (Morris); Hemant Gohil (Gloucester); Salvatore Mangiafico (Salem); Steve Rettke (Monmouth); Extension Specialist Raul Cabrera, RAREC; Richard Buckley and Sabrina Tirpak of the Plant Diagnostic Lab; Stephanie Murphy of the Soil Testing Lab; and Erin Quinn, Intern and Ph.D. candidate in Plant Biology and Human Health

The closing sessions highlighted innovative, community-centered programming and brought the day’s focus on collaboration and impact full circle. From welcome remarks to final presentations, the 2026 RCE Annual Conference reflected a unified commitment to research-based education, inclusive engagement and measurable impact across New Jersey communities.

View a photo gallery of the 2026 RCE Annual Conference.

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Laura Steeves (far right), a former postdoctoral student, collaborates with a fishing partner to prepare a surfclam cage for deployment, while Ailey Sheehan, a lab manager, activates sensors to facilitate the launch. Sarah Borsetti/Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory

Rutgers researchers have made a discovery that could change the future of seafood farming in New Jersey.

A study led by marine scientist Daphne Munroe has shown that Atlantic surfclams can be successfully farmed in the open ocean. Her research, published in the North American Journal of Aquaculture, proves that offshore aquaculture is not only possible but promising. This method could help meet the increasing demand for seafood while protecting wild clam populations.

“We’re among the first to show that offshore clam farming can really work,” said Munroe, an associate professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences in the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. “It’s exciting because it opens the door to a new kind of business for New Jersey’s farming and fishing industries.”

In Daphne Munroe’s study, clams harvested after the spring and summer season showed promising growth. Sarah Borsetti/Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory

The study was funded by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and was done in partnership with commercial fishing companies. 

“We didn’t do this in a lab,” Munroe said, emphasizing the importance of working with industry partners. “We did it in the real world, with real fishermen. That’s what makes the results so meaningful.”

Aquaculture is the practice of farming fish, shellfish and other aquatic organisms. It’s similar to agriculture, but instead of growing crops on land, farmers raise seafood in water. Most aquaculture takes place near the shore in protected bays or in artificial ponds and lakes.

These areas are easier to manage and safer from storms, but they are crowded with other user groups like homeowners and boaters and can be subject to poor water quality which can hinder farm operations. Offshore aquaculture avoids these challenges, Munroe said, by using the vast, cleaner waters of the open ocean, where there is more room and less potential for pollution.

Members of Munroe’s team wanted to test whether surfclams, which are large, hard-shelled shellfish that live buried in sandy ocean bottoms, could be raised offshore, where space is more available. The clams, commonly used in chowders and fried clam strips, are an important part of New Jersey’s commercial fishing industry.

Video: Deploying the clams

Researchers placed more than 300,000 young surfclams into cages in ocean waters miles off the coast of New Jersey. They tested the clams in both spring and fall to see how the seasons affected their growth and survival.

The cages used in the study were specially designed to protect the clams in several ways. They kept the shellfish safe from predators such as crabs and fish, which are common threats in the wild. The cages also helped reduce the buildup of sand and sediment, which can make their meat gritty.

By keeping the clams elevated off the ocean floor, the cages allowed cleaner water to flow through, resulting in clams with very little sand in their meat, making them ideal for eating steamed or on the half shell. In addition, the cages were built to withstand strong waves and rough ocean conditions, making them reliable even during storms.

Clams are stacked on the deck of a scallop fishing vessel before being hoisted into the Atlantic Ocean as part of a research study. Sarah Borsetti/Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory

The researchers found that clams put out in spring grew faster and had higher survival than those put out in fall. Spring conditions were calmer, with fewer storms and less sediment, making it easier to retrieve the cages and check on the clams. Another important finding was that clams in less crowded cages were healthier and grew better, showing that space matters when farming shellfish.

Munroe said that the results were especially encouraging because they showed that offshore aquaculture could be both productive and environmentally responsible. “We saw that the clams were not only surviving, but they were also thriving,” she said. “And the meat quality was excellent, with very little grit. That’s a big deal for consumers and for the industry.”

She said there are still hurdles to surmount, such as making sure the gear lasts in challenging weather and properly navigating and following governmental regulations. But Munroe said the potential is huge.

“This could be a win-win,” she said. “We can grow more seafood in a sustainable way and support local jobs.”

Rutgers scientists who contributed to the study included: Laura Steeves, a former postdoctoral researcher at the Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory and now at the Flødevigen Research Station in Norway; Sarah Borsetti, a fisheries researcher at the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory; and Rachel Davitt, a doctoral student in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences.

This article first appeared on Rutgers Today.

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NJAES Executive Director Laura Lawson addresses delegates at the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo in Atlantic City.

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) played a leading role in shaping the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo (formerly the New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show), held January 21–23 at Harrah’s Resort and Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City.

In remarks to the delegates, NJAES Executive Director Laura Lawson expressed appreciation to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, State Board of Agriculture President Bob Blew, Farm Bureau President Alan Carter, and the representatives of New Jersey’s agricultural community for the opportunity to once again address the convention. She conveyed greetings on behalf of Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV, Chancellor Francine Conway and Provost Jason Geary, noting Rutgers’ deep commitment to its land-grant mission and to serving the state’s agricultural community at the highest levels of university leadership.

Director of Rutgers Cooperative extension Brian Shilling listens attentively during the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo.

Lawson also highlighted the release of the 2025 NJAES Annual Report and reaffirmed the experiment station’s focus on four critical issue areas that build sustainable and resilient communities across New Jersey: advancing viable agriculture and aquaculture; ensuring healthy outcomes in food, nutrition, and health; promoting positive youth development; and protecting and sustaining natural resources. Together, she noted, these priorities demonstrate NJAES’s continued dedication to innovation, partnership and practical solutions that strengthen New Jersey agriculture and the communities it supports.

In partnership with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, NJAES’ Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) helped deliver one of the region’s most comprehensive agricultural education programs—reinforcing the university’s impact on farm viability and the state’s agricultural economy.

RCE agricultural agents Michelle Infante-Casella (Gloucester County) and William Bamka (Burlington County) co-chaired the wide-ranging Rutgers educational program, coordinating 82 presenters across three days of workshops and concurrent sessions. The event drew a sold-out trade show floor and strong statewide participation from farmers, agricultural professionals, 4-H and FFA students, and industry partners.

Pre-convention workshops set the tone with hands-on, practical learning experiences. Sessions focused on On-Farm Food Safety, Pesticide Safety, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Pest Diagnostics, and Farm Labor and Regulations—core areas where Rutgers research directly supports farm productivity, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.

New for 2026, the IPM Workshop provided interactive training with microscopes, pheromone traps, and pest specimens, translating Rutgers research into real-world applications growers can implement immediately.

RCE hosted five concurrent morning sessions and five afternoon sessions on day one that covered a wide range of commodities and production systems. Topics included Technology for Field Crop Production, Vegetable Production, Tree Fruit and Small Fruit, Nursery Crops, Blueberries and Greenhouse Production. These sessions highlighted science-based practices that increase crop yields, improve quality, reduce input costs, and promote sustainable land management—key drivers of New Jersey’s multibillion-dollar agricultural sector.

Timothy Waller, RCE agricultural agent and department head (Cumberland County) who works with nursery crops, conducts one of the multiple Rutgers educational programs delivered in partnership with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey.

Day two highlighted by a keynote address from Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal scientist and professor at the University of Colorado. Her presentation drew farmers, educators, 4-H members and FFA students from across the region. Rutgers strategically aligned its Equine and Livestock sessions with Grandin’s appearance, further strengthening engagement with the animal agriculture community. Additional educational sessions led by Rutgers faculty and agents addressed Environmental Issues in Agriculture, Soil Health and Cover Cropping, Cut Flower Production, Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Marketing and Specialty Crops.

Beyond knowledge transfer, the expo delivered direct professional value. The RCE program provided NJDEP Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits—offering more credits than in 2025—and reinforced critical safety and pest management practices. RCE personnel remain central to pesticide education and the state’s licensing process, helping ensure that New Jersey agriculture operates safely, sustainably, and in compliance with state regulations.

By translating university research into actionable guidance, Rutgers continues to strengthen key pillars of New Jersey’s agricultural economy, including farm profitability, environmental resilience, and workforce development.

With momentum growing and planning already underway for the 2027 Expo, Rutgers Cooperative Extension remains at the forefront of advancing innovation, collaboration, and economic vitality across the Garden State’s agricultural community.

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Patrick McMullen

Please join me in welcoming Patrick McMullen as our newest tenure-track faculty member. Patrick joins us from Cornell University, where he recently completed his PhD focused on soilborne pathogen management and healthy crop establishment. He earned a

bachelor’s degree in biology from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. He joins our faculty and staff at the Atlantic County office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Mays Landing, where his outreach and Extension practice will focus on sustainable commercial vegetable production.

I wish to thank the search committee, chaired by Gary Pavlis, for their diligence in recruiting, reviewing, and interviewing candidates.

A big “Thank You” goes out to local growers John Vanni and Jennifer LaMonaca, members of the search committee, and all the members of the Atlantic County Board of Agriculture for their commitment to filling this position and providing farm visits for all of our candidates.

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Sara Elnakib, chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences, Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Photo: John O’Boyle.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension has co-authored new statewide guidelines aimed at clearing up confusion over what food can be safely and legally donated, a move expected to divert millions of meals from landfills to people in need.

The New Jersey Food Donation Guidelines, published online this fall, were developed by Rutgers and the Meal Recovery Coalition, a business-led, statewide initiative addressing food insecurity and food waste. Each year, the average New Jerseyan discards about 325 pounds of edible food, often because businesses and individuals are unsure what they are allowed to give away.

“Our goal is to ensure that food is used for the purpose it was grown or produced for,” said Sara Elnakib, chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences at Rutgers Cooperative Extension and a lead author of the guidelines. “Wasting safe, edible food in a state where nearly 12 percent of the population is food insecure is both illogical and unethical.”

The guidelines clarify donation rules for a wide range of foods—from baked goods and prepared meals to canned items—and explain liability protections for donors who give food in “good faith” through certified food recovery organizations. They also outline safe storage and handling practices and provide a simple flowchart to help donors quickly determine whether food can be donated.

The effort supports the New Jersey Food Waste Reduction Act, which set a goal of cutting the state’s municipal food waste in half by 2030. Development of the guidelines was funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and informed by best practices from other states and national experts, including Harvard University’s Food Law and Policy Clinic.

With New Jersey’s complex system of local health regulations, consistency was a priority. In the coming months, Rutgers Cooperative Extension will partner with the New Jersey Department of Health to train municipal food safety inspectors on the new standards, helping expand safe meal recovery statewide.

“These guidelines are about making it easier to do the right thing,” Elnakib said. “They help ensure that surplus food feeds people—not landfills.”

Read the full story, which originally appeared on Rutgers Today.

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L to R: Gary C. Pavlis, associate professor of agriculture and natural resources and county agent, Angus Gillespie, professor of American Studies, and Daniel Ward, associate research professor of plant biology, at the Cream Ridge Winery. Photo: Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

American Studies Professor Angus Gillespie, an expert in folklore who taught at Rutgers for more than 50 years, has a new passion: Promoting New Jersey’s growing wine industry and the university’s efforts to bolster its success.

Several years ago, Gillespie and his wife, Rowena, were strolling Lambertville’s Bridge Street when he found a tourism brochure extolling New Jersey’s 60 wineries. 

“Who knew?’’ recalled a surprised Gillespie, who saw one, Angelico Winery, was nearby, prompting the couple to take a serendipitous detour to the “charming…small scale, friendly’’ place. 

Gillespie was quickly hooked on a burgeoning hobby he wanted to share with others.

“I think it’s safe to say that many New Jerseyans have no idea there’s 60 wineries in New Jersey,’’ said Gillespie. 

According to Garden State Wine Growers Association, the New Jersey Farm Winery Act of 1981 repealed restrictive limits on the number of wineries from less than 10 then to 60 licensed today that have produced approximately 2 million gallons of wine. New Jersey vineyards grow more than 80 varieties of grapes — including leading varietals Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and hybrids Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc — on more than 1,500 acres, totaling $92.5 million in annual tourism expenditures, according to association data.

After obtaining a New Jersey Wine Passport from the association, Gillespie and his wife began visiting other wineries to have the booklet stamped and learn more about the cultivation of grapes (viticulture) and winemaking (enology). He also has been featuring winery owners and other industry experts on his local cable show, “Old Ways in New Jersey,’’ which is produced by East Brunswick Television (EBTV) and shared on YouTube for broader viewership.

Gillespie says the link between Rutgers and the winery industry is predicated on the university’s “obligation to promote agriculture,’’ given the school’s roots as a land-grant university and the cooperative extension program. He has been featuring winery owners and Rutgers experts, like Gary C. Pavlis, associate professor of agriculture and natural resources and county agent, and Daniel Ward, associate research professor of plant biology, who support the industry on his local cable TV show.

Read more in the article, which first appeared on Rutgers Today.

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