The USDA announced today that it will re-establish the charter for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) and seek to fill 25 upcoming vacant positions. The FVIAC charter was established in 2001 to examine issues facing the produce industry and had expired in January. Eligible nominees for FVIAC include anyone actively working in...
New Jersey Audubon is now accepting applications for funding projects under the Healthy Land and Waters program. This program aims to protect the local watershed thorough conservation projects on agricultural lands in southern NJ. Over $200,000 in competitive funding is available to large landowners and agricultural producers. Conservation practices such as cover cropping, and no-till...
In 1876, Abraham Browning of Camden referenced New Jersey as the “Garden State” in a speech at the Centenial Exhibition in Philadelphia and the moniker has stuck ever since. New Jersey is home to over 9,000 farms covering 720,000 acres and brings in more than $1.1 billion in sales annually. The Garden State ranks in...
At the NOFA-NJ Winter Conference this year, Meredith Melendez, Mercer County Ag. Extension Agent presented a workshop on communication strategies for direct marketers of organic products. Citing the results of a recent Rutgers survey of Mid-Atlantic purchasers of organics, Meredith discussed the who, what and why of consumer trends in the growing organic marketplace. Meredith...
Did you sign up for a CSA? It’s not too late! National CSA sign-up day was held this past week, corresponding with the time of the year that members can sign up with their favorite farm. NJ Ag Secretary, Douglas H. Fisher celebrated the day with a trip to Appelget Farms in West Windsor. Joining...
The American Agri-Women Daughters of American Agriculture scholarship offered by the America Agri-Women Foundation (AAW) was created to celebrate the free-spirited and pioneering women who played an important role in the founding of the nation and to encourage the present generation to continue their education in agricultural pursuits. The Jean Ibendahl Scholarship and Sister Thomas...
Neuroscientists studying Alzheimer’s and dementia suggest that a healthy diet can affect cognitive functions. Some foods play a neuro-protective role, protecting the brain from harm, while other foods are harmful for the brain, increasing the risk of cognitive decline. The best foods for brain health are foods high in vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, glucose,...
At the Organic Farming Research Foundation Conference on Jan. 26 in New Brunswick, Dr. Ramu Govindasamy discussed a recent survey of consumer attitudes toward Certified Organic Products. Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing sectors in the US and accounts for 4.2% of all food sales. Purchasers of organics include all economic levels and...
A recent study involving 48 farms in two states shows that an abundance of wild bees means a lot of pollination. A Rutgers University study published in Science concludes that over a larger area, a variety of bee species is necessary in pollination. This study is the first of its kind to show that increased pollination...
The NJDA and Rutgers University food safety specialists are partnering to offer on-farm confidential readiness reviews to farmers throughout the state. The On-Farm Food Safety Team will work with growers to review their operation and suggest modifications to comply with Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule launching in 2019. Part of the education process...
