Report Hail Storm Damage

Hail combined with heavy wind driven rain occurred in vicinity of Mays Landing, Atlantic Co. If it causes any crop damage on your farm, be sure to report it to your local Farm Services Agency and document the damage as soon as possible.
Rick VanVranken

Prepare Mulched Beds to Drain Properly and Avoid Diseases

Saturated soils encourage Phytophthora crown rot and Pythium root rot, so make sure nothing impedes water drainage in or between the mulched beds.
Rick VanVranken

Transplanted Onions (and Leeks) May be More Susceptible to Onion Maggot

With more and more LEEKS being transplanted, you might want to take note of this news from the Cornell Vegetable Program:  Transplanted Onions More Susceptible to Onion Maggot than Normal.

Rick VanVranken

Know a recent plant sci grad looking for a job?

Tomato Research Assistant I Position - Lipman Family Companies R&D Division, Estero, FL. 

LFC’s Research and Development Division is located in Estero, FL in close proximity to the Naples/Fort Myers metropolitan area and currently has an opening for a Research Assistant I. This position will assist the tomato breeding team ...

Rick VanVranken

RCE Optimizing and Measuring Spray Distribution from Air Blast Sprayers

Date: May 11, 2011 Time: 5:30pm

Location: Coia Vinyards, 3680 Oak Rd, East Vineland

Ag Engineer, Dr. Andrew Landers, of Cornell University, works with application systems in grapes, apples, vegetables and turf grass. Dr. Landers is author of the classic text book, Farm Machinery: Selection, Investment and Management. He has recently published a new book, Effective Vineyard Spraying.

New Farm Accident Profiles

Recent studies of farm accidents have discovered some interesting facts.

1) Both farm workers and old people are more likely to be injured than farmers themselves.

2) Interesting, farmers who live alone have a lower probability of being injured on the farm. It is speculated that they know there is no help available and therefore are more careful.

3) Both "habitual and routine" farm operations constitute the most farm accidents and not new unfamilar tasks.

4) Farmers who had other documented health issues and had good medical records were less likely to have farm accidents.

Ray Samulis

Congress to Determine Smith-Lever Ag Appropriation Friday, May 13

Congress considers the FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill this Friday, May 13th.

The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 is a partnership between USDA and America's land-grant universities and provides funding for delivery of Cooperative Extension programs vital to the people of the United States. States are required to provide at least a one-to one match.

Cooperative Extension needs your help. Sustained funding is critically needed for Extension to continue to help producers, consumers, families, and communities find science-based solutions to significant problems.
Visit Effective Political Communications for information on how best to voice your support for Cooperative Extension by contacting your Representatives and Senators.