Update: NWS Freeze Warning

Extreme cold temperatures are forecasted for Monday and Tuesday evenings (March 26 and 27, 2012) that could seriously affect fruit, vegetable, and floriculture crops in bloom or near bloom around the state. Therefore, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has authorized the following procedure for open burning and/or the use of smudge pots for Monday and Tuesday to help farmers protect their crops.

Procedures for Open Burning and the Use of Smudge Pots Pertaining to New Jersey Fruit, Vegetables and Floriculture.

National Weather Service Freeze Warning Tonight

...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY

• TEMPERATURES...DROPPING INTO THE MID TO UPPER 20S. EVEN LOCATIONS ALONG THE COASTAL STRIPS OF NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE, AND IN THE HIGHLY URBANIZED METRO AREAS, MAY SEE TEMPERATURES DROP TO AROUND 30 DEGREES.

• IMPACTS...DUE TO AN UNUSUALLY WARM WINTER AND EARLY SPRING, THE GROWING SEASON HAS BEGUN AROUND THE REGION. ANY VEGETATION SUSCEPTIBLE TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE OR MORE HOURS WOULD BE AT RISK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

The National Weather Service is predicting freezing weather across the state this evening.
I have spoken with personnel at NJDA, who are in contact with NJDEP Commissioner Martin, to seek approval for open burning for freeze protection on farms.
I will share information as it becomes available.
-Dan Kluchinski

Ethnic Specialy Crop Workshop

Thursday, March 29th Meeting cancelled due to low registration.  It will be rescheduled for a later Date.

Questions:  Contact Gloucester Soil Conservation District at 856-589-5250

Wes Kline, CC Ag Agent

Grant Funds Available - NJ & PA Farm Marketer Cooperators Sought for Training Grant Application

Grant Funds Available for Farm Merchandising & Customer Service Training - A regional food system consultant is developing a Workforce Development Grant proposal focusing on farm market operations in need of merchandising and customer service training. Farms with full and part-time employees can submit a simple application to request training that will be delivered by farm marketing industry experts on topics such as:

• Food & Farm Merchandising - Display Techniques
• Farm Stand & Market Customer Service Strategies
• Food Safety in Farm Markets
• Effective Communication for Farm Marketers
• Office, Team Building Skills, and other Professional Training

If you are interested in the training, or possibly participating as a cooperator in the grant application process, please contact jonathan@nationalrestaurantconsultants.com or call 585-750-0182. More information is also available at: http://www.simplefarmmarketing.com/farm-grants.html.
--Rick VanVranken

USDA warns of fraudulent letters

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2012--USDA officials learned late Friday afternoon, March 16th, 2012, that fraudulent letters are being sent by FAX to individuals and businesses in at least four states. The letters purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters are false and in no case should a recipient respond with personal and financial information. The fraudulent letters bear USDA’s logo and seal and are signed by an individual identified as “Frank Rutenberg” using a title of “Senior Procurement Officer”. Letters have been received by FAX in Alabama, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but may have also been sent to other states. USDA is investigating this matter through the Office of the Inspector General.

Do not respond and do not supply the requested information. Please notify your local USDA FSA office if you've received such a letter/fax.
--Rick VanVranken

Clean Water Act Pesticide Application Discharge Permit requirements for NJ

Long story short, there has been no legislative fix to a 2006 court ruling that determined that pesticide applications on or near water (including wetlands) require a special permit under the auspices of the Clean Water Act, despite already being fully regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide and Fungicide Act. In order to be in compliance with this ruling as it currently stands, the NJDEP has developed a General Pesticide Application Discharge permit that affected applicators will need to file. This new permit will be discussed in detail at the March 21 NJ Ag Water Summit at RCE-Burlington (more info posted below).
-Rick VanVranken

Links to the permit application form and other details about this situation are available here:

Today is National Ag Day!

Our friend Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Agent for southwestern Florida, passed this along today (more helpful tools are available at www.agday.org!):

Today, March 8th is National Ag Day, a time when producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America gather to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture.
-Rick VanVranken