Residents and Businesses Urged to Be Prepared for Potential 'Frankenstorm'

Emergency management officials throughout the Mid-Atlantic continue to track and monitor the progress of Hurricane Sandy and an associated hybrid storm system. Though the storm’s track remains uncertain at this time it threatens to mix with a winter storm in the West and arctic air from the North to bring heavy rainfall, strong damaging winds and coastal and inland flooding to our area early next week.

At this time residents are encouraged to stay informed and to discuss emergency plans with family members, including preparations for pets. Farmers should also do a self-audit risk assessment to make sure your business is prepared.
--Rick VanVranken 

Fall Soil Testing

- Dan Kluchinski
Fall is a good time of year to evaluate the past season’s successes and failures and plan strategies for the season ahead. 

Give special consideration to determining soil nutrient levels and examining weed problems and infestations. Through proper record keeping, planning, and evaluation, you can better handle some of the effects of the previous growing season. 

Evening Farm Tour and Workshop for NJ Fruit Producers

 

NJ farmers are invited to attend a farm tour and workshop on October 22, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Evergreen Farm in Yardville, NJ.  The evening will begin with a farm tour, followed by an introduction to useful conservation practices and programs offering technical and financial assistance from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  USDA-NRCS technical experts will be on hand to answer questions.  Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension specialists will speak about on key orchard pests, including the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug and IPM strategies.

 

This free workshop is sponsored by USDA-NRCS, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, and the Mercer County Soil Conservation District.  The host is Evergreen Farm where the Kim family produces specialty fruit including Asian pear, jujube, white peach, Korean grape and a variety of vegetables.  Light refreshments will be provided including samples of the recent harvest

Registration is required.  Please register by October 17, 2012 by using the form linked below or by calling the Mercer County Soil Conservation District at (609) 586 9603.  http://www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov/about/events/#EVENING_FARM_TOUR_AND_WORKSHOP_FOR_PRODUCERS

- Meredith Melendez

Farm Food Safety: Packinghouse Facility Activities

Part 11 of Preparing Your Farm Food Safety Plan
 
- Meredith Melendez and Wes Kline

Part 11 of your farm food safety plan addresses your packinghouse activities.  This includes transportation of the product from the field to the packinghouse, product storage once it has been delivered to the packing house, the washing/packing line, ice, worker health and hygiene and packinghouse general housekeeping.  Keep in mind that not all areas of the audit will apply to your farm based on your production practices.  Those areas not applicable would be marked not applicable by the auditor.   Areas that do apply but you are deficient in would result in a reduction of audit points.  A minimum of 80% must be achieved in each section to pass the final audit.  Conducting a mock audit is the best way to determine deficiencies and changes that will need to be made to your farm infrastructure and/or production practices.

Vegetable IPM Update 9-26-2012

-Kris Holmstrom

• Sweet Corn
• Peppers
• Tomatoes - Late Blight Active in New Jersey
• Pumpkin & Winter Squash - Downy Mildew Present
• Cole Crops

Download pdf

Derecho Disaster Recovery Loans Available

Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Open September 25 in Mays Landing

Home and business disaster recovery loans are available from the US Small Business Administration for damages from the June 30, 2012 derecho. SBA provides low interest disaster loans to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

To further assist residents, a disaster loan outreach center has been established at the Hamilton Township municipal building, 6101 Thirteenth Street, Mays Landing. The center will open on Tuesday, September 25 and remain open through Thursday, October 4. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; Saturday, 10 AM - 2 PM; closed Sunday.

Applications are available online at www.sba.gov or through the county web sites at www.aclink.org and www.ReadyAtlantic.org. For further information residents may contact SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service at 800-659-2955.
- Linda Gilmore
gilmore_linda@aclink.org

N.C. State creates mobile ‘Pack ‘N Cool’ produce trailer

"KANNAPOLIS, NC (8/21/2012) – N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) has developed a new mobile cooling unit for farmers. The five-by-eight-feet refrigerated trailer – called the “Pack ‘N Cool” – is designed to keep fruits and vegetables at ideal temperatures during transport to and from farmers markets or as they’re harvested in farm fields."

While the test unit will barely handle a pallet of fresh produce cartons, this trailer conversion should be ideal for a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables heading to a farmers' market. If you don't already have a dedicated refrigerated delivery truck, or could use a smaller unit but don't want to tie up your pick-up, this might be an option for you. Besides, the equipment and construction doesn't need to be limited. You can convert any size trailer (or cold box) using their directions. The full story about the unit with lots of pictures can be found here, and a complete set of construction plans can be downloaded here.

--Rick VanVranken