Nov 26, 2018Specialty crop tour for young growers is Dec. 5
The Penn State Extension Young Grower Alliance is hosting a specialty crop tour for young growers on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. The tour will start at 10 a.m. at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Bridgeton, New Jersey, and end at 3 p.m. following a tour of Larchmont Farms, Elmer, New Jersey. There is no charge for the tour, and lunch is included. Interested growers are encouraged to register with Penn State Extension, and to contact Don Seifrit, Penn State Extension Tree Fruit Educator, for carpool and other details. Please register by Nov. 26, 2018.
The mission of the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center is to stimulate the state’s ag economy while protecting environmental resources. Faculty-led programs generate and dispense research results applicable to the production of high-quality vegetable crops, tree fruit and small fruit crops, and ornamentals, with special emphasis on crop protection and integrated pest management. Dr. Dan Ward, Director, will lead the tour at the facility, and scientists will present research on a variety of topics of importance to horticultural producers, including: 1) Translating Basic Entomological Research into Pest Control Recommendations, 2) Water Quality and Irrigation Water Sources, 3) Saving Honey Bees During Blueberry Pollination, and 4) Strategies and Tactics for Growers to Adapt to a Changing Climate.
Larchmont Farms operates a ,1000-acre commercial fruit orchard and the largest packinghouse in southern New Jersey. Charles Haines, farm owner, will share technological innovations for enterprise success. The Haines family has utilized the H-2A guest worker program for over 20 years, and they will also lead a discussion on employee recruitment and retention.