School gardens are a wonderful way to educate students on growing and eating nutritious fruits and vegetables. Good gardening practices should include produce safety risk-reduction measures and emphasize concepts that will help students make healthier, fresh food choices. Human pathogens can be unknowingly transferred from the environment or from an ill person, potentially causing illness […]
Meredith Melendez, County Agricultural Agent, addressed an audience of extension educators and state and federal regulators at the annual NECAFS meeting. The audience was informed of the On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR) post-farm visit survey results for the region in 2025, showing the readiness and needs of farms as they prepare for a federal food safety […]
Did you know that New Jersey has an Organic and Regenerative Farming Board? Its purpose is to develop, administer, and oversee programs with the NJ Department of Agriculture on organic and regenerative agriculture topics. The Governor appointed board members last year, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ag Agent Meredith Melendez has assisted the board with their […]
The New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade show is an annual event held by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The event is an opportunity for farmers, farm advocates, state officials, and Extension educators to come together to learn and network. The end result is […]
Do you volunteer as a gleaner? Do you plan to volunteer as a gleaner? If so, we encourage you to take about 20 minutes to watch this 13-minute best practices video and take a short quiz to test your knowledge! Topics include proper health and hygiene while gleaning, appropriate harvesting procedures, and a focus on […]
