Gardener News November 2014

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Gardener News Serving the Agricultural, Gardening and Landscaping Communities

November, 2014

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TAKE ONE No. 139

Rutgers Professors Develop Superfood

Rutgers/Photo

Dr. Diana Cheng, left, and Dr. Natash Pogrebnyak work on developing a high-polyphenol lettuce worthy of superfood status.

1(: %5816:,&. 1 - ĘŠ Blueberries are considered the gold standard of superfoods due to their high levels of polyphenols, beneficial compounds shown to protect against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, memory loss, inflammation and cancer.

However, this seasonal fruit, often priced at a premium, is high in sugar content, requiring limited consumption by people on restrictive diets.

A new superfood that’s both low in sugar and available year round and exceeds the high polyphenol content of blueberries hit the market in October. This high polyphenol lettuce has been named Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce (RSL) - a tribute to Rutgers’ school mascot and color, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and is the brainchild of Rutgers Distinguished Professor in Plant Biology Ilya Raskin at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

Raskin started with red leaf lettuce with the highest polyphenol content and boosted it. Using a nontransgenic—non-GMO— process of tissue culture that replicates plant cells in a petri dish, he developed a deep burgundy-red lettuce that has elevated levels of polyphenols, two to three times that of blueberries, as well as other beneficial nutrients. “Lettuce is one of the most widely consumed vegetables

after potatoes,� said Raskin. “This adds functionality to something that is not known for being good or bad.�

Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce is the first lettuce worthy of superfood status. It is exceptionally high in antioxidants in addition to its being low in calories and high in fiber, as well as its regular benefits of vitamins and minerals. In addition, it has a low glycemic index, preventing spikes in blood sugar that foods high in

carbohydrates or sugars, such as fruits and berries, can cause. These benefits have been reported in the scientific journals PLOS ONE and Nutrition.

To introduce Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce to the market, the university has patented and licensed it to Nutrasorb LLC, a Rutgers spin-off company that specializes in enhancing phytoactive compounds in foods. Since produce businesses are not required (Cont. on pg. 18)

2 November, 2014

GARDEN CENTER DIRECTORY

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November, 2014 3 Around The Garden

By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

A Magical Fall Experience One of my bucket list items finally came to fruition. It was driving a hay ride tractor.

As I was visiting with my friends Liz and Ken Wightman and Adam Costello at Wightman’s Farms in Morristown, Morris County, N.J., I was asked if I could help them out for a weekend, or two, driving a hay ride tractor. I felt my insides light up like a candle in a pumpkin on Halloween. I gave them a heartfelt yes.

Adam then asked me when was I available for tractor driving training.

On Friday morning, I arrived at 10:30 a.m. and was greeted by Adam in the parking lot for my training.

He started off by walking me around a big, orange, M9540 Series Kubota tractor pointing out different features on it.

He then told me to carefully climb up into the tractor seat. I was beginning to feel like a farmer now. He explained every knob, switch, button, lever and pedal. After the tutorial, I was instructed to turn the key. The sound of the tractor firing up was music to my ears.

Adam further explained how the throttle lever worked after the engine was running, and then moved onto the revolutions per minute (RPM) gauge, which basically means the number of times the crankshaft of the engine, or the shaft of the motor, rotates in one minute).

Then it was the miles per hour (MPH) gauge, and then the fuel gauge. He also pointed to the 4-Wheel drive light on the all-electronic dash to make sure I understood that it was not a warning light. He did tell me that if the oil light came on, to stop the tractor immediately, turn it off and call him.

I was then instructed to put my right foot on the break and my left foot on the clutch. Using my left hand, I moved the transmission lever into the forward position. With my right hand, I released the emergency break and put the tractor in gear. Moving both feet up at the same time and then moving my right foot over to the throttle lever next to the brake pedal, the tractor began to move forward. I was told to slowly raise the RPM to around 1800 and my speed was to hover between 3 and 3.5 MPH. Adam stayed with me in the open cab for a full training ride.

Our first stop was simulating people getting on the hay wagon. (For safety reasons, I was not allowed to carry people on my first trip.) As we moved on, Adam pointed out the apple trees as we moved down the first hill toward the first turn. Our second turn lead us through a big barn. This was really cool. As we emerged out of the other side, we headed up a short hill with more fruits and vegetable flanking both sides of the trail. As we headed toward turn three, I spotted strawberry plants on my right. After rounding the turn, I spotted raspberries, Brussels sprouts, kale, beans, rhubarb and winter berries. I thought to myself that this really is a working farm.

As we approached a big hill and more apple trees, Adam reminded me to keep an eye on RPM’s and the MPH gauges. Maintaining 1800 and 3.0 to 3.5 was very important so the tractor didn’t stall as we climbed up the side of the mountain. As we approached the top we passed a fenced-in area with several bee hives. Adam said the bees are used to help pollinate the farm. At that point, we were heading into a forest of oak trees, beach trees and tulip trees.

This reminded me of a haunted forest when I was a kid because the daylight changed. We soon emerged into the sunshine again to the most amazing southern view of the countryside.

We could see for miles. We traveled straight along the ridge to our next turn, down we went, passing a grove of peach trees, to yet another turn passing a big agricultural rye field. We then passed cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, nectarine trees, sunflowers, peppers and eggplants. I think I even spotted a few tomatoes.

After a few more turns, we ended up in a pumpkin patch with thousands of small pumpkins painting the landscape orange. He told me that each hay wagon rider was allowed to pick one.

We then simulated people getting off the hay wagon.

At that point the training with Adam was over. He sent me on a solo trip so I could get used to the tractor and terrain on my own. After I completed my training, Adam asked me a few questions and then said, “See you tomorrow at 9 a.m.”

The next morning, I put on a yellow safety vest and climbed into the tractor seat. I was an official hay ride tractor driver. I really enjoyed bringing smiles to all the folks who rode in my hay wagon. I think I had as much fun as they did.

As always, I hope you find the information in the Gardener News informative and enjoyable.

Until next time…Keep the “garden” in the Garden State.

-Tom Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News.

Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

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Gladly Accepting SNAP EBT Cards

2014 NJ Flower and Garden Show Award Winning Water Display Garden

4 November, 2014

Gardener News

I think it is safe to say there is an overwhelming acceptance that plants and flowers are appreciated by all living creatures. Flowers are visited by pollinators, such as bees, for plants to propagate.

The bees busy themselves their entire lives doing their work. Nature created the beautiful sight and smell to entice them to make their endless visits.

Nature makes dazzling arrays of lush beautiful plants on the land and in the sea.

The planet would be such a boring place but for the showy displays of amazing colors and textures of plants.

Humans cultivate and nurture wondrous varieties of plants at home in their gardens, terrariums and the like. We take time to visit arboretums, parks and public gardens because we need to connect for our well-being.

Science tells us the effect that living plants have on us.

Adding plants indoors can increase oxygen levels. When we breathe, we take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, making them excellent partners with humans.

Having indoor plants can increase humidity in a

They sometimes nourish us and other times nurture us.

I think it is time to start a campaign to shift property developers’ thought processes to recognize the many benefits of indoor plants, even though they do require some maintenance. Plants should be as much a part of the design of a building as the location of bathrooms and paint color.

And by the way, take a plant and put it on your desk.

It will do you good. Don’t worry if you kill it. Try again.

“Just living is not enough...one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

Hans Christian Andersen

NJ Dept. of Agriculture

By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

Live Plants Enhance the Home and Workplace room, which helps to relieve respiratory stresses. Plants release moisture vapor as part of photosynthesis. Studies have shown that using plants in interior spaces decreases colds, sore throats, dry skin and coughs.

Plants also remove toxins from the air, according to research.

They pull contaminants into soil and convert that into food for the plants. Research also has shown plants can improve health, decreasing fatigue, colds, headaches and flulike symptoms.

Having plants in hospital rooms has even been shown to speed recovery of surgical patients.

Finally, a study in England found students had 70 percent greater attentiveness when taught in rooms containing plants.

We know interacting with nature is therapeutic

and gardening has never been more intensely pursued than today. For example, new methods are developing such as growing living plants on walls or vertically in hydroponic and aeroponic systems.

While we are seeing an uptick in interest in plants in homes, gardens and parks, we do not see that keeping pace in office and business space.

How many times have you gone into a mid-range-priced eatery or fast food outlet and seen only plastic and silk plants and flowers? Why are they there? To make you feel invited. To make you like your surroundings, because we all want to imitate nature and constantly search for that connection.

But, plastic plants are not eco-friendly. They are made from resins and oil -- and they are fake. Sure, they have their

Look Who’s Reading the Gardener News!

It’s in the news

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Chris Nicholson, president of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, and the association’s 2009 Grand Champion Christmas Tree Grower, looks over the October Gardener News as he prepares his farm (Hidden Pond Tree Farm in Mendham) for the upcoming Christmas tree season. The New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers’ Association is a State organization of growers, professionals and allied industry leaders dedicated to the advancement of the latest information in the production, promotion and marketing of Christmas trees and related products. The first Christmas tree farm in the United States is believed to have been planted in 1901 when 25,000 Norway spruce saplings were sown in the ground by farmer W.V. McGalliard in what is now known as the White Horse section of Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. Seven years later, they were marketed for $1.00 each to customers who chose their trees in the field, cut them and brought them home.

place as maybe an added plus or in any area where nothing CAN grow. But, not your office, or even commercial or industrial facilities, where sterile environs need the touch of green, living things.

Plants only need three things. They need healthy soil, clean air and water. You are able to survive where you work, and, in most cases, why not a plant?

Well, it does cost more.

Plastic plants don’t need anything, so they’re cheap to maintain and they are always great dust collectors. In my office in Trenton, I have a dish garden I brought in from one of our local growers and I have a fern I transplanted from my own house and moved into a bowl. I do my best to care for these plants and see them thrive because they are reminders of times in the past. Plants can do that.

Editor’s Note: Douglas H. Fisher is New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture. He is the department’s executive officer, secretary to the State Board of Agriculture and a member of the Governor’s cabinet. Secretary Fisher fulfills executive, management and administrative duties prescribed by law, executive order or gubernatorial direction. He can be reached at 609.292.3976. For more info, please visit: http://www. state.nj.us/agriculture

Gardener News

Money to Assist in Food Purchases 75(1721 1- ĘŠ 1HZ -HUVH\ 6HFUHWDU\ RI $JULFXOWXUH 'RXJODV + Fisher announced the distribution of almost $28,000 to New Jersey’s six food banks to supplement their food supplies. The funding represents two years of contributions through the Community Food Pantry Fund, a state income tax form check-off program. “New Jersey residents have again shown their generosity to their neighbors who find themselves in need to provide food for their families,â€? said Secretary Fisher. “We encourage state taxpayers to seek out this check-off on their income tax form and donate to this worthy cause.â€?

Funds were distributed to: Community Foodbank of New Jersey, Hillside, $18,277; Food Bank of South Jersey, Pennsauken, $3,496; FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Neptune, $3,216; Southern Regional Food Distribution Center, Vineland, $1,193; Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, Ewing, $1,226; and NORWESCAP, Phillipsburg, $487.

The fund was the result of recommendations from the state’s Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee in an effort to create an on-going funding stream to assist with the acquisition of emergency food to enhance the emergency food provider system.

The check-off was first available on the 2010 tax year forms. It allows taxpayers to either contribute a portion of their tax refund or make a donation. Money collected for the fund administered by the Department of Agriculture must be used exclusively for food purchases.

Those wishing to contribute will find the check-off item on their NJ-1040 income tax form.

Governor Christie and the State Legislature allocated $6,818,000 for the current fiscal year’s New Jersey Department of Agriculture State Food Purchase Program (SFPP). That money is distributed quarterly to the state’s six food banks for the purchase of healthy foods, with an emphasis on buying produce from New Jersey farmers. The SFPP is in its eighth year.

The Department also distributes United States Department of Agriculture-donated food to the six food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

November, 2014 5

6 November, 2014

Gardener News Unique Plants

By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

Famous Tree Quotes Throughout history, it seems, people have been fascinated and intrigued with trees. Poets, producers, presidents, politicians, philosophers, political commentators, even Popes have all had their own unique language of expressing their thoughts and drawing upon life’s comparisons with trees. For years, I have been compiling a collection of famous tree quotes. While the subject matter strays a bit from what I typically write, I thought the following would inspire, teach and offer some humor. From the minds of some notable people in our history, here are their words.

“The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its (agri) culture.” Thomas Jefferson “A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.” D. Elton Trueblood “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” Chinese Proverb “If a tree dies, plant another in its place.” Carolus Linnaeus “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Marcus Garvey “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

Warren Buffett “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” Abraham Lincoln “If you look closely at a tree you’ll notice it’s knots and dead branches, just like our bodies.

What we learn is that beauty and imperfection go together wonderfully.” Matthew Fox “I looked up my family tree and found out I was the sap.” Rodney Dangerfield “When I judge art, I take my painting and put it next to a God made object like a tree or flower. If it clashes, it is not art.” Paul Cezanne “You can’t sow an apple seed and expect to get an avocado tree. The consequences of your life are sown in what you do and how you behave.” Tom Shadyac “Emancipation from the bondage of the soil is no freedom for the tree.” Rabindranath Tagore “I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they like it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do.” John Muir “A man doesn’t plant a tree for himself. He plants it for posterity.” Alexander Smith “Liturgy is like a strong tree whose beauty is derived from the continuous renewal of its leaves, but whose strength comes from the old trunk, with solid roots in the ground.” Pope Paul VI “What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse.” Edward Abbey “A tree is an incomprehensible mystery.” Jim Woodring “A tree you pass by every day is just a tree. If you are to closely examine what a tree has and the life a tree has, even the smallest thing can withstand a curiosity, and you can examine whole worlds.” William Shatner “As the poet said, ‘Only God can make a tree,’ probably because it’s so hard to figure out how to get the bark on.” Woody Allen “I was in my yard and thought that the tree was a living being. We take trees for granted. We don’t believe they are as much alive as we are.” Ziggy Marley “As the tree is bent, so it will grow.” Bill O’Reilly “The possible solutions to a given problem emerge as the leaves of a tree, each node representing a point of deliberation and decision.” Niklaus Wirth “My feet are like gnarled old tree branches.” Dennis Rodman “Old reference books are like tree rings. Without them, there’d be no way to know what a tree had lived through.” Jill Lepore “Just touching that old tree was truly moving to me because when you touch these trees, you have such a sense of the passage of time, of history. It’s like you’re touching the essence, the very substance of life.” Kim Novak “We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it. You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.” John Lennon “There is unrest in the forest, There is trouble with the trees, For the maples want more sunlight, And the oaks ignore their pleas.” Rush Musical Group, The Trees “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Thomas Jefferson Editor’s Note: Bob LaHoff is co-owner of Hall’s Garden Center and Florist in Union County, a member of the Union County Board of Agriculture, the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, Reeves-Reed Arboretum Buildings and Grounds Committee, a lifetime member of the Conifer Society and past member of the retail council for Monrovia Growers. He can be reached at (908) 665-0331.

Gardener News

November, 2014 7 Rutgers NJAES Outreach

By Larry Katz Sr. Associate Director

Rutgers Cooperative Extension and its Role in Emergency Response When the Cooperative Extension Service was officially established in 1914 upon the signing of the Smith-Lever Act, its main mission was to provide the people of the United States useful and practical information on agriculture, home economics, and rural energy. This Act was the final piece of legislation that brought the work from the previously enacted land-grant colleges and state experiment stations into county offices.

While the original intent was to expand agricultural and home demonstration programs in rural America, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) has not remained static and has expanded its programing to accommodate a more urban and suburban state. Upon this 100th Anniversary of Extension, reviewing the accomplishments and growth of our programs reflects this change.

And along with this expansion and adaptability, Cooperative Extension services developed an additional role – that of emergency response support.

While not designed to address emergencies in the capacity of designated first responders, such as First Aid Squads or Homeland Security, Cooperative Extension fulfills this role in more subtle and diverse ways. Extension’s unique role as a conduit from the State University of New Jersey into the counties allows for generation and distribution of information unlike other county organizations. By virtue of RCE personnel based in county extension offices with a vast web of communications, we are the boots on the ground to assist state residents with agriculture, gardening, family and community health, clean water and resource management, youth and workforce development, and a myriad of helpful responses in times of man-made and natural disasters.

As support in emergency situations, I cannot list all the varied ways RCE has fulfilled this role. Instead, a few examples from our past can illuminate the extensive capacity our personnel serve their communities in emergency situations.

Our extension specialists and county agents and educators have developed materials that help families both prepare for and deal with the aftermath of emergencies with materials on mold remediation, food storage and safety during electrical outages. Our faculty are interviewed by the media during food poisoning outbreaks and weather and climate events. Rutgers Water Resources Program works extensively with communities that have had severe flooding on redesigning their infrastructure to ameliorate the problem. Faculty members are also tapped into key statewide initiatives like New Jersey’s food safety consortium.

One of the most powerful examples I can recount of RCE emergency support in action is from Hurricane Sandy. In the aftermath, when the state was plummeted into cold and darkness, utility companies from across the U.S. were deployed to our region to help restore electrical power.

Camps were set up to support the army of workers, the largest of which was at Freehold Raceway in Monmouth County. In order to heat the tents in the camp, propane gas was needed. It was on a Saturday 11:45 a.m. when I received a phone call from my brother-in-law, Ed Minyard, who is the CEO of an emergency management company, ResponseForce1. Ed told me his problem. The company that was contracted for the propane couldn’t deliver. Facing freezing temperatures, Ed needed to procure five 100-pound tanks by that night. I immediately called Bill Sciarappa, our Monmouth County agricultural agent. Bill gave it thought for about 10 seconds and replied that there was a nearby shipyard with many items and he would give them a call. Three minutes later, Bill called me back. I put Ed in touch with Bill and by noon the problem had been resolved. This incident served to further extend the emergency communications web. As for future emergencies elsewhere, Ed will call the Director of Cooperative Extension for that state.

As I relate these incidents from our experiences in New Jersey, RCE’s communication web does not end at the borders of our state. While each state’s Cooperative Extension focuses primarily on the needs in their own states, the state Extension programs are also connected to each other. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) was developed as a collaborative multi-state effort that links Extension professionals from across the country in various disciplines to provide information to citizens before, during and after disasters.

Back in New Jersey, RCE now has a new opportunity to further enhance its emergency support role. A newly launched initiative for 2014, the Rutgers Institute for Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security, encompasses new and established programs at the university that aim to protect people and property in the event of disasters and emergencies. It will promote collaborations among Rutgers experts across all statewide locations and in fields that include medicine, public health, life sciences, engineering, physical sciences, humanities, social sciences, public policy, public safety and law. And RCE will be there, boots on the ground.

Editor’s Note: Larry S. Katz, Ph.D. is Director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), Senior Associate Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and a Professor of Animal Science. RCE delivers wide-ranging educational programs in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, urban and community outreach, youth development, food, nutrition and health, and related areas of economic and workforce development across New Jersey. Dr. Katz can be reached at 848-932-3591. Visit: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/

Scotts Miracle-Gro Aquires Fafard Growing Media Business 0$5<69,//( 2+,2 Ę&#x160;7KH 6FRWWV 0LUDFOH *UR &RPSDQ\ (NYSE:SMG), the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, today announced that the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indirect subsidiary, Scotts Canada Ltd., has acquired Fafard and Brothers Ltd. In continuous operation since 1940 and based in SaintBonaventure, Quebec, Canada, Fafard is a leader in the production of high-quality peat moss and high-performance growing media products, including peat-based and bark-based mixes, composts and premium soils. Fafard serves customers primarily across Ontario, Quebec and New-Brunswick. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Acquiring Fafard will allow us to further strengthen our North America competitiveness,â&#x20AC;? said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive officer of ScottsMiracle-Gro. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leveraging the expertise Fafard has developed over the years, as well as its significant capacity for peat, will enable the continued growth of our Canadian business, while providing a valuable input in our growing media global supply chain.â&#x20AC;?

Fafard also distributes a full range of related products for the gardening industry including fertilizers, mulch and grass seed.

Fafard serves both the retail and professional grower markets and is widely recognized for the quality of its products, customer and market responsiveness, and certification by world-wide sustainability standardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organizations. Fafard is committed to best-in-class management practices in all aspects of sustainable development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Fafard family is pleased with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement and believes this transaction provides the best opportunity to drive long-term growth,â&#x20AC;? said Fafard president Martin Fafard. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Both our companies have the same relentless commitment to providing the best service to our customers. This deal will allow Fafard to further develop its leadership across distribution channels, as well as leverage Scottsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; world-class supply chain, research and development and marketing capabilities.â&#x20AC;?

ScottsMiracle-Gro expects the Fafard business to add annual sales of approximately $40 million and for the transaction to be earnings accretive in fiscal 2015.

8 November, 2014

Gardener News

Pollinator Legislation in the Garden State

By Jeannie Geremia Garden Club of New Jersey Great news for all of you who have been following the plight of our monarch butterflies along with pollinators in general. We have just found out that there are four new pieces of legislation currently in the New Jersey State Assembly.

These bills were introduced in June 2014 and are centered on saving the beautiful monarch from extinction.

Diana Dove, President of the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden in Washington Borough, first brought this to my attention in an e-mail detailing information from the Monarch Teachers Network: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Great News for the folks in N.J. We have been talking to Timothy Eustaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office.

He is a NJ Assembly person from Bergen County. He is sponsoring four bills in the N.J. Legislature that could provide significant help to monarchs.â&#x20AC;?

The first bill is to create a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Milkweed for Monarchsâ&#x20AC;? program (Assembly Bill A 3352) that would promote and plant milkweed in storm water management areas.

The second is for the adoption of Monarch Butterfly Waystations (Assembly Bill A 3353) to promote areas around the state that fit a traditional waystation for monarchs.

The third bill is for a roadside vegetation management program that would focus on native plants that includes host plants like milkweed and nectar sources like goldenrod (Assembly Bill A 3354).

And finally, the Assembly Joint Resolution #70 that would establish May as Milkweed for Monarchs month in New Jersey.

Following on the heels of this e-mail came a letter from former GCNJ President Jane Bersch (1995-1997) containing an article she clipped from the September 17, 2014 Inquirer entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Help for monarchs in N.J. gets a liftâ&#x20AC;?. The article quotes Assemblyman Timothy

Eustace from Bergen and Passaic Counties--â&#x20AC;&#x153;Butterfly population decline is an important indicator of ecosystem health,â&#x20AC;? and, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Drastic reductions in certain species of bee and bat populations have demonstrated there are unforeseen consequences to a single species decline, and this legislation lends a helping hand to Monarchs.â&#x20AC;? Thank you to N.J. Assemblyman Eustace for this timely legislation and we ask all our state Senators and Assembly members to support this long over-due and necessary legislation as we reach out to our fellow gardeners, the public, local and state government and their â&#x20AC;&#x153;green teams,â&#x20AC;? environmental committees, open space committees, highway and road departments, the N.J. Department of Transportation, the N.J. Department of Agriculture, and the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, to help adopt and embrace these four new pieces of legislation plus Senate Bill S939 and identical Assembly Bill A2913, which seek to designate the Black Swallowtail Butterfly as New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Official State Butterfly.

The Department of Transportation with its GEMZ (Grassland Eco Mow Zone) Project has already embarked on laying a foundation by including over 5,000 acres of 13,000-plus acres to fall into a less-mowed roadside vegetation zone plus planting specific areas with native plants. The remaining 7,000plus acres requires a more intense mowing regimen due to safety issues. This project has cut down on fuel and manpower costs as well as providing a more natural habitat for pollinators, birds and small animals, and allows areas to remain more natural, adding to the appeal of our Garden State to its citizens and tourists alike.

This new legislation will provide guidelines for implementing strategies with the ultimate goal of growing our pollinator population and saving monarchs from the

brink of extinction. The lessmowed areas will still see some mowing taking place, but will actually enhance milkweed for monarchs as monarch female butterflies specifically look for new growth milkweed in which they lay their eggs, and their migratory patterns show them arriving in the Garden State from July into October, with their â&#x20AC;&#x153;Methuselahâ&#x20AC;? generation heading for Mexico in latesummer into early-autumn.

Planting nectar- and pollenladen native plants besides host plants will enable our pollinators to sustain themselves over a long winter if they remain here or provide much needed energy for their long migrations.

The Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc. members are hard at work on the upcoming GCNJ 2015 State Flower Show to be held at the N.J. Convention Center in Edison from February 12-15, 2015 as part of the Mac Events New Jersey Flower and Garden Show entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Great American Novel.â&#x20AC;? Our flower show is entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Garden of Authorsâ&#x20AC;? and we will be featuring this new pollinator legislation in an educational exhibit and will showcase pollinatorfriendly gardens with specific guidelines on establishing monarch waystations and sources for obtaining the much sought after milkweed species: Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed) and Asclepias incarnata (Swamp milkweed). Grow it and they will come!

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Jeannie Geremia is the Community Garden Chair and the Butterflies & BeeGAP Chair for the Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc., and is a National Garden Clubs, Inc., Accredited Flower Show Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is the GCNJ 2015 State Flower Show Chair and can be reached by emailing jeannieg42@ earthlink.net Garden Club of New Jersey website is: www.gardenclubofnewjersey.com and phone number is 732-249-0947.

Organic Farms Connect Consumers with their Food :$6+,1*721 ' & Ę&#x160; &HUWLILHG RUJDQLF agriculture producers in the United States sell directly to consumers, produce on-farm renewable energy, and are younger, beginning, farmers more often than conventional producers, according to new 2012 Census of Agriculture data released on September 30, 2014 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Conducted only once every five years, the agriculture census presents a detailed look at the U.S. organic farm sector including production practices, economics and demographics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Earlier this year, the 2012 Agriculture Census reported that total organic product sales by farms in the U.S. increased 83 percent since 2007,â&#x20AC;? said NASS Administrator Joseph T. Reilly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This information combined with the more comprehensive data released today shows the demand for, value of and potential for continued growth in certified organic products.â&#x20AC;?

The 2012 Census of Agriculture Organic Special Tabulation provides national and state level data on farms, land in farms and tenure; production expenses, equipment and machinery; farm income and government payments; land use and practices; operator characteristics; and more.

Some of the key findings include: Production Practices Organic agriculture producers were much more likely to report direct-to-consumer sales than conventional producers. While only 7 percent of all U.S. farms sold agricultural products directly to consumers, 42 percent of organic farms reported direct sales to consumers.

Organic farms were more likely than other farms to participate in non-traditional markets: 30 percent marketed products directly to retail outlets, 16 percent produced value-added products, and 13 percent distributed products through CSAs (community supported agriculture).

Organic farms were more likely than other farms to invest in on-farm renewable energy producing systems, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Organic operations were also more likely to sell crops, such as fruits and vegetables, than livestock and poultry products. Almost 90 percent sold crops, while a slightly fewer than 50 percent sold livestock or poultry products.

Demographics Organic producers were more likely to be beginning farmers, with 27 percent starting farming in the last 10 years, compared to 18 percent of all principal farm operators.

Organic operators were younger, with 26 percent under 45 years old, compared to 16 percent of all principal operators. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These new data points from the agriculture census provide valuable information to help our stakeholders identify producer successes and needs to help them develop programs to benefit the organic industry,â&#x20AC;? said Reilly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;NASS is committed to continuing to help measure the organic industry and is looking forward to conducting the 2014 Organic Survey early next year.â&#x20AC;?

Happy Thanksgiving from the Gardener News

Gardener News

November, 2014 9

The Hot Pepper Potential 1(: %5816:,&. 1- Ę&#x160; ,WÂśV KDUG WR EH QHXWUDO DERXW KRW SHSSHUV 3HRSOH RIWHQ UXQ SDUGRQ WKH SXQ KRW RU FROG ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR these spicy meal additions. Those with â&#x20AC;&#x153;seasonedâ&#x20AC;? taste buds may ply their dishes with daring degrees of spiciness, while others who fear the burn decline to indulge. But hot peppers offer more than a spicy bite to meals and present some other uses that can turn up the heat on its market potential.

Hot or pungent peppers (or chiles/chilis [Capsicum spp]) are not yet mainstream in traditional U.S. diets, but various ethnic nationalities from Africa, Asia and Latin America have a long history of integrating hot peppers in their regular diets as well as using them as ingredients for several herbal remedies for managing common health problems such as arthritis, nasal and/or tracheal congestions and neuropathic pains.

So ingrained is the value of hot peppers in some cultures, that it is part of the cultural wisdom. A popular Yoruba adage in West Africa claims, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A soul that does not eat hot pepper is a weak soul.â&#x20AC;? As they gain ground in western diets, dietitians and nutritionists regard pungent as well as sweet peppers as excellent sources of vitamins A and C and other antioxidants.

In addition to the uses of hot peppers for food and herbal remedies, the attractive colors of the plant and fruit of some pepper types add great value to the aesthetics of landscapes around homes and public places. This is indeed a fast growing enterprise in the ornamental industry in the U.S. The potential in this aspect is especially high in New Jersey, where nursery and ornamentals form the biggest economic sector in agriculture. It is also common knowledge in developing countries that hot peppers are used to prevent some animal and insect pests from attacking agricultural crops in the field and in storage. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Exoticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hot peppers from other countries therefore present several tangible and potential benefits to be explored for diverse uses in New Jersey and the U.S. This is what researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) are doing in an extensive study called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Exotic Pepper Project.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The interest by Rutgers NJAES researchers is to explore various exotic peppers for meeting the needs of the clientele in New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic for food and ornamental uses and for biopharmaceutical and bio-pesticidal applications. At the ongoing rapid rate of influx of ethnic nationalities into New Jersey (from < 20% of total population in 1990 to ~37% in 2012) and the U.S. the demand for hot peppers for various purposes is expected to grow. The Exotic Pepper Project is designed to respond to the need of this new and dynamic demographic for hot peppers.

Since 2010, Albert Ayeni, ethnic crop specialist, Tom Orton, extension specialist in vegetable breeding, and Jim Simon, distinguished professor of natural plant products, have been evaluating the agricultural attributes of more than 40 exotic hot peppers at Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) in Bridgeton, NJ; the Rutgers Snyder Research Farm in Pittstown NJ; and in New Brunswick on the Rutgers Cook Campus at Horticultural Farm 3. The exotics were compared with seven mild and sweet pepper types already grown in New Jersey. The trials showed clearly that exotic peppers will thrive in New Jersey. In those trials, three major and two minor pepper types were identified. The major types were Capsicum annuum, C. chinense and C. frutescens; while the minor were C. baccatum and C. pubescens.

Since 2010 the hot pepper trials have engaged 4-5 interns from Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences who have helped manage pepper plots at RAREC and Rutgers Gardens. Also Bill Barney, associate coordinator, crop grouping at USDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The IR-4 Project has worked to investigate pesticide residue retention capacity of the fruit of different pepper selections started in 2010, and IR-4 has provided some funding in addition to continuing support. Ramu Govindasamy, extension specialist in marketing and leader of the East Coast Ethnic Crop Research Group, a collaboration between Rutgers, University of Massachussetts, University of Florida and Penn State, has also been involved with the project since 2010.

In 2013, the Exotic Pepper Project initiated the use of plant breeding methods to combine desirable fruit quality, earliness, yield, horticultural, and disease/pest resistance characteristics. In 2014, over 100 selected breeding lines are being evaluated at RAREC and Hort Farm 3.

For a number of years, Rutgers agricultural researchers have been evaluating ethnic vegetables, including hot peppers for their market potential in New Jersey. With the Exotic Pepper Project, the effort is now on expanding that potential by exploring other uses. Jim Simonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in the pepper trials focuses attention on fruit chemistry, especially the capsaicin and capsacinoid (heat level determinant in the fruit) contents of the fruit. Concurrently with exotic pepper development for food and nutrition, collaborators at Rutgers and other research universities on the East Coast will explore cultivars for prospects in the ornamental, bio-pesticidal and therapeutic industries in New Jersey and the U.S. to take full advantage of the benefits provided by these unique plant species.

While agricultural researchers have recognized the growing demand for hot peppers in the U.S., Ayeni knows their value firsthand.

Originally from Nigeria, Ayeni said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I grew up in a community that believes so much in the vitality that hot peppers add to life, and that is actually one of the reasons I became interested in growing them when I got to Rutgersâ&#x20AC;?.

As the uses, interest and demand for exotic hot peppers increase, the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan is for New Jerseyans to be able to tap into an expanded market of locally grown hot peppers. By 2020, the Exotic Pepper Project will release 3-6 unique new varieties of exotic/hot peppers to New Jersey growers for production. These varieties will combine the best fruit quality and horticultural characteristics from selected Capsicum annum, C. chinense, and C. frutescens breeding lines that are interbred. Constituent food processors, marketers, and retailers will be enlisted to provide demand for the harvests, and growers will be provided with seeds and transplants.

Source: Rutgers Office of Communications

IGC East Moves to New Convention Center in 2015 %$/7,025( 0' Ę&#x160; ,*& 6KRZ RUJDQL]HUV DQQRXQFH ,*& (DVW KDV MXVW VHFXUHG VSDFH DW WKH %DOWLPRUH &RQYHQWLRQ &HQWHU DQG ZLOO FRQYHQH DW WKH widely popular venue August 4-6, 2015, as IGC Chicago returns to Navy Pier August 18-20, 2015. Both shows will offer all the features and benefits the industry has come to expect, including many thousands of new products, free inspiring keynotes and headliner concerts, plus scores of spot-on conference sessions and networking opportunities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baltimore Convention Center is a venue that is comfortably familiar and prized by our industry - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home to the popular MANTS show in January, and the former home of the once-mighty, now-defunct Commerce Show,â&#x20AC;? says IGC Show Founder Jeff Morey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While IGC East is certainly not a distributor show, our intention is to fill the void thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existed since the Commerce Show left the scene in the East. Now, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to serve garden center buyers in the region, bringing the IGC Showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature all-category trade show, fully rounded educational conference, networking and one-ofa-kind fun and entertainment.â&#x20AC;?

IGC Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location in Baltimore next summer offers world-class dining, shopping and entertainment along Inner Harbor, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seaport destination rich in history and redeveloped into a premier tourist attraction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only is the Baltimore Convention Center one of the most strikingly unique architectural centers in the United States, Inner Harbor in summertime is absolutely incredible,â&#x20AC;? Morey says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During after-show hours, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to seeing IGC show-goers along the waterfront, enjoying the many attractions Inner Harbor has to offer.â&#x20AC;?

More details about IGC East and IGC Chicago, including next summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spotlight keynotes and concerts at both events, will be announced soon. For more information about the IGC Show, visit www.IGCshow.com.

10 November, 2014 Recently at a family gathering, a discussion concerning our Christmas decorations turned into a debate about the pros and cons of using real evergreens and trees. It may have only been September, but someone was compelled to buy an artificial tree at an end-ofthe-summer discount?

Christmas trees, holiday decorations, end-of-summer sale. What doesn’t belong and why? End-of-summer sale, of course. How can we possibly buy our magnificent evergreen boughs and trees in September?

Indeed not, but we can anticipate the wonderful scents of the holiday season if we stay with natural, real evergreens.

So what is the debate?

Well we don’t want to have to water the tree, clean up after the tree, get sap on me while decorating the tree or clean the furniture when the holidays are over. OK, really? You’re going to vacuum anyway, wash your hands anyway, polish the furniture anyway, so you have to put a little water on the tree.

Not a good enough argument.

At this point in the discussion, I felt compelled to once again go over and debunk the myths of the holiday green debate.

So with props to The National Christmas Tree Association, here we go: For the 18th consecutive year, the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association has successfully administered the Landscape Industry Certified Technician (LICT) exam at Bergen Community College in Paramus, N.J. The certification exam is part of our continuous effort to raise the bar for the green industry and raise the awareness to consumers about the value of working with Landscape Industry Certified contractors. Passing the exam, which is no easy task, proves proficiency in one of four specified designations – Hardscape Installation, Softscape Installation, Ornamental Maintenance and Turf Maintenance. There is both a written component and a handson component to the exam. The LICT is quite challenging, both mentally and physically, and like any test, has the added pressure of working in a tight time frame.

The exam was on Saturday, September 27, with set up day on Friday, September 26.

This year we had 50 registrants and about 40 judges.

At each station, there is a oneto-one ratio, because candidates are required to use various types of power equipment, all which must be handled and operated safely. In fact, safety is the most important component to the exam. We have all read stories

Gardener News The Landscaper

By Evan Dickerson Landscape Professional

The Holiday Green Debate Revisited Myth #1: Real Christmas trees are cut down from forests.

Only a small percentage of trees are allowed to be cut from the wilderness. Most are farmed and grown as a crop.

Myth #2: You save a tree by using a fake tree. When trees are harvested, they are replaced by one to three seedlings.

Myth #3: Real Christmas trees aggravate allergies. I guess there are people who are allergic to anything, but generally not evergreen trees. And even those are generally allergic to pollens and sap, which is not all that abundant in December.

Myth #4: It’s better to use a fake tree because you can re-use it each year. When it has worn out, it ends up in a landfill while a real tree is recycled.

Myth #5: Christmas trees are a fire-safety hazard and frequently catch on fire. While there tragically are some fires, almost all are related to lighting

or wiring issues and there are as many with artificial trees.

Myth #6: Real trees cost too much. You can spend from $25 to $200 on a real tree and in the hundreds for a fake one, so if you bought a $30 live tree or a $300 fake tree, it would take 10 years and you’d have spent about the same amount of money.

Myth #7: Fake trees are fireproof. See #5 above.

MYTH #8: Real Christmas trees have pesticides and chemicals on them. Tree farmers use chemicals in a prudent and careful manner following EPA, USDA and FDA regulations and some even grow their trees without the use of chemicals.

MYTH #9: Real Christmas trees end up in landfills. Real trees are recycled, and have many uses, from mulch to erosion control. Fake trees, see #4.

MYTH #10: Real Christmas trees are a hassle and a mess.

OK, but we all vacuum anyway

and putting in a little water into the stand has been made easier by the way new stands are put together and, well, it’s fun to go get and install your tree, in fact as much fun as putting together the artificial tree, you know, a to a, b to b and so forth.

According to the NCTA, there are as many as 16 varieties of evergreens used as Christmas Trees. If you use your imagination you can think of many ways to use an Arizona Cypress, Balsam Fir, Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Redcedar, White Pine, Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, Leyland Cypress, Noble Fir, Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, Virginia Pine and White Spruce as a holiday decoration.

Of course, some of these varieties are more readily available in our area than others, but it’s fun to dream up other uses. I’m partial to the Fraser Fir as it seems to hold its needles

The NJLCA Today

By Jody Shilan, MLA Executive Director

Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exam about landscape contractors being injured, maimed or killed while using handheld power tools or operating heavy equipment (backhoe, skid steer, chainsaw, etc).

We take safety very seriously, so much so that a test taker can actually be disqualified before they ever power up the equipment. Not wearing gloves, proper eye protection and ear protection is unacceptable and will require the judge to DQ the contractor before they whack a weed, cut a blade of grass or install a paver.

Once the judge acknowledges that the candidate is properly wearing his personal protective equipment (PPE), he then has to show that he has a working knowledge of that particular piece of equipment and it is safe to operate. Only then, the candidate may start the piece of equipment and perform the tasks required in that particular module.

We have 21 modules and each

one focuses on a specific task and skill set. The maintenance modules focus on the typical equipment that you would expect a maintenance contractor to use.

This includes lawn mowers of various sizes, backpack blowers, wheeled edgers, aerators, and of course, a weed whacker. We recreate real life scenarios for the candidates to insure that they not only understand how to use the equipment, but how to use it appropriately. For example, we place trash and debris in the lawn mower modules to make sure that the candidate understands that the site should be examined, and that all debris needs to be removed prior to cutting the lawn.

In the blower module, the judge intentionally stands in the way of the candidate, acting as a pedestrian. The goal here is to make sure that the operator understands that he must either stop working, allowing the pedestrian to pass, or politely

ask them to move so that he can complete his work. We designate one side of the module to be the front of the home and simulate the location of an automobile. We want to be sure that the candidates understand that it is inappropriate to blow debris at a home or onto someone’s car, even if they blow it off later. Although safety is a large component of this exam, we also focus on proper equipment usage and professionalism. I don’t know about you, but when I am walking by a landscape maintenance contractor operating a blower and he powers down or changes direction so that I can comfortably pass by, I appreciate the gesture and recognize that he was well trained.

All of the other modules follow a similar protocol - prioritizing safety, proper equipment usage and professionalism.

Other modules include chainsaw, plant layout, pruning, tree planting, irrigation repair/head adjustment,

and has a nice scent that stays through the holidays. Other folks have told me the same for any number of these varieties.

It’s really a matter of personal preference.

All of our tree farms, nurseries and garden centers that deal with Christmas trees would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect tree for your holiday celebration. For more details, visit the NCTA web site at: www.christmastree. org/. It has all you need to know about the history, specifications, safety, care of live Christmas trees and even a cool poem to entertain us all.

I don’t have anything against the hundreds of different candles with the scent of the holidays, but I want a real live tree whose smell reminds me of the memories of Christmases past and all of the good times with family and friends associated with them.

Please have a safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy!

Editor’s Note: Evan Dickerson is owner of Dickerson Landscape Contractors and NaturesPro of North Plainfield. He has been pioneering the organic approach to plant health since 1972. Evan can be reached at 908-753-1490 skid steer, paver installation, grading and drainage, aeration, plant identification, sod installation, fertilizer, program controller, rototiller and laser instrument. If the candidate fails any module, he must wait a year to retake that particular module.

When a candidate passes all of the modules, he/she will have the designation of a Landscape Industry Certified [Hardscape, Softscape, Turf or Ornamental] Technician.

Remember, when you need a landscape contractor, don’t just hire any contractor. Hire an NJLCA Landscape Industry Certified contractor.

Editors Note: Jody Shilan is the owner of Jody Shilan Designs in Wyckoff, where he provides landscape design and consulting services for homeowners and landscape contractors. He earned his bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture from Cook College, Rutgers University and his masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Currently, he is Executive Director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA). He can be reached at 201-783-2844 or jshilan@gmail.com.

Gardener News

November, 2014 11

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Call to schedule a drop off today or you may bring your tree parts to us.

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12 November, 2014

Gardener News

Support NJ Agriculture JERSEY GROWN

Nursery Stock JERSEY GROWN

Sunflower Birdseed JERSEY GROWN

Firewood

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When you’re shopping for JERSEY GROWN nursery stock, you know the trees, shrubs, plants and flowers are checked for quality, disease, are pest free, and accustomed to the Garden State’s climate and soil conditions.

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Gardener News

November, 2014 13

A "FARM FOREVER" - 125 Acres - Since 1922

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14 November, 2014

Gardener News

Retired 4-H Agent Inducted into National Hall of Fame 1(: %5816:,&. 1- Ę&#x160; 5RJHU %DUU RI 8SSHU 6DGGOH 5LYHU 1- ZDV LQGXFWHG LQWR WKH 1DWLRQDO + +DOO RI )DPH RQ 2FWREHU IRU KLV OLIHWLPH achievements and contributions to 4-H. The former Bergen County agent was honored by the New Jersey 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension and was one of 14 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD. The National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council, the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents or 4-H National Headquarters based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.

The honorees were presented with National 4-H Hall of Fame medallion, plaque and memory book during the ceremony. The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as part of the Centennial Project of the NAE4-HA in partnership with National 4-H Council and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) is proud to acknowledge the outstanding 2014 National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees for the passion, dedication, vision and leadership theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve shown toward our young people during their many years of service to 4-H,â&#x20AC;? said Pam Van Horn, president, NAE4-HA. Barr served as the Bergen County 4-H Agent for 26 years before retiring in 1993. His 4-H success was the result of his leadership skills of critical thinking, vision, and communication. His ability to network with other youth serving agencies, gain support from local and county public officials, create innovative educational opportunities and integrate traditional and new audiences brought recognition from State and Local officials. Under the direction of Barr, the Bergen County 4-H Program reached 250 4-H volunteers, 1,500 4-H club members and over 3,000 youth in special interest programming annually.

Barr developed educational materials for the 4-H horse project (adapted for Statewide use) and the rabbit, cavy and small animal projects; organized special interest camps for conservation; and developed the START (Saving Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s American Resources for Tomorrow) Program that reached over 600 teens from 4-H, Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts. He developed a 4-H Dog Camp which evolved into the State Seeing Eye Dog Camp. The Bergen County 4-H Fair grew from a two-day to a four-day event under Barrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership, providing additional events and activities involving more youth and creating leadership opportunities for 4-H teens. Further examples of his success were the development of the Horseless Horse Program which included the 4-H Horse Leaders Council, the Horse Art Program, clothing and tack exchanges, horse film festival, horse donation program, horse sharing program where horse owners shared their horses with horseless 4-Hers.

He served on the Board of Directors of CAMP-YDP, an inner city youth program in Paterson for 10 years, serving as building chairperson for two years helping to raise $800,000 to build a new youth center to quadruple the number of youth served.

Barr currently volunteers with the Upper Saddle River Historical Society having served as a board member for over 20 years. He also volunteers with the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood for the past 13 years and the Saddle River Valley Lions club for the past 34 years, serving in roles of President twice and in various offices and committee chairs as well as carnival chairperson for three years.

His leadership with local community centers in Hackensack, Englewood and Paterson provided programs for many urban youth which helped change their lives. His involvement with the County Youth Shelter for incarcerated youth was another example of 4-H innovation.

In addition to being a life member of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, Barr continues an active role after his retirement being a consultant to the Bergen County 4-H Program in New Jersey and serving on the Executive Board of the Sarasota County 4-H Foundation in Florida and acting as Chairperson of the Financial Committee.

For more information about the National 4-H Hall of Fame event and past recipients, visit www.nae4ha.com/hof.

Russets for Autumn The bright autumn accents of brilliant reds or blinding yellows seem to provide the official celebratory close to the growing season for most gardeners. I must admit, as much as I enjoy the bright colors of autumn, there is something about a glowing orange, mixed with some russets, that speaks more to me of the season â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially as these leaves fall earthward and carpet the ground. These autumn colors are easily found in one of our native trees, botanically known as Taxodium.

A member of the Cupressaceae or Cypress Family, Taxodium was once a far more cosmopolitan genus, but vanished from Europe around 2.5 million years ago.

Today, the two species easily grown in New Jersey gardens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Taxodium distichum and Taxodium ascendens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are found along the southeast regions of North America. Taxodium was originally lumped into the Cupressus genus by Linnaeus, but it was the French botanist

Louis Claude Marie Richard (1754-1821) who correctly reclassified the genus.

Taxodium is derived from the Latin Taxus for the plant commonly called Yew and the Greek Eidos, meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;similar to.â&#x20AC;? Indeed, the individual leaves of Taxodium do bear a resemblance to that of Yew. Taxodium distichum or Bald Cypress is the larger of the two aforementioned species; in time, it can easily reach heights close to 150 feet with a spread of 60 feet. The species epithet of distichum means â&#x20AC;&#x153;two-rankedâ&#x20AC;? and describes the two rows of lightgreen, half-inch-long by onesixteenth-inch-wide leaves that appear along the deciduous branchlets. A majestic tree, it appears naturally from Delaware to Texas and typically inhabits moist or flooded regions that are subject to annual accumulations of nutrient-laden silt. Although well-adapted to areas that can seasonally encounter over nine feet of water, Bald Cypress will grow perfectly well in average, well-drained soils.

Interestingly, it is the moisture content of the soil

that determines whether the root system produces colonies of curiously appearing growths called â&#x20AC;&#x153;knees.â&#x20AC;? The knees will slowly grow to heights nearing four feet and only appear in wet soils. With some imagination, the knees can resemble small prairie dogs dancing on their hind legs. Originally they were considered to be phneumatophores or root appendages that permit the exchange of gasses. Research has shown that the knees do not conduct the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the current theory is they grow in marshy soils to provide stability to the tree.

Bald Cypress is also economically valuable for its decay-resistant timber and was used extensively for greenhouse construction during the 18th and 19th Centuries.

The central portion of old growth tree is called the heartwood. In Taxodium, a naturally occurring preservative called cypresserve accumulates in the heartwood, rendering it economically valuable. It requires decades for this material to accumulate, which is why timber acquired from vigorous growing,

younger trees is not decay resistant.

Taxodium ascendens or Pond Cypress appears only along the coastal region from North Carolina to Louisiana.

Named and described in 1833 by the French botanist Adolphe-ThĂŠodore Brongniart (1801-1876), this plant is often described as a variety of Taxodium distichum. Currently, it is considered as sufficiently unique to maintain species status. It is a much smaller version to its cousin, only growing to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide with a pronouncedly vertical habit. The three- to four-inch-long foliage appears as overlapping scales, not individual leaflets, and it stands vertically along the branches, most likely providing the species epithet, although the upright habit may also be the inspiration for the species name.

It too produces knees in wet sites, although they are much smaller in size. Pond Cypress inhabits regions without nutrient-rich silt deposits and is a better choice for gardens with nutrient poor soil. The cultivar â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nutansâ&#x20AC;? provides a more narrow habit with

decumbent or hanging foliage, while DebonairÂŽ prospers a uniformly columnar habit with upright, ferny foliage.

Taxodium remains a highly underused landscape plant and provides so much for the garden, whether large or small, dry or moist. If you relish russet orange fall color and colonies of dancing prairie dogs, this is certainly a plant to consider.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth; is the managing director of the Rutgers Gardens, a 180-acre outdoor teaching classroom, horticultural research facility and arboretum; an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; regularly participates in the Rutgers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Continuing Education Program; and the immediate pastpresident of the Garden State Gardens Consortium.

He can be reached at (732) 932-8451. For more information, please visit www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu

Gardener News Fair Trade products help farming communities build infrastructure to maintain a better way of life for growers, workers and their families.

Fair Trade is designed to give growers a working wage that helps sustain their businesses and employ members of the community.

But it wasn’t always at the level it is today. Initially, Fair Trade was introduced in the coffee bean industry in 1988 and was aimed at the oversupply and subsequent dumping of coffee into markets at prices below cost. As one could imagine, this put a terrible strain on the growers. Quotas were put into place to stabilize the industry, yet that did not really happen until 2001 when the Fair Trade organizations decided to promote consumption of coffee and expand research into niche markets.

Oddly enough, Starbucks Co. began in 1971 and started to expand rapidly in the late 1980s throughout the U.S. and globally. Starbucks was one of the first to help grow the Fair Trade coffee industry and certainly one of the largest and most effective companies that supports coffee and Fair Trade.

Transportation and shipping directly affects the agricultural and landscaping industry. All of our goods and services need to get from point A (the source), to point Z (the end user or consumer).

This year, the cost of transportation just exploded and I have been asking myself and my peers why?

The issue at hand is the demand for shipping product and materials far exceeded the amount of independent truck drivers available.

Raw materials such as soil, pots, tags, fertilizers and chemicals come in from all over the country. Finished goods liked bagged soils, pottery, fertilizers, fountains, nursery stock, tropical plants, flowering plants, annuals and perennials, come from all over.

While speaking with my peers (other growers, garden centers and gardening professionals) , I asked them what they are doing about the increase in transportation costs. The response was the same, they all did what they could to absorb the costs of the increase. The question remaining was how long

November, 2014 15 Passionate About Produce

By Paul Kneeland The King of Produce

How Fair Trade Really Works Is it a coincidence that the success of Starbucks and the growth of fair Trade happened simultaneously? We will leave it up to you to decide.

The thing about Fair Trade is that most people do not know what it means. For the untrained eye, it could mean two people trading things that are fair in value. True, this is really the essence of fair trade. Products that arrive in your grocery store and your local coffee shop go through a process, all products. But Fair Trade products go through a more thorough process.

For most products, there is a low level of background work done to understand what the product is, how it functions, what it tastes like, how much it costs and how it fits into product selection and strategy of the company that will sell it.

For example, everyone for the most part knows what canned tuna fish is. Buyers will look into the cost, the brand, logistics and probably the taste.

Perishable product buyers look a little deeper. Where the product was grown or raised is a factor. What the feed is for the product is important.

Was it a grass-fed cow? Was it organically grown? Is it GMOfree, etc? They may also look into environmental issues with the product. Iis it sustainable?

Does it use a lot of natural resources to raise or grow?

How much energy is used to get it from start to end use?

It really is a little more complicated than many may think. Enter Fair Trade.

The welfare of the farm worker was brought to light also in the late 1980s. Cesar Chavez and the United Farm

Workers protested the treatment of grape growers in California.

It was alleged that grape fields were crop-dusted with toxic pesticides that posed a health danger to workers in the fields. Strangely again, the late ’80s seemed to be a point of enlightenment for growers, workers and their families.

Today, Fair Trade means more. At first, the process was simple. Growers received a fair price for their product and it went through normal channels to get to the stores. Added costs along the supply chain put costs out of reach for some buyers and some did not buy into the program.

As Fair Trade organizations emerged to help broker the process, it became more streamlined. Buyers understood the impact of the added costs and used the benefits of the

The Professional Grower

By Tim Hionis Greenhouse Specialist What’s going on in the transportation and shipping industry? could they keep absorbing these increases, without having to pass it along to the consumer?

One thing is certain, we have all been working hard to keep costs down the best way that we can. One way we’ve all worked hard to do this is to get as much as we can locally. This helps out the local economy as well as keeping these costs down here in the Garden State.

The fact remains that there are fewer and fewer independent truck drivers.

The reason is they cannot afford to drive their own trucks anymore. Many of them are either retiring or have moved over to big logistical firms.

These firms will get product where it needs to get to, but something gets lost in the process. I remember a time

when all truckers would help to unload the product they hauled. They knew the faster they could get unloaded and on to the next run, the better it was for their bottom line.

Nowadays, you see this less and less. It seems as though when a shipment comes from one of these big logistical companies, the first thing they say is, “I only drive” and they sit in the truck and wait to be unloaded.

The independent truckers are either retiring or moving to big logistical firms because it’s too expensive to run their own trucks. The costs of insurance, permits, maintenance, repairs, tolls, taxes and fuel have become more than they can handle.

Some say the regulations and the tolls have become overly excessive. They all

agree that there need to be rules and regulations for the safety and protection of the public and themselves. The cracking down and fines on minor infractions have got to let up a little. But even these big logistical firms are having trouble finding enough drivers to fill the demand.

You may say, if the costs are so high, why not add more vehicles to your fleet?

Sure, that is one way of going about it. But agriculture and horticulture is a seasonal industry.

You may not need so many vehicles and drivers to keep them busy all the time. It is not sensible and economical to run out and buy a fleet of trucks for a seasonally demanding industry. It is necessary to make sure we can keep the

programs in marketing to help further the cause to the consumer. This was a big leap over taking a product and putting it on the shelf without explaining anything to the final consumer.

Fair Trade is the right way to do business. Premiums from products paid into the system go to the community. The community decides what to do with the funding. Early on, money was used to improve worker housing. As the program progresses, additional needs are covered; schools and communities are supported under the watchful eye of Fair Trade certification programs.

Consider it next time you are grocery shopping.

Editor’s Note: Paul Kneeland is the Vice President of Floral, Meat, Produce and Seafood for Kings Food Markets, President of the Eastern Produce Council, and a board member of the Produce Marketing Association. He holds degrees in Business Management from Boston College as well as Northeastern University.

He can be reached at pkneeland@kingssm.com vehicles and drivers busy for at least most of the year.

It will be interesting to see what will happen in the next few years. We in the industry will have to figure out new and innovative ways to keep costs down as much as possible to be able to make sure we can keep the end customer happy with their gardening experience.

Editor’s Note: Tim Hionis has been growing plants for over 20 years, and is co-owner of Hionis Greenhouses and Garden Center in Whitehouse Station, NJ. He can be reached by calling (908) 534-7710.

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NJ Outstanding Young Farmer Named (TRENTON, NJ) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Henry Richard Byma, a 36-year-old Sussex County dairy, hay and grain farmer, has been chosen as New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 Outstanding Young Farmers by the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Byma, who farms 680 acres in Wantage, will be presented with his award at the February 2015 New Jersey State Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coming from a premier dairy farming family, Henry Byma continues to innovate and improve his farm operation, enacting practices to increase both milk and grain production while being environmentally responsible,â&#x20AC;? said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is a leader in the agricultural community and will proudly represent New Jersey in the coming year as Outstanding Young Farmer.â&#x20AC;?

A third-generation dairy farmer, Byma took the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin at Madison with the goal of growing his family business to continue to be profitable, while at the same time, produce high-quality products through best practices and environmental health.

After returning from school and working as a full-time employee responsible for the family herd, in 2007 Byma and his father formed a business partnership, By-Acre Holsteins, LLC. Since then, Byma added a 42-stall milking barn to an existing 64-stall barn and made other changes that enabled them to cut costs and increase herd production averages from 18,900 lbs. of milk per year to 21,700 lbs. of milk per year. He installed a 21-stall calf barn to provide a healthier, more efficient environment for calf development and enrolled in the New Jersey Cattle Health Assurance Program in which the farm is evaluated on its handling of herd health and cow comfort and the herd is tested for ailments.

Byma also has undertaken several conservation practices including use of cover crops to reduce soil erosion and water run-off; planted no-till corn to prevent soil erosion; and planted orchard grass to prevent water contamination. In 2012, a complex drainage system was constructed on the farm to reduce barnyard run-off and the farm is currently working with the Wallkill Watershed and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to develop a roof system on farm building to collect rain and consolidate the run-off into the stock pond, already on the premises. They also have implemented a Conservation Nutrient Management Plan that allows them to more efficiently fertilize their fields while reducing any negative effects on water supplies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the father of three young children, I feel it is essential to protect and preserve the natural resources all around us so that our children will have a bright future,â&#x20AC;? said Byma.

Byma said his goal is sustainability of his operation so he has partnered with Lioni Latticini, Inc. to produce fresh mozzarella that is being sold in local supermarkets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe this partnership is just one more step in making By-Acre dairy a more profitable and, therefore, longer lasting business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a business that will be around for generations to come,â&#x20AC;? said Byma.

Byma and his wife, Christine, are active in the agricultural community. Henry is Vice President of the Sussex County Holstein Association and a member of the Sussex County Milk Producers Co-op, National Holstein Association, New Jersey Holstein Association, New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, Sussex County Board of Agriculture, and New Jersey Farm Bureau. Both he and Christine are active in 4-H and host and organize dairy judging clinics, as well as donate calves to exemplary 4-H members. Henry is a member of the Beemerville Volunteer Fire Company and a Deacon at the Sussex Christian Reformed Church.

The Bymas have three sons, ages 7, 5 and 3.

New Jersey annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of a young farmer who is an upstanding leader, respected agriculturalist and is active in community or faith organizations. The Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Year 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) Award. The submission deadline for nominations is January 15, 2015.

Nominees must be farm operators, deriving a minimum of two-thirds of their income from farming and must be between the ages of 21-40, not becoming 41 prior to January 1, 2015. Candidates who have a financial interest in the farm operation (a sole proprietor, partner, or a corporation) will receive higher ranking in the OYF judging process. However, nominees may also include salaried farm managers and employees who are actively involved in policy and management decisions. Submission of a financial statement is not required for state competition.

A panel of five judges reviews each nomineeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s application based on the following criteria: progress in their agricultural career (50 percent of the total score); soil and water conservation practices (25 percent of the total score); and contribution to his/her community, state and nation (25 percent of the total score).

Any individual or organization can nominate deserving young farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names. Persons who have been nominated in the past or previous state winners who did not make it to the National competition can be re-nominated. However, these candidates must still meet the eligibility criteria.

Since the first award was presented, eight New Jersey farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names have been named National Outstanding Young Farmer: Abbott Lee (1985), James B. Giamarese (1989), Robert Von Thun, Jr. (2001), Jeffrey VanderGroef (2005), H. William Sytsema (2009), Richard Norz (2010), John Melick (2011) and Paul â&#x20AC;&#x153;Duceâ&#x20AC;? Tallamy II (2012).

The OYF program is the oldest farmer recognition program in the United States, with the first group of national winners selected in 1955. The goals of the OYF program are to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; challenges, as well as the appreciation of their contributions and achievements; to bring about a greater interest in farmers/ranchers; and to help build an urban awareness of the farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; importance and impact on Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. The OYF program encourages a greater interest in agriculture through the appreciation of the farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contributions and achievements and recognizes local citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contributions and encourages better urban-rural relations. The National OYF program is sponsored by Deere & Company, supported by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA), and is administered by the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) Fraternity.

For more information on the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Outstanding Young Farmer program, visit: www.nj.gov/agriculture/about/sba/cover.html or call Joe Atchison, OYF Program Manager at (609) 984-2223 or email joe.atchison@ag.state.nj.us

Landscape Association Bringing Mardi Gras to New Jersey 6(&$8&86 1- Ę&#x160; -DQXDU\ DQG )HEUXDU\ W\SLFDOO\ PHDQ RQH WKLQJ IRU PDQ\ 1HZ -HUVH\ ODQGVFDSH FRQWUDFWRUV VQRZ DQG LFH UHPRYDO )HZ LQ RXU industry have time to interrupt the season with parties, parades and revelry. But if winter 2015 is anything like winter 2014, the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) thinks you deserve a break! On February 25, 2015, NJLCA will mix a little fun with business as we bring Mardi Gras to the Meadowlands Expo Center.

The NJLCA invites vendors to infuse their booths with the spirit of Mardi Gras! Let your imagination be the limit. Think decorations. Think giveaways. Think costumes. Prizes will be given for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most Engaging Boothâ&#x20AC;? based on who show attendees vote as being most approachable, most informative and most friendly. And, if your booth is voted â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Mardi Gras Theme,â&#x20AC;? youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the grand prize winner andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;King and Queen (Rex and Regina) of Landscape New Jersey 2015!

Landscape New Jersey is a trade show open only to those in the green industry. Our vendors vary and include nurseries, hardscape companies, landscape equipment, green industry supplies, tools and much more!

So let the games begin! Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s make Landscape New Jersey 2015 a one-day carnival to rival all carnivals! Keep in touch with your e-mail for info and ideas. Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!).

For more information on exhibiting and attending, please visit www.njlca.org.

Gardener News

November, 2014 17

18 November, 2014

Gardener News

Rutgers Professors Develop Superfood (Cont. from page 1)

by the agreement to use the Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce name, Nutrasorb created a “Food4Good” trademark that will be on the product label to help consumers identify the product.

The first company to launch this product is Coastline Family Farms, a major produce shipping company based in Salinas, Calif. Coastline has selected and trademarked the name Nutraleaf™ for the brand and will be the exclusive grower and shipper of whole head and artisan-pack Nutraleaf™ Burgundy Leaf Lettuce and Nutraleaf™ Burgundy Romaine for distribution throughout North and South America.

Coastline Family Farms President Steve Henderson recognized the opportunity to enhance their mission of providing health promoting foods.

“We learned of the new high-antioxidant lettuce and Romaine, created by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and decided we wanted to be a part of this trend in growing and marketing nutritionally superior products,” Henderson said.

October 18 was Coastline’s product launch, with official introductions taking place on both coasts. The Produce Marketing Association, a trade organization representing companies from the global fresh produce supply chain, is holding its Fresh Summit Convention & Expo in Anaheim, Calif., while the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is holding its Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo in Atlanta, Ga. Communications to professionals in these fields on the Nutraleaf™ lettuces will be initiated at these events. Coastline is also developing a nutrition-based campaign to consumers and its rollout will continue with test markets in several major metropolitan areas.

Nutrasorb has granted a license to Shamrock Seeds as the exclusive seed dealer for Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce. Shamrock, which recently became a subsidiary of the French company Vilmorin Inc., Rutgers/Photo specializes in vegetable seed for commercial growers in the major production areas of Salinas Valley, Rutgers Professor Ilya Raskin working in his lab.

Calif. and Yuma, Ariz., the two major salad growing regions in the U.S. In addition to these regions that are the supply line for the salad industry, Shamrock anticipates interest from growers throughout the U.S. Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce seed is available for baby leaf and whole leaf products only, with a minimum purchase requirement, to large and medium-size farms, which must sign an agreement to use the licensed product. Commercial growers can obtain the seed for growing only as baby leaf or whole leaf products. Whole head and artisan products rights are exclusively granted to Coastline Produce.

“We went to all the growers, shippers and produce companies in the area to announce this great development and talked to them about the opportunities that existed to be able to promote this new health benefit in lettuce,” said David Griffin, CEO of Shamrock. “We’re very excited by it and we look forward to getting it out in the marketplace.”

Despite being packed with nutrients, consumers will likely want to know, “Does the lettuce taste good?” Registered dietician Sharon Palmer, author of The PlantPowered Diet, sampled Coastline’s Nutraleaf™ product and comments in her blog, “It’s not only packed in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, but this lettuce is tender and delicious, too. In fact, lettuce is one of America’s favorite vegetables, so I love the idea of getting more nutrients into your daily salad.”

“Maybe the best thing about Nutraleaf™ is just how beautiful it looks in salads, serving as a deep purple color contrast for a number of your favorite salad ingredients,” added Palmer.

The development of Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce has been partially funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, with additional financial and student research support from Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Raskin’s lab is planning further research to increase the polyphenol and other nutrient content in lettuce.

The American business landscape is filled with plenty of great ideas that started out as afterthoughts or even accidents. Sometimes people or companies will just stumble upon something during their normal course of doing business that just works and then takes on a life of its own.

Of course, agriculture is no exception to this. You do not have to go too far in the produce aisle to see some good examples of this.

Just look at all of those bags of “baby” carrots that are stacked up. What a great idea it was to utilize all of those non-uniform carrots that previously might have been discarded and actually turned them into a valueadded product.

Then there are potato chips and French fries. While the chips were supposedly invented by accident and French fries were probably not, just think of how much of an impact that these two products had on the potato industry. If I had to guess, I would have to bet that way more than half of the United States potato production goes

The Town Farmer

By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

New Ideas into either potato chips or French fries. So while, at the time, these inventions may have seemed like, pardon the pun, “small potatoes,” they have actually had a huge influence on the potato industry as a whole.

On our farm, we have tried various new products over the years. And as would be expected, these products were met with varying degrees of success.

I would have to say that while none of them have completely transformed our business, many of them have significantly added to our bottom line. At this time, I would like to share with you some of the new products that we have tried in the past couple of years.

The first is roasted sweet corn. I will have to admit, I

was somewhat skeptical of my father’s idea of purchasing a corn roaster from Texas.

And because I kept asking too many questions, he was able to convince my wife, Denise, to help him with the ordering process and the next thing you know we were the proud owners of a new corn roaster. This machine, which is fired by propane, actually roasts the corn inside the husk at a temperature of 650 degrees. Once this corn is roasted, the husk is peeled back and then corn is topped with our special chili lime seasoning.

I do not know what it is, but there is something about picking apples in the fall that makes people want to eat roasted corn. And because of this, we have had to drastically increase

the amount of corn we plant so that we have enough to supply our roaster with fresh-picked sweet corn in September and October.

Another idea that has taken off quite well for us is the sale of freshly popped popcorn. Yeah, I know, there are plenty of places where you can buy popcorn, but how many of these places actually grew the popcorn as well? We have actually been growing popcorn in limited amounts for a few years now but have mainly been selling it as a decorative item. But with the use of a long ago forgotten antique hand crank corn sheller, and the biceps of my oldest son Will, and the help of his brothers Andrew and Matthew, we were able to dry, shell and then pop a few hundred pounds of our own

popcorn. Again, we were able to sell this to our applepicking customers during the fall season. I guess there is just something about the taste of salty popcorn and sweet cider.

So, while we are not yet ready to take out all of our fruit trees and go on the summer carnival circuit selling roasted corn and popcorn, these two new additions to our product mix have really added some enhancement to our business. Now we just have to find some new ideas for next year!

Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is a current member of the Tewksbury Township Committee, and a former Mayor of Tewksbury Township. He also served as a director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau and is a past president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Peter has also been featured on NJN, News 12 New Jersey and on the Fox Business Network.

Gardener News

November, 2014 19

Appreciation, Protection and Study: NPSNJ Fall Conference

By Kathleen Salisbury Appreciation, Protection, Study: That’s the mission of the NPSNJ, and the theme of this year’s Fall Conference. We are excited about this program and have invited some fantastic speakers to share what’s going on around the region in these areas.

A Landscape Designer gets us to appreciate design with native plants in an entirely new way, an Ecologist encourages us to protect native plants right in our own backyard and a Professor shares results of genetic and insect association studies.

Join the Native Plant Society of NJ for a day of exploring the latest native plant research, conservation efforts and promotion as we explore the mission of the Native Plant Society of NJ: The Appreciation, Protection and Study of New Jersey’s Native Flora.

Saturday November 15 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.

Trailside Nature Center, Mountainside, N.J. $40 Non-Members, For some reason, I absolutely love the fall, even though I know that summer is over and soon enough we will be in the dead of winter with no football, dreariness outside and a few months of basically being stuck inside. However, right now is still a great time to be outside. Bike riding, fishing and generally just enjoying the outdoors can still be done before the long winter. This is also cooking season, time to create and explore new ideas for the restaurant as well as my family. Being that the beginning of the peak of the off-season is fast approaching, I use the time researching and reading up about new trends and ideas.

This time of year always makes me think of comfort foods. These warm and stickto-your-ribs type of foods are perfect for the cool weather.

They bring me back to my childhood and remind me of coming home with the whole house smelling of pot roast or some other deliciousness.

Relatively speaking, most comfort foods are not very difficult in preparing. The difficulty more often lies in the actual prep time and gathering of the ingredients needed. We run a complete dinner special menu at the restaurant from

includes lunch and morning refreshments $25 Members, Become an NPSNJ member by October 15 and receive member rate.

See www.NPSNJ.org for more information and to register.

Light morning refreshments and lunch will be served.

PROGRAM DETAILS: APPRECIATION Designed Plant Communities: Natural Strategies for Fitting Plants Together Thomas Rainer Landscape Architect, Designer and Writer, Author of the blog Grounded Design It is widely acknowledged that future planting designs will embrace a more ecological role. But ecological planting’s transition to the mainstream has been rocky. Examples abound of well-intentioned rain gardens, pollinator gardens and native gardens that become unsightly or invaded with weeds after a few years. Join landscape architect Thomas Rainer to learn how plants fit together in the wild, demonstrating strategies to create more resilient, diverse, and beautiful plantings. It proposes a powerful alternative to the traditional horticultural

approach of arranging plants individually for ornament.

This talk explores a synthesis of ecology and horticulture resulting in an intentionally designed and managed community where population dynamics are encouraged within an aesthetic framework.

PROTECTION Private Land Stewardship Michael Van Clef Owner, Ecological Solutions, LLC Mike will discuss practical steps for landowners to improve the ecological health of their properties and contribute to the greater ecological health of New Jersey. He will discuss the major impacts on natural areas and provide strategies for landowners to counter these impacts at the scale of their own properties. Topics will include use of native plants in your garden, “step wise” conversion of lawn to meadow habitat, deer management and tricks and tips to improve the aesthetic beauty of your property while increasing its ecological function.

STUDY Native Plants in Functioning Ecosystems: The Importance of Source and

Genetic Considerations Dr. Daniel P. Duran Assistant professor at Drexel University and adjunct faculty member at the Barnes Foundation Arboretum School.

As native plants gain popularity in the horticultural trade, there are important issues and challenges that need to be considered. The potential for genetic exchange between cultivated native plants and wild plant populations means that our landscaping decisions have impacts beyond the boundaries of our yards. Does the geographic source of a plant matter as long as it’s a native species? Are cultivars of native species equivalent to naturally occurring populations? What is the relevance of a plant’s genetic background to herbivores, pollinators and to the future survival of local species? All of these topics are discussed and recommendations made to help native plant enthusiasts make the best-informed decisions to ensure that our yards are benefiting, not harming, ecosystems.

PLANT SALE & SEED SWAP The 4th Annual Native Plants of NJ Seed Exchange:

From the Deep

By Craig Korb Executive Chef

Greeting’s from the Jersey Shore!

Monday through Thursday at the restaurant that has a few comfort-type foods that change weekly. It is a lower-priced menu that comes with soup, salad and dessert included in the price. Items such as baconwrapped meatloaf, stuffed peppers, mac and cheese, beef stroganoff and chicken pot pie are just an example of what’s offered. The menu seems to do very well and has definitely been an off-season success for us.

This month’s recipe will be stuffed chicken breast. There are so many options here. The great thing also is that the price of chicken breast right now is generally inexpensive compared to other meats, such as beef. Although chicken breast is generally shallow in flavor, the addition of some cheese, ham, bacon, prosciutto, roasted veggies, broccoli, etc. can make this a simple great

meal that looks impressive as well. The addition of rolling it in bread crumbs and drizzling it with butter before baking doesn’t hurt either. After it is baked, you can slice it and lay it out across an array of sauce ideas including tomato, au gratin or alfredo, to name a few. It goes great with any side dish and is not too complicated.

I found the trick to a great stuffed chicken is to bake it slowly. If it cooks too quickly, the outside will be dark before the inside is cooked through, and the filling can be forced out. Nice and slow cooking with a little patience will produce a golden brown and delicious chicken dish! Good luck and happy fall!

Rolled stuffed chicken with prosciutto and provolone (serves 2) 2 each 6-to-8-ounce chicken breasts, pounded lightly with a mallet (place on a cutting board

and cover loosely with plastic wrap while pounding out to a consistent thin cutlet) 4 slices of good quality thinly sliced provolone 1-2 good slices of quality Italian prosciutto 1 cup bread crumbs, Italian style or panko work equally as well 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup flour Salt and pepper to taste 4 ounces melted butter Method -pre heat oven to 325 degrees -on a clean cutting board, place the chicken breasts, smooth side down, next to one another -place the prosciutto in the center of the chicken breasts, then the provolone -sprinkle the basil and a sprinkle of black pepper onto the cheese

Please bring seeds to share and trade with other native plant society enthusiasts. Last year we had about 50 species available, but the variety available will depend upon you, so please contribute liberally. Be sure to clean and accurately label all seeds including cultivars.

The Native Plant Society of NJ will provide at least 20 species.

Envelopes will be provided.

2nd Annual “Support Your Local Nursery Plant Sale” A Selection of Native Plants will be for sale from NJ Nurseries Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting – Saturday March 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Medford Leas, Medford, N.J. Theme: Native Plants and People.

Editor’s Note: Kathy Salisbury is a Horticulture Educator and the President of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey (NPSNJ). The NPSNJ is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation, protection and study of NJ’s native flora. To learn more about the Native Plant Society please visit www.npsnj.org or contact Kathy directly at president@npsnj.org.

-next you are going to slowly roll the chicken up like a pinwheel until it looks somewhat like a log, with the ingredients all tucked inside -carefully place the rolled chicken into the flour, covering completely. Next place it into the egg, covering completely and finally into the bread crumbs (add a little salt and pepper to the crumbs if unseasoned). Be sure to press the chicken into the bread crumbs to cover as much as possible.

-place the chicken in a pyrex cooking dish or onto a baking pan with a wire rack -drizzle lightly with melted butter and bake until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees -allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting -cut the chicken across in three to four slices, not lengthwise, and fan over a pool of your favorite sauce. Vodka, tomato or alfredo work well.

Editor’s Note: Craig Korb is executive chef at The Crab’s Claw Inn, Lavallette, New Jersey. He has an Associates degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelors degree in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University.

For more information visit www.TheCrabsClaw.com or phone (732) 793-4447.

20 November, 2014

Gardener News

Continuing the Jersey Fresh and Jersey Seafood Commitment

Tom Castronovo/Photo

The Crabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Claw Inn in Lavallette, a Jersey Shore landmark since 1979 located on a narrow barrier island in Ocean County, N.J., celebrated their fifth anniversary this year in partnering with the New Jersey Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jersey Fresh and Jersey Seafood program. The restaurant and their executive chef are the first in the state to serve a dinner, which is open to the public each fall, featuring â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jersey Fresh produce, Jersey-landed Seafood and Jersey Wineâ&#x20AC;? all in the same meal.

In late-June 2010, discussions between Executive Chef Craig Korb and New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray took place to craft an all-Jersey dinner. The result of those discussions - the Crabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Claw Inn officially partnered with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture on July 22, 2010 to incorporate local, fresh produce and Jersey-landed seafood into their menu. New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food and agriculture industry, which includes restaurants, produces just over $100 million a year in revenues, making it the third-largest economic sector in the state. Chef Korb officially plated up the first dinner on October 6, 2010 to a sold-out crowd. Assemblyman John F. McKeon attended the dinner, as well as New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher; Scott Ellis, president, New Jersey State Board of Agriculture; New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray; Paul Hlubik, New Jersey state executive director, United States Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm Service Agency; Troy Joshua, director, United States Department of Agriculture, NASS; Joe Atchison, marketing specialist, New Jersey Department of Agriculture; and Lou Caracciolo, president of the Garden State Wine Growers Association.

This year, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher; New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray; Joe Atchison, marketing specialist, New Jersey Department of Agriculture; and Assemblyman John F. McKeon attended.

During the dinner, Assemblyman McKeon, right, presented a Joint Resolution from the New Jersey Senate and the General Assembly by Senator Codey, Assemblyman McKeon, Assemblywoman Jasey, Senator Smith and Assemblyman Andrzejzak to Sam Hammer, left, co-owner of The Crabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Claw Inn, Shannon Hammer Korb, second from left, and Executive Chef Korb.

The restaurant, which is open year-round, is owned by Sam and Louise Hammer.

Federal Grant Awarded for Organic Tomato Research :(67 /$)$<(77( ,1' Ę&#x160; 3XUGXH 8QLYHUVLW\ KDV UHFHLYHG D PLOOLRQ IHGHUDO JUDQW WR OHDG PXOWL LQVWLWXWLRQ UHVHDUFK RQ EUHHGLQJ QHZ YDULHWLHV RI RUJDQLF tomatoes that would resist foliar diseases and still have the delicious taste that consumers want.

The grant, awarded by the Organic Research and Extension Initiative of the U.S. Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will also enable researchers to identify management practices that reduce disease pressure while protecting soil and water quality.

Lori Hoagland, assistant professor of horticulture at Purdue, is heading the project that includes researchers from North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T University, Oregon State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Organic Seed Alliance.

The research reflects increasing consumer interest in organic crops, said Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Purdue Agriculture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research like Dr. Hoaglandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is helping farmers improve productivity and profitability in their organic and low-input systems so they can take advantage of the demand and meet the needs of this growing market,â&#x20AC;? Akridge said.

The researchers will look into ways farmers can avoid foliar pathogen diseases such as early blight, late blight and Septoria leaf spot. The issue is especially important in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the U.S. where warm, humid conditions favor these diseases and severe outbreaks can destroy tomato crops.

Tomato growers often plant heirloom varieties rather than newer disease-resistant hybrids because of the heirloomsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; appetizing taste. But heirloom varieties tend to be highly susceptible to foliar diseases.

Frequent application of copper fungicides can help organic growers manage foliar diseases. But copper can kill microorganisms in soil that help plants grow and can affect water quality. Growers could forgo copper applications if a new, resistant, sweet-tasting variety were produced.

Conventional growers also could benefit from such new varieties because they would reduce the amount of pesticides they use, thereby lowering their costs.

The researchers will work on breeding tomato varieties that can connect with beneficial soil microbes in their roots that help them fight diseases, Hoagland said.

They will also investigate management practices that favor these beneficial soil microbes and identify new organic fungicides that are more environmentally friendly.

Vegetable producers will contribute to the four-year project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The growers will be intimately involved in all phases of the research, especially the breeding component,â&#x20AC;? Hoagland said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The growers will help us identify key plant traits, and final selections will be conducted on working farms.â&#x20AC;?

Other Purdue researchers involved in the project are Tesfaye Mengiste, professor in botany and plant pathology and Dan Egel, Extension plant pathologist.

Source: Purdue University

Gardener News I was so excited to see that “Gone with the Wind” will be released again in movie theatres. What a classic film this is, right up there with “The Wizard of Oz.” Was your lawn a shining classic in your neighborhood this year; has it held up to the test of time?

This is your last month to really accomplish great things with your lawn before its long winter’s nap. You’re asking, “What can I do for my lawn now?”

Depending on your location and soil and air temperatures, you still have a chance to establish newly sowed grass seed.

The ground is hopefully still warm enough for seed to germinate, if it is around 55 degrees.

Daylight temperatures usually climb enough to warm the soil nicely, even if nighttime temperatures fall well below 55 degrees.

Remember to keep realistic expectations when seeding if your area does not fall into this category. Grass may germinate and then stop and not be able to fill Facebook is a wonderful thing because my friends, with their phone/camera/video/editing suite in their hand can instantly share their experiences with a number of friends. Wicked wonderful and exciting stuff we all have at our fingertips here in 2014!

I check out my friends activities on Facebook on a regular basis and boom, there is Katie sharing a video of her two dogs on a hike in the woods and wait a minute….. what was that?! Along with her dogs are two….. PG’s……being of all pets to have, pygmy goats! With little horns and everything a regular goat has in an adorable 50-pound package, smaller than her two dogs.

Katie told me that they are wonderful, affectionate pets and, whoa, who knew? So, of course I went to my local Cooperative Extension guy and asked him about having a pygmy goat as a pet.

First he hit upon all the different types, from Local to Nigerian Dwarf to… Fainting(?), Registered, Unregistered, etc. and I could expect to pay nothing from a local friend up to $400 for a registered, show-quality male or female.

So, it is not like buying an AKC-registered, show-quality Afghan, but who would want a goat that… fainted? My Cooperative Extension guy continued to inform me about his first encounter. This little goat walked up to him when he was a young boy, working on

November, 2014 21 Turf ‘s Up

By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

Has your lawn, “Gone with the Wind”? in completely. I have yet to hear of anyone losing their late-fall seeding in my 30-plus years in the lawn business.

Here is some other good news; your crabgrass should have died by now.

Hurrah! The first frost in your area takes care of this grassy weed and the leaves have probably turned purple and probably brown by now. Be sure to follow a sound program next year to fill in these bare spots that this crabgrass left behind by over-seeding now or in the spring. Take note of where these crabgrass patches are located and consider applying pre-emergent crabgrass preventer in latespring to control future crabgrass populations.

Have you tested your soil this this year, or ever?

If not, why not? You need to know your soil pH is in order for your lawn to grow healthy and thick. A pH soil level between 6.0-6.8 is best. If you cannot get to test your soil and you have an abundance of weeds in your lawn, your pH level is probably low. Low soil pH can be corrected by applying calcium to your lawn. Now is a good time to help correct your soil pH level for next year’s growing season.

Even though this year was a very “forgiving” year to grow grass weather-wise, many folks had problems.

By incorporating some Tall Fescue grass seed into your lawn, this helps to improve its chance of

survival.

Tall Fescues perform better than other grasses in poor soil and require less fertilizer and water to look good. Tall Fescue also holds up well in sunny and shaded areas nicely.

If you fertilized your lawn in early-fall, good.

If you want a great lawn, fertilize it again. The fall is a great time to thicken your lawn with fertilizer and to also prevent winter damage to your grass. If you fertilize twice in the fall, your lawn with be greener earlier in the spring too! In New Jersey, as a homeowner you have a cutoff date to apply fertilizers on your lawn of November 15.

You cannot apply lawn fertilizers again until March 1 of the following

The Miscellaneous Gardener

By Richard W. Perkins Freelance Writer

My Friends, Tracy and Katie’s Pet…. PG’s a farm for the summer. At first he was afraid, wondering what she wanted but as she started to butt his hand gently, he realized that she was just looking for some affection. He was surprised and never realized that goats could be so sweet. Goats are known worldwide to be cantankerous and mean. Personally, up until now I have always stayed as far away from a goat as possible.

Researching further, I found, Dr. R. Dean Scoggins, an equine Extension veterinarian retired from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, who stated, “Pygmy goats are very docile and are often kept as pets and as company for horses.” In fact, if they are raised as pets, they can grow to be as faithful a companion as any dog. Pygmy goats usually grow to be around the size of a large dog, standing at around 16 to 23 inches from the shoulder blade to the ground and can weigh around 70 pounds. Their hair coat

can be light or dense, making them able to adjust to different climates. They also have a variety of colors including white, tan, black and a color called agouti, which consists of white and black hairs mixed together that give the coat a predominantly gray color.

Female pygmy goats are very docile and make wonderful pets.

Male pygmy goats can also make good pets but have an unpleasant odor caused by glands that can be removed in a procedure called “descenting.” They should also be neutered because they have a tendency to become aggressive as they reach adulthood. If they are to be kept as pets, pygmy goats should also have their horns removed (a procedure called debudding) in order to prevent them from hurting people or other goats. They are also notoriously curious and often get their horns stuck in fences or other tight spots. Debudding is safest and least painful when done at an early age.

Pygmy goats can even be kept in the house. Dr. Scoggins says, “Some goats are raised indoors and some people even claim that they can be housebroken; but, they usually spend most of their time outside, where they readily adapt to the outdoor environment.”

They do not tolerate cold quite as well as sheep, but can exist comfortably in temperatures as low as 20 degrees. A standard goat chow supplemented with hay is the preferred diet. An excessive number of treats should be avoided because goats have a tendency to get fat. Nutritional deficiencies and obesity can result if a goat is fed the wrong diet. It is also important to remember that goats like to munch on any available foliage, so ornamental outdoor plants such as Japanese Yew, which are poisonous to grazing animals, should be kept out of their reach.

Unless they are worn down by walking on a rough surface, hooves should be trimmed

year. This is commonly referred to as “black-out” dates when you cannot apply lawn fertilizers.

Many states have similar laws, check with your county extension office to confirm your state’s lawn fertilizer laws. These laws help keep our waterways cleaner. Fertilizers applied on potentially frozen ground can run-off into waterways and streams.

If you have followed my lawn care suggestions this year, you have a free pass to go see “Gone with the Wind”. If this is not your favorite movie, how about watching some football or visiting the kids at college? A walk along the Jersey Shore or boardwalk is also pleasant this time of year before “Old Man Winter” sets in.

Next month, you deserve a break from your lawn.

Editor’s Note: Todd Pretz is Vice President of Jonathan Green, a leading supplier of lawn and garden products in the northeast. For more information, please visit: www.jonathangreen.com regularly. “This procedure should be done every four to six weeks and there are many resources in books and on the Internet that give simple instructions on how to do it,” commented Dr. Scoggins.

Seriously overgrown hooves can cause lameness. Goats suffering from lameness will often kneel on their knees while eating and extended periods of time spent in this position can eventually lead to arthritis.

Dr. Scoggins warns that, “Goats are fairly vulnerable to attack by stray dogs and other wild animals; so, it is wise to watch out for unwanted trespassers that might harm your pet.”

As with any other pet, a pygmy goat should have a physical exam by a veterinarian once a year and should be vaccinated for diseases common to goats such as tetanus and over-eating disease. If you have any other questions about pygmy goats, please contact your local veterinarian.

Wow! This is a whole new heartwarming world for me and I am extremely happy to keep watching Katie’s videos and, who knows, there may be a little pair of goats in my future as well.

Thanks for reading and see ya next month.

Editors Note: Check out Richard’s photography at; rwperkinsphotography.com

22 November, 2014

Gardener News RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PHONE DIRECTORY

$118 MILLION to Support Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Specialty Crop Producers 0,$0, )/$ Ę&#x160; 8 6 $JULFXOWXUH 6HFUHWDU\ 7RP 9LOVDFN DQQRXQFHG RQ 2FWREHU QHDUO\ million in grants to strengthen markets for specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. The grants were authorized through the 2014 Farm Bill as part of an effort to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and provide resources to strengthen American agriculture. The Secretary made the announcement in Florida. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Specialty crop grants provide a major boost to the rural economies,â&#x20AC;? said Secretary Vilsack. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement is another example of how USDA is implementing the Farm Bill to deliver critical tools producers need to successfully grow, process and market high-quality products.â&#x20AC;?

Sales of specialty crops total nearly $65 billion per year, making them a critical part of the U.S. economy.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), will provide $66 million to state departments of agriculture for projects that help support specialty crop growers, including locally grown fruits and vegetables, through research and programs to increase demand. In addition, USDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding $51.8 million in grants through its Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI). SCRI supports the specialty crop sector by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops.

All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. Territories were awarded Specialty Crop Block Grants that will fund a total of 838 projects. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will receive $4.5 million to fund 34 projects. One project allows the FDACS to partner with Miami-Dade County to increase the market viability of local specialty crops. The project also educates the public about consumption of specialty crops to improve nutrition and publicizes the availability of specialty crops at local markets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These Specialty Crop Block Grants support hundreds of projects that address issues ranging from food safety to research needs to increased access to fruits and vegetables, all benefiting specialty crop producers and consumers across the country,â&#x20AC;? said AMS Administrator Anne Alonzo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With additional funding from the 2014 Farm Bill, we are able to do even more to help specialty crop growers increase profitability and sustainability.â&#x20AC;?

Through SCRI, USDA is awarding $51.8 million to fund research and extension projects for specialty crop production. The grants fund a wide variety of efforts, including research to improve crop characteristics, identifying and addressing threats from pests and diseases, improving production and profitability, developing new production innovations and technologies, and developing methods to respond to food safety hazards.

Together, these investments represent USDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to strengthening the specialty crop industry. The 2014 Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers, strengthening risk management tools, expanding access to rural credit, funding critical research, establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships, developing new markets for rural-made products, and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve the quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

Gardener News The Premier Gardening Monthly Newspaper Number 139 Published Monthly Contact Information Phone: 908.604.4444 Website: www.GardenerNews.com E-Mail: Mail@GardenerNews.com Staff Executive Editor/ Publisher . . . .

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November Columnists Tom Castronovo Tim Hionis Evan Dickerson Paul Kneeland Craig Korb Douglas H. Fisher

Todd Pretz Jody Shilan Bob LaHoff Peter Melick Richard Perkins Larry Katz

Contributing Writers Bruce Crawford Jeannie Geremia

Kathleen Salisbury

Gardener News is published monthly by

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TIP OF THE MONTH

Prevent sunscald (freeze/thaw-induced cracking) on young tree trunks and thin-barked trees (like maples, honeylocust, willow, ashes and fruit trees) by wrapping them with paper tree wrap. Start wrapping at the base of the tree, overlapping one-third with each turn. This ensures the wrap will shed water. Wrap up to just above the second branch and secure with stretchable tape. Do this now and remove wrap around Easter. It is imperative that the wrap be removed in the spring; if left on, it can harbor insects or disease and the tape can injure the tree as it expands in the spring.

And be sure to start your repellent program on ornamentals that deer typically like to browse.

Gardener News

November, 2014 23

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24 November, 2014

Gardener News

inspiration strikes

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta Find your inspiration with the season’s best recipes at kingsfoodmarkets.com/holiday

Whether your Thanksgiving menu is steeped in the classics or on the culinary cutting edge, you’ll find the ingredients to make memories at Kings. Our exceptional fresh turkey selection includes organic, natural, brined and Kosher options, so there’s something for every taste.

Make your meal easier with our ready-made gourmet sides or chef-inspired catering.

However you celebrate, you’ll find inspiration at Kings.

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