River Friendly Farm Tip of the Month

Pollinators are many different types of creatures that most flowering plants rely on to produce fruit and seeds.  Pollinators include honeybees, bumble bees, flies, beetles, butterflies and more.  Pollinators are essential for the production of many of the crops we grow for food. To see a bumble bee hard at work click here.

To learn more about pollinators and their value visit the Pollinator Factsheet produced by the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The following are some tips to help protect these important creatures:
1. Grow a variety of bee-friendly flowers that bloom from spring through fall.
2. Protect and provide bee nests and caterpillar host plants.
3. Avoid using pesticides, especially insecticides.
4. Talk to your neighbors about the importance of pollinators and their habitat.

With these core principles, pollinators can be protected throughout our communities! And remember, by protecting pollinators we protect the future of agricultural productivity(and our food sources).

For information or ideas about protecting pollinators visit the xerces society or contact me about local programs providing cost-share to enhance pollinator habitat on your property.

Happy Spring!

Spring is almost here! Spring for some farmers means time to spread manure.  Manure can be a valuable resource, providing plants with necessary nutrients and adding organic matter to the soil.  Care should be taken to avoid under application resulting in poor plant performance or over application resulting in negative environmental impacts.  Knowing the nutrient value of the manure being spread and calibrating your spreader, coupled with recent soil tests will help ensure the proper amount of manure is applied.  Below are links to a video and some fact sheets that can help.  If you have questions give me a call.

Manure Sampling & Analysis Factsheet

Manure Spreader Calibration Techniques Factsheet

Manure Spreader Calibration Video

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Bernard Isaacson

Bernard is the new Agricultural Outreach specialist for North Jersey RC&D and will be focusing his efforts on the continuing success of the River Friendly Farm Certification Program. He recently moved back to New Jersey from Madison, Wisconsin where he earned his MS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Forestry. He also has his BS degree from Rutgers in Ecology and Natural Resources. Bernie worked as a seasonal employee in both Wisconsin and Alaska and has research experience in forest health, particularly with bacterial leaf scorch, the emerald ash borer and other various insect pests. Personal interests include vegetable gardening, wild edibles, hunting, back packing, canoeing and primitive skills. If you wish to contact him (and welcome him to the organization!) you can email Bernie here or call him at 908-441-9191.