Richard Lathrop, professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources was appointed by the Rutgers Board of Governors as the inaugural holder of the new Johnson Family Chair in Water Resources and Watershed Ecology. In his role as Chair, Lathrop will lead an interdisciplinary program to study how human activities in upland watersheds […]
Archives for December 2015
Sudden Season’s Greetings as Delicate North Jersey Climate Tips Crops Into Blooming
A week away from the first official day of winter and just 10 days to Christmas – and roses in the gardens are still acting as if it’s springtime. So are several other plant varieties that should by now be settling in for a long winter’s nap… Joel S. Flagler, county department head for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Bergen County, also adds that “hard-killing frosts were not widespread enough in our area,” allowing cool weather perennials to continue to flower… Are these plants essentially being tricked into flowering at the wrong time? Or do they know what they are doing?… “They will stop blooming,” says Bruce Crawford, Rutgers Gardens director, who also predicts a self-correction.
A Snowless December in N.J.? How Rare Would it be?
We’re more than halfway through December and the only snowflakes we’re seeing are those fake plastic ones clinging to the windows of storefronts, schools and houses… Since 1895, New Jersey has had 25 Decembers with less than 1 inch of snowfall, said David Robinson, the state climatologist at Rutgers University. Of those 25, seven were completely snowless: 1943, 1953, 1965, 1994, 1990, 2006 and 2011… “If no measurable snow falls this month, it will be the eighth such December and the sixth time we’ve gone through the cold season through December without seeing measurable snow anywhere in New Jersey,” Robinson said. “The last time this happened was 2006.”
Prof. Bruce Clarke to Receive 2016 USGA Green Section Award
Source: USGA – The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced Bruce Clarke, of Rutgers University, as the recipient of the 2016 USGA Green Section Award. Presented annually since 1961, the USGA Green Section Award recognizes an individual’s distinguished service to the game of golf through his or her work with turfgrass. Clarke, of Iselin, N.J., […]
NJAES Center Provides Science and Expertise to Help NJ Winemakers Succeed
As more New Jersey farmers grow grapes for winemaking, Rutgers is playing a key role in that growth, providing the science and expertise to help them tap into an increasingly profitable agricultural sector in the state. Last year, the New Jersey Center for Wine Research and Education at Rutgers was launched to work in partnership […]
Food Notes: Appetizer Recipes That Will Come in Handy
It’s party time, and that means lots and lots of food. Crucial to every gathering – whether as a precursor to a big meal or as finger foods to go with drinks – are appetizers, which are one of America’s favorite ways to eat. Small morsels that can be e…
Trenton Launches Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Initiative
The capital city on Wednesday answered President Obama’s call to improve the lives of boys and young men of color by launching his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative… In February 2014, Obama announced the launch of “My Brother’s Keeper,” which brought together private foundations and companies to support programs aimed at helping young minority men develop mentoring relationships, steer clear of violence, improve grade-level reading skills and graduation rates and become prepared for college and careers… Abiezel Raices, 30, and Elijah Dixon, 23, will be the faces of the program. Raices, who was involved in gangs and drugs, turned his life around and starting ministering 13 years ago… “The weak moments in my life are what speak most because not only did I go through them, but I was able to get up and succeed even though I fell,” he said. “I had dreams that I would … impact the community to empower themselves and do much greater.”
Local Aspiring Equine Veterinarians Win Scholarships
Two young women from New Jersey were among the five equine veterinary students awarded this year’s prestigious Merck Animal Health/American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation scholarship… The Merck Animal Health/AAEP Foundation scholarship program rewards second- and third-year veterinary students dedicated to equine medicine for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals. Elisabeth Leahy, studying at Michigan State University and Sarah Colmer, the at the University of Pennsylvania, are the recipients hailing from the Garden State… Leahy graduated from Rutgers University, where she majored in animal science/equine science and gained valuable equine nutrition research experience under Dr. Carey Williams. “While in college, I began working at the New Jersey Equine Clinic (NJEC), Millstone, cleaning stalls and operating the hyperbaric chamber on the weekends. When I graduated from Rutgers in 2010, I transitioned to full-time veterinary assistant at NJEC. I loved my job and I set out to learn everything I could, including anesthesia,” said Leahy.
Cumberland County Extension Service Employees Recognized
Cumberland County employees Cheryl McCormick and Tammy Commander were recognized Dec. 7 with awards for excellence by Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The awards are presented annually to one individual within the state. McCormick, 4-H Program Assistant,…
N.J. Horticultural Therapist Receives Service Award
Laura DePrado, horticultural therapist and owner of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC in Branchburg, is the recipient of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association 2015 Distinguished Service Award… She is a registered horticultural therapist with the American Horticultural Therapy Association, has a bachelor’s of science degree and HT Certificate from Rutgers University, is a journalist and co author Rutgers Fact Sheet, “Enabling Gardens: The Practical Side of Horticultural Therapy.”… Final Touch Plantscaping connects people and plants through customized activities and programs for children, young adults through seniors using plants year round in adult day, sub acute, long term, rehabilitative and in-home care for groups and individuals.