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Rutgers Professor Returns to South America to Train Small-Scale Shadehouse Farmers

May 9, 2013 By

Robin Brumfield takes notes from Region 4 shadehouse producer Shiromanie Isaacs. At left is Ryan Nedd, field officer with the Farmer to Farmer project.

One year ago, Rutgers specialist in farm management Robin Brumfield found herself enjoying the cooling spray of the brackish brown water as she sped along in a 15-seater speedboat on the Essequibo River. The “Mighty Essequibo” as it’s called, is the third largest river on the continent of South America and the largest in Guyana, the only English-speaking country on the continent.

Winding its way north for over 600 miles through some of the more remote areas of Guyana, the Essequibo River flows around more than 365 distinct islands. At the time, Brumfield and several Guyanese field staff from an internationally funded farming project were skirting the largest of the three  biggest islands located in the 20-mile wide mouth of the Essequibo River, just before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Commercial Agriculture, Economic Development, Faculty, International, NJAES, Spotlight

Rutgers Firmly Planted on Central Park Turf

May 7, 2013 By

Photo courtesy of Central Park Conservancy

Rutgers University’s bond with Central Park is as strong as the hardy grass a Rutgers professor plucked from Sheep Meadow in the 1960s and cultivated into world-class turf.

Rutgers and the Central Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization responsible for the restoration, maintenance and enhancement of the iconic park in Manhattan, have strengthened their collective expertise in horticulture and turf care ever since through years of collaboration and training.

“The partnership between Rutgers and the Central Park Conservancy is preparing the next generation of environmental stewards with the tools to manage landscapes and help them flourish,” said Douglas Blonsky CC’83, president and chief executive officer of CPC and a Rutgers graduate. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alumni, Home/Lawn/Garden, NJAES, SEBS, Spotlight

What’s Behind the Name: The Lester Collins Memorial Auditorium in Blake Hall

April 18, 2013 By

The Lester Collins Auditorium, dedicated in 1957 following the death of the noted New Jersey fruit grower and former president of the Rutgers Board of Managers, can be found in Blake Hall on the George H. Cook Campus of Rutgers University.

Originally known as the Horticulture Building, it was named Blake Hall in 1958 after the late Maurice A. Blake, professor and head of the Department of Horticulture. For the last 40 years, Blake Hall has been the campus home of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Rutgers. Blake Hall, which is located at the intersection of Lipman Drive and Red Oak Lane, recently saw the completion of a 3-year, $1.5 million renovation project.

But, just who was Lester Collins?
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Commercial Agriculture, Faculty, SEBS, Spotlight

Local Environmental Groups with Rutgers Connections Host Farmers Markets

April 5, 2013 By

The Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission (EBEC), a non-profit organization dedicated to local environmental education and conservation founded in 2005 by David Moskowitz and Liti Haramaty, has deep roots in Rutgers University. A naturalist, Moskowitz is completing a Ph.D. in entomology at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences while Haramaty is a marine sciences researcher at Rutgers Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences.

The pair, who serves on the board of the Friends of EBEC as president and secretary respectively, has been involved in a number of conservation efforts in East Brunswick, the latest venture being a series of farmers markets this spring and summer, in collaboration with the East Brunswick Environmental Commission and the EB Green Team. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, SEBS, Spotlight, Staff

Alumni: Plan to ‘Do Lunch’ With the Executive Dean

March 26, 2013 By

Are you an Ag, CAES, Cook or SEBS alum who is planning to come to the 2013 Ag Field Day at Rutgers Day? Then come “Do Lunch With the Executive Dean!” Join Executive Dean Bob Goodman and alumni lunch chairman Barry Adler (’72), for some good eats and good fun.

This first-ever “new tradition” will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Cooper Dining Hall (across Nichol Avenue from the Douglass Campus Center) and Jameson Quad. Come meet classmates, friends, favorite faculty members, and students for a tasty barbecue, beer garden, music, and gifts for all.

Many alums remember Cooper Dining Hall, which was a favorite spot for students and is as charming as ever. If the weather is grand (we’re hoping!), we will set up outdoors so that all can enjoy the sunshine. Bad weather – no problem; we’ll enjoy the festivities inside.

Spouses/partners and your children are welcome. The lunch is free, but you will need an admission ticket, so registration by April 18 is required. When you register, please indicate your class year and the ages of your children you are bringing.

Register here.

Filed Under: Alumni, Community, Spotlight
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