Featured Rain Gardens for June 2021 The Rutgers Water Resources Program has been working with communities across New Jersey to design and install rain gardens, which can capture, treat, and infiltrate thousands of gallons of stormwater runoff per year, Their goal was to complete 50 raingardens while following social distancing guidelines, as part of their […]
The Unexpected Health Benefits of Gardening
By Jennifer Shukaitis, assistant professor/educator, Department of Family & Community Health Sciences. Summer has arrived in New Jersey, and with it, the longer, sunnier days that can inspire people to (literally!) dig in and garden. This year, gardening may be an especially beneficial activity as people emerge and recover from any negative experiences or feelings […]
In Memoriam: Rich Obal, Former Monmouth County Agricultural Agent
Richard G. Obal, 73, originally from Sayreville, NJ, passed away on June 30. He was the agricultural and natural resources agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County for 34 years, before retiring in 2011. Early in his career he worked at his family’s nursery operation. Obal received a bachelor’s degree in biology and physiology […]
Senior Stories 2021
We asked our Class of 2021 graduates to talk about their time at SEBS—a significant or rewarding moment during their career, something they were thankful for, or perhaps a lesson learned. Here are their responses. Angelo DiTomaso A significant moment during my undergraduate experience was my George H. Cook Honors Program presentation. The week of […]
Plant of the Month: the Culver’s Root Fan Club
by Bruce Crawford, Program Leader in Home and Public Horticulture Why are certain plants popular with gardeners and others not? It is a pattern that I have always found interesting, but suspect will never understand fully. Currently, one of the popular trends that will hopefully become the norm is adding native plants to the garden. […]
New Jersey 4-H Animal Art Show Winners Announced
4-H members from throughout the state took part in the first ever, New Jersey 4-H Animal Art Contest held virtually in April and May. All entries were animal related and were organized into five categories – 1) Dog, 2) Equine, 3) Livestock (beef, dairy, goats, sheep, and swine), 5) Small Animals (rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea […]
Rutgers Equine Science Center Recruiting Veterans for Equine Assisted Services Research
The Rutgers Equine Science Center is currently recruiting veterans for a research project investigating the effects of equine assisted services on veterans with PTSD. The research is being conducted by doctoral candidate Ellen Rankins, and professors Ken McKeever and Karyn Malinowski, director of ESC. if you are a veteran yourself or have a loved one […]
Equine Science Center Honored At New Jersey Equine Advisory Board Awards Presentation
The Equine Science Center received a proclamation from both the New Jersey Legislature as well as the New Jersey Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 16th during the 2020 New Jersey Equine Advisory Board’s Award Ceremony. The proclamations recognized the Equine Science Center’s dedication to “Better Horse Care through Research & Education” and celebrated the Center’s […]
Symbiotic Bacteria In Root Cells May Be Key To Producing Better Crops, Rutgers Study Finds
A Rutgers study finds that symbiotic bacteria that colonize root cells may be managed to produce hardier crops that need less fertilizer. The study appears in the journal Microorganisms. Bacteria stimulate root hair growth in all plants that form root hairs, so the researchers examined the chemical interactions between bacteria inside root cells and the root cell. […]
Beneficial Bacteria Can Be Restored to C-Section Babies at Birth
Babies born by cesarean section don’t have the same healthy bacteria as those born vaginally, but a Rutgers-led study for the first time finds that these natural bacteria can be restored. The study appears in the journal Med. Professor Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello is the senior author of the new study. The human microbiota consists of trillions […]
