Nicholas Polanin, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension of Somerset County; Bruce Crawford, Rutgers Gardens.
Rutgers Gardens celebrates Centennial with ambitious growth plan
Rutgers Gardens, an oasis that draws thousands for classes, weddings and walks in the woods, is about to receive a rare honor and is on the cusp of a major facelift as it celebrates its centennial… “There is a huge demand for public space, public gardens, nature, greenery,” said Bruce Crawford, director since 2005, in a news release. “I know that we could easily get to a quarter million visitors in 20, 30 years, if things go like we think they’re going, so we have to plan for that.”
Food Tent at Somerset County 4-H Fair still rules the roost
There are some people who welcome the rain at the annual Somerset County 4-H Fair. They’re not the farmers who need the rain after a parched summer to drench their thirsty crops, but the vendors in the Food Tent, the most popular attraction at the thre…
Somerset County 4-H Fair benefits from members, alumni and volunteers
The Somerset County 4-H would not be the same without its dedicated members, leaders, alumni and volunteers. Each year, certain youth and adults are recognized for their efforts. Some members, typically the older teenagers, are named “Outstanding 4-H’ers” while others stand out for their own achievements… The Somerset County 4-H Association considers itself fortunate to have such active 4-H members, alumni and volunteers, that can always be counted on to be there, to offer to help and to do a job well, said Barbara Navatto, Somerset County 4-H program coordinator.
Gardener State: Summer living: lawns, veggies and adventures
It was recently announced that the environmental company SUEZ, together with the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, has developed a simplified web interface system for customers to utilize in order to save water, time and money, yet still enjoy a green lawn during the warm months… “I’m honored that SUEZ selected Rutgers to provide its customers with the most accurate weather data for its 2016 lawn watering program,” said David Robinson, NJ state climatologist.”Our skilled technical team, in cooperation with SUEZ, is using an array of weather stations and state of the art hydrological equations to deliver the best information and guidance for the most efficient use of water for lawns within the area,” he said.
Middlesex County set for 78th annual fair
One of Central Jersey’s largest events, the Middlesex County Fair, promises fun, farm and animal flair as the venture gets ready to start its 78th year in “business.”… Celebrating 250 years of Rutgers: The Middlesex County Fair is one of several county fairs celebrating Rutgers’ 250th anniversary with special interactive displays designed to bring attendees closer to the revolutionary history of its state university. For generations, Rutgers has been a vital partner in the Garden State’s county fair tradition through Rutgers Cooperative Extension and its 4-H Youth Development Program. To honor the milestone anniversary, all of the state’s county fairs will feature the theme, “Rutgers. Revolutionary for 250 Years.” Fairgoers will have the chance to be a part of history under a special tent that recreates the Nov. 10, 1766 signing of the charter that launched Queens College, the precursor to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Interactive cut-out figures for photo opportunities and “Rutgers 250” plant breeding products are also new this year.
Rutgers turfgrasses prized at Baltusrol, PGA event site
When the world’s top male golfers gather at the legendary Baltusrol Golf Club this week, they will be playing on numerous turfgrasses developed by Rutgers University.
THE GARDENER STATE: On the road against hunger
New Jersey farmers grow such an amazing diversity of fresh produce, providing residents with a bounty of choice, flavor, nutrition and enjoyment… However, for approximately 16 percent of our population, fresh produce is simply not accessible. Since 1…
Rutgers Master Gardeners landscape Habitat for Humanity home
The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County, together with other volunteers from the Community Baptist Church in Somerset and Habitat for Humanity, landscaped their 28th Habitat for Humanity home in Franklin on June 25…
Climate tipping points: What do they mean for society?
The phrase “tipping point” passed its own tipping point and caught fire after author Malcolm Gladwell’s so-named 2000 book. It’s now frequently used in discussions about climate change, but what are “climate tipping points…
