Three years ago, administrative and faculty leaders at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station created a “beginner farmer” training program for people new to farming to address two related challenges: the aging of New Jersey farmers and the inexperience of many drawn to the profession. Supported by a grant from […]
Coastal Fisheries Show Surprising Resilience to Marine Heat Waves
Rutgers-led study finds that in the years following marine heat waves, effects on fish communities were often minimal Rutgers-led research found that marine heat waves – prolonged periods of unusually warm ocean temperatures – haven’t had a lasting effect on the fish communities that feed most of the world. The finding is in stark contrast […]
Agritourism: Fall Season Offers Bountiful Reasons to Visit a Farm
By Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Gloucester County What is agritourism? Webster.com defines agritourism (agriculture plus tourism) as “the practice of touring agricultural areas to see farms and participate in farm activities.” There are other names for agritourism– “agritainment,” “rural tourism” and “farm visits.” All are a form of commercial enterprise that links […]
Why the Sea Ice in Antartica is Alarming Scientists
It’s currently winter in Antarctica, but that doesn’t mean the polar region is exempt from the extreme temperatures that are scorching the world. While normally the ocean around Antarctica freezes in the winter, growing sea ice that is essential to the marine food web, this year that ice isn’t growing as usual. “What we’re seeing […]
Using Evidence From Last Ice Age, Scientists Predict Effects of Rising Seas on Coastal Habitats
Extent of future warming will dictate impacts, according to research involving a Rutgers scientist The rapid sea level rise and resulting retreat of coastal habitat seen at the end of the last Ice Age could repeat itself if global average temperatures rise beyond certain levels, according to an analysis by an international team of scientists […]
Scientists and Researchers Explore Immersive Science Learning for Rutgers Undergraduates
Researchers at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) have been exploring innovative ways to engage undergraduates in research and science learning. SEBS has undertaken a series of pilot projects that offer high school and undergraduate students ways to engage with STEM subjects in partnership with university scientists. “As researchers and educators, we are interested […]
Naydeline Navarrete (SEBS’27): Setting Her Sights on a Career Teaching Agriculture
Naydeline Navarrete (SEBS’27) —a native New Yorker—chose John Bowne High School in the city because of her love of animals and Bowne’s agriscience institute. The lure of working with animals was strong and the agriscience program not only involved animals, but a 4-acre farm. Naydeline found herself volunteering for everything from managing her own plot, […]
So, Where Are All the Spotted Lanternflies?
Rutgers entomologists explain what may have happened to the invasive species in New Jersey Students strolling through Busch campus at Rutgers University–New Brunswick last fall were greeted by a slew of spotted lanternflies – invasive insects who huddled outside of the Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering and other buildings like anxious, early morning shoppers on […]
North American Strawberry Growers Association Hosted in New Jersey
The North American Strawberry Growers Association visited New Jersey on August 15 and 16 for its annual tour. Executive Director of the North American Strawberry Growers Association Kevin Schooley, based in Ontario, Canada, organized the tour with suggested stops from Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents, Bill Hlubik, Peter Nitzsche and Gary Pavlis. Tour stops included […]
‘Fields of Devotion’ Connects New Jersey Communities to Rutgers Research
Fields of Devotion, the science-in-action film featuring Rutgers University plant biologists developing disease-resistant food crops, is bringing farmers and university researchers together to discuss ways to jointly tackle New Jersey’s food production challenges. The film, directed by Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) science communications researcher Dena Seidel, will air on New Jersey PBS on August 19 at 5:00 […]