The North American Agrivoltaics Awards (NAAA) program announced on August 5 that Rutgers’ work in agrivoltaics had won its “Solar Farm of 2025” award. For the past several years, a project at Rutgers University, the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program (RAP), has been focused on “agrivoltaics,” also known as “dual-use” solar, and is showing that a farm’s […]
Rutgers Unveils “Scarlet Sunrise,” a Sweet Bicolor Grape Tomato
After nearly a decade of painstaking research, a new tomato variety is ready for its moment in the sun. “Scarlet Sunrise,” a bicolor grape tomato developed through a long collaboration between Rutgers researchers Peter Nitzsche and Tom Orton, is a sweet, crack-resistant tomato with a golden hue and a reddish blush. Its name is meant to be evocative […]
How Puerto Rican Communities Stepped Up After Hurricane María
When Hurricane María hit Puerto Rico in 2017, it left behind widespread destruction—no power, destroyed homes, and thousands dead. Many people felt abandoned by the government. But some local groups stepped up to take care of their neighbors when official help never came. In a new study published in Geoforum, the authors explore how two […]
Flying High to Find Drought-Resistant Grass
Zoysiagrass is a popular lawn choice because it looks great and handles heat fairly well—but it still struggles in dry conditions. A new study is using drones and advanced imaging technology to find out which types of zoysiagrass do best when water is scarce. Bingru Huang, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant Biology and […]
Building Fair Climate Solutions: What We Can Learn from Washington and Colorado
Todd Vachon, an affiliate of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute, is a co-author of a new study that explores how different groups—like labor unions, environmental advocates, and community organizations—can work together to create fair and effective climate policies. The study, published in Environmental Politics, compares two major efforts in Washington State and Colorado to build […]
Scientists Uncover DNA Secrets to Bolster Corn Crop Traits
A team that includes Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists has unlocked some of the secrets of corn DNA, revealing how specific sections of genetic material control vital traits such as plant architecture and pest resistance. The discovery could enable scientists to use new technologies to improve corn, making it more resilient and productive, the scientists said. […]
Helping People Spot Greenwashing: A New Tool to Tell Truth from Hype
Greenwashing—when companies make themselves look more eco-friendly than they really are—is becoming a serious problem as the world tries to tackle climate change. A new study helps people understand when a company is being honest about going green and when it’s just using “green” talk to distract or mislead. The study, published in Ecology and […]
RCE Agents Honored and Played Key Roles in NACAA’s 2025 Annual Meeting
The 110th National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference was held from June 29 to July 2 in Billings, Montana, with more than 1,000 Extension agents and staff in attendance. NACAA, whose mission is to further the professional improvement of Extension agents, fosters communication and cooperation among all Extension. […]
Clams Grew Slower in Warmer Ancient Seas, Study Finds
A new study reveals that warmer oceans thousands of years ago slowed the growth of an important clam species in the Adriatic Sea—giving us a glimpse into how marine life might react to future climate change. Fiorella Prada, assistant professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and affiliate of the Rutgers Climate and Energy […]
Rising Seas, Salty Rivers: A Growing Threat to Our Water Supplies
As the planet warms, salt is sneaking into the places we least expect it—our rivers. A new study warns that salt contamination of drinking water in tidal rivers is becoming a serious and global problem. Robert Chant, professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and affiliate of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute, […]
