Ryan Myers became interested in New Jersey’s oyster farming industry two years ago when a Rutgers aquaculture expert spoke at his high school. Myers, now 18, heard about Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program (ASAP), a workforce development program offered through Rutgers and its partners connecting students with businesses to learn about New Jersey’s oyster farming and receive […]
Rutgers Showcases Research and Expertise at 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo
Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) played a leading role in shaping the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo (formerly the New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show), held January 21–23 at Harrah’s Resort and Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City. In remarks to the delegates, NJAES Executive Director Laura Lawson expressed appreciation to Secretary of […]
Plant Biologist Elected to National Academy of Inventors, Receives Highest Honor for His Work
The Rutgers plant biologist was elected to the 2025 Class of the National Academy of Inventors When basil crops across the United States began collapsing 15 years ago, farmers were desperate. A mysterious strain of downy mildew began wiping out crops with no treatments, no way to stop the disease from spreading and no basil […]
New Jersey 4-H Youth Place in Top Three at 2025 National Avian Bowl
New Jersey 4-H sent two youth competitors to the National 4-H Avian Bowl Championships, marking a milestone for the state’s 4-H Poultry Project and Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The competition took place in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 18–21, 2025, where Brooklyn and Cheyenne Bilge of Atlantic County 4-H received an impressive third place overall. The National […]
RCE 4-H Agents Recognized with National Awards at Annual Extension Banquet
Five Extension professionals with the 4-H Department of Youth Development, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, were recognized with national awards for their work supporting 4-H Youth Development in New Jersey by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals this fall. The annual conference, which was held in Atlanta, GA, this year, recognized “those individuals who […]
William Bamka Recognized with “Distinguished Service Award” by Burlington County Board of Agriculture
On November 1, William “Bill” Bamka, agriculture and natural resources (ANR) agent, RCE of Burlington County, was recognized at the Burlington County Board of Agriculture (BOA) dinner with the board’s “Distinguished Service Award.” Bill Cutts, cranberry farmer and Burlington County BOA member, paid tribute to Bamka’s impressive accomplishments over almost three decades at Rutgers. “I’ve […]
Michelle Infante-Casella Named “Woman of the Year” By NJ Farm Bureau
Michelle Infante-Casella, agricultural agent and department head, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County, was recognized as a “Woman of the Year” by the New Jersey Farm Bureau (NJFB) Women’s Leadership Committee on November 17. Infante-Casella was also recognized with a New Jersey Legislative Joint Commendation from Senator John Burzichelli, Assemblyman David Bailey, and Assemblywoman Heather […]
Rutgers FCHS Program in Cape May County Educates Public on Wellness
Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Cape May County Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) program offers a variety of presentations on living a healthy, active lifestyle for overall wellness virtually and at other locations in the county. FCHS partners with organizations to bring classes such as the Lunch and Learn Series offered online and at […]
Announcement: Erin Comollo is the New Family and Consumer Health Sciences Assistant Professor of Teaching
Announcement from Sara Elnakib, chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences Please join me in welcoming Erin Comollo to Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) as a Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) Assistant Professor of Teaching. In this role, she will support the FCHS undergraduate minors, Health Equity and Holistic Wellness, manage our experiential learning internships, […]
FCHS Extension Educator Shailja Mathur Receives National Distinguished Service Award
Rutgers Family and Community Health Sciences Extension Educator (FCHS) Shailja Mathur was honored with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Annual Session held October 20-23 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Distinguished Service Award is NEAFCS’s highest honor, recognizing members who demonstrate exceptional leadership, outstanding educational […]
