The Rutgers Gardens Student Farm has utilized organic growing methods since its inception.
Follow our journey as we become Certified Organic!
As a new partner of the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership for Organic Transition, the Student Farm will be hosting a series of workshops and educational events to support transitioning and existing organic producers. The Student Farm will also be documenting and sharing its own transition towards becoming certified organic.
Sign up for a new series of Rutgers Gardens Student Farm e-newsletters here, and follow the farm’s Instagram account @rutgersstudentfarm to receive updates on the process towards organic certification. Learn how the Student Farm is developing an Organic System Plan (OSP), which includes charting its field history, buffers, seed and planting stock, materials and inputs, fertility management, natural resource conservation, compost and manure usage, crop rotation, pest management, storage and transportation, and additional recordkeeping.
Read the Rutgers Gardens Student Farm TOPP Newsletters:
Volume 1 – Getting Started (Published 11/18/24)
Volume 2 – Field History & Neighboring Field Activities (Published 12/19/24)
The Student Farm will be hosting a comprehensive slate of technical assistance and training workshops as well as information and networking sessions from now through summer 2025. These events are free to attend, with the target audience of commercial producers (both current and prospective organic) as well as aspiring producers who are exploring their options for organic transition and looking for tips on how to develop an OSP.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT TOPP EVENT…
Future Info Sessions & Workshops:
January 2025 – Materials and Inputs workshop (via Zoom)
January 2025 – Creating an Organic System Plan information & collaborative working group session
February 2025 – Recordkeeping workshop (via Zoom)
June 2025 – Ecosystem Services workshop
June 2025 – What to Expect at an Organic Inspection workshop
PAST EVENTS:
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Organic Pest and Disease Management
Attendees will enjoy a field walk of the Student Farm with an educational focus on weed, pest, and disease management for organic farming. Guest speakers include Kris Holmstrom from the Rutgers Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program and Dr. Andy Wyenandt, an Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology. The conversation will be facilitated by Alex Sawatzky, Assistant Director of Sustainable Agriculture & Urban Farms. There will be an opportunity to network with the guest speakers and other attendees, and light refreshments will be served.
Guest speaker bios:
Kris Holmstrom has managed the Rutgers Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program’s north and central New Jersey operations for 38 years. Program outreach involves training student technicians in insect and disease identification and working directly with commercial vegetable growers to develop strategies to manage these pests in environmentally and economically sound ways. Kris holds a B.S. in Plant Science and an M.S. in Plant Pathology from Rutgers University.
Dr. Andy Wyenandt is an Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology located at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) in Bridgeton, NJ. For the last 20 years, Wyenandt has served as the New Jersey state extension specialist in plant pathology for vegetable and culinary herb diseases, responsible for the identification and control strategies for commercial field and greenhouse growers.
OCTOBER 30, 2024 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Soil Health, Fertility, and Conservation
As the foundation of organic farming, soil and its stewardship must be at the center of any production plan. Most production practices influence soil properties, and therefore must be implemented with intention to adequately sustain or enhance its health and quality. Join us on October 30th at the Rutgers Gardens Student Farm for a field walk and discussion focusing on practices and systems that prioritize soil and contribute towards its capacity to support plant and human health, and overall ecosystem function. Kimberly Dalton (Soil Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service), Joseph Heckman (Extension Specialist in Soil Fertility), and Alex Sawatzky (Assistant Director: Sustainable Agriculture & Urban Farms) will talk about cover cropping, mulching, reduced and no-till, soil carbon amendment, conservation cover, and crop/livestock integration. Kimberly will also give an overview of the programs offered by NRCS that provide technical and financial assistance to farmers, including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Organic Initiative. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and refreshments will be served.
Guest Speaker Bios:
Kimberly Dalton is a Soil Conservationist with NRCS. She graduated with a degree in agricultural sciences from Rutgers and has 10 years of experience in organic vegetable production and now 5 years with the USDA implementing various soil health practices..
NRCS programs that Kimberly will be discussing during this workshop:
Joseph Heckman, Ph.D. is a Professor of Soil Science, Rutgers University, where he teaches courses in Soil Fertility, Organic Crop Production, and Agroecology. He conducts research and extension programs on optimizing nutrition and soil quality in support of plant, animal, and human health. You can read and subscribe to The Soil Profile, Dr. Heckman’s annual newsletter providing information on issues relating to soils and plant nutrition in New Jersey, at this link.
DECEMBER 18, 2024 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Organic 101
Organic certification can seem overwhelming, but we’ll break down the requirements and demystify the process at our upcoming Organic 101 workshop. As a long-time organic certifying agent and administrator, Erich Bremer (NJDA Organic, Sustainable, and Regenerative Agriculture Program) will discuss the ins and outs of certification for new and transitioning farmers interested in organic crop production. We will also hear from farmers with experience as certified organic producers, including Dean Buttacavoli (Cabbage Throw Farm) and Alex Sawatzky (Rutgers Gardens Student Farm). Dean and Alex will offer highlights and important considerations from their journeys as managers of organic operations. After the brief presentations, there will be a Q&A session for all speakers, followed by an opportunity to network and talk shop with fellow attendees during a shared meal.
Capacity for this event is limited and pre-registration is required. Please register at this link. A confirmation email with additional details will be sent to registrants a few days before the event. We hope to see you there!
Guest speaker bios:
Erich Bremer is currently the administrator of the emerging Organic, Sustainable, and Regenerative Agriculture program at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (OSRA – NJDA). He graduated from Cook College, Rutgers University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil Science and a minor in Agroecology. Erich became the Administrator of Organic Certification for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOF-NJ) in 2001. He helped to plan, develop, and implement the certification program. The program was moved from NOFA-NJ to NJDA in 2004, and in 2007 NOFA-NJ surrendered accreditation and NJDA became the official accredited agent. Erich was a founding member of the Accredited Certifier’s Association (ACA) and the National Association of State Organic Programs (NASOP) in 2004. In 2007 and 2008 Erich was on the certification committee for the eOrganic workspace, a project of Oregon State University’s Department of Horticulture. NJDA surrendered accreditation with the USDA in March of 2022 and began to develop the OSRA program. Erich has a passion for teaching and educating. He is a regular guest speaker at Rutgers University and various agricultural events within the state. Erich is now focused on reaching all farmers across NJ with information on how they can implement sustainable and regenerative agriculture techniques to improve the natural infrastructure of their farms and make NJ farmlands more profitable and sustainable.
Dean Buttacavoli is co-owner and operator of Cabbage Throw Farm. His love for growing began in college and grew as he taught a team of Camden teens how to farm, beekeep, and make hot sauce. After working for the non-profit program for two years, he began his journey to branch out as a young market gardener and business owner. Dean farms to improve soil health and to grow the most vibrant and delicious vegetables possible!
One-on-one technical assistance will be available to new and prospective organic growers who attend a workshop, at a limit of one mentorship session per person. This support will be offered by Alex Sawatzky via Zoom or over the phone for one-hour appointments, with eligible participants contacted by our team.
