New Jersey is home to more than 9,071 farms covering 715,057 acres of farmland. It ranks 5th in blueberry production, 3rd in cranberry production, 3rd in spinach, 3rd in bell peppers, 4th in peach production. (Source: http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/garden/)

Set aside time for the cranberry talk at the Princeton Ag Group lunchtime gathering, 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, at Equad E-322. Lyndon Estes, associate research scholar of WWS-STEP, writes: Peter Oudemans from the plant biology and pathology at Rutgers and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station works closely with cranberry and blueberry industries, mostly in the Pine Barrens. This is a good chance to learn more about Garden State agriculture, as well as Peter’s innovative work (with remote sensing and other technologies) to help growers manage pathogens and improve yields.