Young Grower Tour Heads to New Jersey
November 5, 2018 
Young Grower Alliance members visited Waters Orchard in Germantown, MD, last fall. (Photo: Young Grower Alliance)
A specialty crop tour for young growers will be held on Dec. 5 by Penn State Extension Young Grower Alliance (YGA). The tour will begin at 10 a.m. at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton, NJ, and end at 3 p.m., following a tour of Larchmont Farms in Elmer, NJ.
Dr. Dan Ward, Director of Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, will lead the tour at the facility, and scientists will present research on a variety of topics of importance to horticultural producers including: pest control recommendations based on entomologic research, water-quality testing and where to find irrigation water sources, protecting honey bees during blueberry pollination, as well as providing strategies and tactics for growers to adapt to a changing climate.
Larchmont Farms operates a 1,000-acre commercial fruit orchard and the largest packinghouse in southern New Jersey. Owner Charles Haines will share how he has integrated technological innovations on his operation. The Haines family has utilized the H-2A for more than 20 years, and they will also lead a discussion on employee recruitment and retention.
The tour is free and lunch is included. Interested growers are encouraged to register with Penn State Extension, and to contact Don Seifrit, Penn State Extension Tree Fruit Educator, for carpool and other details.
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