Stewardship
One of the most notable things about the market is that it is energizing and lifts spirits. It is sensory heaven in a relaxed atmosphere. When people shop at the farmer’s market, they mention those feelings, and that people shopping and selling seem happy. The community aspect of farmer’s markets is also strong, and an important reason that farmer’s markets are growing across the nation. People seem to want to connect more with other people, something they do not get when shopping at large supermarkets. http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_ef7f17d1-f4dd-53c3-9247-4c8e7f671113.html
Published in
Stewardship
A bill being considered by state lawmakers would implement the 2014 constitutional dedication of corporate business tax revenues for environmental purposes, including grants for historic preservation. However, as it reads, the measure proposes that 97 percent of dedicated revenue would be used for land acquisition, public recreation and conservation, Blue Acres and farmland preservation. That would only leave 3 percent for historic preservation. http://bit.ly/1xHKP2s
Published in
Stewardship
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation has received $715,000 in grants to protect water resources in the Pine Barrens, the Delaware Bay watershed and the Highlands. The grants represent the first phase of a $35 million, multi-year initiative by the Philadelphia-based William Penn Foundation to protect and restore drinking water for 15 million people in the Delaware River watershed. The watershed covers more than 13,500 square miles and spans New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In South Jersey, the aim is to further protect the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, a vast underground reservoir providing more than 35 billion gallons of clean water annually to residents, farmers, businesses and industry.
Published in
Stewardship
Super Storm Sandy destroyed many trees in Merchantville. Also, many of our trees are mature, and some die every year. New Jersey Forestry together with other organizations is sponsoring the NJ Tree Recovery Campaign. Through this program Merchantville will receive FREE tree seedlings for distribution to residents for planting on their own property. Residents can get up to 5 seedlings at Borough Hall during regular office hours from April 1 through April 18.
Published in
Stewardship
Believe it or not - the ground will begin to thaw soon, and the harbingers of spring will begin to make their presence known. One group of plants that is known for delicate blossoming in early spring, and is not well known outside of hard core gardeners is called spring ephemerals. Ephemeral means short-lived or lasting for a brief time. Spring ephemeral de- scribes perennial flowers that pop up early each spring, quickly bloom, then retreat into dormancy as the heat of summer approaches.
Published in
Stewardship
The Master Gardeners of Camden County are on call for your questions from 9 a.m.-noon weekdays on gardening issues, plant identifications, insect identifications and remedies. Through the Master Gardeners program, administered by Rutgers University, residents who want to become Master Gardeners are trained in classes and then give back to the community by answering residents’ questions in clinics, online and by phone during those weekday hours. There is no fee for this service designed to promote healthy gardens. Call: 856-216-7130 or email.
Published in
Stewardship
Everything you've wanted to know about those pesky insects in your garden and how to keep them from getting to your tasty vegetables before you do will be explained in a workshop presented by Camden County Master Gardeners as part of their Homeowners Series of Workshops on Thursday, April 11th at 7 p.m. at the Camden County Environmental Center. You will learn how to identify the most common insects found on vegetables and how to control them organically. The speaker, Sabrina Tirpak, is the Principal Laboratory Technician at the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. She is also an instructor at Rutgers and a frequent lecturer on insect pest problems in structures, landscapes and gardens. Advanced registration is requested. For more information, call 856-216-7130 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Stewardship
Ladybugs, symbols of good luck from medieval Europe to Chinese lore, are beneficial bugs all gardeners should consider welcoming into their yards and garden plots. Bart Conrad, a master gardener in Camden County, says ladybugs are “a friend to gardeners” because they eat bugs that eat plants.
Published in
Stewardship
"We have found over the years that no matter where you go, you always come back to the farm. This is a legacy my brother and sisters and I want to make sure we can leave for our children," Westermann said. When the invitation came to join Annie's Project, a seven-week seminar for female farmers that covers everything from writing a business plan to marketing crops to estate planning, Westermann jumped on board. "http://bit.ly/AkC1m8"
Published in
Stewardship