NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The dream of owning a small farm is an exciting one; many have been captivated by visions of vibrant vegetable rows and flourishing flower fields where they can spend their days making a living from the land. Those who decide that they want to make the leap into farming will quickly find themselves wondering where to begin. This is where the RU Ready to Farm Beginner Farmer Training Program comes in. This program seeks to grow and empower new and beginner farmers of all ages and backgrounds and help them find the path to a farm of their own. The program team is directed by Middlesex County Agricultural Agent Bill Hlubik with Co-PI’s Monmouth County Agent Bill Errickson and Rutgers Gardens Director Lauren Errickson. Brendon Pearsall is the program coordinator and works closely with support from Linnea Eberly and Alex Sawatzky. The three-year program arc provides students with a gradual step-by-step approach into farming for profit, without requiring them to quit their day-job. This class offers a wealth of information and resources for anyone, from those who are already farming or homesteading, to the curious gardener who is wondering if farming is right for them.
Phase 2 of the RU Ready to Farm program features the students and program team collaborating to produce and market a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) style farm share product from the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station’s Specialty Crops Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge, NJ. Students cooperatively farm a one-acre plot of land at this facility, as well as participate in a variety of educational events that take place at the Cream Ridge farm. Recently, the RU Ready to Farm program hosted Mercer County Agriculture Agent Meredith Melendez and Extension Specialist Thierry Besancon at Cream Ridge to give an educational weed walk. One of the program students, Christina, commented that “The weed walk-through provided by Rutgers Extension Services was extremely beneficial for us beginner farmers looking to launch our businesses with a strong weed management plan in place. It is really valuable to learn how to reduce weed pressure and implement practices that will support my operation for the long term, rather than only depending on herbicides as a short-term, and often costly, solution. The workshop not only provided hands-on practice with identifying weeds in the field, but also really insightful fact sheets and SARE literature on managing common weeds specific to my region. I am certain I will reference these resources for years to come as I implement weed management on my own small-farm operation. Thanks Rutgers!”
In addition to valuable educational events, the facility at Cream Ridge has also been a valuable space for exciting, interactive community networking events. Organized by the program students, the Customer Appreciation Day held on September 18 was a huge hit. The students’ CSA customers and family members were able to tour the farm where all of their produce had been grown during the summer and were able to learn about the work that went into it. Program student Lisa described the event: “About 53 customers attended for a tour of the farm where their vegetables were grown this year. Tables were set in the shade with fresh picked flower bouquets displayed. Each of the Beginner Farmers and Members of the program this year made various dishes to share with our customers using ingredients from our very own farm. Dishes included mixed vegetable salad, garlic dip, zucchini bread, stuffed lunchbox peppers and much more. Before lunch and desserts were served the customers were given a walking tour. Brendon Pearsall, the Program Coordinator kicked it off. The Program Director and Co-Directors, William (Bill) T. Hlubik and William (Bill) Errickson as well as the Farm Coach, Alex Sawatzky, also addressed the group, thanking them for their participation in the program and thanking the Beginner Farmers who made it all possible. The customers had a chance to walk the farm, hear from the Beginner Farmers and even harvest a few items firsthand! It was a wonderful experience. We completed the day with delicious dishes and warm conversation with our customers.”
The Rutgers Specialty Crops Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge has provided a beautiful location for the RU Ready to Farm program, and will continue to be home to exciting events for years to come.
–Bill Hlubik, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County