The goal of this initiative is to promote soil health research, education and outreach that will lead to the restoration of New Jersey’s soil resources and development of a sustainable system to protect them for future generations.
Vision 2025
NJAES Vision 2025 is a strategic initiative with a goal for NJAES programs, farms, field stations, business incubators, and centers to become national models that are sustainable, responsive, innovative, and inclusive. Working with internal and external advisory committees will allow for transparent and diverse input on targeted investments in infrastructure, IT, and equipment.
Strategic investments and expanded engagement will provide a platform for faculty and staff to build greater capacity and capabilities at NJAES to address current and future needs of New Jersey and broader society!
Recent Accomplishments
Horticultural Farm III (HF3) is located about a mile from the George H. Cook Campus of Rutgers in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The 60-acre farm is used for hazelnut, vegetable (i.e., tomatoes, peppers), and small fruit trials. It consists of field plots for testing new plant varieties, greenhouses and barns.
The New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center (AIC) is a research and training facility that supports New Jersey aquaculture. The AIC supports production of disease-resistant seed oysters, a critical component in efforts to revitalize the oyster industry in Delaware Bay and other east coast bays and estuaries.
Current Focus Areas
Identify climate risk for communities and resource-based industries and demonstrate/evaluate climate management practices, resiliency preparedness responses and clean energy technologies.
Catalyze economic development in the agricultural and food sectors through innovation and entrepreneurship, new crop development, and diversity; support business succession and inter-generational transfer of farm assets; support new farmers through agricultural incubation programs.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension engagement and program delivery in urban and suburban communities that center on access, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Upcoming Investments
Marine Programs
Marine program efforts address real world challenges and support climate resilience and adaptation. Projects are underway to better coordinate NJAES marine programs at locations along the New Jersey coastline. This will serve to expand research and education capabilities to address critical issues for the marine industry and coastal communities. Programs will also be expanded in habitat restoration through living shorelines, supporting conservation of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds.
Cream Ridge
Rutgers Fruit and Ornamental Research Extension Farm in Cream Ridge conducts and disperses research applicable to the production of high-quality trees, small fruits, and ornamental nursery crops. The research at Cream Ridge investigates production efficiency and protection of fruit crops against environmental and biological hazards, by decreasing production costs and pesticide use. Program plans for Cream Ridge include development of a pollinator center and a beginning farmer resource center.
Investments in Cream Ridge will include much needed repairs to the dam, improving safety and expanding the irrigation capacity at this facility. Deer fencing will be installed, old equipment will be replaced, IT capabilities will be improved, and on-site greenhouses will be repaired.
For a full description of the Vision 2025 initiative see Vision 2025 Presentation (8MB PDF).
Contact Information
For more information contact NJAES Senior Associate Directors:
Brian Schilling
Email: brischi@njaes.rutgers.edu