Thinking About Farming Garlic…Learn If Farming Garlic is right for you at the Ultra-Niche Crops Series Workshop on October 17, 2017
Cape May Court House - Rutgers Cooperative Extension continues its Ultra-Niche Crop Series with the upcoming workshop “Farming Garlic.” This workshop, the sixth class in the Ultra-Niche educational series for farmers seeking new crop opportunities, will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., simultaneously in Cape May Court House, Bordentown and Bridgewater, New Jersey.
“Garlic fits well into farm operations selling directly to the consumer and is in high demand locally,” says Jenny Carleo, County Agent, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County and the Ultra-Niche Series Project Director.
Ultra-Niche Crops are defined as exceptionally high-value crops that can provide a significant source of income to the farmer while using a minimal amount of land. In this session, farmers will learn how to grow, market and sell garlic and how to make practical decisions on marketing and crop production.
The workshop will feature a 20-minute “Virtual Field Trip” video on the production and marketing of garlic, as well as, a speakers’ panel that includes Farmer: Jeff Tober, Specialist: Dr. Tom Orton, and Buyer: Ian Keith.
Jeff Tober is Farm manager of Fernbrook Farm CSA. The family-owned farm, located in Chesterfield, NJ, currently blends agriculture, horticulture, education and community. Dr. Tom Orton, Specialist, Rutgers University. Dr. Orton is an Extension Specialist at Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton, NJ. He focuses on breeding new vegetable varieties and developing new production methods. Ian Keith is Chef at Harvest, the new dining venue at the Rutgers New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health.
Participants will be led through worksheets to guide them in determining whether or not growing garlic is right for them, their acreage, and their situation. The cost for this workshop is $20 and includes a dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Jenny Carleo at (609) 465-5115 or email Jennifer Matthews at JLM479@njaes.rutgers.edu. To register go to Eventbrite: https://rutgerscmcag.eventbrite.com. The deadline to register is October 10, 2017.
Upcoming Ultra-Niche Crops Series programs include: Beach Plums on November 8, 2017 and Asparagus on December 12, 2017. To find out more about the Rutgers Ultra-Niche Crops Project, please go to https://njaes.rutgers.edu/ultra-niche-crops/.
The Rutgers Ultra-Niche Crops Project is sponsored by a grant from the USDA-NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program with the purpose of giving new and beginning farmers an introduction to crops that can help them make more money on less land.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s education programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.