$813,000 in Federal Grant Funds to Promote Garden State Agriculture
Atlantic Highland Herald, 10/8/2014
The Christie Administration has received a $813,342 Specialty Crop Block Grant to fund 13
initiatives to benefit Garden State crops such as fruits, vegetables, as well as horticulture and
nursery...The projects to be funded by New Jersey's grant include: Rutgers New Jersey
Agricultural Experiment Station - Evaluate the use of low-tunnels to extend the growing season
for specialty crops including strawberries, kale, collards and mustard greens; evaluate both
organic and conventional agricultural management systems; educate local farmers on the
benefits of low-tunnel use to extend their growing season of the specialty crops; increase farmer
awareness of the project through video segments and a project website; encourage more
sustainable management practices including more efficient use of pesticides, fertilizers and water.
Bear Cub Mystery in NYC: Explaining Recent Black Bear News
National Geographic, 10/8/2014
This week, a young black bear was found dead in New York City's Central Park. The six-monthold female had been likely killed by a car, though how she got into the heart of the biggest city in
the United States is still a mystery, according to news reports...National Geographic spoke with
Brooke Maslo, a wildlife specialist at Rutgers University with extensive knowledge of black
bears, about the recent events and what to do if you encounter a bear.
Bear attack in West Milford happened after warning from hikers, was 'one in a million,'
experts say
nj.com, 10/8/2014
The five hikers who were apparently attacked by a bear last month in West Milford, with one
ending up dead, were warned along the trail by hikers who said they were being followed by the
animal, authorities said today..."Bears are generally fearful of humans, and will avoid interactions
with people whenever possible," added Brooke Maslo, an assistant professor at Rutgers
University's Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources.
Some foods really don't belong in the refrigerator, experts say
NorthJersey.com, 10/12/2014
Distinguished scholar, microbiologist and Rutgers University professor Dr. Don Schaffner
would like to impart some personal wisdom upon the general public in an effort to educate those
who might benefit from his insight: He eats his peanut butter at room temperature only. "I
personally just don't like cold peanut butter, so I keep it out of the refrigerator," Schaffner said.
And he's not just talking Skippy, or Jif. He means natural peanut butter, without any
preservatives. While other food safety experts, in an abundance of caution, might say he's living
dangerously, you know what, says the renowned food scientist and unabashed peanut butter
lover? It ain't gonna kill ya.
How Effective Are 'Natural' Bed Bug Pesticides?
Science2.0, 10/12/2014
People concerned about human-insecticide exposure have stimulated interest in alternative bed
bug control materials, including oil-based pesticides and detergent insecticides...But how well do
they work? Researchers from Rutgers University evaluated the efficacy of nine essential oilbased products and two detergents that are labeled and marketed as 'natural' bed bug control.
Natural Treatments Kill Bed Bugs
Newsmax Health, 10/13/2014
Researchers from Rutgers University have found that two "natural" commercial alternatives to
pesticides were 90 percent effective in killing and controlling bed bugs. The two products - sold as
EcoRaider and Bed Bug Patrol - killed more than 90 percent of the bugs treated with them. Nine
other non-synthetic insecticides tested by the Rutgers researchers had any noticeable effects
against bed bugs, according to a study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.
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