Upcoming Programs and Events

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Warren County Grow with Us Workshop

Join Lynn Waclawski, Horticulture Program Assistant with the RCE of Warren County to learn all the basics about starting a home garden. Choose from four available dates – each session covers the same topics.
Participants will be given some free seed packets to take home.
Follow up workshops and gardening assistance will be available after the workshop concludes.

Workshop Dates:
Friday, February 27th 10am – 11:30am
Location: Rutgers Cooperative Extension Building, 3 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere, NJ
Monday, March 9th 4pm – 5:30pm
Location: Zoom Meeting
Thursday, March 26th 10:30am – 12pm
Location: Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ
Wednesday, April 15th 6:30pm – 8pm
Location: Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Road, Blairstown, NJ

New Jersey Commercial Vegetable & Fruit Growers Meetings

2026 Farmer Symposium

Save the date for the 2026 Farmer Symposium. The list of speakers and topics is being finalized. Beverages and food will be provided.
**Please note new location**
Wayne Dumont Jr Administration Building
165 County Road 519
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Saturday, March 21st, 2026
10am – 3pm
Registration Fee – $25 per person
Click this link to register: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GN8Ztau3x2T422

Tick Talk: Stay Safe in the Garden and Beyond

Join us online for a friendly and informative session with Lynn Waclawski, Home Horticulture Program Assistant, presented in partnership with the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology.
We’ll talk about the types of ticks found in New Jersey, their lifecycles, the diseases they can carry, and simple ways to stay safe while gardening or enjoying the outdoors.
Did you know you can become a citizen scientist by submitting ticks you find to help contribute to New Jersey’s tick map? Join us to learn how you can get involved! Registration is free. Session details below.

Session Details
Date: May 8th
Time: 12pm – 1pm
Location: Zoom Meeting

Invasive Weeds: Learn to Identify and Control Them

Join Lynn Waclawski, Horticulture Program Assistant with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Warren County, for an informative session on invasive weeds impacting New Jersey’s ecosystems, landscapes, and home gardens.
This presentation will cover practical strategies for managing and remediating these problem plants, how invasive plant species disrupt natural and cultivated environments and key identification features of 12 common invasive weeds frequently submitted to our helpline.

Session Details
Date: May 21st, 2026
Time: 7pm – 8:30pm
Location: 3 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere, NJ

Rutgers Environmental Steward Program

A Rutgers Environmental Steward is a volunteer that is trained in the important environmental issues affecting New Jersey and works to help solve local environmental problems. No previous experience needed, you simply need a passion for the environment and a desire to help solve local environmental problems.

• Weekly classes taught by leading researchers from Rutgers, government, and the nonprofit sector. Tuesdays 5:30-8:30 p.m. Approximately 11 online and 5 in-person sessions running January-May.
• Field trips to environmentally significant sites are included.
• Topics include, but are not limited to climate change, solid waste, recycling, soil health, alternative energy, water quality, habitat conservation, pollinator protection, and environmental policy.
• Complete a 60-hour project in your community to become certified.
• Program fee– $325
• 2026 registration is closed. Look for 2027 registration details later in the year.

Past Programs from 2025

Rutgers Environmental Stewards Information Sessions

Are you passionate about the environment? Do you want to learn more and take action in your community? Join us to learn more about the Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program to see if it is the right fit for you!

Find us Here:

• Monday, November 14, 12:00 p.m., on Zoom Register for free here: https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/CblTmuLgRaG4Pw4IsQhpMg
• Tuesday, December 2, 10:30 a.m., Free Phillipsburg Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
• Friday, December 19, 10:30 a.m., Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Ward Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825

Permanent Permaculture

Do you want to turn your backyard into a functional and sustainable oasis? Join Stephanie Rath-Tickle for a discussion about the 12 Permaculture Principles: what they are and how we can put them into practice in our own backyards. This is a free program, but please pre-register, as space is limited: https://tinyurl.com/5fysn4t3 For any questions please contact lwaclawski@co.warren.nj.us .

• Date: October 23
• Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
• Location: RCE Office, 3 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere, NJ (Rear of the building behind St. Luke’s)

Community Ag Day with Rutgers Cooperative Extension

 A growing family event promoting agriculture & history in Warren County NJ. Join us for educational workshops, including the following topics: Composting, Backyard Chickens, Growing Garlic, Rain Barrels, Backyard Beekeeping, and Fiber Arts. There will also be a plant swap, animals, pumpkin painting, food, music and more. Free admission & free parking!

• Date: October 4, 2025
• Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Location: Van Nest-Hoff Vannatta Farm, 3026 Belvidere Road Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

Growing and Preserving Herbs

Join Sherri Cirignano MS, RDN, LDN, and Lynn Waclawski, Home Horticulture Program Assistant, to learn about various preservation methods that can be utilized for fresh herbs. Participants will be invited to sow seeds in a planter to take home and lunch will be served. Please pre-register, space is limited!

• Date: September 16
• Time: 12-1 PM
• Location- RCE Office, 2 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere, NJ (Rear of the building, behind St. Luke’s)

Ticks, Disease and Prevention Virtual Lunch and Learn

Warren County is a hotspot for tick activity! The prevention of tick bites can help prevent tick borne disease, such as Lyme’s Disease. Join us on your lunch break to learn about ticks in NJ, from the experts. Dina Fonesca and Emily Fontaine, of the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology, will be presenting and sharing the data they have been collecting. There is no registration fee, but please register in advance, by 6/18/25. For questions, call or email 908-475-6507 or lwaclawski@co.warren.nj.us

• Date: Monday, June 23, 2025
• Time: 12:00-12:45 p.m.
• Location: Virtual on Zoom

Invasive Weeds in NJ Zoom

Grab your lunch and join Lynn Waclawski, Horticulture Program Assistant with the RCE of Warren County, for a presentation on invasive plants in NJ. Learn about what makes a species invasive, as well as how to identify and manage common species in our region. This is a free presentation, but please pre-register here: https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/G9gPZmuaTeqFEXjJ9yJpvA

• Date: Monday, August 11, 2025
• Time: 12-1:30 p.m.
• Location: Virtual on Zoom

Pest and Disease in the Vegetable Garden

Is your garden looking sick this year, or are you looking for tips on how to keep it healthy? Join us for an in-person presentation with Lynn Waclawski, Horticulture Program Assistant, to learn about how to prevent and manage pests and disease in the vegetable garden.
This is a free event, however pre-registration is required. Click on the link to register: https://tinyurl.com/4wwz4j5j .
Parking and entrance are in the rear, lower level parking lot of the building.
Hope to see you there!  For questions, call or email 908-475-6507 or lwaclawski@co.warren.nj.us

• Date: Monday, July 14 , 2025
• Time: 6:30p.m.- 7:30p.m.
• Location: Wayne Dumont Admin. Bldg., 165 CR-519 S, Suite 102, in Belvidere, NJ

Invasive Weed ID Walk

Trying to figure out which plants are invasive growing around your home grounds and garden? Join Horticulture Program Assistant, Lynn Waclawski to learn how to to identify several common invasive weeds in the area and why removing/preventing them is a good idea.
This walk will be on the Paulinskill Trail, in Blairstown, NJ, meeting in the leftmost parking lot upon entering the Footbridge Park entrance. The walk will be approximately 1 mile and take approximately 45 minutes.
This is a free event, however please pre-register to receive additional information and communications in case of any changes. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yr7t7ty8
Rain date: In the event of heavy rains or thunderstorms, 7/22/25 at 10:00 a.m.  For questions, call or email 908-475-6507 or lwaclawski@co.warren.nj.us

• Time: 10 a.m.- 11 a.m.
• Date: Monday, July 21, 2025
• Location: 1 Footbridge Lane, Blairstown, NJ

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