Media Advisory
June 13, 2003

In May, Anthony Rodale, Chairman of The Rodale Institute®, announced the single-most ambitious agricultural initiative of this century: Rodale called for 100,000 farmers, about 5% of America’s remaining 2 million farmers, to transition to Certified Organic by 2013.

On June 20, 2003, in celebration of this bold initiative, www.NewFarm.org of The Rodale Institute® invites you to attend a Field Day at Bob and Leda Muth’s Family Farm, in south New Jersey. There will be a tour of their transitioning organic farm, experts will talk about a variety of organic issues they’re facing today, and lunch will be provided to anyone who wishes to attend. The Muth’s began to transition their farm to organic in the late 1990’s. By 2002, they had three acres organic and today have nine of their twenty-seven acres certified organic.

Transitioning to Organic: Commercial-scale Vegetable Production in South Jersey

Date: Friday, June 20, 2003

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location: The Muth Family Farm, 1639 Pitman-Downer Rd., Williamstown, NJ

Cost: Free. Lunch will be served.

Who: Open to the public. Media welcome to attend.

To attend: Contact the NOFA-NJ office by June 16th; bmcgee@nofanj.org, or call 609-737-6848.

Description: This field day will bring South Jersey farmers together to learn about transitioning their farms to organic.

  • Hosts Bob & Leda Muth will give a tour of their 27-acre, 2nd-generation farm, one-third of which is now certified organic.
  • Dr. Anu Rangarajan of Cornell University will cover organic research and education.
  • Gloucester County Extension Agent Michelle Infante-Casella will talk about cover crops and crop rotations.
  • David Wilson and Matt Ryan of The Rodale Institute® will discuss compost tea.
  • Erich Bremer of NOFA-NJ will talk about complying with NOP (National Organic Program) standards.

    Sponsors: Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ), The Rodale Institute®, The Northeast Organic Network (NEON), & Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County

    Directions to Muth Family Farm:

    NJ Turnpike to Swedesboro Exit 2.
    Make a right onto Rt. 322 East; follow signs and stay on Rt. 322 East towards Glassboro.
    Once you pass over the Rt. 55 overpass in Richwood, go 5 lights and make a Right at the 5th light onto Rt. 47 South.
    At the next light make a Left onto New Street (Rt. 689).
    Travel for about 1 mile to the next traffic light and make a Right onto Pitman-Downer Road.
    Travel about ¼ mile to Box #1639.
    Farm is on both sides of the road, enter on your left near small white barn.

    If you are planning to use Route 55, get off at exit 50A and take Rt. 322 East and follow directions above.

    If you are coming from Pennsylvania, take the Commodore Barry Bridge into New Jersey; once you exit the bridge the road is Rt. 322 East, then follow directions above.

    # # #

    For more information about NewFarm.org and related programs, please contact Michael Straus, (415) 777-1170, Michael@strauscom.com. Also, visit www.newfarm.org/pressroom.