Rutgers offers horse farm, land management course The Rutgers Equine Science Center and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension have scheduled a two-day "Equine Farm and Land Management Short Course" Oct. 5 and 6. Specially designed for owners and managers of horse farms and other livestock facilities, the course will cover the basics of pasture nutrition and maintenance, manure management, soil fertility, environmental policies and regulations, weed and toxic plant identification, forage species, hay evaluation, composting, drainage and buffering systems, and other essential topics, according to a press release from the Rutgers Equine Science Center. In addition, the course will feature Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D., director of the Equine Science Center and director of Extension with the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, providing an overview of the economic impact of the horse industry in New Jersey, based on a study just completed by the center. The Equine Farm and Land Management Short Course is being organized by Bill Sciarappa, Ph.D., Monmouth County agricultural agent, and Carey Williams, Ph.D., equine specialist for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Williams said in the press release, "This course is very timely in view of recently enacted environmental policies that affect horse and livestock operations throughout the state. A similar course that took place this past March generated rave reviews from participants." In addition to farm owners, others who would benefit from this course are educators, regulators, municipal officials and people interested in forage, nutrition and farm management, according to Williams. The session on Friday will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Monmouth County Extension Office in the Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. The day will consist of illustrated lectures in a classroom setting. On Saturday, participants will gather from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stargate Farm, 631 Route 524, Allentown, for hands-on learning in the field. Both days will include a coffee break and working lunch with discussion. The cost is $95 for both days, and $60 for either Friday only or Saturday only. The fee includes meals and materials. Enrollment is limited to 80 people. For further information or to register, go to www.esc.rutgers.edu and click on "Farm and Land Management" in the upper-right corner. Information is also available by e-mailing salinger@njaes.rutgers. edu.