Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County

Middlesex County Cooperative Extension Service with Rutgers can be found at the E.A.R.T.H. Center in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park. It is part of a nationwide network that brings the research of state land-grant universities to local people. Find us in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park here: https://tinyurl.com/MidCoEC.

• Cooperative Extension education is available to all residents regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability/handicap.
• Is nationwide (More than 3,000 offices).
• Is cooperatively funded by the Board of County Commissioners, Rutgers University – New Jersey, Agricultural Experiment Station, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Programs are often offered free or for a minimal charge.
• Provides practical, problem-based education.
• Programs are based on scientific facts for local needs and are intended to be objective and non-political.

Goals

To ensure healthy lifestyles, provide productive futures for youth, adults, and communities, enhance and protect environmental resources, ensure economic growth and agricultural sustainability, and improve food safety and nutrition.

Each County in New Jersey is served by an Extension office, and in Middlesex County, the office has been dubbed the EARTH Center. County-funded support staff assist in delivering programs and consultations by Rutgers Professors or Agents, who are experts in their subject matter.

The E.A.R.T.H. Center is the headquarters for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, and the State University’s agricultural outreach wing, home to the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County offers year-round programs and services centered around local agriculture and the environment. The E.A.R.T.H. Center demonstration areas include a 1000-square-foot vegetable garden, a 13-bed herb garden, a butterfly house, native plant displays, and an arboretum. These demonstrations spark conversations about local agriculture, the basics of horticulture, integrated pest management, earth-friendly gardening techniques, and many other topics that are the focus of the Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Division.

What does E.A.R.T.H. stand for?

• Environment

• Agriculture

• Research

• Teaching

• Health

About the Gardens:

Native Plant Garden/Trail

This long-standing project demonstrates how native plants can be incorporated into home landscapes. Native plants support wildlife and can be beautiful additions to our yards. They require less irrigation and fertilizer because they are adapted to our local soil and climate.

Circle of Thyme Herb Garden

Designed and planted by the current Master Gardener interns.

Vegetable Demonstration Garden

A showcase of best gardening practices, aiming to teach the current year’s Master Gardener class while showcasing new plant varieties.

Native Plant Teaching Nursery

This volunteer project aims to increase biodiversity and habitat in suburban landscapes in central New Jersey. Extension staff use this garden to teach volunteers how to collect native seed and grow native plants for donation to local community projects.

Children’s Garden

A display of whimsical plantings and structures encourages kids to read, explore, and learn.

Evergreen Garden of Memories

This area is designed to commemorate and celebrate life events, milestones, and people, a place for meditation.

Rows for the Hungry

A 2-acre donation garden growing fresh, first-quality produce for the food insecure of Middlesex County. The project welcomes schools, community volunteers, and corporations to join in for days of service. As a result, the Rows have grown over 95,000 pounds of produce and continue to “share our harvest and teach to empower”.

Butterfly House

A hoop house filled with plants that feed and shelter caterpillars and larvae. The enclosed space allows visitors to look closely at various butterfly species. Visitors will learn about butterfly host plants and ways of attracting butterflies to their home gardens.