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Cape May Court House – With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions by Rutgers University, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Cape May County officially re-opened its doors to the public on June 7, 2021.
Gary Pavlis, Acting Department Head, RCE of Cape May County, said, “We are happy that things are getting back to normal safely, and we are once again able to serve residents and visitors to Cape May County in-person.” Although RCE staff returned to the office in June of 2020 and continued to serve the community by appointment, email and telephone, the building remained closed to the public along with most other county facilities. Pavlis added, “Although our doors weren’t physically open, we were still able to provide many virtual educational programs as well as services such as farmers’ certificates, soil tests, pesticide manuals and answers to gardening questions.”
Brian Schilling, Director, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, announced the lifting of restrictions for extension offices following Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Orders that went into effect on June 7, 2021. These orders removed many of the public health and safety protocols implemented to slow community transmission of COVID-19, most notably the rescinding of previous orders governing requirements for gathering and capacity limits, mask use, and social distancing.
Schilling’s announcement stated, “In alignment with Governor Murphy’s determinations, Rutgers Cooperative Extension faculty, staff, and volunteer leaders now have increased flexibility to organize and host in-person extension programs, meetings, and related activities.” Rutgers Cooperative Extension may develop and deliver indoor and outdoor programs with no group size limits and social distancing requirements. Although masks are not required for outdoor activities, they are still required for indoor programs and meetings.
Cape May County 4-H is excited to offer horse and livestock clinics and shows on the 4-H fairgrounds throughout the summer. The Rutgers 4-H Teen Leader Naturalist Program is underway at the Nature Center of Cape May and runs through August 20th. Also, 4-H will be teaching natural science at Woodbine Elementary Summer School for six weeks in July and August and 4-H clubs are meeting in-person. Family & Community Health Sciences and Agriculture and Natural Resources will continue to offer virtual Lunch & Learn programs, wellness programs and workshops during July and August. The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group will return to in-person meetings starting in August.
Please visit our website capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu for up-to-date information about programs and services offered by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County or call 609-465-5115.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County helps both youth and adults improve their knowledge and skills, enhance their quality of life, and resolve problems in areas of food, nutrition, health, and wellness; food safety; agriculture; environmental and natural resource management; and youth development. This is accomplished through the use of science-based knowledge and university research. Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s education programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.