New Columnists. Jumping Worms. NJCSE. And the Jersey Shore.

I’m all over the place this month.

First and foremost, I welcome New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison as a new columnist to Gardener News. Joe has taken over the duties of New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture from Douglas H. Fisher, who recently retired after 14 plus years of serving the agricultural constituents of the great Garden State. His column can be found on page 4. The State Board of Agriculture is now searching for a permanent successor. As Assistant Secretary, Joe has assumed direction of the Department of Agriculture since July 1.

I also welcome my long-time friend Bert Kuhn as another new columnist to Gardener News. Bert is currently president of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (NJISA). His column “Tree Notes” can be found on page 10. Bert is also co-owner of Action Tree Service (#NJTC768009), based out of Watchung, NJ.

Now, let’s talk about the invasive Asian jumping worm (Amynthas agrestis) that has many common names: Alabama jumpers, Jersey wrigglers, wood eel, crazy worms, snake worms, and crazy snake worms.

In a garden, earthworms can be great for soil. But did you know about these jumping worms?

Like other earthworms, Asian jumping worms eat tiny pieces of fallen leaves. But there’s a problem. Those fallen leaves make up the top layer of forest soil. The litter layer, as it’s called, is home to a vast number of tiny animals. Many plants can’t grow or spread without the layer of leaf litter.

The worms began arriving in the early 1900s, tucked away in the soil of potted plants. But only in recent decades have these species been showing up in more natural forested ecosystems.

They are considered non-native and invasive because they did not evolve alongside the species of the U.S., and because they harm other species in the ecosystem.

Since jumping worms live in the soil, they can be spread in mulch, potting mixes or potted plants. Raking or blowing leaves can move and concentrate earthworms or their egg sacks, called cocoons. Some municipalities collect fallen leaves from local residents, and then return it in the form of compost. This too can spread the invasive worms.

The best way to prevent future invasions is to avoid moving earthworms around.

During the month of July, I had several opportunities to work alongside members of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) to help set up their newest demo day and exposition. The New Jersey Contractors Showcase Expo (NJCSE), in its inaugural year, is taking place on August 2 at the County College of Morris, behind the Landscape and Horticultural Technology Building. What a great group of professionals. Working alongside them reminded me of the days when I had a horticultural and landscape maintenance business. Thank you for the opportunity.

I’m sure Gail Woolcott will be writing about the event’s success in her September column.

Finally, I’m planning on visiting the beach during the eighth month, I hope nobody shakes their towel in the wind. And I hope the sharks stay far offshore…

Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening, landscaping and nursery communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

After 14-plus years as Secretary of Agriculture and a contributor to the Gardener News, Douglas H. Fisher retired on June 30, 2023.

The State Board of Agriculture now begins searching for a permanent successor. As Assistant Secretary, I assume direction of the Department of Agriculture until that person is sworn in.

Some reading this may have met me before and know something of my background. They may know how I came to be Assistant Secretary and Director of the Division of Marketing & Development.

For 18 years, it’s been my pleasure to serve agriculture. I was initially a Marketing Specialist with the Jersey Fresh program before becoming Coordinator of Agricultural Development. In 2020, I was named Director of Marketing. In 2022, I was honored to be appointed as Assistant Secretary.

Prior to that, I worked at an ad agency serving primarily for Jersey Fresh efforts. I was pleased to work on other projects, including the development of the Jersey Grown program to promote horticultural products grown in New Jersey under certain conditions.

Currently, the Division of Markets is developing a website and promotion program called