1. Who or what is
the South Jersey RC&D?
2. Why are
you operating these weather stations?
3. Can a nonprofit organization
do this?
4. Where are your
weather stations located?
5. Can I contact
the weather stations directly?
6. What is the cost?
7. What can I do with this
system?
8. What
else does the South Jersey RC&D Council offer?
9. Where do I find soils
information?
10. What
is a crop coefficient (Kc) and where is it?
11. What
is "copy right" and "fair use"?
1. Who or what is the South Jersey RC&D?
The South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the wise use of the natural resources located in the eleven county area of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem.
The South Jersey RC&D Council receives funding from various project related grants, dues from sponsors and donations from folks like yourself. We also receive fees from the sale of the weather data we collect.
To read more about the works of the South Jersey RC&D Council follow these links. You will have to use your back bottom to come back to this page.
2.Why are you operating these weather stations?
In 1988, we were asked to help research or develop a program to assist farmers with irrigation scheduling. We began our work with helping USDA SCS (now the NRCS) introduce and operate several Campbell Pacific neutron soil moisture probes. We then introduced an infrared plant thermometer.
Following this, we began researching new technology. In 1990, we worked with USDA SCS to acquire a single Campbell Scientific, Inc., remote weather station.
In 1992, Council secured its first grants for this project. These grants provided funds to buy install and operate five weather stations in Camden and Gloucester counties. The first station was dedicated in April 1993 and remains in operation in Bethel Mill Park, Gloucester County.
This network of weather stations provides data for irrigation scheduling, pest management, watershed modeling, nonpoint source pollution control, and much more.
Yes, nonprofit's can do just about anything, as long as they complete all required forms for the IRS and the state they are located in.
The purpose of the nonprofit - its "Articles of Incorporation" - actually sets the stage for what it can and can not do.
This network of weather stations is consistent with our long-range Area Plan. We asked for and received permission to modify our original application to the IRS to allow us to operate this weather network and charge a fee for the service we provide. This fee is restricted to the operation and maintenance of the entire network system.
4. Where are these weather stations located?
We currently have 16 weather stations located in eight counties. Follow this link to see a map of the area.
5. Can I contact a weather station directly?
No. We do not allow anyone to contact our weather stations. This is for data security purposes.
Cost is discussed on our opening page. If you need special service, go to our "Comments" page from our opening page and leave us a detailed message. A price quote will arrive at your e-mail address.
7. What can I do with this system?
You can do a lot. The weather data can be used in a number of ways.
First is the irrigation scheduling component. You can use this to schedule water application to your lawn or any turf area you manage - except maybe golf course greens. You can use the irrigation scheduling for most agricultural crops. This can save you money on pumping water and may provide you a healthier and more productive crop.
You can use the temperature component to predict insect infestations and life cycle changes. This can save you money on pesticide applications, especially if you apply that pesticide at the proper time for control.
You can monitor weather conditions in specific parts of the Area.
If you are a utility company, you could monitor utility use by watching area wide weather changes.
Of course, you can use the rest of the site for conservation information and educational activities.
8. What else does the South Jersey RC&D offer?
The South Jersey RC&D Council offers a wide array of service. To view our many projects, visit this link. Remember to use your back button to come back here.
9. Where do I find soils information?
The soils information for South Jersey is right here.
10. What are crop coefficients and where are they?
Crop coefficients are well-researched multipliers that you use to "approximate" water use by a crop. We have some of the more requested crop coefficients here. If you use our irrigation scheduling component, you will need these numbers.
11. Why is your information copyrighted? And what is "fair use"?
Copyright laws protect everyone from unauthorized use of certain original works. While we are capturing everyday weather information, our programs turn that general information into very specific reports.
As with any copyrighted element - like VCR tapes, books, and songs -- you are free to use the reports for your personal use. However, you are not free to pass the information on to another person without prior written permission from this Council.
You can take this information and use it in your reports, but you still need our permission.
Here is a link to copyright
and fair use.