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Delaware News



  Category: Department of Agriculture


Delaware Department of Agriculture Issues Request for Proposals for Specialty Crop Grant

Department of Agriculture | Newsroom | Date Posted: Monday, February 7, 2022

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The federal Farm Bill is allotting approximately $320,000 through a competitive grant process to fund innovative projects supporting specialty crops and creating new and better markets for the Delaware specialty crop industry. DDA will accept applications through March 25, 2022.




Arbor Day Poster Contest Now Open

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Date Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2022

The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups. The deadline to register is March 9, with entries submitted by April 1. Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school.  Twelve winners will be selected, one from each county in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. All participating classes receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their school, just in time to celebrate Arbor Day!




Delaware Produce Farmers Encouraged To Attend Sessions On Proposed Rule Changes

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2022

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed rule change on December 6, 2021, to amend the agricultural water requirements of the Produce Safety Rule. In response to the proposed change, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will host two outreach sessions on January 21, 2022, to engage farmers and other stakeholders.




Consumer Demand For Buying Locally Grown Strong In Delaware

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Today, the Delaware Department of Agriculture announced that Delaware farmers’ markets had nearly $3.16 million in sales in 2021. As the second-highest sales year on record for Delaware’s farmers’ markets, 2021 has proven demand for buying locally grown products is strong among residents and visitors to the state.




Urban Forestry Grants up to $5,000 Available

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Newsroom | Urban and Community Forestry | Date Posted: Monday, January 10, 2022

Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is now accepting applications for up to $5,000 in matching grants for tree planting and management projects on public land and community open space. Urban and community grants are open to all Delaware municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified nonprofits – including schools and churches. There are also grant opportunities specifically for applicants with properties located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Complete guidelines on all grant programs are available at de.gov/treegrants. The deadline is March 4, 2022 and all submissions must be online. 







  Category: Department of Agriculture

Delaware Department of Agriculture Issues Request for Proposals for Specialty Crop Grant

Department of Agriculture | Newsroom | Date Posted: Monday, February 7, 2022

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The federal Farm Bill is allotting approximately $320,000 through a competitive grant process to fund innovative projects supporting specialty crops and creating new and better markets for the Delaware specialty crop industry. DDA will accept applications through March 25, 2022.




Arbor Day Poster Contest Now Open

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Date Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2022

The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups. The deadline to register is March 9, with entries submitted by April 1. Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school.  Twelve winners will be selected, one from each county in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. All participating classes receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their school, just in time to celebrate Arbor Day!




Delaware Produce Farmers Encouraged To Attend Sessions On Proposed Rule Changes

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2022

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed rule change on December 6, 2021, to amend the agricultural water requirements of the Produce Safety Rule. In response to the proposed change, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will host two outreach sessions on January 21, 2022, to engage farmers and other stakeholders.




Consumer Demand For Buying Locally Grown Strong In Delaware

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Today, the Delaware Department of Agriculture announced that Delaware farmers’ markets had nearly $3.16 million in sales in 2021. As the second-highest sales year on record for Delaware’s farmers’ markets, 2021 has proven demand for buying locally grown products is strong among residents and visitors to the state.




Urban Forestry Grants up to $5,000 Available

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Newsroom | Urban and Community Forestry | Date Posted: Monday, January 10, 2022

Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is now accepting applications for up to $5,000 in matching grants for tree planting and management projects on public land and community open space. Urban and community grants are open to all Delaware municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified nonprofits – including schools and churches. There are also grant opportunities specifically for applicants with properties located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Complete guidelines on all grant programs are available at de.gov/treegrants. The deadline is March 4, 2022 and all submissions must be online.