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Delaware News


  Category: Department of Agriculture


Delaware has record soybean harvest in 2017

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Wednesday, January 17, 2018

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the final crop production numbers for 2017. Overall, Delaware farmers had a good year with some of the crops breaking records. According to Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse, “Yields such as we had in 2017 are good news for our farmers, and for poultry growers and processors who use much of the grain grown here for feed.”



Fifer Orchards honored for service to Delaware agriculture

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018

Fifer Orchards recognized for their overall contribution to agriculture at the Delaware Agricultural Industry Dinner on Thursday evening were presented with the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Delaware Agriculture.



Houston poultry farmers receive Environmental Stewardship Award

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Monday, January 8, 2018

Poultry farmers Randy and Jordan McCloskey were recognized during Delaware Ag Week for their efforts to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff with the 2017 Delaware Environmental Stewardship Award.



2018 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Now Open

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, January 5, 2018

The Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Program is offering up to $5,000 in grants for community-based tree projects throughout the First State.  The program is open to all Delaware municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified nonprofits. Applications are limited to one project in one category (tree planting or tree management), and all funds must be utilized on publicly owned land or community open space. Grant recipients must also provide a 50-50 cost-share match, which can be met through a combination of volunteer labor, donated materials and services, or cash from non-federal sources.
This year’s application deadline is March 2, 2018. Winners will be notified by April 2.



DNREC, DDA prepare to respond to Delaware Supreme Court’s Dec. 7 decision allowing firearms in state parks and forests

Department of Agriculture | Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Division of Parks and Recreation | Date Posted: Friday, December 22, 2017

DOVER – The Delaware Supreme Court, by decision dated Dec. 7, 2017 in the matter of Bridgeville Rifle & Pistol Club, LTD, overturned a Superior Court ruling and ended a ban on visitors’ possessing firearms in Delaware’s state parks and state forests. Pursuant to the ruling, visitors may now possess firearms unless they are prohibited by law due to a past conviction for a violent crime, active Protection from Abuse Order, or mental health commitment. Following the Court’s decision to invalidate the existing regulations limiting firearms in state parks and forests, and some Division of Fish & Wildlife properties, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) anticipate issuing interim firearm regulations. The interim regulations would respect the State Constitutional provisions on firearms cited by the Court, by implementing the State’s interest in ensuring the safety of the public in a less restrictive manner.






  Category: Department of Agriculture

Delaware has record soybean harvest in 2017

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Wednesday, January 17, 2018

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the final crop production numbers for 2017. Overall, Delaware farmers had a good year with some of the crops breaking records. According to Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse, “Yields such as we had in 2017 are good news for our farmers, and for poultry growers and processors who use much of the grain grown here for feed.”



Fifer Orchards honored for service to Delaware agriculture

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018

Fifer Orchards recognized for their overall contribution to agriculture at the Delaware Agricultural Industry Dinner on Thursday evening were presented with the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Delaware Agriculture.



Houston poultry farmers receive Environmental Stewardship Award

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Monday, January 8, 2018

Poultry farmers Randy and Jordan McCloskey were recognized during Delaware Ag Week for their efforts to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff with the 2017 Delaware Environmental Stewardship Award.



2018 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Now Open

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, January 5, 2018

The Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Program is offering up to $5,000 in grants for community-based tree projects throughout the First State.  The program is open to all Delaware municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified nonprofits. Applications are limited to one project in one category (tree planting or tree management), and all funds must be utilized on publicly owned land or community open space. Grant recipients must also provide a 50-50 cost-share match, which can be met through a combination of volunteer labor, donated materials and services, or cash from non-federal sources.
This year’s application deadline is March 2, 2018. Winners will be notified by April 2.



DNREC, DDA prepare to respond to Delaware Supreme Court’s Dec. 7 decision allowing firearms in state parks and forests

Department of Agriculture | Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Division of Parks and Recreation | Date Posted: Friday, December 22, 2017

DOVER – The Delaware Supreme Court, by decision dated Dec. 7, 2017 in the matter of Bridgeville Rifle & Pistol Club, LTD, overturned a Superior Court ruling and ended a ban on visitors’ possessing firearms in Delaware’s state parks and state forests. Pursuant to the ruling, visitors may now possess firearms unless they are prohibited by law due to a past conviction for a violent crime, active Protection from Abuse Order, or mental health commitment. Following the Court’s decision to invalidate the existing regulations limiting firearms in state parks and forests, and some Division of Fish & Wildlife properties, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) anticipate issuing interim firearm regulations. The interim regulations would respect the State Constitutional provisions on firearms cited by the Court, by implementing the State’s interest in ensuring the safety of the public in a less restrictive manner.