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Delaware News


  Category: Department of Agriculture


2017 Delaware Century Farm families recognized

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Thursday, December 7, 2017

Six Delaware families which have owned their farms for at least 100 years were honored as 2017 Century Farms. “Today we are recognizing farm families that have made a commitment for 100 years or more to keep their land in agriculture for future generations,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “It’s in the true spirit of farm families who weather the ups and downs of farming that Delaware agriculture is able to remain strong.”



Ag Census response will impact farm policy and industry

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Beginning in December, farmers in Delaware and Maryland will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Census data are used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities from federal, state and local governments to agribusinesses, trade associations, researchers, and many others.



Spotted lanternfly confirmed in Delaware

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Monday, November 20, 2017

The spotted lanternfly – a destructive, invasive plant hopper – has been confirmed in New Castle County. This insect is a potential threat to several important agricultural crops including grapes, apples, peaches, and lumber. State plant health and forestry officials are providing information, fact sheets, photographs, and links to other resources at de.gov/hitchhikerbug. Early detection is vital for the protection of Delaware businesses and agriculture.



Compliance with Delaware forest harvest law protects water quality

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Thursday, November 16, 2017

Delaware timber harvests achieved a 93 percent rate of compliance with best management practices (BMPs) designed to protect water quality and limit soil erosion, according to a new report. Dr. Anne Hairston-Strang, a forest hydrologist with the Maryland DNR Forest Service, assessed the use and effectiveness of BMPs by surveying a total of 72 sites in Maryland and Delaware from 2014 to 2016. Selected sites were locations with waterway crossings and buffers with the greatest potential for water quality impacts. Effects were expected to be larger than normal because high rainfall during the 2014-2016 period represented an increase of 20 percent above the 30-year average.

Final data indicated that the average sediment delivery across all locations was less than one cubic foot per site—indicating that proper use of BMPs was successful at protecting water quality during harvest operations.



Delaware receives federal funding for agriculture research and marketing projects

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Wednesday, November 1, 2017

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that seven projects received grant funding through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Delaware received nearly $300,000 to enhance the competitiveness of Delaware grown specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).






  Category: Department of Agriculture

2017 Delaware Century Farm families recognized

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Thursday, December 7, 2017

Six Delaware families which have owned their farms for at least 100 years were honored as 2017 Century Farms. “Today we are recognizing farm families that have made a commitment for 100 years or more to keep their land in agriculture for future generations,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “It’s in the true spirit of farm families who weather the ups and downs of farming that Delaware agriculture is able to remain strong.”



Ag Census response will impact farm policy and industry

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Beginning in December, farmers in Delaware and Maryland will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Census data are used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities from federal, state and local governments to agribusinesses, trade associations, researchers, and many others.



Spotted lanternfly confirmed in Delaware

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Monday, November 20, 2017

The spotted lanternfly – a destructive, invasive plant hopper – has been confirmed in New Castle County. This insect is a potential threat to several important agricultural crops including grapes, apples, peaches, and lumber. State plant health and forestry officials are providing information, fact sheets, photographs, and links to other resources at de.gov/hitchhikerbug. Early detection is vital for the protection of Delaware businesses and agriculture.



Compliance with Delaware forest harvest law protects water quality

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Thursday, November 16, 2017

Delaware timber harvests achieved a 93 percent rate of compliance with best management practices (BMPs) designed to protect water quality and limit soil erosion, according to a new report. Dr. Anne Hairston-Strang, a forest hydrologist with the Maryland DNR Forest Service, assessed the use and effectiveness of BMPs by surveying a total of 72 sites in Maryland and Delaware from 2014 to 2016. Selected sites were locations with waterway crossings and buffers with the greatest potential for water quality impacts. Effects were expected to be larger than normal because high rainfall during the 2014-2016 period represented an increase of 20 percent above the 30-year average.

Final data indicated that the average sediment delivery across all locations was less than one cubic foot per site—indicating that proper use of BMPs was successful at protecting water quality during harvest operations.



Delaware receives federal funding for agriculture research and marketing projects

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Wednesday, November 1, 2017

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that seven projects received grant funding through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Delaware received nearly $300,000 to enhance the competitiveness of Delaware grown specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).