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Delaware News


  Category: Department of Agriculture


21st Annual “Fire Camp” set for April 23 at Redden State Forest

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Date Posted: Monday, April 18, 2016

The Delaware Forest Service’s 21st Annual Fire Camp will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Redden State Forest from 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. The intensive, one-day seminar is the capstone of the agency’s wildfire training program to certify its emergency firefighters to meet National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards.

In addition to completing an arduous “work capacity test” – which involves carrying a 45-pound pack over a three-mile course in less than 45 minutes – crew members will receive hands-on instruction in several key areas: wildfire suppression techniques, how weather affects fire behavior, crew mobilization and teamwork, water pump and chainsaw usage, and culminating with a “live” controlled burn fire situation.



Grants available to help farmers, agribusinesses with marketing, research and sales

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, April 12, 2016

More than $300,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help produce, market or access Delaware-grown fruit, vegetables and certain other crops. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through June 3.



Delaware beekeepers can join BeeCheck protection program

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Delaware beekeepers can now participate in a new online tool to help protect them from pesticides that may drift due to weather or wind.



Delaware farmers’ market season begins in April

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Friday, March 25, 2016

With a record season behind them, Delaware’s farmers’ markets are gearing up for another great year. Twenty-three community-run farmers’ markets will be opening over the next three months, selling Delaware produce and other farm-fresh goods.



Daniel J. Tartt, Jr. of Harrington is 2016 Tree Farmer of the Year

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, March 18, 2016

Daniel J. Tartt, Jr. of Harrington was honored as Delaware’s 2016 Tree Farmer of the Year at the Delaware Forestry Association’s annual meeting in Felton. The Middletown FFA forestry team – comprised of students Alana Hodge, Lauren Berry, Brandon Dawson, Laura Melancon and their advisor Jeff Billings – was also recognized for representing Delaware and placing highly in the team and individual FFA forestry event at the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, KY.

Silver Anniversary Tree Farmers Carl Solberg, George & Gladys Kirk, and David Hastings were honored for celebrating 25 years in the American Tree Farm System. On hand to present awards were Rep. David L. Wilson and Rep. Harvey Kenton.

The event also celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System’s founding in 1941. Delaware’s first Tree Farm was certified in 1959 and today there are over 200 Tree Farms covering more than 20,000 acres.

Governor Markell delivered a video message (YouTube: https://youtu.be/7YIB5MqANbs ) to congratulate the Delaware Forestry Association and recognize the award winners for 2016.






  Category: Department of Agriculture

21st Annual “Fire Camp” set for April 23 at Redden State Forest

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Date Posted: Monday, April 18, 2016

The Delaware Forest Service’s 21st Annual Fire Camp will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Redden State Forest from 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. The intensive, one-day seminar is the capstone of the agency’s wildfire training program to certify its emergency firefighters to meet National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards.

In addition to completing an arduous “work capacity test” – which involves carrying a 45-pound pack over a three-mile course in less than 45 minutes – crew members will receive hands-on instruction in several key areas: wildfire suppression techniques, how weather affects fire behavior, crew mobilization and teamwork, water pump and chainsaw usage, and culminating with a “live” controlled burn fire situation.



Grants available to help farmers, agribusinesses with marketing, research and sales

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, April 12, 2016

More than $300,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help produce, market or access Delaware-grown fruit, vegetables and certain other crops. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through June 3.



Delaware beekeepers can join BeeCheck protection program

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Delaware beekeepers can now participate in a new online tool to help protect them from pesticides that may drift due to weather or wind.



Delaware farmers’ market season begins in April

Department of Agriculture | Date Posted: Friday, March 25, 2016

With a record season behind them, Delaware’s farmers’ markets are gearing up for another great year. Twenty-three community-run farmers’ markets will be opening over the next three months, selling Delaware produce and other farm-fresh goods.



Daniel J. Tartt, Jr. of Harrington is 2016 Tree Farmer of the Year

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, March 18, 2016

Daniel J. Tartt, Jr. of Harrington was honored as Delaware’s 2016 Tree Farmer of the Year at the Delaware Forestry Association’s annual meeting in Felton. The Middletown FFA forestry team – comprised of students Alana Hodge, Lauren Berry, Brandon Dawson, Laura Melancon and their advisor Jeff Billings – was also recognized for representing Delaware and placing highly in the team and individual FFA forestry event at the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, KY.

Silver Anniversary Tree Farmers Carl Solberg, George & Gladys Kirk, and David Hastings were honored for celebrating 25 years in the American Tree Farm System. On hand to present awards were Rep. David L. Wilson and Rep. Harvey Kenton.

The event also celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System’s founding in 1941. Delaware’s first Tree Farm was certified in 1959 and today there are over 200 Tree Farms covering more than 20,000 acres.

Governor Markell delivered a video message (YouTube: https://youtu.be/7YIB5MqANbs ) to congratulate the Delaware Forestry Association and recognize the award winners for 2016.