Bernice and Douglas Moore were honored as Delaware Tree Farmers of the Year at the annual meeting of the Delaware Forestry Association on March 12 in Felton. The Moores were recognized for their continuous commitment to sustainable forest management and stewardship planning, as well as extensive engagement in forestry education and outreach. Their 102-acre property near Georgetown has been a certified Tree Farm since 1993. On hand to present a proclamation from the Delaware General Assembly were Reps. David L. Wilson (R-35) and Harvey R. Kenton (R-36). Governor Markell also sent a video message to congratulate the Moores for their accomplishment.

DOVER – Agricultural entrepreneurs who want to produce certain foods in their on-farm kitchens can receive food safety training and become certified under Delaware law at an upcoming workshop jointly sponsored by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and the Delaware Department of Agriculture. A previously scheduled class was rescheduled due to a conflict.

The eight-hour “Food Safety for Entrepreneurs” program presented by Dr. Sue Snider of the University of Delaware will take place Saturday, March 14, at the Department of Agriculture offices near Camden, 2320 South DuPont Highway. The class will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants should arrive by 7:45 for registration and bring a bagged lunch.

Register by March 12 by contacting Debra Whitmore at debra.whitmore@delaware.gov or 302-698-4540.

Participants will learn how to identify potentially hazardous and non-potentially hazardous foods; understand foodborne pathogens and ways to control them; reduce the risk of foodborne illness; evaluate their plan for controlling potential microbial problems; and understand state regulations on farm-produced, non-potentially hazardous food items.

Those items include such things as baked breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, non-chocolate candy, jellies, jams, preserves, marmalades, fruit butters, fruit pies, herbs in vinegar, honey and herb mixtures, dried fruit and vegetables, spices or herbs, maple syrup, sorghum, popcorn, caramel corn, peanut brittle and roasted nuts.

The training, certification and inspections of farm kitchens are required under Delaware regulations adopted in 2006, and apply to farmers who wish to process non-potentially hazardous foods in their on-farm home kitchens for sale to the public at DDA-listed farmers’ markets, on their farm or at a roadside stand on or near their farm. On-farm kitchens will be inspected by appointment after participants complete the training and pass a written test.

# # #

Contact:

Nancy Gainer, University of Delaware, 302-831-2501 (office), ngainer@udel.edu
Dan Shortridge, Delaware Department of Agriculture, 302-698-4520 (office), daniel.shortridge@delaware.gov

The Delaware Forestry Association will present its annual “Tree Farmer of the Year” award at its annual meeting at the Felton Fire Hall  located at 9 E. Main Street, Felton, DE 19943  on Thursday, March 12, 2015.  Tickets are $27 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for those under age 6. Reservations are kindly requested by March 2, and more information is available by contacting Steve Ditmer at (410) 896-9283. Forms are available in the 2015 edition of the DFA Winter Newsletter.  Checks should be made payable to the “Delaware Forestry Association” and sent to the following address: Delaware Forestry Association, P.O. Box 344, Bridgeville, DE 19933.

Registration and a silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the annual meeting at 8 p.m.

Photo highlights from the 2014 DFA Annual Meeting

Delaware Forestry Association offers annual $1000 scholarship to forestry students.
Application deadline is April 1, 2015.

The Delaware Forestry Association is now accepting applications through April 1, 2015 for its annual $1,000 forestry scholarship award. The scholarship will be awarded to a full-time student who must choose forestry as their studies major and be accepted or enrolled in a two-year or four-year accredited school program. All applications must be received by April 1 and the chosen applicant will be notified by May 1. Students will be eligible for up to 4 years of undergraduate study, upon reapplying, meeting the requirements, and being selected. All applicants must show financial need and academic merit. All applicants shall be in the upper 25% of their class in high school and maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average in college, based on a 4.0 scale. Scholarship money can be applied toward tuition, room and board, or books. The money will be sent directly to the college in which the student is enrolled. All applicants must submit a short essay describing their personal goals and reasons they feel they are deserving of this award. Applicants may be requested for a personal interview by the scholarship committee. The successful applicant will receive his or her award on Governor’s Day at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington.

For more information and a complete application form, contact: John Herbert at (302) 684-8820 or download the form here.

Completed forms can be mailed to: John Herbert, 20587 Milton Ellendale Highway, Ellendale, Delaware 19941

Last year’s scholarship winner was Luke Czapp of Millsboro, who enrolled at West Virginia University.

PHOTO: Luke Czapp (center), an 18-year-old studying forestry at West Virginia University, received his $1000 scholarship award from the Delaware Forestry Association at the Delaware State Fair. On hand to present the award were DFA board members (from left) John Herbert, Leslie Merriken, Alex Fignar, Brian Michalski, and Bill Jester.

The Delaware Forestry Association is a nonprofit organization established in 1982 to promote the sustainable practice of forestry and related industries on the Delmarva Peninsula. DFA proudly supports the Delaware Tree Farm Committee, part of the American Tree Farm System.  In addition to its annual meeting in March, DFA holds a number of educational events throughout the year and seeks to encourage young people to pursue careers and further educational opportunities in forestry, environmental science, and natural resources.

Read or download the DFA Brochure

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DOVER – Agricultural entrepreneurs who want to produce certain foods in their on-farm kitchens can receive food safety training and become certified under Delaware law at an upcoming workshop jointly sponsored by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

The eight-hour Food Safety for Entrepreneurs program presented by Dr. Sue Snider of the University of Delaware will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Department of Agriculture offices near Camden, 2320 South DuPont Highway. The class will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants should arrive by 7:45 a.m. for registration and bring a bagged lunch.

Register by Feb. 20 by contacting Debra Whitmore at debra.whitmore@delaware.gov or 302-698-4540.

Participants will learn how to identify potentially hazardous and non-potentially hazardous foods; understand foodborne pathogens and ways to control them; reduce the risk of foodborne illness; evaluate their plan for controlling potential microbial problems; and understand state regulations on farm-produced, non-potentially hazardous food items.

Those items include such things as baked breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, non-chocolate candy, jellies, jams, preserves, marmalades, fruit butters, fruit pies, herbs in vinegar, honey and herb mixtures, dried fruit and vegetables, spices or herbs, maple syrup, sorghum, popcorn, caramel corn, peanut brittle and roasted nuts.

The training, certification and inspections of farm kitchens are required under Delaware regulations adopted in 2006, and apply to farmers who wish to process non-potentially hazardous foods in their on-farm home kitchens for sale to the public at DDA-listed farmers’ markets, on their farm or at a roadside stand on or near their farm. On-farm kitchens will be inspected by appointment after participants complete the training and pass a written test.

# # #

Contact:
Nancy Gainer, University of Delaware, 302-831-2501 (office), ngainer@udel.edu
Dan Shortridge, Delaware Department of Agriculture, 302-698-4520 (office), daniel.shortridge@delaware.gov

Delaware Forest Service’s 2015 Arbor Day Poster Contest and Free Seedling Program The Delaware Forest Service is holding its annual Arbor Day School Poster Contest, open to all Delaware students in grades K to 5. Public, private and home schools are encouraged to participate and posters are welcome from after-school groups and youth organizations. This year’s contest theme is “Trees are Terrific… Inside and Out.” To participate, teachers must register their classes by March 13 and submit posters by the deadline of March 27. As in previous years, classes that participate can also request free pine seedlings on a first-come, first-served basis.

• View 2014 Arbor Day Contest Winners
• Information: Email – Ashley Peebles, Delaware Forest Service Trainer-Educator. Phone: (302) 698-4551.

This year’s theme is designed to teach students about the structural components of trees and how these components help a tree function. This lesson can be adapted for grades K to 5 and makes an excellent addition to the K-5 science curriculum. The poster contest is also an important way for students to learn more about the role trees play in community health and well-being and can help students foster an appreciation for the natural world around them. As always, the Delaware Forest Service will provide all participating classes with free loblolly pine seedlings. The web link for contest registration is at http://2015arbordaycontest.eventbrite.com. Teachers can use the site to:

1. Register for participation in the 2015 contest
2. Reserve pine seedlings for students
3. Access the poster guidelines and rules

Important dates:

1. Deadline to register and reserve free seedlings: March 13, 2015
2. Deadline to submit posters for state contest: March 27, 2015
3. State Award Ceremony: Week of May 6, 2015 (tentative based on Governor Markell’s schedule)
4. Last year’s winning posters:  http://delawaretrees.com/2014arbordaypostercontest.html
5. Seedling delivery: Week of April 20, 2015
6. 2015 Arbor Day in Delaware: Friday, April 24

State Judging Criteria On a scale of 1-5, the following criteria are used to judge posters on the county and state level. These should be kept in mind when submitting posters:

1. Use of Theme
2. Originality
3. Neatness
4. Artistic Expression

Prizes Awarded to Winners A winner for each county (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex) will be selected for each entry category (Grades K, 1-2, 3-4, and 5). From these 12 winners, an overall state winner will be selected to represent Delaware as we celebrate Arbor Day 2015. Please note: the National Arbor Day Foundation is no longer hosting a National Poster Contest for fifth grade winners. The Delaware Forest Service is committed to continuing the Arbor Day Poster Contest at the state level. County winners receive:

1. $25 gift card
2. ceremonial tree planting held at their school
3. invitation to the State Arbor Day Ceremony (attended by the Governor)
4. “Tree inspired” children’s book
5. winning posters will be reprinted on canvas, framed for display, and given to winner as a keepsake
6. winning posters will be displayed online. Please visit delawaretrees.com to see the 2014 Arbor Day winners.
7. In addition to the previous prizes, the State Winner also receives an additional $25 gift card.

Judges will be selected by the Contest Coordinator and judging will take place at the Delaware Department of Agriculture in Dover. Winners will be announced in April and honored at the 2015 State Arbor Day Ceremony with Governor Jack A. Markell.

Posters must be received by March 27, 2015.

Entries should be mailed or delivered to:

Ashley Peebles, Contest Coordinator – Delaware Forest Service
2320 S. DuPont Highway Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 698-4551
Email: ashley.peebles@delaware.gov

Poster guidelines and rules can be found HERE.
Lesson plan and activity guide can be found HERE.

For those interested in programs designed to increase TEACHER knowledge in trees and roles of community trees and for grant opportunities to make your school more “green,” visit www.plt.org In 2014, more than 105 classes from 41 private, public, and home schools, and youth groups participated in the annual contest, and winners were honored at the state’s Arbor Day Ceremony at McIlvaine Early Childhood Center in Magnolia.

Last year, over 3,500 seedlings were distributed to students through the annual Free Seedling Program. As they have for many years, senior volunteers from the Modern Maturity Center’s RSVP Program in Dover wrapped tree seedlings for distribution to Delaware schoolchildren. Classrooms must participate in the Arbor Day Poster Contest to be eligible for free seedlings and tree programs. Delaware Forest Service staff delivered the seedlings to public and private schools statewide.