HARRINGTON, Del. (January 9, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today that last year’s farmers markets hit an all-time high sales record of $4.14 million.

In 2023, sales from all 17 Delaware community-run farmers markets totaled $4,144,951, up $437,136 from the previous record set in 2022.

“The success of a farmers market relies on three key points – the farmers who grow various products to bring to market each week, an interactive market manager who engages their community to support our family farms, and consumers who want to purchase the freshest, locally grown food to feed their families,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “We are fortunate to have fantastic farmers markets throughout the state that serve as prime examples of how a community supports Delaware’s agriculture industry.”

Delaware farmers’ markets are run locally by municipalities, business groups, farmers, or market associations. The Department of Agriculture provides support and marketing assistance.

Fresh produce comprised 52% of total sales, with the remainder coming from products such as meats, cheeses, jellies, breads, salsa, eggs, or honey.

“I believe this sales record showcases the fact that residents and visitors to our state want to continue to support the family farms that produce Delaware Grown fruits, vegetables, meats, and value-added products,” said DDA Marketing Specialist Kathy Jackson. “When farmers bring these products to our farmers markets, it is easy, convenient, and enjoyable for consumers to buy directly from the source.”

The 2024 market season will begin in May, with most markets open by the end of June. A current list of the 2023 markets is online at Delaware Grown, https://delawaregrown.com, and will be updated in late April for the 2024 season.

DDA will open registration for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program beginning in May 2024 for Delaware residents who are 60 years or older and meet the income eligibility requirements.

Farmers and others interested in becoming vendors or community groups interested in starting a local market can contact Department of Agriculture marketing specialist Kathy Jackson at (302) 698-4625 or by email at kathy.jackson@delaware.gov.

Delaware Farmers Market Sales:
2023: $4,144,951
2022: $3,707,815
2021: $3,159,175
2020: $1,949,593
2019: $3,277,788
2018: $2,883,702
2017: $3,004,174
2016: $2,901,081
2015: $3,029,831
2014: $2,636,727
2013: $2,107,265
2012: $1,960,357
2011: $1,794,265
2010: $1,330,617
2009: $1,121,024
2008: $800,679
2007: $289,706

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DOVER, Del. (December 26, 2023)— Delaware’s agricultural industry looks forward to attending the annual Delaware Ag Week at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington from January 8 – 11, 2024.

“Ag Week is the largest venue where Delaware farmers, agribusinesses, and subject matter experts can network and learn about the latest innovations and research that will impact them in the upcoming growing season,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “Nineteen years ago, the Department of Agriculture, University of Delaware, and Delaware State University Cooperative Extension developed Ag Week to help farmers get everything they needed in one spot so we could reduce the time they were away from the farm in the height of planting and harvesting, and it’s now a tradition everyone looks forward to attending.”

The four-day event offers many sessions featuring agronomy, animal science, beekeeping, fruits and vegetables, woodland management, and more. Attendees can earn continuing education credits for nutrient management, pest management, and Certified Crop Advising for Delaware and Maryland.

Those looking to attend the event can find the focus of each day, session topics, speakers, and locations online at https://sites.udel.edu/delawareagweek.

The information delivered is crucial to maintaining the success of the agriculture industry, which is the state’s top economic driver. According to the 2023 Feeding the Economy Report, agriculture employs 69,000 and provides nearly $10.3 billion in economic activity to Delaware. In addition, the state’s 2,300 family farms had $1.5 billion in direct sales to consumers.

According to Ag Week Chairman Cory Whaley with the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, “Delaware Ag Week is a great time to get continuing education credits, soak up information, and catch up with friends and others in the ag community. Session organizers have done a tremendous job in putting together great programs that will provide relevant and timely information.”

While registration is not required for the overall event, specific sessions require pre-registration, as specified online, to ensure adequate preparation for the caterers.

This event is brought to you by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, and the Delaware State University Cooperative Extension. These organizations are equal opportunity providers. If you have special needs requiring accommodations, please get in touch two weeks before the event at 302-831-3328.

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Media Note: Pictures are available online at Flickr. 

Harrington, Del. (January 10, 2023) – During the first day of Delaware Ag Week, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Management Program Administrator Chris Brosch presented three honorees with the 2022 Delaware Environmental Stewardship Awards.

Since 2001, the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission has awarded deserving farmers the title of Delaware Environmental Steward, except for 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic. To qualify, nominees must have demonstrated efforts above and beyond the norm in areas of nutrient and stormwater management, wildlife conservation, and professional and civic engagement.

For the first time in the history of the award, members of allied industry meeting these requirements were honored with the Delaware Environmental Stewardship Award.

During the late winter through mid-summer of 2022, Delmarva experienced a significant outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which posed a major threat to the continued viability of the poultry industry. For this reason, the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission chose to honor partners in the private sector who lent a significant helping hand in containing and eradicating HPAI from Delmarva. Even in an emergency response, the honorees demonstrated their commitment to the environmental stewardship of Delmarva.

The 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award recipients are:
• Miller Environmental Group, Inc. of Dover, DE
• Containment Control, Inc. of North Carolina
• Eastern Shore Forest Products, Inc. of Salisbury, MD

Past recipients of the Environmental Stewardship Award include Howell and Margo Wallace (2019); John and Linda Brown (2018); Randy and Jordan McCloskey (2017); Ted Layton and Scott Willey (2016); Chris Lesniowski of Marydel (2015); Georgie Cartanza of Little Creek (2014); Connie Carmean of Laurel (2013); Marilyn and Lee Ellers, Sparrow’s Song Farm, Houston (2012); Douglas and Deborah Vanderwende, Locust Grove Farm, Greenwood (2011); Frank Robinson and family, Dead Broke Farm, Harrington (2010); Mary Bryan, Laurel (2009); Joe Bauer, Harrington (2008); Scott Peterman, Milford (2007); and Guy and Nancy Phillips, Georgetown (2006).

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HARRINGTON, Del. (January 10, 2023) – During the Farmers Market Managers Summit held during Delaware Ag Week today, the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced that last year’s farmers markets hit an all-time high sales record of $3.7 million.

In 2022, sales from all 19 Delaware community-run farmers markets totaled $3,707,815, up $430,027 from the previous record in 2019.

“This past year demonstrates that direct-to-consumer sales for Delaware-grown products are strong,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “Delaware tends to follow the national trend that direct-to-consumer sales mainly occur at on-farm markets, farmstands, and farmers markets. So when we have a great year at farmers’ markets, our producers also see the increased business at their farm location.”

Fresh produce comprised 52% of total sales, with the remainder coming from products such as meats, cheeses, jellies, breads, salsa, eggs, or honey.

“When comparing 2022 and 2019, we saw a decrease of 5% in the produce sales in 2022, indicating that Delawareans and visitors are looking for a more balanced food shopping experience at their local farmers market,” said DDA Marketing Specialist Kathy Jackson. “The consumer isn’t necessarily replacing shopping at the grocery store, but when they can connect to the farmer growing their food, they are also purchasing fresh meat, eggs, and other value-added products to complement their seasonal fruits and vegetables.”

Delaware farmers’ markets are run locally by municipalities, business groups, farmers, or market associations. The Department of Agriculture provides support and marketing assistance.

The 2023 market season will begin in April; most markets start operations in May and June. A current list of the 2022 markets is online at Delaware Grown, https://delawaregrown.com, and will be updated in late March for the 2023 season.

Holding the Farmers Market Managers Summit during Delaware Ag Week was a new approach for this annual meeting. One of the perks of this new location was hosting a meet and greet where farmers and market managers could connect to encourage more producer participation in the 2023 farmers market season.

Farmers and others interested in becoming a vendor, or community groups interested in starting a local market, can contact Department of Agriculture marketing specialist Kathy Jackson at (302) 698-4625 or by email at kathy.jackson@delaware.gov.

Delaware Farmers Market Sales:
2022: $3,707,815
2021: $3,159,175
2020: $1,949,593
2019: $3,277,788
2018: $2,883,702
2017: $3,004,174
2016: $2,901,081
2015: $3,029,831
2014: $2,636,727
2013: $2,107,265
2012: $1,960,357
2011: $1,794,265
2010: $1,330,617
2009: $1,121,024
2008: $800,679
2007: $289,706

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DOVER, Del. (December 15, 2022)— Delaware’s agricultural producers will return to the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington from January 9-12, 2023, for an in-person Ag Week experience. For the past two years, participants have been attending sessions virtually. The much-awaited return to an in-person event will allow attendees to explore the latest and most valuable innovations while networking with other producers, industry experts, and agricultural vendors and exhibitors.

“Ag Week is an ongoing partnership between the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the University of Delaware, and Delaware State University to provide educational sessions and meetings to members of the agricultural community to help improve profitability for the upcoming year,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “Additionally, farmers can connect directly with local agribusiness under one roof in between sessions and during lunch, which saves a lot of time doing business.”

The event offers a wide array of sessions over the four days, featuring agronomy, animal science, beekeeping, fruits and vegetables, woodland management, and more. Attendees can earn continuing education credits for nutrient management, pest management, and Certified Crop Advising for Delaware and Maryland.

For the first time, the annual Delaware Farmers Market Managers Summit will take place during Ag Week instead of in March. Being held on Tuesday, January 10, from 10 a.m. – Noon, market managers from across the state will be able to network, learn about the program and regulatory changes, and review the challenges and achievements of the 2022 market season. The featured education segment will be “Effective Public Relations Hacks for Farmers Markets.” Following the Summit beginning at Noon, a ‘Meet and Greet Session’ for market managers and fruit and vegetable growers will commence helping increase the number of family farms participating in Delaware’s farmers markets.

Registration for the 2023 Delaware Ag Week will go live on December 15. People interested in attending Ag Week are encouraged to pre-register online at https://sites.udel.edu/delawareagweek to ensure an accurate count for food and logistical purposes.

Environmental stewardship spearheaded by farmers around the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays has made them leaders in practices that protect and promote healthy soils. These practices also safeguard working lands against extremes posed by climate change. A special screening and panel discussion on the film, Delmarva and the Ground for Change, will be hosted in the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday, January 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. This film follows three family-owned farming operations on the Delmarva Peninsula to protect soil health.

This event is brought to you by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, and Delaware State University Cooperative Extension. These organizations are equal opportunity providers. If you have special needs requiring accommodations, please contact us two weeks before the event at 302-856-7303.

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