DOVER — Irrigation can increase grain production and profitability even in a near-ideal growing season, a new survey of Delaware cropland shows.

Delaware farm fields that used irrigation in 2013 produced 27 percent more corn per acre on average than non-irrigated fields, according to new data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Irrigated acres produced 40 bushels of corn per acre more than non-irrigated ones, or 189 bushels for irrigated land compared to 149 bushels for non-irrigated land, the survey shows.

“Irrigation is an incredibly valuable tool that can help increase economic stability and improve profits even in a record-setting corn yield year like 2013,” Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee said. “This data shows how an initial investment can make yields more predictable and let farmers influence production in periods of drought.”

Kee noted that irrigation also has environmental benefits, making crops more efficient in the uptake of nutrients so they don’t stay in the soil during dry weather and then add to nutrient loading during the wet fall and winter months.

The data is the first time Delaware has compared yields for irrigated and non-irrigated corn. Of the 174,000 acres harvested for corn for grain in 2013, 43 percent – or 75,000 acres – were irrigated, the data shows. About 57 percent, or 99,000 acres, were not irrigated.

Delaware corn producers saw a record average yield of 166 bushels per acre in 2013, beating the previous record of 162 bushels per acre, in 2000.

An innovative partnership now in its fourth year offers help to Delaware farmers who want to add new irrigation systems. The Delaware Rural Irrigation Program, or DRIP, offers no-interest loans to install new equipment in partnership with private lending institutions.

Eligible farmers must have been actively engaged for at least two years in growing and harvesting of cash crops, such as corn, soybeans, fruit and vegetables, in Delaware, and must own or lease the land to be irrigated.

The loan fund finances up to 25 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $25,000, at zero interest for a term of no longer than seven years. Repayment of principal must begin in year three of the loan. Financing is limited to one project per farm each year.

DRIP loans can help farmers add new irriation systems, including center pivot, linear move, towable systems, span angle systems, corner arm systems, single phase systems or wells and filters associated with drip irrigation systems. All work must be performed by experienced and qualified contractors licensed in and located in Delaware.

Farmers interested in participating should contact James Pennewell at the Delaware Economic Development Office at 302-672-6807 or james.pennewell@delaware.gov. Applications should be submitted concurrently with approved bank financing. The loan application will be reviewed by DEDO Capital Resources staff with comment from the Department of Agriculture.

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Delaware corn for grain, 2013

Irrigated: 77,000 acres planted … 75,000 acres harvested … 189 bushels/acre yield

Non-irrigated: 103,000 acres planted … 99,000 acres harvested … 149 bushels/acre yield

Total: 180,000 acres planted … 174,000 acres harvested … 166 bushels/acre yield

Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

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Contact:

Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520

Initiative would give high school students opportunity to earn professional certificates before graduation

Wilmington, DE – Proposing an opportunity to grow a vital part of our economy while giving more young people the best chance to reach their potential, Governor Markell today outlined an Accelerated Career Paths program that would allow high school juniors and seniors to obtain professional manufacturing certificates when they graduate. The Governor previewed the initiative in his State of the State address as part of his plans to give students a roadmap from the classroom to employment.

In highlighting the importance of the manufacturing sector, the Governor noted that manufacturing is responsible for about 40 percent of total U.S. output and employment, and for two-thirds of our private-sector research and development. In addition, the average wages in manufacturing are more than 16% higher than the average wages in the economy.

“To keep our economy growing, we must meet the needs of our manufacturing employers,” said Markell during an address at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Legislative Brunch and Manufacturing Conference. “We often talk about our global competition for talent as though it’s mainly a competition for individuals who have pursued a college education. We assume “good jobs” require a traditional degree, but nothing could be further from the truth. Just as we provide specialized coursework for students transitioning to college, this program provides similar opportunities for those choosing an accelerated career path.”

Delaware’s Accelerated Career Paths program ensures high school graduates are ready to start a career on day one.

Delaware’s manufacturers embraced the idea of working with the State, Del Tech, and school districts on developing this innovative approach to career readiness for the youngest members of our workforce – thereby ensuring a pipeline of talent for their long-term workforce needs.

With partnership from Del Tech and the Delaware Manufacturing Association, the initiative will involve developing a two-year, comprehensive program in manufacturing technologies for Delaware high school juniors and seniors.  The program – which results in nationally recognized advanced manufacturing certificates, in addition to a high school diploma and even some college credits – allows students to attend classes at their home school part of the week, while spending the remainder at the community college getting hands-on training.

Students will attend classes in their homes schools and receive training on manufacturing equipment at Del Tech so they can get the hands-on training necessary to land that first job.

“So many of the best jobs available now are in technical fields requiring electrical, mechanical, and maintenance skills,” said Mitch Magee, chair of the Delaware Manufacturing Association. “These are jobs that pay very well, often better than entry-level jobs attainable with a college degree, and we must offer the opportunities to become certified for these positions.”

The Delaware Manufacturing Association and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership are working to help identify members willing to offer real world opportunities during the summer between junior and senior year. This effort recognizes that, whether it takes the form of hands-on work or job shadowing, direct exposure to the workplace is crucial. Students will spend about 200 hours over the summer practicing their skills in the workplace.

The manufacturing association has agreed to assist on three other fronts:

• Vetting the curriculum, both up front, and on an annual basis to ensure it keeps pace with the industry’s evolving needs in light of changing technologies and improved methodologies.
• Improving the image of manufacturing with the students, parents and educators through a variety of in-school activities and on-site events at the manufacturers’ facilities.
• Ensuring students who commit to this path will be rewarded for doing so by developing ways to better predict their hiring needs 2-3 years down the road, so that the current pipeline matches the future demand for skilled employees.

The effort is modeled after a partnership between Delaware Technical Community College and Red Clay Consolidated School District. That program brought in high school juniors in the fall of 2012 for more than 300 hours of training in carpentry, plumbing, electricity, and OSHA Construction Safety.

Enthusiasm around the manufacturing partnership idea resulted in two schools – William Penn and Del Castle – piloting a shorter version of the initiative this semester at Del Tech, where 16 seniors are taking an intensive course covering math, blueprint reading, electrical and mechanical fabrication, and other key skill areas.

“Accelerated career pathways allow high school graduates to start a career on day one, without the time and financial investment required to pursue higher education,” said Markell. “They are the right choice for many of our students, including some of our best and brightest, and we need to make sure that we provide the training and workplace opportunities these young people need to excel.”

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Gov. Markell applauds agreement that will keep jobs, revenue in Delaware

WILMINGTON – Dole Food Company will continue to do business at the Port of Wilmington for the next 15 years thanks to a lease signed Tuesday  that will positively impact hundreds of jobs and secure a critical revenue stream for Delaware’s economy.

Gov. Jack Markell welcomed David H. Murdock, Chairman, CEO and Owner of Dole Food Company; Alan Levin, Chairman of Diamond State Port Corporation and Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office; and other government, company and union officials at the signing, which took place at the governor’s offices in the Carvel Building in Wilmington.

“The Port has been a vital hub of commerce in Delaware for nearly a century. Today it remains as important as ever thanks to customers like Dole, which connect our state to the global economy, provide jobs for hard-working Delawareans and ensure a dependable flow of revenue for our economy,” Gov. Markell said. “We applaud today’s signing and thank Dole officials for working with Delaware to get this deal done.”

Retaining Dole’s business was crucial not only to the Port but also to the State of Delaware. The company’s use of the Port for its cargo operations will continue to support 850 family sustaining jobs.

“We have been at the Port of Wilmington for more than 30 years and this agreement with the Diamond State Port Corporation reaffirms our commitment to the people of Delaware, the longshoremen, our employees, vendors and customers,” said Stuart Jablon, Vice President and General Manager of Operations for Dole Fresh Fruit. “Dole was the first containerized banana company importing here and now this is the largest fresh fruit import port in North America. We are confident that this decision will help maintain Dole’s position as a top brand in the very competitive North American fruit market and we look forward to enjoying a long and mutually supportive relationship with the port for many years to come.”

Dole is the Port’s largest customer, importing bananas, pineapples and other fruit and exporting forest products and general cargo. Its leasehold encompasses 37.7 acres of terminal land and about 100,000 square feet of warehouse and office space. Dole’s ships make approximately 52 vessel calls annually at the Port, which is operated by Diamond State Port Corp (DSPC). The lease and its two extension option periods, each 10 years long, will enable Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a Dole subsidiary, to continue its terminal operations at the Port of Wilmington through 2048.

This lease includes terms governing Dole’s usage of the Port and commitments by the DSPC such as increasing the number of cranes and other upgrades to the Dole leasehold.

“The appropriation of the funding necessary to make these improvements is the result of a joint effort between the Markell administration, state legislators and the Port board,” Levin said. “Dole’s shipments are of great value to the Port, and the DSPC is excited at the prospect of continuing this outstanding  relationship well into the future.”
About the Delaware Economic Development Office

The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Dole Food Company

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2012 revenues from continuing operations of $4.2 billion, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education and research. Visit www.dole.com.

About the Port of Wilmington, Delaware

Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is a full service mid-Atlantic seaport at the confluence of the Christina and Delaware rivers strategically located and serving over 200 million North American consumers by overnight truck and rail delivery. The Port is the nation’s leading gateway for imported perishable cargo and operates the largest on-dock cold storage complex in North America. The Port is responsible for 5,200 family sustaining jobs annually, generating $384 million in business revenue, $360 million in personal income and $35 million in state and regional taxes. The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware. Visit www.portofwilmington.com.

Contacts:

Delaware Economic Development Office
Peter Bothum
peter.bothum@delaware.gov
Office: 302-672-6857
Cell: 302-632-6665

Diamond State Port Corp.
Tom Keefer
(302) 472-7820
(302) 383-9941 (cell)
tkeefer@port.state.de.us

Dole Food Company
William Goldfield
818-874-4647
william.goldfield@dole.com

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Gov. Jack Markell attends grand opening of company’s new headquarters in Newark

NEWARK, Del. –   Independent, family-owned Natural Dairy Products Corporation found the perfect match in Newark for its relocated headquarters and gold-standard quality dairy operation, where it will make and distribute its organic, grass-fed dairy products.

That feeling of synergy was mutual on Friday, as Gov. Jack Markell, Bernice Whaley, deputy director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, and other state and local officials welcomed the company in its move from Avondale, Pa., to Newark. The award-winning dairy business brings 19 jobs to Delaware and intends to grow in the First State.

According to Gov. Markell, Natural Dairy Products founder and President Ned MacArthur and his company embody the spirit of innovation and start-ups that are quickly becoming the hallmark of the First State. In 1994, MacArthur left behind the frustrations of trying to sell organic milk as a farmer and, along with his father, Norman, developed a system that propelled Natural Dairy Products to success.

“When Ned hit a wall in the farming business, he innovated and started his own company. And over the course of two decades, Ned continued to innovate and find new ways to make Natural Dairy Products more successful,” Gov. Markell said. “While small in stature, businesses like Natural Dairy Products form the sturdy foundation of Delaware’s economy. Natural Dairy Products has plans to grow here, and we intend to help the company achieve that goal.”

The company’s product line, Natural by Nature, includes butter, milk, yogurt, buttermilk, cream and other goods made with milk from 22 certified organic dairy farms in Pennsylvania. Its new 30,000-square-foot dairy facility, tucked away off Markus Court near the intersection of Otts Chapel Road and Elkton Road, has been outfitted to pull these products under one roof.

MacArthur said that the proximity of Newark to its former headquarters in Avondale was a key factor in the company’s choice of Delaware. But it was the assistance of state and local officials that tipped the scale in favor of Newark.

“The State of Delaware has made this transition seamless. We couldn’t have asked for anything more in terms of logistical and financial assistance,” MacArthur said. “We’re proud to call Newark home, and we’re excited at the prospect of future growth in Delaware.”

Natural Dairy Products was approved for a $140,169 Delaware Strategic Fund performance grant for the creation of 19 jobs, as well as a $134,831 capital expenditure grant.

Whaley said Natural Dairy Products was attractive to state officials not only because of its ongoing growth and success but also because of its commitment to high standards for efficiency, quality and cleanliness.

“Natural Dairy Products has secured an impressive amount of certifications for both efficiency and cleanliness for its new facility,” Whaley said. “Based on their investment in this new building, and their plans for the future of the company in Newark, we know that they are dedicated to Delaware.”

About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Natural Dairy Products Corporation
Natural Dairy Products Corporation is the producer of Natural By Nature organic, grass-fed, dairy products. The company was founded in 1994 by Ned MacArthur and his father, Norman. Natural Dairy Products recently relocated its headquarters and operations from Avondale, Pa., to Newark, where it will make products such as fluid milk, heavy cream, buttermilk, butter and yogurt in a new 30,000-square-foot facility. Visit www.natural-by-nature.com.

Contacts:
Delaware Economic Development Office:
Peter Bothum
Office: 302-672-6857
Cell: 302-632-6665
peter.bothum@delaware.gov

Natural Dairy Products Corporation:
Dawn Fenstermacher
302-455-1261 x222
ndpc@kennett.net

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The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs has recently released “Preserving Our Past for a Better Future: Delaware’s Historic Preservation Plan, 2013–2017.” The plan provides all Delawareans who are passionate about historic preservation with a framework for effective decision-making, for coordinating statewide preservation activities and for communicating statewide preservation policy, goals and values to the preservation constituency, decision-makers and interested parties across the state. Go to the following to read the full plan. Printed copies are available on request.

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Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov