DOVER, Del. (March 21, 2024) – Governor Carney, Secretary of Agriculture Scuse, and state legislators inducted three Delaware farm families into the Century Farm Program, honoring them for their commitment to keeping farmland within the family for 100 years.

“Agriculture has long been Delaware’s number one industry. Family farms built our state; in fact, there are 18 farms still in operation that are older than Delaware,” said Governor Carney. “I’m honored to be a part of this event recognizing the committed work of these three family farms who have been a part of our state’s history for 100 years.”

The Delaware Century Farm Program was established in 1987 to honor farm families who have owned and farmed their land for at least 100 years. The farms must include at least 10 acres of the original parcel or gross more than $10,000 annually in agricultural sales.

With the announcement of these three new families, Delaware will have recognized 155 Century Farms over the past 37 years. Delaware Century Farm families receive a sign for their farms, an engraved plate, a certificate, and legislative tributes.

Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse also took the opportunity to announce a new program related to long-term ownership of family farms.

“The family farm is at the heart of our number one industry – feeding Delawareans, Americans, and citizens worldwide. We want to ensure we recognize not only those farms that have been in production for 100 years but also the 24 farms that have already received this award and have kept the farm in the family for 200 years or more,” said Secretary Scuse. “The Delaware Department of Agriculture has created a new ‘Multi-Century Farm Award’ to highlight these farms, including a new lane sign denoting this achievement.”

2024 Delaware Century Farm Awardees:

R & C Evans Farm L.P. (Harrington, Kent County): The Evans family is recognized for their 60-acre family farm located in Milford Hundred.

Mr. William Biggs, our great-grandfather, purchased the original 64 acres from Jacob Pleasonton on January 9, 1917. On January 18, 1922, he purchased 22 more acres from Mr. Pleasonton, called “Potter Land.” William laid down with his infant great-grandson, David, to nap and never awoke; in turn, the farm was passed down to David’s grandmother, Hazel Biggs Davis, on November 21, 1970. On February 1, 1990, Carolyn Davis Evans and her husband, Reginald Evans, purchased the farm from her parents. For estate planning purposes, on October 31, 2005, the farm became known as R & C Evans Farm. Carolyn lived on the farm until her passing on July 4, 2021, and Reginald lived there until he passed on December 26, 2023.

The farm remains in the family, where they raise grain crops on 60 acres of farmland. While times have changed from when William Biggs tilled the land behind a mule to today’s technology, the same dinner bell remains on the pole that called generations of family members in to eat around the family table. David’s sister remembers watching Al Johnson flying his bi-wing crop duster over the farm and waggling his wings to say hello. They both look to keep the farm in the family for future generations.

Picture (L to R): David Evans, Linda Samulevich, and Heather Evans accepted the Century Farm Award posthumously for Carolyn and Reginald Evans.

Fleetwood Family Farm (Laurel, Sussex County): The Fleetwood family was honored with the Century Farm Award for their 35-acre farm in Broad Creek Hundred.

Earl C. Fleetwood and his wife, Blanche, purchased the original 55-acre farm from Robert T. and Nancy J. Spicer on November 17, 1920, for $2,500. The farm was bequeathed to his son, Roland V. Fleetwood, when Earl died in June 1978. Roland and his wife, E. Jean Fleetwood, are the current owners of the farm.

The family currently farms 35 acres; the property still has the original farmhouse built in 1845. Additional farm buildings included a chicken house built in 1961, a garage in 1965, and a shed in 1980. Over the years, the family has raised corn, beans, strawberries, melons, tomatoes, and poultry.

Picture (L to R): Todd Fleetwood, son; R.T. Fleetwood, grandson; and Roland Fleetwood accepted the Century Farm Award.

Warnick Family Farm (Greenwood, Sussex County): Valerie Warnick was presented with the Century Farm Award for their family farm located in Nanticoke Hundred.

The original farm was purchased by Gideon E. Hershberger and his wife, Susanna on September 1, 1914, from Josiah B. Hostedler. After Gideon passed away, Susanna took on the farm and left it in her will to her nieces and nephews, Dwight, Archibald, Leota, and Walter Warnick in 1941. On January 24, 1944, the farm was purchased by Dwight and Sue Warnick. While Sue passed away on October 17, 1956, Dwight continued to farm the land until he was 85 and then rented the land to two local farmers until he died on April 8, 2011. He was 102 years old. Dwight left the farm to his children, Mary Kathryn Warnick and Donald L. Warnick. Mary Kathryn lived on the farm until October 2011. The farm was purchased on June 19, 2015, by Edward C. Warnick and his wife Valerie. In January 2022, Edward passed on, leaving the farm to Valerie. They have three children, Ashley, Blake, and Wade.

The family still uses the original farmhouse. Over the years, the Warnick Family has grown corn, soybeans, wheat, and rye. They also grew chickens for many years; at some point, family members had dairy cows, beef cattle, and pigs.

Picture (L to R): Evelyn Shahan, Blake, Natalie, and Stephanie Warnick, Ashley Warnick Heuchling, Valerie Warnick, Logan, Ava, and Zane, Mary Kathryn Warnick, Samantha, Wade, and Kylie Warnick, and Jean Warnick Kenton and Harvey Kenton were present to support Valerie in receiving the Delaware Century Farm Award.

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DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Delaware Senate’s confirmation of Eliza Hirst to serve as Family Court Judge in New Castle County, Jessica Markowski-Kelly to serve as Family Court Commissioner in New Castle County and Richard Monkman to serve a term as commissioner for the Thoroughbred Racing Commission.

“With their knowledge and experience, Eliza and Jessica will be assets to the children and families served by our Family Court System,” said Governor Carney. “The state also will benefit with Rick’s perspective on the Thoroughbred Racing Commission. The First State cannot operate effectively without having individuals willing to serve the public, and I appreciate these three stepping up for their neighbors. I want to thank the members of the Delaware Senate for their votes to confirm all of our nominees.”

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday delivered his 2024 State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly, announcing plans to strengthen our economy, invest in education, protect the environment, and responsibly manage taxpayer dollars. 

“It’s hard to believe – but this is my last State of the State Address as Governor. I think it’s worth a little reflection on what we’ve accomplished together and on our unfinished business,” Governor Carney said, noting the following achievements:

• We’ve helped create more than 30,000 new jobs since 2017. 
• For the first time in Delaware history, we’ve provided funding dedicated for low-income students and English learners in our public schools.
• We’ve given teachers a big raise.
• For three years running, we’ve implemented the largest infrastructure plan in state history. That means good jobs — building new schools, safer roads and bridges, and connecting Delawareans to the internet, up and down the state. 
• We’ve kept our fiscal house in order. We turned a $400 million budget deficit in 2017 to $400 million in reserves.

• We’re supporting an economic resurgence in downtown Wilmington.
• We’ve provided paid leave for Delaware families – and raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour. 
• We’re building more affordable housing units – so Delaware families have a safe place to call home.
• We’ve reduced crime, and our prison population is down nearly 24 percent.

Read Governor Carney’s full State of the State address, as prepared for delivery.

The following are excerpts from Governor Carney’s address:

Education

“No issue is more important to our state’s future than the quality of Delaware’s public schools. I’ve spent a lot of time the last seven years focused on strengthening our schools. Especially for children who need our help the most.  I know Senator Sokola and many others have been leaders on this issue over the years. Together, we created Opportunity Funding. A program that provides additional funding for low-income students and English learners. Our budget increases funding for this program to $63 million. I can assure you that it’s making a real difference.”

Economy

“My budget continues our investments in job creation. In the Strategic Fund, Site Readiness, in Graduation Lab Space, and our Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund. We will not lose the competition with other states for good jobs. We also have our eye on the future of Delaware’s economy. My budget again includes additional funding for the federal research projects, NIIMBL and SABRE, at the STAR campus at the University of Delaware. Both projects will build on Delaware’s strong foundation in science and technology. They will attract more high-quality workers to Delaware and spur innovation and business development.”

Crime

“If we want to keep good jobs and workers in Delaware, we need to make sure families feel safe in their communities. I know fighting gun violence has been a shared priority. Over the past seven years, we’ve banned assault weapons, bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. We’ve passed red flag laws and prevented straw purchases. This year, we’ll take another big step forward and pass the permit to purchase law.”

Group Violence Intervention

“Inside the administration, we’ve spent a lot of time on what we call Group Violence Intervention – or GVI. We started GVI in Wilmington and have expanded the program to Dover. Here’s the truth: it’s a very small number of people who are committing the vast majority of gun violence in these communities. They are part of groups that fight with one another. Through GVI, we are directly engaging with those individuals and the gangs and groups they’re part of. We’re demanding that they put down their guns. If they do, we will offer job training and other social services. For those who choose the path of violence, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Environment

“In December, we began negotiations with offshore wind developer US Wind to bring significant benefits to our state. And to take an active leadership role in offshore wind development. Under terms of the agreement, US Wind would bring wind energy into Delaware. We expect the agreement to bring more than $100 million in benefits to our state without raising rates. Those benefits include funding for workforce development. For dredging projects and for projects to mitigate the effects of climate change in our State Parks. Over the next several months, I hope you’ll join me in taking another big step forward. We are pursuing legislation that will make Delaware more of an active player in offshore wind. It will allow us to directly purchase wind-generated renewable energy. And to explore partnerships with states in our region.”

View photos from the 2024 State of the State Address.

Watch the Governor’s 2024 State of the State Address.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and its partners collected 91,810 bags of trash in 2023 in the ongoing effort to Keep DE Litter Free. The work was performed by DelDOT Maintenance & Operations employees, DART, Adopt-A-Highway/Sponsor-A-Highway efforts, the Work A Day Earn A Pay Program, and with help from the Delaware Department of the Corrections’ (DOC) inmate work program.

The Department and its partners also collected nearly 5,000 tires, and 68 appliances from alongside Delaware roads.

“Keeping trash off our roads not only improves the appearance of our state, it keeps it out of our waterways, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for all of us,” said Governor John Carney.

“While our total litter collection increased by nearly 25 percent last year thanks to the efforts of employees and volunteers, it remains an ongoing problem,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “There is no quick and easy way to collect trash, but there is an easy way to prevent it, by choosing not to throw trash out of vehicles.”

To learn how you can join the efforts to help Keep DE Litter Free visit governor.delaware.gov. Businesses and organizations interested in adopting or sponsoring a highway through DelDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway or Sponsor-A-Highway programs can apply now at DelDOT.gov.

WILMINGTON, Del. – With the passing of former Delaware State Senator Myrna L. Bair on January 29, 2024, Governor John Carney has ordered Delaware flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state facilities on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, until end of day Wednesday, February 7, 2024, as a mark of respect for Mrs. Bair and her service to Delaware.

Mrs. Bair was a Delaware State Senator from 1980-2000 and served as the Minority Leader for fourteen years and Minority Whip for two years.

Local Flags are to be lowered to half-staff the morning of Tuesday, February 6, and returned to full staff at the close of business Wednesday, February 7.

Governor Carney also released the following statement:

“I was sad to learn of the passing of Senator Myrna Bair. She was a trailblazer for women in state government, serving as the only woman in legislative leadership as the Minority Leader for 14 years and Minority Whip for two. She advocated for women and families in Legislative Hall, helping to found the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families (DSCYF) and the Office of the Child Advocate. She also started the Women’s Leadership Development Program at the University of Delaware. Her advocacy and motto – ‘government should make sense’ – have had a positive impact on Delaware. She will be sorely missed.”