DOVER, Del. – Since 1996, the Delaware AgLands Preservation Program has preserved 127,000 acres of the state’s 508,000 acres currently in agricultural production. After a few years with reduced funding due to statewide budget woes, the tides have turned and the program received full funding this year from Delaware’s General Assembly at 10 million dollars.

“Delaware has the best farmland preservation program in the country. We have preserved 25 percent of our landmass in agriculture, but we have a lot more to go,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “Farmland preservation is an important tool that guarantees land will be available for future generations so that we can continue to produce the agricultural commodities needed to feed Delawareans and our neighbors.”

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation voted to extended district enrollment until December 31, 2018 to any agricultural landowners who want to preserve their farms and still have the opportunity to submit an application for the upcoming round. Farms must be enrolled in a preservation district before the landowner can sell an easement.

According to the Delaware AgLands Preservation Program, there are currently 300 farms participating in the 10-year voluntary preservation districts eligible to sell their development rights during Round 23. Those farms comprise an additional 46,000 acres that could be permanently preserved.

“Agriculture is an economic driver here in Delaware. Our family farms contribute eight billion dollars to the economy and ensuring their sustainability through farmland preservation is important to Delaware’s future,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware is fortunate to be within eight hours of most of the major population centers, which creates an opportunity for our family farmers producing fruits, vegetables, chickens and grains to enter the retail market. And with the recent agreement to further develop the Port of Wilmington, we are helping to open future international markets for our farmers.”

Typically, landowners are eligible to submit a bid to sell their farm’s development rights the year after they enroll their farm into a district agreement. District applications for the upcoming year would usually have closed on December 31, 2017; however, the Foundation members were concerned that landowners might not have applied by the deadline fearing uncertainty for this year’s budget, so the deadline was extended to December 31, 2018.

The Foundation approves all applications, using an impartial discounted ranking system that maximizes benefits for the taxpayer. The Foundation does not own the land, but rather purchases landowners’ development rights and has a permanent agricultural conservation easement placed on the property.

For more information or to obtain applications related to the Delaware AgLands Preservation Program, interested landowners can visit https://agriculture.delaware.gov or call (302) 698-4530.

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees includes representatives from agriculture and state agencies. Trustees are: Bob Garey, chairman; Bill Vanderwende, vice-chairman; L. Allen Messick Jr., treasurer; William H. “Chip” Narvel Jr., secretary; Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse; State Treasurer Ken Simpler; Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Shawn Garvin; Peter Martin; Theodore P. Bobola Jr.; Robert Emerson; and Janice Truitt.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

DOVER, Del. — Too much rain at the wrong time, like Delaware experienced in April and May, has destroyed several high dollar crops and threatens the yield of many others, leaving farmers to wonder what the future holds. In surveying the state and listening to farmers, Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse made a request for an emergency disaster declaration two weeks ago to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Service Center.

“Delaware family farms are the backbone of our economy, making agriculture our number one industry,” said Governor Carney. “Farming is hard no matter what – but when you get hit with the weather we have seen this spring, and the damage it has done to our fruit and vegetable crops, our grains, and our hay – it has a huge impact on our farmers, our communities, and the state as a whole.”

Once a request for a declaration is made, the FSA staff begins official surveys of the status of current crops at the state and county level. These reports are then compiled, reviewed, and sent on to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. In order to be eligible for this declaration, Delaware has to have at least 30 percent loss in crop production for at least one crop.

“It is impossible for Delaware farmers to come out of this without emergency assistance,” said Scuse. “Many of our fruit and vegetable farms have taken a beating and other crops definitely will not be able to reach optimal yields. We have farmers who are trying to plant field corn for the third and fourth time. That’s a lot of money invested in seed and when the bill arrives they are going to need help paying it.”

The state has three months from the last day of the disaster to file a declaration request to USDA.

The benefit of an emergency disaster declaration is it gives farmers time to apply and get an emergency loan. These loans help producers to recover from production and physical losses from the torrential rains and flooding in Delaware. Farmers have nine months to apply for the loans once USDA makes the official crop damage declaration, which provides them time to compile the paperwork and only apply for the funds they really need to borrow.

Once submitted, Delaware has to wait to learn if USDA will grant them the emergency declaration.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, stacey.hofmann@delaware.gov

Dover, Del. – Last week USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the final crop production summary for 2017. Overall, Delaware farmers had a good year with some of the crops breaking records.

“When we look at the USDA’s production summary it confirms what we saw as we moved throughout the state. We had good weather and Delaware farmers were able to get into the fields at key points throughout the season,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “Yields such as we had in 2017 are good news for our farmers, and for poultry growers and processors who use much of the grain grown here for feed.”

The Mid-Atlantic region including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia all saw record high yields for soybean production. Much of this was attributed to the weather and proper planting time. Delaware was one of nine states to break record high yields for soybeans with yields of 51 bushels per acre, up 22.9 percent from 2016. Delaware produced more than 8 million bushels of soybeans in 2017.

Delaware corn growers produced 32.3 million bushels in 2017. This past year’s corn crop was the third highest yield with 189 bushels per acre, up 11.2 percent from 2016.

Other notable crop records for Delaware included winter wheat up 8.9 percent at 73 bushels per acre from 2016. All hay area harvested produced a yield of 3.28 tons per acre with 59,000 tons produced.

DELAWARE SOYBEAN YIELD RECORDS
2017: 51 bushels/acre
2016: 41.5
2015: 40
2014: 47.5
2000: 43
2004: 42.5
2012: 42.5
2009: 42
2013: 40.5
2015: 40
2011: 39.5
2001: 39
1994: 36.5

DELAWARE CORN YIELD RECORDS
2017: 189 bushels/acre
2016: 170
2015: 192
2014: 200
2015: 192
2013: 166
2000: 162
2004: 152
2001: 146
2009: 145
2006: 145
2005: 143
1996: 143

The full Crop Production 2017 Summary is available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. The report contains year-end acreage, yield and production estimates for grains and hay; oilseeds; cotton, tobacco and sugar; dry beans, peas and lentils; and potatoes and miscellaneous crops.

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Dover, Del. – Fifer Orchards recognized for their overall contribution to agriculture at the Delaware Agricultural Industry Dinner on Thursday evening were presented with the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Delaware Agriculture.

“There has never been a time that I have asked to bring the Governor, local and U.S. legislators, government officials, or farmers from other states and countries out to visit, that Fifer Orchards has told me no,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “This is a Delaware family farm that is able to showcase their operation and it is always exemplary.”

More than ninety-nine percent of Delaware’s farms are family owned and

operated. Fifer Orchards, located in Camden-Wyoming, was founded by Charles Frederick Fifer nearly a century ago. Currently farmed by the third and fourth generations, Fifer Orchards continues to focus on their commitment to the community they serve and maintaining family values.

Farmers make their livelihood on the land and have a strong commitment to the environment. The land that encompasses Fifer Orchards is home to many species of wildlife, native plants, forests, ponds, and of course the agricultural crops. Dedicated to being good stewards of the lands, Fifer Orchards focuses on safe, sustainable farming practices that preserve the environment, reduce waste, and promote healthy growing systems. Through crop rotation, integrated pest management, drip irrigation, planting cover crops, reduced tillage, and reduced pesticide usage, the farm is a showcase for environmental stewardship.

Fifer Orchards continues to use the vision of Charles Frederick Fifer to focus on diversification to help reduce risk. From the main farm, to the farm stores, to selling to local grocery stores and wholesale, to supporting Delaware’s Farm to School initiative, to developing a successful agritourism operation, to growing their community supported agriculture program, the farm has been able to minimize risk to weather the ups and downs involved in farming.

Consumers have become more and more interested in where they get their food from. Increasingly, this means going local – either buying directly from a farmer or knowing the food in the grocery store comes from local family farms that utilize best practices. As a Global Good Agricultural Practices certified farm, Fifer Orchards produces safe, sustainable food using safe production methods, responsible use of resources, while ensuring the welfare of their employees and protection of scarce resources. The consumer wants to know they are getting the best and that they are helping to keep local farms viable.

Delaware family farms continue to boost our economy through job creation. Over the years, Fifer Orchards has offered positions to high school students involved in agriscience education and college students in agriculture. These opportunities have helped the younger generation developing an interest in farming and to consider agriculture as a future career.

The Agricultural Industry Dinner, in its 47th year, was attended by more than 400 people, including farmers, business leaders and elected officials. It is sponsored by the Delaware Council of Farm Organizations.

Past recipients of the Secretary’s Award include brothers Richard and Keith Carlisle of Greenwood (2017), former MidAtlantic Farm Credit senior vice-president Kenny Bounds (2016); Farm Service Agency official Robin Talley (2015); Schiff Farms of Harrington (2015); farmers Laura Hill of Lewes and Barbara Sapp of Milton (2014); dairy farmer Walter C. Hopkins Sr. of Lewes (2013); then U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Scuse, a former Delaware secretary of agriculture (2012); Delmarva Farmer Senior Editor Bruce Hotchkiss (2012); James Baxter of Georgetown (2011); brothers David, Ed and Robert Baker of Middletown (2010); Bill Vanderwende of Bridgeville (2009); and Ed Kee of Lincoln (2008).

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

Media: Hi-resolution photographs are available on Flickr.

Dover, Del. – Six Delaware families which have owned their farms for at least 100 years were honored as Century Farms on Thursday.

“Today we are recognizing farm families that have made a commitment for 100 years or more to keep their land in agriculture for future generations,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “It’s in the true spirit of farm families who weather the ups and downs of farming that Delaware agriculture is able to remain strong.”

The six families recognized Thursday at the Delaware Department of Agriculture were:

•  The Merriken family (Mrs. Leslie Smith Merriken and nephew John W. Merriken), which owns a 404-acre family farm located in Harrington. Solomon Layton Sapp of Harrington purchased 292 acres in 1916 and an adjacent tract of 112 acres in 1917 which is now known as the “California Farm.” The cost of this acreage 100 years ago was $4,405. Over the last 100 years, the California Farm has yielded wheat, corn, soybeans, loblolly pines, and oaks. In the mid 1980’s Calvert Merriken, Jr. transformed 260 acres of forestland into a working pine plantation. Today it is a model for conservation practices to promote wildlife enhancement, clean air, water and recreational opportunities. The farm generates income through grain crops, timber sales, and hunting leases with an emphasis on quality deer management.
•  The Mitchell family (Mrs. Luray Mitchell McClung), own Fox Chase Farms in Millsboro. In January 1917, Mrs. McClung’s grandfather, Mr. Lorenzo Burton Mitchell, completed the purchase of the farm’s original 99 acres. An additional 110 acres were added in 1932. The family grew blackberries and made holly wreathes during the 1930’s and 1940’s and raised poultry. Today, the primary crops are corn and soybeans.
•  The Ross family (Mrs. Alice T. Ross and son Charles B. Ross, Jr.) started with 72 acres in Clayton, purchased by Mr. George Ross in 1915. In 1960, the farm passed onto George’s son, Charles B. Ross, Sr. had grown to 185 acres. Charles Sr. and his son, Charles Jr. continued to work the farm together, which included a dairy farm until 1973. Alice Ross worked alongside her husband and son in the fields, often running the tractor and hay baler. Over the years the farm has yielded corn, wheat, barley, soybeans, alfalfa and clover hay. Christmas trees were just added this year.
•  The Smith family (David and Dorothy Smith, Donna Smith-Moore and Alan Moore, and Margie Lee O’Day) has been farming in Bridgeville for nearly 200 years. In May 1821, Mr. David Smith purchased 300 acres at a Sheriff’s sale for $476 – only $1.59 per acre. Through the years, the land has changed hands in the family and they currently farm 55 acres yielding corn, soybeans, trees, poultry and livestock, and various other vegetables. David and Dorothy have passed the majority of the land down to their daughter, Donna Smith-Moore and son-in-law Alan Moore to keep the land in agriculture.
• The Webb family (Mrs. Helen Mae Webb) own a 72-acre farm in Frederica, adjacent to Route 1. In July 1916, Liston H. Webb, Sr. of Milford Neck purchased 85 acres. In 1930, Liston Sr. and his wife Eva opened a roadside produce market, now known as L.H. Webb’s Market. The Webb’s had five sons: Liston, Jr., Jackson, Charles, James, and Samuel. In 1952, their son Samuel and his wife Helen Mae purchased the farm and roadside stand. Over the years the farm has produced potatoes, soybeans, corn, grapes and peaches. Helen Mae’s grandson Kyle still tills the land today.
•  The Wilkins family (Wayne and Doris Wilkins) 80-acre farm in Georgetown was purchased in 1913 by Wayne’s great-uncle, Mr. Asher B. Wilkins. In 1981, the farm was officially passed down to Wayne and Doris. Over the years the farm has produced timber, corn, soybeans, poultry, and livestock.

Legislative tributes were also presented from local state legislators.

Century Farms must have been farmed by the same family for at least 100 years and must include at least 10 acres of the original parcel or gross more than $10,000 annually in agricultural sales. The Century Farm Awards have been presented annually since 1987 with 139 farms now recognized.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, Chief of Community Relations, (302) 698-4542, stacey.hofmann@delaware.gov