DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Aglands Foundation Board announced that they will institute a rolling application process for their Young Farmer Loan Program to offer young farmers more flexibility in acquiring a farm.

Delaware farmers, between 18 and 40 years old have the opportunity to apply for the Young Farmers Loan Program. The program provides long-term, no-interest loans to help eligible farmers purchase land, reducing the financial impact on farmers just starting out or looking to expand.

“In the past, we asked that applicants apply by a specified date in the fall, but we realized this was restricting their opportunities to find the perfect farm when it came on the market,” said Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Austin Short. “This new rolling application system will allow a young farmer to apply when they secure the contract on the farm and have their application reviewed when they absolutely need it. The application window will close once the funding is fully utilized for that fiscal year.”

Applicants must have at least three years of farming experience, and their net worth must not exceed $300,000. Eligible farms must contain at least 15 acres of cropland and must not be enrolled in a conservation easement at the time of purchase. The 30-year, no interest loans may fund up to 70 percent of the value of a property’s development rights, defined as the difference between full market value and agricultural value, up to a maximum of $500,000.

Delaware’s Young Farmers Loan Program began in 2011 to help lower barriers to young people wanting to get started in farming. Thirty-five farmers have purchased land so far in all three counties, totaling 2,700 acres of farmland using $8 million in loans. That includes both individual farmers and couples, all seeking to purchase new land or expand their existing farms. Land purchased through the program is permanently preserved through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.

Interested applicants can visit the Department of Agriculture website, agriculture.delaware.gov, for an information and application packet, or can contact Deputy Secretary Austin Short at 302-698-4500 or austin.short@delaware.gov.

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

Dover, Del. – Delaware farmers, between 18 and 40 years old have the opportunity to apply for the Young Farmers Loan Program through October 31. The program provides long-term, no-interest loans to help eligible farmers purchase land, reducing the financial impact on farmers just starting out or looking to expand.

“This year was extremely important legislatively because the AgLands Preservation Program was funded for the full ten million dollars,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “Not only will this help increase the percentage of farmland preserved, but it will guarantee that there is a future in Delaware agriculture for a younger generation. The Young Farmers Loan Program is a powerful commitment to young people entering agriculture that Delaware stands behind them, and supports their goals and aspirations.”

Applicants must have at least three years of farming experience, and their net worth must not exceed $300,000. Eligible farms must contain at least 15 acres of cropland and must not be enrolled in a conservation easement at the time of purchase. The 30-year, no interest loans may fund up to 70 percent of the value of a property’s development rights, defined as the difference between full market value and agricultural value, up to a maximum of $500,000.

Delaware’s Young Farmers Loan Program began in 2011 to help lower barriers to young people wanting to get started in farming. Thirty-three farmers have purchased land so far in all three counties, totaling 2,517 acres of farmland using $7.4 million in loans. That includes both individual farmers and couples, all seeking to purchase new land or expand their existing farms. Land purchased through the program is permanently preserved through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.

Interested applicants can visit the Department of Agriculture website, agriculture.delaware.gov, for an information and application packet, or contact Deputy Secretary Austin Short at 302-698-4500 or austin.short@delaware.gov.

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

Wilmington –  In his weekly message, Governor Markell discusses the multi-billion dollar Delaware farming industry and our efforts to support its growth.

“We’re looking forward to a strong future for farming in Delaware,” said Governor Markell. “Just as we’re committed to preserving our physical farming resources by properly maintaining our land, we must also support our human resources – the 2,500 farmers we have now as well as thousands more to come.”

Every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2BrkyuEdI4
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
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Transcript of the Governors Weekly Message: Planting the Seeds for Economic Growth.

To grow Delaware’s economy, we must build on our strengths. And no economic engine has been more reliable throughout our history than farming. It’s now a multibillion dollar industry in our state.

We’re looking forward to a strong future for farming in Delaware. Just as we’re committed to preserving our physical farming resources by properly maintaining our land, we must also support our human resources – the 2,500 farmers we have now as well as thousands more to come.

Young Delawareans just starting out in agribusiness are now participating in our innovative Young Farmers Program. This initiative helps to ensure the next generation of farmers has the tools and opportunities to continue Delaware’s great farming tradition.The high cost of land is one of the obstacles for young people getting into farming, and our program helps solve that problem by providing no-interest loans to help purchase land.

We’re supporting Delawareans like Phillip and Cara Sylvester, a young husband and wife team who used a state loan program last year to help expand their Felton-area farming operation, where they grow corn, soybeans, wheat and lima beans. Ten new farmers who just joined our initiative will be raising poultry, and growing corn, soybeans, wheat and watermelon.

Our farming heritage is strong and proud, as we saw recently when we honored members of our Century Farm Program – a group of Delawareans who have been farming the same land for more than 100 years. The strength of Delaware’s agriculture will continue because of our farmers’ hard work and the investments we make in their needs. By supporting them, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.