Gov Carney Signs 2 Agriculture Bills

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Governor John Carney has signed House Bill 87, which establishes the Delaware Agricultural Production Assistance Program. The Program will provide a subsidy of up to 30% of the premium for eligible producers’ multi-peril crop insurance premium, or whole farm revenue protection premium up to a maximum of $10.00 per acre. The subsidy would be directly…

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DE Ag & Animal Welfare Officials Warn Against Taking Lost Dogs to the Pound

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Kennel cough has been identified in Delaware. Department of Agriculture officials say the disease was found in late June – affecting shelter and rescue dogs. Kennel cough causes upper and lower respiratory signs and death. Symptoms include lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, difficulty breathing. Officials say that as of July 11th three Delaware animal shelters…

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Concerns about Distribution of Green Iguanas in Delaware

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The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) has been made aware that green iguanas, which are considered exotic animals in Delaware, were present at the Apple Scrapple Festival held in Bridgeville from October 13-14th, and a private vendor may have distributed them to the public as a prize. State Veterinarian Dr. Karen Lopez says they are…

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Relief Payments Available to Frontline Farm and Meatpacking Workers

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Frontline farm and meatpacking workers, who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, can apply for a one-time, non-taxed $600 relief payment at https://farmworkers.com. Relief payments will remain available until funds are exhausted. Eligible beneficiaries who live or work in Delaware are encouraged to apply early. These payments are not…

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DE Emergency Order Allows Fall Staging of Poultry Litter

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An emergency order for a 180-day extension has been allowed for properly staged poultry litter in Delaware Crop fields – beginning on November 1st. This emergency order was approved during the October 4th Delaware Nutrient Management Commission meeting. Control orders last spring severely restricted the movement and spreading of poultry litter because of an outbreak…

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Del. Farmland Preservation Program Makes Significant Strides in Inland Bays Watershed

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More than 3,800 acres of Delaware farmland have been permanently preserved.23 farms in Sussex County, 26 in Kent County and three farms in New Castle County will remain as farmland through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.Easements are purchased under the program. “Preserving Delaware’s farmland is a priority and Delaware Aglands have helped keep farms…

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Spotted Lanternfly Populations Detected in Sussex Co.

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The destructive, invasive spotted lanternfly has been detected in Sussex County.According to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the plant-hopping pest first turned up in New Castle County in 2017. Established populations have been found in Georgetown, Milford, Seaford, Ocean View and Rehoboth Beach.Under a quarantine, residents, businesses or municipalities cannot move any material or object…

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Del. Honors 4 More Century Farm Families

Delaware Century Farm Families 2022 (photo courtesy of Delaware Department of Agriculture)
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Four Delaware farm families have been recognized by the Delaware Century Farm Program.The program was established in 1987 to honor 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.  “While…

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Del. Takes Applications for Food System Program Grants

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The Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy is accepting grant applications for the Food System ProgramGrants will be available for entities that grow, process, store, transport, distribute or sell food in Delaware, according to the State Department of Agriculture.Funding is available through the American Rescue Plan Act. Grants come in varying amounts depending on…

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H5N1 Avian Influenza Detected At Kent Co. Broiler Operation

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A case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in a Kent County commercial broiler farm.This is the first confirmed case in central Delaware, following earlier positive test results in New Castle County, Queen Anne’s County and Cecil County.Testing activity has increased since the recent discoveries and poultry farmers and growers have been…

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Testing Detects More Cases Of H5N1 Avian Influenza

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Two more cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been discovered on Delmarva. According to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, federal lab testing confirmed the presence of H5N1 in a pullet operation in New Castle County and in a broiler flock in Queen Anne’s County. Cases had been confirmed previously at poultry farms in New…

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Avian Influenza Detected In Del. Chicken Flock – What Farmers, Growers Should Know

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A case of avian influenza has been confirmed in a Delaware poultry farm, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Agriculture officials said Wednesday that the farm was showing increased mortality of birds over the past few days and a test confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. “We have taken immediate action…

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Del. Dept. of Agriculture Invites Applicants For Special Crop Block Grant Program

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Growers and people involved with specialty crops in Delaware are invited to submit a proposal with the Delaware Department of Agriculture for the 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program The federal farm bill is alloting about $320,000 through competitive grants to fund innovative projects that support specialty crops and create new and better markets for…

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“A Tree For Every Delawarean” Initiative Takes Root

Photo courtesy of Gov. John Carney's office
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A tree for every Delawarean… In an effort to plant more trees and mitigate the impact of carbon emissions in The First State, the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture will coordinate a new website where residents can find information about selecting, planting and caring for trees. Also, Delawareans, non-profits and municipalities will…

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Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Expands To Kent Co.

Spotted Lanternfly (photo: WGMD's Mark Fowser)
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Kent County is being added to the spotted lanternfly quarantine that already covers New Castle County. Established populations of the destructive, invasive plant-hopper have been found in Dover, Harrington and Smyrna according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Under the quarantine, residents and businesses in the affected communities are not to move any material that…

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Deliveries Of Mysterious Seeds Continue

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More Delawareans have received deliveries of unsolicited packages that appear to originate in China containing mysterious seeds. Departments of agriculture in Delaware and other states are working with the USDA and are asking for samples of the seeds. Delaware Ag has processed more than 40 packages of seeds which will be tested. If you receive…

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Delaware Department of Agriculture Launches Hemp Research Program

Green Fresh Marijuana Leaf with Seven Tips - Photo: © Copyright: underworld/Shutterstock
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The Delaware Department of Agriculture says it is launching a Hemp research pilot program to study the agricultural and economic benefits of producing products like CBD oil. The program known as the Delaware Hemp Research Pilot Program was created as a  partnership with Delaware State University’s College of Agriculture and Related Sciences. Delaware Secretary of…

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