Agriculture

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How Will We Feed & Fuel Ourselves?

The brisk temperature didn’t keep many away as friends of Delaware Agriculture trickled into Harrington Fire Hall last Friday morning for an early morning breakfast. It was nice to see so many youthful faces present from 4-H State Teen Council representatives, and DE FFA State Officers, to Del-Tech FFA members.

Jan Seitz, Director of Extension, jumped right into the program by introducing the 2012 George M. Worrilow Award winner, Dr. Jack Gelb. Known for his poultry research and publications, he is the Department Chair and a Professor for Avian Virology at UD. Seeming very humble, Dr. Gelb spoke about his interest in agriculture without coming from ag roots. Noting a strong interest in science, he rode the “1st green wave” of ecology and attracted to ag because of the inspiring people in faculty and extension areas. He also felt he could make a difference in ag. His comments really resonated with me, especially after the recent Yahoo article which cited agriculture as the number one most useless degree. The author obviously never met Dr. Jack Gelb and most likely has never bit into a juicy tender chicken breast grown on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Scheduled to headline the program was the Governor, Jack Markell and our senior U.S. Senator, Tom Carper. The Governor was a no-show and the Senator was late but the show went on. Replacing the Governor, DE Secretary of Agriculture-Ed Kee, spoke on the new programs recently initiated for DE farmers such as DRIP and the Young Farmer Program. He also announced that the recent CAFO (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) regulations DE proposed were officially approved. Senator Carper finally arrived and reminisced on the environmental woes of the Inland Bays, which occurred during the Castle administration and derived the need for a Nutrient Management Commission. The members of this commission were to represent various sectors of all involved in nutrient management processes; requiring all to have a seat at the table and collaborate on a state plan. With the recent CAFO proposal being approved, Carper called this a huge accomplishment and wanted to honor the chairmen of the board, who have served since its inception. He presented a “Congressional Record” to Dave Baker, Vice-Chair and Bill Vanderwende, Chair (and my grandfather).

From Left: Sen. Tom Carper, Dave Baker-New Castle County Farmer, Bill Vanderwende-Sussex County Farmer

He ended by mentioning economic prosperity and that our economy is rebounding; not due to the usual consumer buying and housing industries but instead due to manufacturing and agriculture industries. He said he is hopeful about our future and we should only be concerned with 2 questions going forward: How will we feed ourselves and fuel ourselves? He stated agriculture has the answer in biofuel and efficiency. Isn’t it a shame the Yahoo author wasn’t sitting in the audience….?
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New UD Cooperative Extension Director Named

Michigan State’s Michelle Rodgers to lead UD Cooperative Extension:

http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2012/jan/rodgers-extension-011712.html

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Sharing Ag in Our Area!

One of my original hopes for this blog was to combine and share ag related events in our area. I first did so in my “2012 Save the Dates for DE Agriculture” post. Here’s the latest update:

  • The Pennsylvania Farm Show starts tomorrow! Jan. 7-14, Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Harrisburg, PA. The theme this year is “From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate”, which is perfect to showcase ag to consumers. Scott (my boyfriend) just got back from it and said there are quite a few displays that are true to life. For example, he said there is a poultry house that you can actually walk through to help visitors understand exactly how chickens are grown. He also said they’re building a huge cornucopia at the front gate to showcase the theme! I always look forward to seeing the butter sculpture every year. I found pictures online already and it depicts a young 4-H dairy showmen accepting his ribbon from a dairy princess and it honors the 100th anniversary of PA 4-H. So cool! See here.
  • DE Ag Week is coming up fast! Jan. 16-21. Many informative workshops are offered. See more here.
  • You can still register for the “Friends of Ag Breakfast” on Jan. 20, 7:15am, Harrington Fire Hall. Governor Markell & Senator Carper are speaking. Call Alice Moore at 302-831-2504. I just called this week! There are still seats left!
  • You may still be able to get tickets for the “41st Annual Ag Industry Dinner”, Jan. 26, 5pm, Dover Downs. Featured speaker is USDA Secretary-Mr. Tom Vilsack. See this press release for more info.
  • Online registration just opened for the regional “11th Annual Women in Ag Conference”, Feb. 9 & 10, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The workshop offered range from social media advice to environmental concerns and even farm finance topics for women. I just chose my workshops and sent my registration in. This will be the 2nd attendance for me. I really enjoyed it last year and can’t wait to share what I learn this year. Here’s the registration form.

Hope to see you supporting Ag at one of these events! If not, then you can check back here for updates and results!

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3 Generations of Farming

Here’s a great picture from the “Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US” profile on my cousin, Jesse:

Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US

3 Generations of Vanderwende farmers: Jesse (far left), Bill (left), Jimmy (right), Cody (far right)

See more of his profile and several other Mid-Atlantic farmers here. Don’t forget to enter for the chance to win a year of free groceries! The contest continues for 90 days from today (April 2012). What a great way to connect consumers to local farmers and our food supply.

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A Great Way to Kick-Off 2012: “Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US” Launches Tuesday, January 3

Want to put a face and even a family behind the food you put on your table? Here’s your chance. A program called Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US is showcasing 10 farmers from the Mid-Atlantic region beginning Tuesday, January 3. The goal is to introduce local consumers to the local hardworking men and women who raise healthy, nutritious and affordable food through online videos of the farmers at work. After watching the videos, consumers in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and D.C. can enter for a chance to win free groceries for a year!

With a successful initial launch in the Midwest, film crews visited the Mid-Atlantic to tape farmers in October 2011. The farmers selected will feature several commodities such as beef, cattle, corn, dairy, hogs, mushrooms, poultry, roasters, soybeans, vegetables, and watermelon. Delaware farmers profiled include:

  • Dairy: Allison & Burli Hopkins, Hopkins Creamery, Lewes, DE (see Facebook page here)
  • Vegetables: Jay Baxter, Baxter Farms, Georgetown, DE
  • Poultry: Jesse Vanderwende, Walnut Tree Farm, Bridgeville, DE

 Yesterday I blogged about my cousin, Bethany Killmon; therefore, I have to mention that Jesse is also my cousin.  There is no doubt in my mind that Jesse loves our family farm and is a young entrepreneur; he built two chicken houses by the age of 19. He grew up on the farm and spent almost every minute learning the ropes from his father and our grandfather. I can’t wait to see his video!

It is my hope that you, the consumer, can find a few minutes to watch one or two of these videos over the next 90 days (just click here: http://www.farmersfeedus.org/)! Or at least just visit their Facebook page to “like” them!

Thank you to the farmers featured for giving up their time in the field or on the farm to do this. I hope farmers continue to take advantage of these new online social media outlets to promote public trust and show that they have the same values as consumers.

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Setting the Example in Health, 4-H, and Beyond

This past November I was able to revisit my cross-country coaching past by watching my cousin run in the DE DIAA Cross Country State Championship at Killen’s Pond State Park. It was a beautiful fall day and there’s no place better than Killen’s Pond to take in the fall scenery, as you can see below…

Christy (left) & Bethany (right), Nov. 12, 2011, DE DIAA State Cross Country Championship

My cousin is Bethany Killmon from Greenwood, DE. She’s a junior at Sussex Tech High School, who plays three sports (cross-country, winter track, and soccer) and is an avid 4-Her. She recently attended National 4-H Congress as a delegate for Delaware 4-H, which was held in Atlanta, GA. This trip is the ultimate prize for a 4-Her; it’s a week-long excursion that exposes young leaders to a large city and rewards them for years of project work. In addition to the required projects of Citizenship and Leadership, Bethany’s core projects are in three areas:

  1. Sheep
  2. Horticulture
  3. Health

To win the trip, Bethany (with the help of her Mom) had to compile years of service in these project areas into one “project book”. Speaking from experience, record-keeping for this task is not easy; her book is close to 25 pages long!

While I’m sure all of these projects have positively impacted Bethany, I predict that the most influential on her life will be Health. Being a dedicated team member in school sports fits into the project well but it goes beyond being a high school athlete. Bethany has gained knowledge of personal hygiene, food and nutrition, exercise physiology, and child health related issues and shared it with others by giving public demonstrations and visiting nursing homes. I also believe her daily routine of physical activity will resonate with her in years to come because of exposure at such an early age. Coupled with her acquired 4-H knowledge, she will be ready to transform into a healthy college student and young adult. How awesome and refreshing is that?

This is exactly what 4-H is all about: exposing young people to a world beyond just their school or small group of friends. It’s about using their Head, Heart, Hands and Health (aka 4-H) to make their club, community, country and world a better place. Oh and by the way, Bethany ran the 3.1 mile course in 20 minutes and 6 seconds, placing 6th out of 107 Division I female runners! I can’t wait to see what she does as a high school senior!

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Are there Food Deserts in Delaware?

The answer is yes.  Delaware has fifteen to be exact. So what is a food desert? Simply put, it’s a geographic area in the U.S., particularly lower-income communities, where access to affordable, quality, and nutritious food is limited.  The term originated in Britain, but it became a “buzz word” after being referenced in the 2008 Farm Bill, as a focus of the popular “Let’s Move Campaign”, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama. In 2011, the USDA introduced a new online tool, the Food Desert Locator, to map food deserts across the country.

Where are the deserts in Delaware? I used the online tool to find out.

–        11 are in New Castle County (scattered across the county and in the city of Wilmington)

–        3 are in Kent County (all located near Rt. 13 corridor in Smyrna, Dover and Harrington)

–        1 is in Sussex County (located east of Millsboro)

I suppose I understand the large number in northern part of our state but I don’t understand the reason for large pockets down state, where agriculture is still prominent.  Kent and Sussex Counties boasts the highest number of farms and crop land; vegetable and fruit production are abundant.

How does this affect Delaware agriculture? Farmers near these limited access geographic areas could fill the void by providing fresh, local food to outlets such as schools, corner stores and even grocery stores. The establishment of farmer’s markets in these areas could also increase access while providing farmers with an additional nearby outlet for yields.  However, the challenge is communication and planning; coordinated efforts must inform farmers prior to the growing season so they can order seed, plant adequate quantities, find labor for harvest, set pricing and account for transportation to new outlets.

So what does this mean for Delaware? Research suggests that residents who have better access to food retailers tend to have healthier diets and lower levels of obesity. The presence of these deserts in our state poses a threat to our entire population health, including children and elderly populations. Our state will have to figure out how access can be improved, which is no easy task since these deserts can be linked to income, race, and mobility.

Combined, I believe the conception and visibility of food deserts allows our state and Delaware agriculture the opportunity to assemble a “built environment”; meaning one sector cannot fill the void of access in a given location on their own. It will take many entities of Delaware farmers, lawmakers, state officials, town leaders, and concerned citizens to ensure all Delaware citizens have access to healthier food!

Look forward to more posts on this concept of a built environment and what Delaware is doing in upcoming weeks! See here for a recent study by UD on Delaware Food Deserts.

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2012 Save the Dates for Delaware Agriculture

Looking ahead to 2012? Well, if you’re in any way connected to Delaware agriculture, here are a few “Save the Dates” coming up quick:

  • January 16-21, 2012 – Delaware Ag Week, Delaware State Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall
    • Now in its 7th year, this is a great chance for women and men connected to agriculture to come together.
  • January 20, 2012 – Friends of Ag Breakfast, 7:15 am, Harrington Fire Company
    • This event is held in conjunction with DE Ag Week.
    • Governor Markell and Senator Tom Carper will be speaking.
  • January 26, 2012 –  41st Annual Delaware Agricultural Industry Dinner, 5 pm, Dover Downs
    • This tradition began in 1971. I always look forward to the annual award given to a long-time local farmer.
    • And I got a little tip from our DE Secretary of Ag, Ed Kee, that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack will possibly be attending and maybe the key-note…..!?

Click on the links above for more info. You may also find more posted soon on Delaware Department of Agriculture Facebook page or possibly the Delaware Agricultural Industry Dinner Facebook page (?).

Hope to see you there!!!

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Keeping the EPA Away

Every December at the Bridgeville Fire Hall, the Sussex Soil Conservation District holds their annual “Cooperators’ Dinner” to honor farmers for their stewardship of the land. I like to go for the beef and dumplings, of course, and to sit with my family. My grandfather has been a member of this board since 1977 and is the current Chairman.  As Chair, he moderates the program, which entails different awards each year. In past years, I was glad to see my dad, Farmer Dan, awarded for his soil conservation practices and dedication. Last year was special, too, because my sister-in-law was awarded for her middle school “Conservation Club” work.

However, this year was a little different. There were no family members being awarded this time, which was fine. Local farmers, Clifton Murray from the eastern side of the county and Bill (father) & Bob (son) Otwell from Laurel, were both awarded “Cooperators’ of the Year”. Each recipient is welcome to make remarks after receiving the award. In the past, I remember Farmer Dan thanking the district and its employees for assisting him with applications, paperwork and even just educating him on the programs available. This year’s awardees did the same; however, both referenced the surmounting regulation coming down on their industry. Mr. Murray spoke first and referenced the “regulation coming out of the woodwork”, especially on the poultry industry. The senior Mr. Otwell spoke next and stated, “We do care about the land and we want to take care of it as best as we can. But we also want to do all we can to keep the EPA away.”  I believe farmers have always been great stewards of the land; keeping abreast best management practices and implementing new techniques such as cover crop seeding. But being a good steward of the land today requires much more, including living in fear of regulatory authorities who can inspect your farm at anytime.

 It was also interesting to hear the history and progress of the Sussex Conservation District from Jessica Watson, Manager of the Sediment and Stormwater Program. Just as Sussex farmers have had to adapt and change, so has the district and its mission. It was created in 1944, when agriculture was the dominant presence. Today, most of the eastern half of the county has been developed as it has gradually turned into an urban setting. The district has had to think outside the box and create services that are in demand of suburban and urban landowners, not just farmers, such as offering equipment out to hire, installing drainage pipes, and mowing assistance. It was also emphasized that funding is not secure for the district organization; citing the need for specific grant writing skills within their staff.  At the end of the night, the District Coordinator, Debbie Absher, shared an awesome video: Tribute To Farmers: God Made A Farmer Video . Check it out!

Who would’ve known that in addition to assisting farmers in being good stewards of the land, they are also helping farmers protect their livelihood by “keeping the EPA away?”

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Christmas Tree Tax or Check-Off?

Have you ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time?  Or have you been a part of a conversation where someone misrepresents you? Christmas tree farmers across the country are currently victims of both.

Michigan is traditionally one of the top Christmas tree growing states, supported by their own Christmas Tree Association.  Growers there and across the country have been working with the USDA for several years to create a check-off program which would require growers to pay 15 cents for each tree sold. The pooled earnings would then be used in a promotion program to support Christmas Tree farms, similar to other check-off campaigns such as “Got Milk?” promoting the dairy industry, “Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner” endorsing the beef consumption and “The Incredible Edible Egg” encouraging egg sales and about 15 other USDA promotion and research boards for agricultural commodities. When a check-off program is approved, a board of industry representatives is formed to make decisions on how to promote or research the commodities involved (see a recent USDA check-off blog here).

This promotion program could have helped Christmas tree growers fight competition from artificial trees, which has plagued the industry for years. Because of lost market share, Christmas tree growers petitioned to set up its own promotional program after years of concern. And recent threats have come from environmental groups, who claim Christmas tree farms are bad for the environment, because of the loss of trees.

The whole conversation came to a halt right before Thanksgiving, as the White House announced its decision to reverse the decision to approve the check-off program. Apparently, conservatives, such as Rush Limbaugh, accused the USDA and federal government of spoiling Christmas with a new “tax”.

So is it a tax or a check-off? You can decide. But I will tell you that out of all the taxes I pay, none are pooled to promote an industry I am directly involved in; which means Christmas tree growers were just in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with misrepresentation from many, and an impending presidential campaign at the center of it all.

On a side note, I found a comprehensive list for Christmas tree growers in Delaware on the DE Department of Agriculture website.  Do your part to support our neighboring farmers and buy your live tree local this year!