Delmarva Farmer

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A Right to Farm & Ag Certainty

Most of Wednesday’s House Ag Committee meeting was devoted to housekeeping of harness racing regulations. But at the end, two preliminary-but very optimistic-ideas surfaced. Here are the highlights:

  • Rep. John Atkins, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:05pm and immediately turned the floor over to Secretary Ed Kee. Representative’s in attendance were Peterman, Outten, Kenton, Wilson, Spiegelman, Q. Johnson. Other guests were lobbyists-Scott & Rebecca Kidner and Debbie Hamilton, Hettie Brown-HSUS State Director, Mark Davis-DDA, Austin Short-DDA.
  • The Secretary went straight into draft legislation related to harness racing such as jockey welfare, harness racing fines, and investigations related to illegal substances.
  • Related to Ag Lands Preservation, the Secretary said he is requesting $2 million for the program in the Governor’s budget, which will be presented this week on Jan. 24. See updated info on Ag Lands here.
  • The Secretary announced that DDA, the Nutrient Management Commission, DNREC, USDA, and the Conservation Districts are exploring the use of an “Ag Certainty” program related to those with a nutrient management plan.  Here is the draft review circulated in committee:
DE's Ag Certainty Program Review Draft circulated in House Committee meeting on Jan. 16, 2013

DE’s Ag Certainty Program Review Draft circulated in House Committee meeting on Jan. 16, 2013

It looks to be an incentive program for farmers to implement best management practices (BMP’s), which other states have adopted (Florida, Louisiana, and Michigan). I also found a blog post by Lara Moody, a promoter of nutrient stewardship in D.C., which cites the discussion of Ag Certainty related to the Chesapeake Bay back in Nov. 2011.

“The right of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state. No law shall be enacted which abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology, modern livestock production and ranching practices”.

Legislative counsel in DE may also suggest this be a Constitutional amendment, which could be a lengthy process because it must pass both chambers (House & Senate), not once, but two years in a row. As soon as I heard this, my mind went straight to Rich Barczewski’s “Pig Tales” column in the Jan.15th Delmarva Farmer. He mentions right-to-farm laws in his column titled “Agriculture Under Fire”. The article is impossible to find on the web so I’m posting it below. Awesome article.

Pig Tales, "Agriculture Under Fire", by Rich Barczewski, columnist for Jan. 15, 2013 Delmarva Farmer

Pig Tales, “Agriculture Under Fire”, by Rich Barczewski, columnist for Jan. 15, 2013 Delmarva Farmer

It’s your turn! Which do you think should be implemented to help Delaware farmers in 2013? Answer the poll below!

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Happy 2013, especially to the Hudson Family!

The highlight of 2012 for many in the Ag industry came on Thursday, December 20. You’ve probably already heard the good news. U.S. District Judge Nickerson ruled in favor of the Hudson family, as well as Eastern shore farmers and Perdue. Actually, the verdict sets a precedent for farmers across the nation, especially poultry farmers, because the same situation is occurring to all who live and operate near major waterways. I recently read about farmers in the southwest, who live near tributaries leading into the Mississippi River, and are just beginning to learn what the word “nutrient management” really means.

As a follow-up to “The Impact of One Decision on Ag“, here’s a list of links reporting the good news:

There are many more articles out there, reporting the outcome of this three-year long case. As I said before, MANY were watching this case closely. I trust 2013 brings a sigh of a relief and healing to this family and all involved. I also hope it gives the poultry industry a boost, as it enters 2013 with unpredictable feed costs and potential antibiotic regulations. Regardless, I’m so thankful that the judge released his 50 page ruling before the Christmas holiday. Thanks also to all the groups and farmers who supported the family through this lawsuit. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Hudson’s, Delmarva Poultry Growers, and Perdue!

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3 Generations of Farmers

Just wanted to share a picture my sister took on my grandparents farm just west of Harrington. She recently submitted it to the Delmarva Farmer for their annual 2012 photo contest. She took the picture out of the back of the truck as my Pop-Pop (far right), Cody (middle), and Uncle Jimmy (far left) rode on the back of the tailgate. They were moving around equipment while harvesting soybeans.  You can even see the dust rolling behind them.  Pop-Pop told me over the holidays that he liked the picture and said he didn’t even know my sister had taken it. He also mentioned that many people from the community mentioned they saw it and liked it as well.

Uncle Jimmy (far left), Cody (middle), Pop-Pop Bill (far right) sit on the tailgate as my sister gave them a ride to their equipment during the 2012 fall harvest.

Uncle Jimmy (far left), Cody (middle), Pop-Pop Bill (far right) sit on the tailgate as my sister gave them a ride to their equipment during the 2012 fall harvest.

From Jan. 4, 2012, see also “3 Generations of Farming“.

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Today Made Me Smile

Today was just one of those days I had to smile. One of the core reasons I began writing this blog is to share the connection I see between agriculture and health while in my full-time work for Nemours Health & Prevention Services (NHPS).  While promoting children’s health in Kent County, I have utilized many of my previous connections with partners and businesses within the area. I have also been fortunate to embrace new ones along the way.  I smiled today because I witnessed all of these connections come together. Let me explain.

The previous long time connection is with my neighbor and colleague, Dave Marvel. He and his family grow field crops and watermelon near me, just west of Harrington. He is also the President of the Fruit & Vegetables Growers Association of Delaware (FVGAD) but the true passion I share with him is the DE Farm to School program. Dave initiated this program in the Woodbridge School District (with help from others) and is currently serving as co-chair of the DE Farm to School Advisory Board (we just spent all day Tuesday working on by-laws for the board). Furthermore, he was recently asked to serve on the National Farm to School Network Advisory Board .

The new colleague I met this past winter is Charita Olabiyi and the Outreach Manager for the Dover branch of Westside Family Healthcare. I remember calling Charita and asking her if she wanted to go to lunch one day. I asked where she preferred and she said “the sale”. She said, “Do you know what “the sale” means?” and I said, “Of course-it means Spence’s Bizarre and I love to go there”! We hit off and I soon learned that she has invaluable experience as a community health worker, including with the migrant farm laborers in Delaware.  Working with this population has sparked her interest in agriculture and she asked me to share with her ag related events in Delaware. Since it was winter, I invited her to DE Ag Week this past January. And the rest is history, as I connected her with Dave and the networking began.

Since then, a new advisory board for migrant farm workers in DE has formed, which Dave and Charita are serving on together (along with others).  Along with today’s launch of Westside’s new mobile health unit, which is a customized motor home with all the medical equipment needed for primary care. It’s a doctor’s office on wheels and it will travel to the migrant farm workers of Kent & Sussex counties this summer. See this related article from the Delmarva Farmer for more info. Today was the ribbon cutting for the brand new mobile unit and, of course, both Charita and Dave were in audience. It was no surprise to me when both were recognized, since I know the great work these individuals do everyday. I had to smile, just thinking about the endless strides these two can make for both agriculture and healthcare in Delaware.

Westside Mobile Health Unit Ribbon Cutting
July 12, 2012
Fourth from right, Dave Marvel
First from right, Charita Olabiyi

*** See below for more info on Westside’s services and it’s campaign in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program. This video is awesome!

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2012 DE Ag Industry Dinner: “Spreading the Gospel of Agriculture”

It was a nice night. The Dover Downs venue makes this annual occasion very formal. And thanks to the impending election year, it was well attended (or crowded, however you want to look at it). There  were politicians everywhere, both state officials and our 3 U.S. Congressmen. The food was good and yes, of course, Delmarva chicken was on the menu! It was a very late night since every Congressman gave welcoming comments and the featured guest, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture-Tom Vilsack, was last to give the key-note address. His speech gave indebtedness to farmers; thanking them for their efficiency (production crops) and innovation (biofuel) and most of all, for providing Americans food security.

This year the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture went to two prominent names in the Delaware agriculture community: Bruce Hotchkiss and Michael Scuse. The latter is a former DE Secretary of Agriculture and currently an Under Secretary for the USDA. But most importantly, he is a farmer from Smyrna, DE. The first is the founder of the widespread Delmarva Farmer; a voice for farmers across the Mid-Atlantic. He is from a NJ dairy farm but spent 57 years as a reporter. Of the entire night, I enjoyed Mr. Hotchkiss’s words the most. He broadcasted the fact that agriculture across the country is under assault from organization’s such as the Water Keeper’s Alliance and the EPA.  But he also publicized that organizations are blossoming up everywhere, to reeducate the public on the gospel of agriculture. He encouraged the crowd with two very small words: JOIN THEM!

This week I travel to my second CommonGround Conference. I hope to learn more media training so I can effectively advocate for farmers. I joined CommonGround…to spread the gospel of agriculture.

L to R: Mr. Bruce Hotchkiss and Mr. Michael Scuse- Both 2012 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awardees