Legislative Hall

by

Celebrating Delaware’s #1 Industry

From this week:

  • The 42nd Annual Ag Industry Dinner was held last night at Dover Downs. The 2013 Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture went to……..Mr. Walter C. Hopkins, the dairy farmer from Lewes, Del. DDA posted a press release today as well as a Flicker site with pictures from the event. Guests were given this 2013 Calendar-Celebrating DE’s #1 Industry, featuring pictures of many local farmers and farm families:
Celebrating Delaware's #1 Industry 2013 Calendar

Celebrating Delaware’s #1 Industry 2013 Calendar

My cousin, Jesse Vanderwende, is the January feature:

January-Jesse

Jesse Vanderwende, Walnut Tree Farm, Bridgeville, Del.

But I also loved the February picture of the Bennett family from Milton, Del. and April which showcased the budding Johnson family from Selbyville with their cute little piglets!

Bennett Farm, Selbyville, Del.

Bennett Farm, Milton, Del.

Johnson's Country Market, Selbyville, Del.

Johnson’s Country Market, Selbyville, Del.

Want a calendar? You can probably call DDA or let me know (christyvwright@gmail.com). I picked up extras that were left at my table. 🙂

Coming up:

  • Feb. 7– DDA will have their the Joint Finance Committee Hearing, at Legislative Hall, from 1:30-2 pm.
  • Feb. 8– This isn’t ag related, but in 2 weeks I’ll be at the “Chowdown for Charity“, at Bethany Blues in Lewes from 6-8 pm. A new group of young professionals (25-40 year olds) from Kent and Sussex counties, named TNG (The Next Generation), are fundraising for mental health charities. Perfect timing given the Governor’s emphasis on mental health professionals in schools in his proposed budget this week. Tickets are $40. Food will be BBQ. Lots of nice items will be in our silent auction. Come join us! Better yet, join the group! You can find us on Facebook or at http://www.delcf.org/TNG
  • Feb. 15- Apparently Class III of the LEADelaware program has extended its deadline until this date. I’ve heard and read lots of great things about this program in Maryland. I hope Delaware can reinvigorate their’s.
  • Feb. 22-23– Regional Women in Ag Conference will be held at Dover Downs. Register here!
by

Joint Agriculture Committee Update-Part II

A week later, on March 28, the committee came together again. This time the agenda covered two extremely sensitive topics: animal welfare and nutrient management.

Dr. Carolyn Orr from the Council of State Governments (CSG) reported that a university study showed that the EPA overestimated the amount of nutrients from the poultry operations coming into the environment by about four folds.  THIS IS HUGE FOR DELMARVA FARMERS!!! Apparently the EPA was using a model that relies on feeding practices that are 25 years old. Poultry farmers are much more efficient in their feeding practices today.

Dr. Orr went on to address animal welfare issues and the animal rights movement, which she singled out as the biggest threat to ag in the US today. She stated the movement is emotion backed, not science backed. Several fast food chains have required their pork suppliers and egg suppliers to use gestation free facilities. She also reported that several states have made it illegal to get false employment in a facility for the purpose to video tape. Witnesses are also required to report videotaping within 72 hours.

Several guests were present such as Gary Warren of the DE Farm Bureau  and Cooperative Extension representatives. Important to note, there was also a  representative of the Humane Society of the US (HSUS) in attendance. House members present included Chair Atkins and Chair Bunting, Representatives Quinn Johnson, Harvey Kenton, Bobby Outten, Jack Peterman, and Dave Wilson. Senate members present were Bruce Ennis, Bob Venables and Gary Simpson.

*************************************************************************************************

All committee meetings are held on Wednesday afternoons, when in session, at Legislative Hall in Dover. They are open to the public. You can check the DE General Assembly website for updates on Committee meeting times and rooms (click on meeting schedules on left side tool bar). It’s updated daily and often you will see bills sneak in on committee meeting agendas or time changes at the last minute.  The Ag Committee for each chamber meets sporadically, either when a bill is introduced or when updates are needed. For example, there is a House Ag Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Wed., May 9 at 4pm. See the agenda here.