Posts Tagged ‘delaware department of agriculture’
DE Department of Agriculture Adds New Test Options and Increases Fees for Seed Lab
Beginning January 2nd, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s seed laboratory will offer additional testing service options to assist producers. For the first time since 1999, DDA is increasing fees for services performed by the DDA Seed Lab. The laboratory has not changed its fee structure in 24 years; however, the rising costs of testing supplies…
Read MoreConcerns about Distribution of Green Iguanas in Delaware
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…
Read MoreRelief Payments Available to Frontline Farm and Meatpacking Workers
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…
Read MoreDelaware Department of Agriculture Warns of Threats to the Environment from Potbellied Pigs
Since 2016, Delaware has been experiencing a significant increase in potbellied pigs running at large in residential and rural areas, according to the state Department of Agriculture. The reason this is bad is that these pigs: pose a nuisance to landowners; damage natural resources; and risk carrying endemic diseases such as salmonella or even swine…
Read MoreDE Emergency Order Allows Fall Staging of Poultry Litter
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…
Read MoreSigning of SB 328 Renames Meadows Tract at Blackbird State Forest as “Bruce C. Ennis Tract”
Governor John Carney has signed Senate Bill 328 which renames the Meadows Tract at Blackbird State Forest to the “Bruce C. Ennis Tract” in honor of Senator Bruce Ennis. This is 456 acres of open meadows, forested trails, three ponds and on of Delaware’s two forest education centers. Senator Ennis has served 40 years in…
Read MoreDel. Farmland Preservation Program Makes Significant Strides in Inland Bays Watershed
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…
Read MoreSpotted Lanternfly Populations Detected in Sussex Co.
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…
Read MoreHEIGHTENED BIOSECURITY PROTOCOLS REVISED INVOLVING DELAWARE POULTRY FARMS
Current Situation Since the last case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed on March 18, no further cases of HPAI have been identified in the State of Delaware, and all control areas will be released; therefore, beginning on June 1, 2022, the following heightened biosecurity guidance is no longer in place: No person…
Read MoreDel. Honors 4 More Century Farm Families
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…
Read MoreHighly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Found In Md. Black Vultures
Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has turned up in black vultures that were found sick and dead last month in Harford County.This is the first time on Delmarva that HPAI has been found in wild birds since February 17th, when the virus was detected in a Canada Goose in Kent County, Delaware.Poultry farmers and growers…
Read MoreDel. Takes Applications for Food System Program Grants
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…
Read MoreH5N1 Avian Influenza Detected At Kent Co. Broiler Operation
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…
Read MoreTesting Detects More Cases Of H5N1 Avian Influenza
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…
Read MorePoultry Owners, Growers Advised To Make Biosecurity A Priority
It has been one week since a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in a commercial poultry farm in New Castle County, forcing its flock to be depopulated. Shortly before that, HPAI was confirmed in wild birds in the Atlantic Flyway. Now, the message from the Delaware Department of Agriculture is for farmers…
Read MoreAvian Influenza Detected In Del. Chicken Flock – What Farmers, Growers Should Know
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…
Read MoreDel. Dept. of Agriculture Invites Applicants For Special Crop Block Grant Program
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…
Read More“A Tree For Every Delawarean” Initiative Takes Root
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…
Read MoreSpotted Lanternfly Quarantine Expands To Kent Co.
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…
Read MoreDeliveries Of Mysterious Seeds Continue
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…
Read MoreOpening of Delaware farmers markets delayed due to coronavirus
The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) has delayed the opening of farmers markets across the state as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “The decision made to delay the opening of seasonal farmers’ markets in communities throughout Delaware was not an easy one,” DDA said in a statement. “We know that Delaware family farms…
Read MoreSussex County families honored for over 100 years of farming
The Delaware Department of Agriculture honored five Delaware farm families for their continued commitment to farming the same land for a century or more. “I don’t think many people realize how few farms there are across the United States that have actually have been in the same farm family for 100 years,” said Delaware Secretary…
Read MoreDelaware Department of Agriculture Launches Hemp Research Program
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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