Farm Bureau News
Local Farmers Feeding Your Family
USDA grant expedites Delaware Farm Bureau ‘Book Barn’ project
The Delaware Farm Bureau will be placing more than a dozen “ag accurate” books into every elementary school library in the First State within the next three years. In addition, to house the books in each library, DFB will provide a custom-made set of shelves called a “Book Barn.”
The Book Barn project was begun in New Castle County, according to NCC Farm Bureau President Stewart Ramsey, who chairs the Promotion and Education Committee. At an American Farm Bureau Convention several years ago, the Delaware delegation saw a similar project undertaken by another state Farm Bureau. Ramsey’s father-in-law made the first Book Barn. Another NCC farmer, Jimmy Correll, built a few more that winter, and since then Smyrna FFA has built additional barns, with materials paid for by the Farm Bureau. Gradually, as funds were available to purchase books, these have been placed into schools.
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Stewart Ramsey, far right, New Castle County Farm Bureau president and chair of the Promotion and Education Committee, read to a class of third graders at Forest Oak Elementary in Newark one of the “ag accurate” books being placed in elementary school libraries across the state by Delaware Farm Bureau. On hand for the kick-off of the Book Barn project partially funded by a USDA grant, were, standing at back, from left, teacher Martha Eldreth, Ashley Melvin Education Coordinator at Delaware Forest Service, Principal Erin NeCastro, Delaware Farm Bureau Executive Director Joseph Poppiti, Jo-Ann Walston of Delaware Department of Agriculture and Laura Simpson, Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation Manager. Seated with the students are Delaware State FFA Vice President Gillian Cannon, left, and President Tim Mulderig.
Milk Run May 11
Here’s an opportunity to get the family outside to get some exercise, enjoy the mild spring weather and support a great cause.
Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation will hold its 6th annual 5K Milk Run/Walk on Saturday, May 11, at Buffalo Wild Wings, 680 S. Bay Road (across from the Blue Hen Corporate Center) in Dover. All net proceeds will go to the
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Celebrating 75 years!
Be prepared to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Delaware Farm Bureau at our next annual banquet, which will be held on a different day in a different location this year. The banquet will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019, which happens to be Delaware Day, at the Del-One Center on the Terry Campus of Delaware Technical and Community College. The college, at 100 Campus Drive in Dover, is just off Route 13 north of Delaware State University and across the street from Wilmington University. Mark your calendar now and watch for details on how to order tickets!
In April 1944, the Delaware Farm Bureau held its first meeting. For a look at some of the organization's history since then, please see pages 10 and 11.
From the President’s desk ...
Spring is here! As I write this article, we are doing field work, removing ruts made during the harvest of 2018, spreading and disking in manure, spraying cover crops and applying pre-emergent herbicides. Pea planting is well underway, as is planting early corn, and potatoes. It is also a time for new births for our ranches; calves, lambs, kids and kits.
As we do this work that we love, please remember to do all your work in a safe manner. Your Delaware Farm Bureau started springtime with our 3rd annual “Delaware Ag Safety Conference” in March at the Ag Commodities Building in Harrington. Under the direction of our Chairwoman, June
Unruh, this conference’s attendance has grown each year. Delaware Farm Bureau partnered with Nationwide, Delaware Department of Agriculture, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Delaware State Fire School, and the Delaware Grange to make this another successful event.
Springtime also means opportunities to meet with our State legislators. The Farm Bureau’s Legislative Committee held four legislative breakfasts throughout the State in March and April. Sussex County farmer, R.C. Willin, provided our legislators with a history, status, and current challenges of the tax and community ditches throughout our State. He stressed the ditches that are not being maintained cause damage downstream to not only farmer’s fields, but culvert crossings and roadways, as well.
Sussex County farmer, Laura Hill, a member of the 2018 Deer Taskforce, thanked legislators for their support last year. Laura shared her farm’s continuing crop loss story and provided an update
on what the taskforce would like to discuss with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) for the coming year. The Farm Bureau has requested a follow-up meeting with Secretary Garvin in the next two months to discuss the results of the 2018 deer harvest with all the new opportunities provide to hunters and farmers. We would also like to discuss the goals and other opportunities for hunters and farmers in 2019.
The Farm Bureau commends Governor Carney for his Fiscal Year 2020 State budget proposal of 10 million dollars and supports increasing the number of new applicants of young farmers in the Agricultural Lands Preservation program.
Your Farm Bureau did not support the proposed legislation to establish a statewide property tax to fund the maintenance and infrastructure repairs at the Delaware Technical Community College. Knowing that many of our Farm Bureau members are graduates of Delaware Tech, we asked our legislators to seek other methods of funding needed repairs.
The Legislative Committee is also working on opposing the method of county property tax assessments on poultry houses in New Castle County. This method of taxation is inconsistent with
taxes on poultry house structures in Kent and Sussex Counties.
In March, the Legislative Committee also met with Dr. Bobbi Barends, Vice President and Campus Director at the Delaware Tech Jack Owens Campus in Georgetown to tour their Ag Farm, receive an update on their current curriculum for agriculture, and lend our support to the agriculture program at the Community College.
Your Farm Bureau is also a charitable organization. I want to remind you that the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation is holding its 6th annual 5K Milk Run/Walk on Saturday, May 11, at 8:00 a.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings in Dover (680 S. Bay Road). This year the Foundation is again partnering with the Ministry of Caring’s Milk for Children Fund. We are also happy to announce a new partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program that also includes milk. The Foundation wants to ensure that Delaware children continue to receive the valuable nutrition that whole milk provides. You can register for the race at TriSportsEvents.com. If you can’t attend the 5k Milk Run/Walk, you can donate at TriSportsEvents. com or make a charitable contribution to the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation.
Again, be safe in your farming activities and may God be blessed.
Delaware Farm Bureau News Editor Carol Kinsley carol.kinsley@defb.org Graphics/Production Designer Heather Kline heather.kline@defb.org 302-697-3183
Delaware Farm Bureau News (ISSN 10770798), published in Camden, DE, bimonthly, by Delaware Farm Bureau. Production by Delaware Printing Company. Periodicals postage paid at Camden, DE and additional offices.
Business and Editorial Offices: 3457 S. DuPont Highway, Camden, DE 19934, 302-697-3183.
Any editorial material may be reproduced with credit to this publication.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Delaware Farm Bureau News at the office above.
Delaware Farm Bureau
President Richard Wilkins
‘Book Barn’ ...
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The project now has been accelerated, thanks to a “specialty crop” grant from the USDA, administered by Delaware Department of Agriculture. Specialty crops are, in general, fruits and vegetables as opposed to “row crops” of grain such as corn, soybeans and wheat. Christmas trees and honey bees are included.
With the grant funds, the DFB has purchased more than 1,000 copies of “ag accurate” books appropriate for children about crops grown in Delaware, such as apples, cranberries, grapes, green beans, peas, spinach and zucchini. A few of the books cover multiple crops, including “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?” and “Who Grew My Soup?” Also included are several of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s “Book of the Year,” selections, including this year’s “Right This Very Minute” by Lisl H. Detlefsen. This book follows children through a day of meals, snacks and dessert to explore what farmers and ranchers are doing “right this very minute” to put food on our tables.
The expedited effort to place a Book Barn in every school began last month at Forest Oak Elementary School in Newark. DFB representatives, FFA state officers and guests from the Delaware Department of Agriculture were on hand as Ramsey read aloud the book “Green Bean! Green Bean!” to Martha Eldreth’s third grade class assembled in the library. Ramsey questioned the students about their experience with growing plants and surveyed them on which vegetables they liked to eat. He shared information about his farm and told the students how
Nancy King of King Crop Insurance read “Green Beans! Green Beans!” to 95 fourth graders at Shields Elementary School in Lewes during lunchtime. Each student also was given a packet of green bean seeds.
technology helps farmers. As an example, he described how robots are used to milk dairy cows on a neighbor’s farm.
The children were full of questions for Ramsey, too. They all agreed they had learned something new about agriculture and would be willing to try a new food that they have not eaten.
Ramsey said later, “It is of paramount importance to engage with young folks at an early age, to help them understand what happens on a farm and where food comes from. Hopefully, they carry that home and educate their parents. That sounds crazy, but in today’s age and our area of the world, a lot of folks have lost touch with where food comes from and don’t think farmers and farms are all that important, or even a necessary part of the food process. They think food comes from a store or factory.”
Ramsey added he hoped the students would be interested enough that their parents would look for new fruits or vegetables at the store, or better yet, at a farmer’s market or farm stand.
He described how he loves see-
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ing “the light come on” when children touring his farm watch him go into a corn field and pick an ear of corn, then pull back the husk. It’s then that they realize they’re looking at a field full of corn on the cob!
Book Barns were delivered to Rehoboth Elementary on March 28 and to Shields Elementary in Lewes on April 2. At Rehoboth, 72 fourth graders went outside on a beautiful spring day to hear Sussex
County Farm Bureau’s Women’s chair Connie Fox read “Right This Very Minute.” At Shields Elementary, Nancy King of King Crop Insurance in Georgetown read “Green Bean! Green Bean!” to 95 fourth graders as they ate lunch in the cafeteria. The students each were given a packet of green bean seeds and recipes using spring crops to take home. Agriculture is an $8 billion in-
YF&R donates materials to Nebraska flood relief effort
The Delaware Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers recently took up the challenge of assisting farmers in Nebraska who have been devastated by storms and flooding. The committee donated $200 to purchase fence posts, a half-mile of wire fencing and wire staples to send by way of an effort called “Delmarva for #NebraskaStrong,” organized by Erika Wilson, owner of Wilson Transportation Services in Easton, Md. She created a Facebook page and teamed up with farmers, other trucking companies and haulers to send a truck convoy with hay and all sorts of other supplies collected on the Delmarva Peninsula. Jacob and Melissa Urian, two of the Young Farmers and Ranchers’ members, did the shopping for supplies. Jacob has a personal connection to Nebraska farmers as his two sisters are part of the farming community in Nebraska.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau has set up a Nebraska Disaster Relief Assistance Program. To donate to the Disaster Relief Fund, visit www.nefb.org/disaster. Donations will be made to a fund established in the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit.
Delaware farms, farmers counted in 2017 Census of Agriculture
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Delaware office announced on April 11 the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture. It contains new information about 2,302 Delaware farms and ranches and those who operate them, including first-time data about on-farm decision making, at the state and county level.
“Agriculture continues to play
an important role in Delaware’s economy. I want to thank all of our family farmers who took the time to participate in the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “The information our farmers provided in the Census will help local and federal legislators, businesses, and others make informed decisions, especially on
federal programs, that will directly impact our farms.”
Census data provide valuable insights into demographics, economics, land and activities on U.S. farms and ranches. Some key state highlights include:
• The average age of all producers/decision makers for the farm operation was 57.4 years of age.
• The number of female producers increased by nearly 12 percent from 2012.
• The per farm average net income increased from $130,842 in 2012 to $277,316 in 2017.
Agriculture remains Delaware’s largest single land use, with 42 percent of Delaware’s land (or 525,324 acres) in farms, up from 508,652 acres in 2012. Poultry production ranked first in the state for market value of agricultural products sold with more than $1.1 billion, with grains, oilseeds, dry beans and dry peas; vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes; nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod; and milk from cows rounding out the top five commodity areas.
“The Census shows new data that can be compared to previous censuses for insights into agricultural trends and changes down to the county level,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “We are pleased to share first-time data on topics such as military status and on-farm decision making. We are pleased to make the results available in many online formats including a new data query interface, as well as traditional data tables.”
For the 2017 Census of Agriculture, NASS changed the demographic questions to better represent the roles of all persons involved in on-farm decision making. As a result, in 2017 the number of all producers in Delaware was 3,907, up from 3,789 producers in 2012.
Other highlights include:
• New and beginning producers with 10 years or less of farming (851 producers).
• Published for the first time, producers with military service (390 producers).
The Census tells the story of American agriculture. First conducted in 1840, the Census of Agriculture accounts for all U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. After 1920, the Ag Census happened every four to five years. By 1982, it was conducted every five years. Today, NASS sends questionnaires to nearly 3 million potential U.S. farms and ranches.
Conducted since 1997 by USDA NASS – the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture – it remains the only source of comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation and is invaluable for planning the future.
Results are available in many online formats including video presentations, a new data query interface, maps, and traditional data tables. All Census of Agriculture information is available at www. nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.
Wanted: Chalkboard artist entries
Calling all artists! Delaware Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is looking for an artist to create a new chalkboard drawing in its Food Booth at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. The 4-foot by 8-foot drawing should depict the 100th anniversary of the Delaware State Fair and the 75th anniversary of Delaware Farm Bureau.
A contest open to all young Delaware residents up to age 24 is being held to select an artist, with a prize of $150 to be presented upon completion of the final chalkboard drawing. Winner must be available sometime during July 15 through 18, 2019, to create the drawing. Materials will be provided.
Applicants should submit a sketch in any medium, at least 8 inches by 11 inches, along with name, address, phone number, email address, school attending (if
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‘Book Barn’ ...
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dustry in the First State, accounting for 30,000 Delaware jobs.
There are 2,500 farms in the state, covering some 500,000 acres. Delaware Farm Bureau feels it is important for students to learn about agriculture, and these well-written, colorful books are a good introduction, Ramsey said.
Principals of elementary schools may call Heather Kline at the DFB office, (302) 697-3183, to schedule delivery of a Book Barn during the next school year.
Seventy-two fourth graders assembled outside Rehoboth Elementary School on March 28 to welcome a Book Barn with “ag accurate” books donated by Delaware Farm Bureau for their school library. Sussex County Farm Bureau’s Women’s Chair Connie Fox, at left with Joseph Poppiti, Delaware Farm Bureau Executive Director, read one of the books to the students. At right is librarian Donya Kucharzyk.
Breakfast with legislators held in all three counties
This year, the Farm Bureau held four separate breakfasts with elected officials in March and April. The Legislative Committee hosted breakfast meetings at the Stargate Restaurant in Seaford, the Countrie Eatery in Dover, the Crossroads Restaurant and the Hollywood Grill in Wilmington. The Legislative Committee wanted to open a dialog with the State legislators on various topics that are concerns of the Farm Bureau membership.
Sussex County farmer, R.C. Willin, prepared extensive notes for his presentation at both Kent and Sussex County breakfasts concerning the maintenance of ditches throughout the State. The excessive rains of 2018 illustrated the lack of attention to storm water runoff throughout the State. Without much topography in Delaware, both tax, community and DelDOT ditches are needed to move storm water. Without the needed maintenance, these ditches can become filled with sediment, debris, trees and shrubs. The ineffectiveness of the overburdened ditches affects the drainage of agricultural fields but also causes erosion of road side culverts and roadways. New Castle County farmer, Bill Powers, spoke on this issue at the New Castle County legislative breakfasts.
Farm Bureau President, Richard Wilkins, discussed the Ag Land Preservation State Program. President Wilkins applauded the Governor’s decision to include $10 million dollars for the Ag Land Preservation program in his Fiscal Year 2020 Budget proposal. However, he noted there are challenges to the program. One challenge of the program is the cost of farm land; New Castle County land is more expensive than farm land in Kent and Sussex Counties. The second challenge is the discount rate in the bidding process to enter the preservation program. Most working farmers cannot afford to give a discount of 70% (current rate) of the assessed value of their farm land to be eligible to preserve their farm.
Another topic for discussion, introduced by the 2018 Deer Taskforce, was the continued statewide problem of the increased deer population. Sussex County farmer, Laura Hill and New Castle County farmer, Stewart Ramsey, spoke to legislators at all the breakfasts. Whether the deer are eating on plants and shrubs in landscaped yards or seedlings of corn crops, they are causing extensive economic damage. The Farm Bureau met with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
Attending the Kent County breakfast at Countrie Eatery in Dover were, clockwise from left, Rep. William Bush, vice-chair of the House Ag Committee; William “Bill” Powers, DFB second vice president; Sen. Bruce Ennis, chair, Senate Ag Committee; Rep. Jeffrey Spiegelman; Teddy Bobola, chair DFB Young Farmers & Ranchers; Ted Bobola, DFB Legislative Committee; DFB Past President Kitty Holtz; DFB President Richard Wilkins; Laura Hill, first vice president DFB; Joseph Poppiti, DFB executive director; Jacob Urian, Kent County FB president; Rep. Lyndon Yearick; Bentley Blessing, DFB Legislative Committee; Stewart Ramsey, New Castle County FB president; Rep. Charles Postles Jr.; R.C. Willin, DFB Legislative Committee, and Rep. William Carson, chair, House Ag Committee.
Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture last year to discuss the increased wildlife problem. Several provisions were added to the deer harvest program last year. The Farm Bureau has sent a request to DNREC and DDA for a follow-up meeting in the next month to review the results of these 2018 provisions and how to move forward.
A current topic of concern for farmers in New Castle County is the recent County tax assessments on agricultural structures. New modern poultry houses are being
taxed disproportionately compared to the tax structure in Kent and Sussex County, as well as neighboring Maryland counties. This is driving potential agricultural business enterprises out of the County and State. Farm Bureau members have met with County officials to try and resolve this tax inequity. The Delaware Farm Bureau would like to thank all the State Senators and State Representatives as well as New Castle County Executive and Council members for their attendance at the Farm Bureau Legislative Breakfasts.
Attendees of the New Castle County breakfast included, clockwise from left: Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker; Rick Deadwyler, Corteva Agriscience; Rep. Stephanie T. Bolden; David Carter, New Castle County Councilman; Richard Wilkins, Delaware Farm Bureau president; Stewart Ramsey, president NCC Farm Bureau; Kitty Holtz, DFB past president; Bill Powers, DFB second vice president; Dee Durham, NCC Councilwoman, and Rep. Michael Ramone. Not pictured: State Representatives Gerald Brady, Krista Griffith, Franklin Cooke, and Melissa Minor-Brown, Senator Anthony Delcollo, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, New Castle County Council President Karen Hartley-Nagle.
Delaware Farm Bureau also hosted legislative breakfasts in Kent and Sussex counties. Attending the Sussex County legislative breakfast at the Stargate Restaurant in Seaford were, from far left clockwise: DFB President Richard Wilkins; Barbara Sapp, DFB Women’s Committee; Connie Fox and Bentley Blessing, DFB Legislative Committee; Rep. Ronald Gray; DFB Past President Kitty Holtz; Rep. Daniel Short; R.C. Willin, DFB Legislative Committee; Rep. Timothy Dukes; DFB Executive Director Joseph Poppiti; Rep. Jesse Vanderwende; Dale Phillips, Sussex County FB president; Alan Bailey, DFB Legislative Committee; Guy Phillips, Sussex County FB director; Rep. Ruth Briggs King; Senators David Wilson, Brian Pettyjohn and Bryant Richardson; and Laura Hill, DFB first vice president.
Delaware Governor John Carney signed a proclamation April 18, 2019, celebrating the 75th anniversary
DFB attendees included DFB President Richard
President Dave
NCFB President
past presidents
tendance were Delaware Senate and House Ag Committee legislators and Secretary
AFBF Convention set for Austin in 2020
Plan now to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 101st Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Austin, Tex., Jan. 17 through 22, 2020.
Add your voice to the united chorus of the premiere general agriculture organization. Participate in educational workshops to expand your leadership skills, business acumen, impactful policy discussions and more. Celebrate the accomplishments of leaders in agriculture and witness powerful keynote speakers in the general sessions. Explore the IDEAg Trade Show floor to gain a stronger industry network, shop featured products, learn about innovative technologies, and enjoy TED-style (personal, professional and concise) talks on the Cultivation Center stage. Don’t miss the opportunity to gather with the agriculture community, and make your impact on the future of the industry.
Details on registration and hotel accommodations will be available later this year.
Update on Bonnie Duvall
Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, has been spending more time in Georgia lately as his wife, Bonnie, has been hospitalized for several weeks recovering from emergency surgery related to her cancer.
“We’re both so grateful for the outpouring of well-wishes and prayers we have received from you all,” Duvall posted on Facebook.
Duvall said he received a call from Vice President Pence and a text from Georgia Governor Kemp, both asking about his wife.
“I believe she is the most prayed-for woman in America!” he said.
“The entire Duvall family is feeling the embrace of our Farm Bureau family. And we are grateful for the role that farming plays in our own lives and for the hard work and dedication of the nation’s farmers and ranchers.”
of Delaware Farm Bureau in April.
Wilkins,
Kitty Holtz and Gary Warren, KCFB Presiednt Jacob Urian, KCFB Vice
Marvel,
Stewart Ramsey, KCFB directors Sandy Virdin and Kay Betts, Jackie King and Donna King. Also in at-
of Agriculture Michael Scuse.
Meet Your Farmers: Bill and Joan Powers
There have been farmers in Bill Powers’ family for generations. “My cousin’s kids up in New York are the eighth generation in farming there,” he said.
In his direct line, farming skipped a generation with his father, William Powers Sr., who worked for the New York Central Railroad. In 1977, when that company merged with Pennsylvania Railroad, his father was transferred to Philadelphia, and the family settled in Delaware in the community of Arundel, off Limestone Road near the Pennsylvania state line. Powers was 10 years old. He has two brothers, Brendan and Joe. His mother, Karol, was a schoolteacher.
His family got the idea that their son wanted to be a farmer, Powers said, “when I started bringing tractors home to the subdivision.”
His parents bought a farm in Townsend, on the Maryland state line. Powers rented the land from his parents while a senior at Newark High School. “I started farming in 1977 right out of high school with one tractor,” he said.
When his father died at age 52 in 1987, Powers was only 26. He bought the farm from his mother, going to settlement a week after meeting his future bride, Joan Craig. “My dad had said a few years earlier I should think about buying the farm. He wanted to move to the beach,” Powers said.
Powers worked on the assembly line at Chrysler in Newark from 1978 to 2006. He married in 1989. Joan’s father wasn’t a farmer either — he had been in the military — but her grandparents had a dairy farm in
Chesapeake City, Md.
“People sometimes wonder why members of farm families marry someone from a farm family. You’ve got to be brought up in it,” Powers said. “If we’re invited to a wedding in June, we might be on time if it’s raining. Joan understands.”
Joan does the books and now works full time as a rural mail carrier. When he worked at Chrysler, she took care of all the animals. Powers raised hay and feed for the livestock.
“I would come home and cut hay at night. The next evening she’d have hay raked and I’d come home and bale,” he said.
The couple had a daughter, Katie, in 1990 and a son, Will, in 1993.
The children helped on the farm from an early age. “I remember when Will was really little – he was maybe 3. We would get down and listen to the turkeys breathe because they can develop respiratory problems. I remember all the white bodies and red and blue heads, and Will said there was a sick one in one corner. He was looking in their eyes. He was right.
“I’d give him a stick when he was about 6, to help cut out a steer. The older workers couldn’t do it as well as he could by age 8 or 10. He had been watching my wife and me.”
Both children were active 4-H members and later members of Smyrna FFA, where they did meat judging before they learned livestock judging. Powers said, “I thought even if they don’t farm later, they’ll know how to pick out a piece of meat.”
When the family went grocery shopping, he would ask the children to pick out the best cut of meat in the store – not that they were going to buy meat there, but just for the practice.
The children began showing livestock around 1998 and exhibited in local, state, regional and national shows.
Katie favored sheep and maintained a flock of Dorsets, Suffolks and wether-type Hampshires.
Will focused on hogs, maintaining a herd of mainly Poland Chinas with some Yorkshires and Chester Whites.
Together they had an assortment of club lamb and steer projects and a small goat herd. Both Katie and Will met with great success in the show ring and developed long-lasting friendships.
Katie attended Oklahoma State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science and participated on the collegiate meat judging team.
“A month before she graduated, she told me she wanted to go to grad school,” Powers said. "I told her to get a job and let them pay for her master’s.”
Katie then obtained a graduate assistantship which helped pay for her degree. She received her master’s in agricultural communications. After working in the industry for several years, she now has her own business, Powerful Dezigns, a full-service marketing firm spe-
cializing in photography and graphic design. During her busy season of January through March, she will be attending almost all the major livestock shows as a photographer. Katie lives in Oklahoma with her husband, Spencer, where they operate a show pig operation, McGuire Livestock.
Will went to The Automotive Training Center in Exton, Pa., to learn auto and diesel mechanics. Powers said, “We work and manage the farm together. He and his fiancée, Ariel Bilbrough, a chemist, will be getting married in October. She helps a lot on the farm, processing turkeys, entering invoices and helping at the farmers markets with Will. ”
Recently, while Powers was being interviewed on the telephone, Will was grinding feed. “We make all our own feed,” Powers said. “We grow non-GMO corn because of our customers. We grow our own feed and grind it. I am vertically integrated,” he said.
Powers Farm raises cage-free laying hens and sells their brown eggs. The birds are housed in individual buildings, 75 to a house. Their eggs are collected by hand. There are no automated feeders; they must be filled individually. They have egg graders and automatic washers that wash 200 dozen eggs an hour, but workers are needed to run the machines.
“It’s a niche market,” Powers explained. “We have a lot more labor costs than an automated house, but we’re making more money per dozen. We have to.”
The larger operations go with volume. Powers doesn’t. “They are two different markets,” he said.
Bill and Joan Powers with some of their cows.
Will Powers and his fiance, Ariel Bilbrough.
Meet Your Farmers ...
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Powers raised turkeys again this year, something he did in the 1990s but gave up in 2001. “We raised about 240 this year,” he said. Most were sold.
His beef cattle are Jersey and Linebacks because of their marbling and excellence at converting grass to meat. “We don’t finish them in a feedlot,” he said, although they are given some grain. They are finished on pasture.
He continues to raise sheep and goats. Most of the sheep are crossbred Dorsets and Hampshires. Since the children are no longer showing animals, they don’t need purebreds.
“We sell everything off the farm direct market,” Powers said. “We sell to individuals, restaurants and small markets. We used to sell a lot of eggs at Willey Farms before the fire there.”
Powers said he sells beef by the quarter, half, whole or by the steak, however customers want their meat. “A lot of times people come to buy beef and I suggest they try just one cut before buying a quarter or half, so they’ll know what they are getting.”
As with the beef, marbling is important in pork. Powers grows mostly Berkshires because of their marbling. After Katie finished her education, he asked her was it true about Berkshires and marbling. She said yes, because so much fat has been bred off other breeds.
“We don’t want a lot of lard, just
marbling. The fat should be marbled through the meat,” Powers said.
He has the livestock butchered at Haas Family Butcher Shop in Dover or Sudlersville Meat Locker in Maryland.
“We pride ourselves in producing safe, wholesome products to assist in maintaining the health of local customers throughout the Delmarva area. The farm is also a means of getting consumers of the area involved in agriculture,” Powers said.
In addition to meat sales, the family also uses the wool from their sheep to create and sell custom-made wool-filled comforters, mattress pads and pillows. They also sell sheep skins — great for car seat covers, bed-rest patients and floor rugs. They also raise Australian Shepherd pups.
With Will’s interest in farming, the Powers family purchased a second farm in Maryland three years ago. Both farms have a Ma son Dixon marker on them.
Powers has been a Farm Bureau member since 1986. He served as New Castle County President from 1996 to 2004. Joan Powers served as New Castle County Women’s Committee Chair from 1990-2003.
Powers said he remembered being involved during Delaware Farm Bureau’s 50th anniversary, and now he is serving as second vice president as the organization celebrates its 75th year.
He also recalled that Joan served
on the state board of directors before he did. “She would bring Katie and Will to meetings, and they would sleep under the table. I think Will’s been attending Farm Bureau meetings longer than anyone.”
Will is now on the county board and is a New Castle County representative on the State Farm Bureau Board.
Powers’ mother, Karol Powers-Case, is a member of the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and was a member of the Ag Literacy Committee which has been folded into the Promotion and Education Committee. Now 82, she is still involved in the farm operation.
“She’ll make deliveries,” Powers said. “It keeps her busy.”
In 2004, the Powers family put their Delaware farm in the county's Farmland Preservation Program; therefore, the land may never be developed.
Powers was elected to the New Castle County Council in 2006 and served through 2018. He is a past member of the Delaware Beef Advisory Council, New Castle County Farm Preservation Advisory
Board, the Delaware Open Space Council, the Delaware Citizen's Task Force for Water Quality, and the Search Committee for National Parks in Delaware.
He holds an Honorary State FFA Degree and has received both the Delaware Farm Bureau Service to Agriculture Award and the Farm Family of the Year Award.
Get to know your farmer! Call to arrange a purchase from the farm in Townsend at (302) 378-0826 or visit online at thepowersfarm. com.
Wanted: Chalkboard artist entries ...
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any) and a short biography. Sketch and information must be received by June 15, and should be addressed to: Delaware Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Art Contest, 3457 S. DuPont Highway, Camden, DE 19934.
Winners will be announced by June 30.
Glimpse back across 75 years... How many of these people
To enter the contest, send a list matching the number of photo to the name(s) of person(s) depicted, by row, left to right or clockwise, by email to: heather.kline@defb. org or by snail mail to: Delaware Farm Bureau Photo ID, 3457 S. DuPont Hwy., Camden DE 19934.
The person who correctly identifies the greatest number of people will win a free ticket to the annual banquet/75th anniversary celebration on Dec. 7, 2019.
Del. Ag Safety Conference focus on prevention
Four of the speakers at Delaware Farm Bureau’s third annual Delaware Ag Safety Conference on March 6 gave a personal testimony about the consequences of not listening to safety warnings. One appeared with a bandage on his forehead, the result of walking into the open hatchback of his car.
June Unruh, chair of the Promotion and Education Committee's safety committee, welcomed some 50 attendees and served as moderator of the conference. Delaware Ag Secretary Michael Scuse emphasized the importance of the day's topic.
Several members of the audience indicated they work with big bales of hay — those that weigh 1,000 pounds or more. Stewart Ramsey, president of the New Castle County Farm Bureau, described a recent accident with one of those big, rectangular bales.
Ramsey and his son were to leave for a brief vacation at noon, but he had taken time to carefully coach a worker, Vinnie, who had
not grown up on a farm, not to get in front of the truck when a loader was nearby. It was 10 a.m., and they were strapping down the bales.
“Vinnie yelled. I looked up and a bale hit me,” Ramsey said. Fortunately, his co-workers were able to remove the bale and call 9-1-1.
In a presentation on ATV safety, Dominic DiOssi of Nationwide, confessed that he had not followed safety procedures five years ago when he went for a ride on an ATV near his grandparents’ cabin in the mountains of Pennsylvania. “I’ve been riding dirt bikes and ATVs since I was 6,” he said. “You tend to disregard that they are dangerous.”
DiOssi shared the details of his accident — how he went out without safety gear, went too fast,
lost control and was thrown over the handlebars when the ATV hit a tree. With one leg almost completely severed and the other broken, he had to pull himself down a hill to the road where, fortunately, his cousin found him. He was flown to a hospital where he had 11 transfusions and three surgeries. He now has a prosthesis for his right leg and a rod in his left leg.
“This could happen to anyone here,” he said. “I hope my story resonates with everyone.”
What could he have done differently?
Co-presenter Mike Gillett, also of Nationwide, listed several steps ATV riders should take in order to help prevent accidents: do a preand post-trip check of tires and wheels, controls and cables, lights and electrical system, oil and fuel and chain and/or drive shafts. Wear a helmet, boots, gloves, goggles, long pants and long sleeves. Travel at a safe speed for the terrain, visibility and your experience. No joy riding, he emphasized. “If you work alone, make sure someone knows your destination, time of departure and time of return.”
Gillett said there were more than 100,000 injuries involving ATVs in 2016. From 2010 to 2013, there were 2,435 deaths.
Tyler Schrock, registered respiratory therapist at Bayhealth Kent Campus, warned farmers of several lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, even lung cancer, that can result from exposure to dust, aerosols, fungus, hay, mushrooms, microorganisms in greenhouses and airborne allergens on farms. He encouraged those present to limit exposure to these substances by using a ventilation system, ensuring safe clean-up, product substitution when possible, personal protective equipment, education, regular screening and imaging. When it comes to masks, “anything is better than nothing,” Schrock said, but always follow label instructions.
Nick Sawyer and Brian Ferguson of Delaware State Fire School presented a CPR demonstration. Heartsaver courses are available through the Fire School, they said. To inquire about a course for your farm or business, call (302) 7394773.
Kerry Richards of the University of Delaware Cooperative Exten-
sion returned for the second year to talk about pesticides. Her presentation was on reducing pesticide exposure, but first she offered updates on some chemicals farmers use.
Richards later forwarded the most recent information from EPA, issued March 6.
One sip of Paraquat can kill, and there is no antidote, Richards said. The EPA, citing a “disproportionately high number of deaths resulting from accidental ingestion” of the herbicide, has taken several actions to prevent poisoning, including making label changes, restricting the use of all paraquat products to certified applicators only, and requiring closed-system packaging for all non-bulk (less than 120 gallon) end use product containers of paraquat.
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Account Executive
June Unruh
Sitting on an ATV on a trailer, Dominic DiOssi demonstrates safety rules he ignored on the day of his accident.
Mostly recovered from his accident, Stewart Ramsey, right, talks with Nationwide Sponsor Relations
Margie Chase at the safety conference.
Check website before using dicamba
The Delaware Department of Agriculture urges all pesticide applicators who plan to use dicamba this growing season to check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s online “Bulletins Live! Two” system on a monthly basis before spraying. This new online system allows agriculture and other pesticide users to easily determine where pesticide use limitation areas exist due to the protection of endangered species.
“I would encourage farmers and other pesticide applicators to print a copy of the bulletin
and carry it with them during the application. In case they get questioned, this verifies that they have checked the website before the application,” said Christopher Wade, DDA Pesticides Section Administrator. “Since the bulletin and the corresponding maps are only valid for a month, applicators need to complete this process every month.”
Currently, Sussex County is the only county in Delaware with Dicamba Pesticide Use Limitation Areas. The online system provides a more detailed view of where the PULA is located com-
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The closed-system packaging requirement will not be in place this growing season, Richards said.
Certified applicators must now take paraquat-specific training before use, which emphasizes that the chemical must not be transferred to or stored in improper containers. The training also covers paraquat toxicity, new label requirements and restrictions and consequences of misuse.
Richards explained that EPA is allowing the sale of paraquat that is already in the channels of trade, so some paraquat sold this growing season may not have the new training requirement on the label. If the new training requirement is listed on the label, applicators must complete the training.
“Growers who currently have a supply of paraquat that does not have the new labeling listing the required training are not required to complete the training,” she said. “The best advice remains follow the directions on the label of the product you are using.”
For more information on this latest EPA action, visit www. epa.gov/pesticides/epa-takes-action-prevent-poisonings-herbicide. Richards said, “The easiest URL that links to the training is usparaquattraining.com.”
In her talk, Richards said Paraquat may no longer be applied by uncertified persons, even if working under someone else’s supervision.
Registration of Dicamba has
been extended for two years for “over-the-top” use to control weeds in soybean fields genetically engineered to resist dicamba. Label updates add protective measures to further minimize potential for offsite damage.
Federal registration of chlorpyrifos remains in place and use according to label instructions may continue, as permitted by state law, while awaiting a re-hearing in Ninth Circuit court of a petition to revoke all use.
A regularly scheduled registration review of glyphosate began in 2009. There are a lot of questions about whether glyphosate is carcinogenic. The EPA is currently reviewing 250,000 public comments.
For more information, visit http://npsec.us/psep-sla-portal.
Richards said, “My job is to help you find all the information I can to help you make informed decisions.”
Richards also noted that, as of Jan. 28, 2019, the EPA has withdrawn the proposed revisions to the 2015 Worker Protection Standards and is no longer considering changes to the designated representative or minimum age requirement.
New training materials on WPS are required and are available through Delaware Department of Agriculture. It is the responsibility of the farmer to ensure that anyone working on the farm is trained. For contract labor, she said, farmers must have documentation that all have been trained.
pared to receiving a county level impact that is not truly county-wide.
To make it easy to find, the Delaware Department of Agriculture has linked the Bulletins Live! Two online system to its webpage at https://de.gov/pesticides. Users will need to enter in their address into the search bar and if there is an effective PULA identified it will be displayed in a pink color. Clicking on the PULAs will reveal a summary of the products, codes and limitations required.
Dicamba is an herbicide that can be applied to the leaves or soil to control annual and broadleaf weeds in grain crops and pastures. If the pesticide label directs the applicator to the online Bulletins Live! Two system, then the applicator is required to follow the pesticide use limitation(s) found in the Bulletin for the intended application area, pesticide active ingredient or product and application month.
Apply now for DFB Youth Ambassador
High school juniors and seniors, would you like to represent the Delaware Farm Bureau and earn a $1,000 scholarship? The Women’s Committee is accepting applications for the Youth Ambassador Program through June 28 at 4 p.m.
One person will be chosen to represent each county and will have a chance to be chosen as the State Ambassador.
Applicants must be the son or daughter of a DFB member with an active, paid-up membership for more than one year.
The State Ambassador will be asked to earn points by attending county and state annual meetings, the Ag Industry Dinner and committee events and by volunteering in the DFB Food Booth or DFB exhibit at the Delaware State Fair. Rules and application form are online at: https://defb.org/programs or at the DFB office, 3457 South DuPont Highway in Camden, or by calling (302) 697-3183.
Blue Jacket Bonanza provides jackets to FFA
With the help of Perdue Farms Inc., which donated $1,000 to help fund the Delaware Farm Bureau's Blue Jacket Bonanza Program, 36 members of Delaware FFA chapters were presented an official blue jacket at the Delaware FFA State
Convention in Dover on March 11. Sharon Clark, vice president of transportation for Perdue AgriBusiness and a big FFA advocate and alum, represented Perdue at the opening ceremony of the State FFA Convention held at Delaware
Richard Wilkins, left, DFB president, and Sharon Clark of Perdue AgriBusiness, far right, pose with some of the FFA members wearing their blue jackets for the first time. Delaware Farm Bureau has donated over 200 FFA Blue Jackets since 2015.
State University. Delaware Farm Bureau President Richard Wilkins spoke briefly to the students.
The Blue Jacket Bonanza Program was developed to provide a means of earning a jacket to FFA members who would not otherwise have the opportunity to own one. The iconic FFA jacket has been worn proudly by countless FFA members since it was adopted in 1933. As a part of the FFA Official Dress, the Blue Jacket unifies members in a long-standing tradition and reminds them that they are part of something larger than themselves. It is an article of faith, honor and pride.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Some 4,000 Delaware FFA members are preparing for careers in agricultural marketing, processing, education, horticulture, production, biotechnology, natural resources, forestry, agribusiness and other diverse agricultural fields.
Flooded fields?
The National Weather Service says 2018 was the wettest year since 1894 when they began keeping records. This year, 2019, has also started out with above average precipitation.
In the last 365 days, as of March 11, 2019, New Castle County has received 66.4 inches; Kent County, 63.2 inches; Sussex County, 61.6 inches. Average state annual precipitation is 45 inches.
Many farmers found ditches backed up and large portions of their fields under water.
Delaware Farm Bureau needs your help in documenting this issue. If your tax ditch or roadside ditch does not drain properly, snap a few pictures and send them to carol.kinsley@defb.org. Drone pictures would be great!
In all cases, your information (name, location and date photos were taken) will be kept confidential.
With this documentation we will be better able to build a case for a multi-pronged strategy to address this issue with state decision makers who do not live or work near our farms. These visual images will help to tell our story.
Top 10 Things to consider when expanding your farm operation
The following information is provided by Nationwide, the No. 1 farm and ranch insurer in the United States.*
Farmers and ranchers are innovative businesspeople who are not afraid to take risks. Many operators are always thinking about ways to increase revenues. Sometimes that means expanding into areas that can include commercial activities, like seed conditioning, hauling other peoples' grain, custom spraying, or even agritourism or a farm stand.
We’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 things you should consider whenever you have a discussion about expanding your farm or ranch business. The bottom line: It's important to do your homework and be sure to contact your insurance agent.
1. Check federal, state and county laws and ordinances
Check to see what building codes, permits or licenses may be needed prior to starting any new business or adding new construction.
2. Environmental impact
Be a good land steward and consider any impact your expansion could have on the environment. Check with your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR), De-
partment of Transportation (DOT) and county engineers on how you can protect the environment as you grow your operation.
3. Consider your neighbors
Will an expansion of your operation impact your neighbors in any way? If you think the answer to that question may be yes, consider informing them early of your plans.
4. Increased traffic
Inviting the public onto your property brings with it special liability concerns. You will need to post signs to warn visitors of any potential dangers. Are your premises ADA compliant? Will you provide restroom or hand-washing facilities?
5. Product safety
You may need to initiate proper controls and safe handling programs for any product you are processing or selling to prevent property damage or bodily injury to others.
6. More employees
If the expanded operations will require hiring additional employees, you may need to provide training and safety materials. If the additional employees increase your operation to over 50, you will need to comply with OSHA standards. Be sure you’ve obtained adequate insurance to protect both your em-
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Ministry of Caring’s “Milk for Children Fund” which serves nutritious meals at no cost to homeless and hungry children, starting with a glass of milk, and The Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program which provides food to at-risk children on days when federal school meal programs are not available.
Runners and walkers will traverse the flat, scenic rural landscape of the St. Jones Isaac Branch Trail. The trail is paved, which makes it perfect for running strollers.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. A free Kiddie K for youth 10 and under starts off at 8:50. The Milk Run itself starts at 9.
This is a TriSports “sanctioned race.” All participants will receive a quality 2019 Milk Run 5K Run/
ployees and your operation.
7. Safety and security
Consider if you need to take additional steps to protect your property or operation from burglary, theft or other crimes.
8. Manage outside risks
Be sure to obtain signed contracts and certificates of insurance for any expansion operations that involve other businesses coming onto your farm or ranch or for businesses you hire to do work for you and your operation.
9. Have a contingency plan
If your operation suffers a setback, have a plan in place with steps to follow that allow you to continue your operations. Having a documented contingency plan can help you get your operation back up and running more quickly.
10. Review your insurance
Depending on the type of operations you’re considering, your farm insurance policy may no longer be adequate; you may need a general liability policy. Invite your insurance agent out to review your operations and talk through your expansion plans. Your agent can help address any new coverage needs or gaps and provide guidance. Reviewing your insurance is a critical step to help ensure you’re
protecting your assets as you expand your business.
Nationwide has been protecting agriculture for more than 100 years, including commercial agribusinesses. For more information about steps to take when expanding your farm or ranch operations, contact your insurance agent or visit WS4U.com/farmers-ranchers.
Farm and ranch products are not available in: Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oklahoma.
This information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any suggestions or information contained herein. Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety method is included in this article or that specific circumstances may not require additional methods or alternative safety suggestions. Also, nothing contained herein is meant to represent or indicate compliance with applicable standards or requirements mandated by federal, state or local jurisdictions.
Walk Performance Tech Shirt, and there are awards for top finishers in several categories.
Cost to register is $25 until May 4, $30 after that and on event day. Register online at TriSportsEvents.com.
Or, make checks payable to Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation and mail to TriSports, 2772 Hazlettville Road, Dover, DE 19904. For questions, contact Ray@TriSportsEvents.com.
If you cannot participate but would like to show your support, register as a “Silent Hero.”
The public is encouraged to attend in support of agriculture, all while supporting this great cause.
If you would like to help sponsor the race, contact Laura Simpson, Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation manager, at (302) 697-3183 or via email at laura. simpson@defb.org.
Nationwide execs tour Delaware farms
Guy Phillips, left, welcomed Nationwide execs to his farm in Georgetown on April 11. Craig Adams, center, is a member of the Nationwide Board of Directors; Dan Durheim is associate vice president of sponsor relations. In the background is Delaware Farm Bureau President Richard Wilkins.
