81 FFA Blue Jackets awarded by Delaware Farm Bureau in Blue Jacket Bonanza
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
For the last decade, the Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) has proudly sponsored the Blue Jacket Bonanza program for Delaware FFA. This initiative provides deserving FFA members with the iconic blue jacket, personalized with their name and chapter.
Maria Gutierrez-Carcamo of the Sussex Central FFA Chapter shared her experience receiving her jacket last year through the Blue Jacket Bonanza. “The FFA blue jacket is more than just an article of clothing, it resembles the accomplishments, kindness, service, and faith of every FFA member, along with the overall unity of this organization.”
She further explained that wearing the blue jacket symbolizes an individual’s official entry into FFA. Having their name embroidered on it fosters a sense of belonging and solidifies their place in the organization’s ongoing mission to build
a brighter future.
The FFA blue jacket has been an integral part of the organization’s official dress since 1933, serving as a symbol of professional growth, career success, and agricultural advocacy.
DEFB recognizes the invaluable skills FFA instills in its members and is committed to ensuring more students have the opportunity to wear the blue jacket with pride. Many Farm Bureau members were once involved in FFA and recognize the strong connections between the two organizations.
At the Delaware FFA Convention, DEFB Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Chair Will Powers encouraged members to continue pursuing agriculture. He highlighted that YF&R serves as a platform for individuals aged 18–40 to develop their professional, agricultural, and leadership skills.
DEFB Summer Interns Page 5 Estate Taxes Page 20
Scraps to Snacks Page 14
Lake Forest FFA members at the Delaware FFA Convention at the University of Delaware on March 25-26.
From the President’s desk
Staying Safe on the Farm and the Road
Bill Powers DEFB President
Spring has sprung, and farmers are getting busy once again. While safety is a yearround priority, it's especially important during the busy seasons. The DEFB Promotion and Education Committee recognizes this and emphasized the topic during the Ag Safety Conference in March. You can find more information about the success of this event on page 10.
As planting season kicks off and farmers begin moving equipment, livestock, and other supplies from farm to farm, road safety becomes a major concern. Farmers must remain alert and aware of traffic, while community members are reminded to slow down and exercise caution when approaching or passing farm machinery.
Farm vehicles can appear to be pulling over, but may in fact be preparing for a wide turn. Always ensure the operator isn’t turning before attempting to pass. Most farmers will make space when it's safe for others to pass, but clear communication and patience go a long way in preventing accidents. On highways, farm equipment typically moves at much slower speeds than regular traffic. Farmers are encouraged to use an es-
cort vehicle, especially on busy or curvy roads. An escort helps alert drivers and may be used to temporarily block parts of the road when necessary. If you'd like to hire an off-duty state trooper as an escort, you can request one by calling Jobs4Blue at (877) 425-8330. More information is available at https://dsp.delaware.gov/hire-offduty-trooper/.
Another effective way to increase visibility is by adding extra lighting to your equipment. Kent County Farm Bureau President Jim Minner has presented extensively on this topic. As long as it complies with Delaware law, any vehicle may be equipped with lamps for the purpose of alerting other drivers to potential traffic hazards. For guidance and to review the Delaware Code, visit https://delcode.delaware.gov/.
As we move into the summer months, rising temperatures bring new challenges. Working outdoors in the heat is often unavoidable, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself:
• Schedule strenuous work for early morning or evening hours when it's cooler.
• Stay hydrated and consider adding electrolytes to your water if you're sweating heavily.
• Take regular breaks in shaded areas, near fans, or in air-conditioned spaces.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shield your
head and eyes.
• Consider wearing lightweight, breathable, and longsleeved clothing to stay cool and protect your skin from the sun.
Always let someone know where you’ll be and what you’re doing in case of an emergency. If you begin to experience symptoms of heat exhaustion—such as dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, or a headache—stop working immediately, seek a cool location, and drink water. Continuing to work could lead to heat stroke, which is a serious medical emergency.
Don't forget your animals, either. As temperatures rise, they will also need more water and shaded areas. Be sure they have access to clean, cool water at all times. Installing fans in barns can help maintain a more comfortable environment. Stay safe and cool this spring and summer! I look forward to seeing you at Delaware Farm Bureau events—don’t forget to invite your friends to join and learn more about Delaware Farm Bureau! Scan the QR code below to learn more about Delaware Farm Bureau and our member benefits!
The Zipline Strong Leadership, Stronger Future
Across the country this morning, men and women in every region and every state are rising to grow the food, fiber and renewable fuel Americans depend on. Most of them have been working for hours before sunup this morning, and many will be working still as the sun dips below the horizon this evening. The days are long on the farm, and the work is hard. Farmers and ranchers don’t shy away from a hard day’s work, though. We know our nation is counting on us, not only to keep our food supply secure but also to help fuel our economy.
The latest Feeding the Economy
report highlights the critical role U.S. agriculture plays across our economy. While fewer than 2% of Americans are farmers, 100% of Americans need a farmer, every day. Farmers are the key to a long supply chain, from tractor manufacturers upstream to grocery stores downstream. Today, this supply chain directly makes up more than one-seventh of the U.S. economy. In 2024, the direct and indirect economic impact of the agriculture supply chain totaled $9.5 trillion, or one-third of the U.S. economy. To put that in terms of the global economy, if the U.S. agricultural supply chain were its own country, it would support the third largest economy in the world. Let that sink in for a minute. That is an American-grown success story.
Agriculture’s economic value is fueling jobs too. In 2024, direct employment in the food and agriculture supply chain grew by more than 1 million jobs. Altogether, jobs directly in the food and agricultural supply chain make up 15% of employment in the U.S., for a total of more than 24 million jobs. When you add in all the jobs supported by
agriculture, the yields nearly double. From scientists and researchers to engineers and truck drivers, farmers and ranchers and their supply chain support more than 47 million jobs in the U.S.
As farmers and ranchers know from hard, personal experience, yields are not guaranteed. One good season—or even one dozen good seasons—does not guarantee the next. We cannot take agriculture for granted. Most consumers got a glimpse of this truth with the empty grocery store shelves at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the egg shortage this year. But our memories can be short, and most folks do not understand the tremendous pressures farmers and ranchers are facing.
From inflation and rising labor costs to an outdated farm bill, many farmers are operating on razor thin margins, and some cannot hold on for a better season. Farm bankruptcies were up 55% from 2023 to 2024, and more than 141,000 farms went out of business from 2017 to 2022, according to USDA’s Census of Agriculture. I give these reminders not to be despairing but
to remind us of how important it is that we remain committed to strengthening American agriculture. That’s why Farm Bureau is actively engaging with lawmakers and leaders across Washington and across the country. From Capitol Hill to federal agencies, we are taking a seat at the table to address the challenges facing agriculture. We know Americans are counting on farmers, and farmers are counting on us.
Farmers and ranchers have been raising American-grown products for generations. And if we’re going to keep agriculture strong to ensure a secure food supply and to help feed our economy, we need to ensure that farmers and ranchers have the tools they need. Farm Bureau is committed to being the leading Voice of Agriculture because we understand how high the stakes are for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Our nation is stronger when farmers and ranchers have the resources, tools and freedom to do what we do best: feed our nation and our economy.
Zippy Duvall
American Farm Bureau Federation
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Students honored with an FFA blue jacket include:
Appoquinimink
Alexandra Jones
Saanvi Kalidindi
Miely Medina Rizo
Jonas Karpinski
Anna Heckscher
Diana Nowak
Sophia Miller
Evelyn Burress
Caesar Rodney
Aubrianna Pedigo
Anna Thompson
Amie Wiley
Cole Warren
Mikayla Fortuna
Isaac Kunder
Quinn Miller
Cape Henlopen
Gabriel Blackwood
Dover
La'Niyah Robinson-King
Jaylen Hodges
Eugene Watts II
Corrie McGuckin
Cecilia Albanese
Leila Johnson
Ty'lea Reed
Trevor Groton
Garrick Pryor
Indian River
Alison Swartz
Lake Forest
Madison Bullard
Jillian Novack
Flynn Mucha
Madelyn Gallo
Ty Gustafson
Colton String
Addison Sparks
Henry Sylvester
Austin Coverdale
Rina Troupe
Maggie Wieber
Connor Stewart
Laurel
Destinie McCrea
Rowan Varner
Brooklyn Hysan
Jazzlynn Herscher
Brynnen Thompson
Thomas McKean
Antonio Sanchez
Tyler Brinegar
Middletown
Morgan Fink
Brooke Ryan
Mackenzie Nickle
Owen Hickey
Riya Patel
Milford
Dawn Mutchler
Elizabeth Abbate
Hailey Smith
Odessa
Graedy Hodge
Alexis Dury
Alexander Perchik
Delilah Schilling
Seaford
Christopher Tyler
Andrew Warrell
Kaitlynn Owens
Smyrna
Kylie Jester
Catherine Maguire
Jesse Mabrey
Mackenzie Hadaway
Sussex Central
Estefania Yanez
Angelica Angel-Velasquez
Chase Nessa
Kevin Ambrocio Diaz
Alexis Link
Mia Cabrera
Gage Hembree
William Penn
Mya Brown
Kira Cascino
Woodbridge
Emily Woodall
Joslyn Gates
Bryce Warner
Natalie Dwight
Makayla Goff
Avery Hastings
Marleigh Tibbs
Rosenda Ramirez Morales
Smyrna FFA Blue Jacket Recipients with DEFB members from left to right: DEFB President Bill Powers, YF&R State Chair Will Powers, Kylie Jester, Catharine Maguire, Mackenzie Hadaway.
Middletown FFA Blue Jacket Recipients with DEFB members from left to right: DEFB President Bill Powers, YF&R State Chair Will Powers, Brooke Ryan, Mackenzie Nickle, Owen Hickey, Riya Patel.
DEFB Launches 2025 Annual Photo Contest
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
The Delaware Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee is excited to announce the launch of its 2025 Annual Photo Contest, open to amateur photographers of all ages who have a passion for capturing the essence of Delaware agriculture.
From May 1 through October 31, 2025, photographers are encouraged to submit their best agriculture-related photographs online via the Delaware Farm Bureau website.
Winning photographs will be revealed during the Delaware Farm Bureau’s Annual Banquet in December 2025. The top four entries will receive a monetary prize and will be showcased at the Delaware Farm Bureau state office as well as
the Delaware Agricultural Museum throughout 2026. Additionally, six honorable mention winners will receive a certificate of recognition.
DEFB President Bill Powers will also award a President’s Pick to his favorite photo. The winner of this award will receive DEFB swag.
“This contest was started seven years ago as a way to honor those who capture Delaware’s agricultural landscape and lifestyle,” said Mikayla Paul, Assistant Executive Director and Marketing Coordinator for the Delaware Farm Bureau.
“We also showcase these photos on our social media platforms to highlight Delaware agriculture.”
For more details and to submit your photos, visit: https://defb. org/promotion-and-education/photo-contest/.
DEFB Foundation Offers Hands-On Agricultural Education for Summer Camps Foundation Focus
This summer, the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation is offering an opportunity for summer camps to engage campers with interactive agricultural education lessons.
Alexis Langenfelder DEFB Ag Literacy & Program Coordinator
As a non-profit dedicated to promoting awareness of Delaware’s farming and local food, the Foundation has revamped its curriculum to include even more engaging lessons for kids in grades K-5.
The Foundation’s hands-on curriculum helps children learn where their food comes from and the importance of local agriculture. Campers can explore topics like planting seeds, harvesting crops, sustainability, and farm animals through
fun activities and experiments. The program is designed to be easy to implement, with all materials provided by the Foundation.
Camp directors can select from a variety of lessons that fit their campers' needs and interests. Whether it’s exploring food production or learning about farm animals, each lesson is designed to be both educational and fun. The Foundation’s educators will visit the camp and guide campers through each activity, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience.
“We want kids to leave with a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and the role local farms play in our daily lives,” said Alexis Langenfelder, Foundation Coordinator for the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation. “By making agriculture fun and hands-on, we hope to inspire the next generation to support local farmers.”
With many kids growing up disconnected from farming, this pro-
gram provides an opportunity to connect children to the world of agriculture. By teaching kids about local food systems, the Foundation hopes to motivate a new generation of agricultural leaders.
Summer camps across Delaware are invited to participate in this exciting program. For more information or to schedule a lesson, contact Alexis Langenfelder at 302-6973183 or alexis.langenfelder@defb. org.
From Scraps to Snacks: Grow Your Own Snacks This Summer
By: Alexis Langenfelder Delaware Farm Bureau
In today’s fast-paced world, reconnecting with the source of our food can be both educational and fun. With just a few everyday materials, your family can turn your kitchen into a mini-garden. One simple and fun activity is growing vegetables from kitchen scraps. This easy experiment doesn’t require a lot of space or special equipment, making it perfect for families looking to learn about agriculture and healthy eating from the comfort of their home.
To get started, you’ll only need a few things: leftover vegetable scraps, small bowls or jars, water, and a sunny windowsill. You can also use potting soil and small containers if you’d like to transplant
your plants later. Some of the best vegetables to use for this experiment are green onions, lettuce, celery, carrots, garlic, and potatoes. These are all items you likely already have in your kitchen, and rather than throwing the scraps away, you can regrow them and watch them come back to life.
Begin by saving the parts of the vegetables that will produce regrowth. For green onions, keep the white roots. For lettuce and celery, use the bottom 1–2 inches of the stalk. Carrot tops (about 1 inch from the top), garlic cloves that have sprouted, and potato chunks with visible eyes are also great options. Once you’ve collected your scraps, place them root-side down in shallow bowls with enough water to cover the base. Carrot tops should sit
in just a small amount of water, and garlic cloves can be placed upright in a sunny spot. If you're working with potatoes, let the chunks dry for a day before placing them in soil with the eyes facing up.
Position your containers in a sunny windowsill or another spot with indirect sunlight. Light is essential for plant growth, and within just a few days, you’ll start to see roots or green shoots forming. Be sure to change the water every couple of days to prevent mold. As the plants begin to grow your family can observe their progress and even take daily photos to track changes. Once the roots are strong or leaves are forming, many of these scraps can be transplanted into soil to continue growing.
You and your family will gain a
basic understanding of plant biology, photosynthesis, and the importance of root systems. It’s also an opportunity to talk about how small efforts, like reducing food waste, can make a positive impact. Caring for these plants encourages responsibility, and seeing vegetables grow might even spark more interest in healthy eating.
To make the most of the experience, try experimenting with a variety of vegetables to see which ones grow best in your environment. Be patient, some plants grow faster than others and don't be discouraged if some scraps don’t take root. So next time you're preparing a meal, think twice before tossing those vegetable ends. Instead, grab a jar, add a little water, and start your indoor kitchen garden.
Ag Innovation: The Key to Tomorrow
Agriculture has long been defined by innovation, as farmers, especially in recent decades, have leveraged technology to improve yields, adapt to challenges and ensure their farms remain strong and sustainable for seasons to come. Innovation in areas such as data, crop protection tools and biotech, have all led to better nutrition, improved environmental outcomes and greater food availability and affordability for Americans. But today, as the headwinds in agriculture continue to grow and technology advances, the conversations around innovation matter more than ever.
2025 World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit
Recently, I attended the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco. The two-day event brought together a cross-section of farmers, researchers, industry
stakeholders and other leaders all focused on the challenges and opportunities ahead for food and agriculture.
While at the conference, I moderated an opening panel discussion with other leaders from across the supply chain focused on how we can set strategic priorities for our food system in times of change. Throughout the discussion we hit on how technology is shaping policy and evolving practices, how global markets are shifting and how we must ensure innovation pipelines are designed to meet real-world needs.
One theme that emerged from the conversation, and throughout the entire summit, was the important role partnership plays in agricultural innovation. It’s one thing to have a great idea, but it’s another to bring that idea to life by sharing it and gaining feedback, to ensure it works on our farms and within our supply chain. Farmers need tools that are accessible, effective and designed with their daily challenges in mind.
Today, we’re seeing incredible advancements happening in the world of agricultural innovation. From new equipment that utilizes
AI algorithms to platforms with the capability to analyze crop health in real-time, farmers are able to navigate numerous tasks and access insight that previously would have taken days or weeks to complete. We also need to make sure as more technology becomes available, we safeguard the interests of our farmers and work in partnership across the entire supply chain.
Ag Innovation and AI
One of the most talked-about topics at the summit this year was artificial intelligence. I attended a pre-summit AI event that dove deep into the technical side but drove home the point that AI isn’t just on the horizon anymore. It’s here and will continue to advance. The key around AI is charting a course that will help farmers embrace new opportunities while also ensuring that these technologies are deployed ethically and responsibly.
Ag Innovation and Farm Bureau
At Farm Bureau we believe that by supporting innovation, we are working to solve the challenges of tomorrow, today. Our policy book, developed by our grassroots lead-
ers, supports the advancement of agricultural research, along with a cautious approach towards AI. Farm Bureau members see this as a useful tool but also believe that transparency in how platforms utilize data and security for sensitive data are crucial. We also promote agricultural innovation in partnership with Farm Credit by leading the Ag Innovation Challenge, which supports agricultural entrepreneurs and provides our members with a front-row seat to the latest in innovation.
Innovation touches every part of our food system. Whether you’re a farmer adopting new technology, an innovator with a groundbreaking idea, or a consumer enjoying a variety of healthy, safe, and affordable choices in the grocery store, innovation plays a role. We need to make sure there is partnership on every level so that farmers have access to new ideas and that our researchers and entrepreneurs know the needs of our farms and rural communities. By establishing a pipeline of innovation across the supply chain, we will have a food supply that remains strong and resilient for whatever tomorrow brings.
Joby Young Executive Vice President, AFBF
2025 Tax Cliff: 'Death Taxes' Threaten Farm Families
Samantha Ayoub Associate Economist, AFBF
The Dec. 31, 2025, expiration of many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) adds a new task tothe 2025 congressional to-do list: updating the tax code. Many TCJA provisions provided important relief for farm families. While reductions in the corporateincome tax rateswere made permanent in 2017, income tax cuts for individuals began to phase out in 2022, with the biggest tax increases coming with expirations at the end of 2025. This Market Intel report is the fourth in a series exploringthe expiring TCJA provisions – including individual tax provisions, the qualified business income deduction, capital expensing provisions and estate taxes – and their impact onfarm families.
For some families, grieving the loss of a loved one comes with an added burden: a hefty tax on everything their family member left to them.
The estate tax, also called the “death” tax, turns a time of mourning into a race against time to pay a government bill. Exactly nine months after the death of a family leader, some farm families owe the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) up to 40% of their farm’s value above an exemption limit. Without an act of Congress this year, the estate tax exemption will drop by 50% to $7.61 million on Jan. 1, 2026, putting the future of thousands of farm families at risk. While these may seem like big numbers, most of the value of a farm is tied up in land and expensive machinery, which are needed to grow food and raise animals. Actual cash on hand is much lower, making payment of exorbitant taxes extremely difficult or even impossible.
Who Pays for Dying?
The TJCA doubled the estate
tax exemption from $5.5 million per individual to $11 million indexed for inflation. Property left to a spouse transfers without an estate tax, which can effectively double the estate tax exemption when a surviving spouse passes. That means that in 2025, the estate of any farmer or rancher with a net worth over $13.99 million, if owned by an individual owner, or $27.98 million if owned by a married couple, must file an estate tax return within 9 months of their passing.
Just last year, USDA estimated that if the estate tax exemption reverts to its pre-TCJA level, nearly twice as many farms in every sales class would have to pay estate taxes. The average net worth of farms subject to the estate tax would be lower under the permanent exemption level –falling from $32.5 million at the higher exemption to just under $20 million, meaning more smaller farms would be impacted. Low sales farms – who have a farmer whose primary job is farming but have an average loss of more than $5,700 a year – would see the sharpest fall in net worth, going from $42.5 million to only $19.5 million. This is because all farms, regardless of their size, operate with high-value land and machinery.
The Value of Land
An estate covers the entirety of someone’s worldly possessions: land, machinery, cash, crops in storage, livestock, business interests and the family home. Farm families’ net worth is typically tied up in illiquid assets like those mentioned above. Over 80% of an average farm’s assets are in real estate alone. This means farmers
and ranchers have to plan ahead –or scramble during an already devastating time – to acquire enough liquid cash to pay an estate tax bill. Agricultural land continues to grow more valuable, which helps farmers obtain credit during a down economy but also pushes more farms’ net worth over the estate tax exemption. In 2024, the national average value for agricultural land, including buildings, was $4,140 per acre. This is more than 37% higher than when TCJA was passed in 2017. That means only 1,800 acres, on average, would be needed to reach the lowered estate tax exemption of $7.61 million after indexing. In states with high-value cropland, farms with as
little as 350 acres might be liable for estate taxes. These may seem like large properties, but an 800 acre corn farm in Iowa would earn $600,000 in farm revenue from 2024 corn prices, and with rising expenses, would actually face losses of over $150,000. Even when prices were high in 2022, a typical 800-acre corn farm in Iowa only made profit of $162,000, on a very large asset base. That income goes towards both business and household expenses, and revenue could be split between multiple families. Farmers typically earn lower return on their capital, including the
2025 farm planning: Five things for a successful crop season Nationwide News
The following information is provided by Nationwide®, your approved insurance and financial services company.
With 2025 upon us, farmers should start planning now to optimize output, quality and overall profitability of what they raise in another year of potentially volatile weather patterns and crop markets.
Consider past wins and losses Start laying the foundation for your 2025 crop with a look in the mirror. Audit past crop performance, what's worked and what hasn't. Once you've identified past wins and losses, maximize the former and minimize the latter in making informed decisions for your next crop. "Just because we've done things a certain way in the past doesn't mean it will continue to be successful moving forward," said Iowa farmer and Nationwide Agribusiness Risk Management Consultant Derek Hommer, CCA. "By taking a close look at what's been most successful in your farm planning in the recent past, you can start thinking about how to repeat that success in 2024. But you can also find the ways you can evolve to do even better."
Five things to consider in planning your 2025 crop year
Hommer, who also operates a farm in south-central Iowa, recommends weighing a few key variables in planning for the 2025 crop year:
1. Crop rotation and soil health. Soil health can be the differentiator between a good crop and a great crop. Healthy soils hold more oxygen, water and carbon, which translates to better root environments and better weather tolerance. Crop rotation can be a key part of building and maintaining
soil health.
2. Fertilizer and crop protection products. Some weeds, diseases and pests may be likely to return in 2025 if you faced them in 2024. Thoroughly scout crops for any overwintering pests and be ready with the right products to control them. Soil testing in each field can inform fertilizer decisions based on any observed shortages of nutrients your soils and crops will need in 2025.
3. Technology. Tools like precision agriculture technologies, GPS mapping, automated systems and data analysis platforms all can contribute to crop success through data-driven decisions. Consider the ROI of all technology, whether it’s new or you've used it in the past.
4. Labor and time. Retaining the right workforce has been a recent challenge for a lot of farmers and ag retailers. Whether you're planning to
conduct things like herbicide applications yourself or relying on a retail partner to do them for you, make sure the human capital — and most importantly, quality farm labor — is there to get the jobs done in 2025.
5. Farm risk management. Based on challenges you faced in past crop years, make sure you have the right insurance policies and risk mitigation strategies in place. This may require updating past policies to make sure you’re not vulnerable to the hazards you’re most likely to face in 2025.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach
Though these are universally important to crop farmers, Hommer recommends always applying the lens of your specific farm, acres, crops, necessary crop input ROI, market demands and farm management needs in making key decisions that will influence your crop output, quality and overall suc-
cess in 2025.
"There's no doubt that there will be challenges for farmers in 2025," Hommer said. "But if you think of these key variables ahead of time, make practical decisions and keep your eye on the ROI of every crop input, you will be well-prepared for the new crop year."
Talk to your farm’s agronomy and financial advisors to ensure you’ve got all the right pieces in place. Contact your local Nationwide Farm Certified agent to make sure your risk mitigation strategy will support success in the 2025 crop year.
Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more resources and expert tips to help you run a successful business and maintain the safety of your operation.
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