Farm Bureau News
Local Farmers Feeding Your Family
Richard Wilkins elected new DFB president
Some 80 delegates elected a new president for the Delaware Farm Bureau at its annual meeting held Dec. 3 in Dover. Richard Wilkins, who farms in Greenwood, was elected unanimously. In addition to growing grain, vegetables, hay and beef cattle, Wilkins is owner of B&W Farm Supply. He was elected president of Kent County Farm Bureau in 2017, following several years with American Soybean Association where he served in various positions, including ASA president, then chairman of the board.
Laura Hill was re-elected DFB’s first vice president. When elected second vice president in 2012, she was the first woman to serve as a DFB officer. She and her husband, Roland, own and operate the 1,600-acre Deerfield Farm in Lewes along with their sons, Roland III and Jerad. Their daughter, Jamie, recently returned to the area.
Elected as second vice president was William “Bill” Powers Jr., former New Castle County councilman, who farms in Townsend.
With the help of his son, Will, he raises beef, hogs, sheep, goats and poultry as well as growing hay and corn to feed the livestock. He and his wife, Joan, also have a daughter, Katie.
After the election, Laura Hill thanked Kitty Holtz, outgoing president who had declined another term, for her service, saying, “Her integrity is unsurpassed. Her leadership style involved all of us. The organization has benefitted from her service.”
Delegates to the annual meeting were introduced to DFB’s new executive director, Joseph Poppiti. A Delaware native, Poppiti moved to a family home in Kennett Square to follow his grandfather’s passion for growing mushrooms. Poppiti, who has been an agricultural consultant in mushroom production
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Joseph Poppiti hired as DFB executive director
Joseph Poppiti has been hired as Delaware Farm Bureau’s new executive director, replacing Pam Bakerian, who retired after 10 years of service. A native Delawarean, Poppiti currently lives in Kennett Square, Pa., in a farm house that once belonged to his mother’s family. His maternal grandfather was a passionate mushroom grower. Poppiti continued in the family business, growing specialty mushrooms and managing up to 300 employees with $18 million budgets. Most recently, Poppiti consulted for other mushroom growers.
Poppiti also owned and managed JoBeth Farms LLC, a full service urban landscape firm offering design, planting and main-
tenance. He has worked with Sue Barton and others at the University of Delaware. He served on a committee promoting uses for spent mushroom compost and provided material and did work with summer grasses, especially on DelDOT properties.
“I’ve told my clients I have a new job,” Poppiti said in a telephone interview. “I have committed to the search committee. I’ve closed one door and opened another.”
Poppiti majored in horticulture at Penn State with a minor in mushroom science. In 2000, he began volunteering in the American Mushroom Institute, a national mushroom farmer member trade association. He served as chairman of the board from 2010 through
2014, managing a $2 million budget. While AMI retains a lobbying firm in Washington, Poppiti has developed relationships with colleagues who monitor happenings
Newly elected Delaware Farm Bureau officers are, from left, Laura Hill, first vice president; Richard Wilkins, president, and William "Bill" Powers Jr., second vice president.
Joseph Poppiti
From the President's desk ...
First of all, I want to acknowledge and thank our staff — Jan, Laura, Heather and Carol — for stepping up and making this year a success. Fortunately for us, they know their jobs and did it well. The Promotion and Education Committee, chaired by Stewart Ramsey, had continued success with its projects this year. We kicked off this year with our second Safety Conference spearheaded by June Unruh. June also did a radio interview talking about the importance of farm and road safety. Thank you, June, for your inspiration and leadership on a very worthwhile and important project. Since its beginning, P&E’s Book Barn program has been a big success. Five book barns were donated to elementary schools this year, with two each going to New Castle and Sussex and one to Kent County. We have several more waiting to be distributed. We received a USDA $38,000 grant to be used over the next three years to put the book barns into the remaining 78 elementary schools in the state. The grant will pay for the building materials and a dozen books per school that are placed in all the book barns. The FFA in Smyrna and Milford have built most of the barns in the past. Smyrna FFA has agreed to build 15 per year. We are looking for builders for another nine barns per year. At the end of the next three years, the ultimate goal is to have a book barn in every elementary school in the state with “ag correct” books in them.
An Ag in the Classroom essay contest was held with the topic “Identify agriculture as a necessary industry to solve world hunger now and in the future.” We had submissions at both the middle school and high school levels. Also, we launched a photo contest. The winners’ pictures were displayed at both the annual meeting and the banquet.
We have been getting Delaware Farm Bureau’s name recognition
through various forms of media — newspapers, radio, social media and even occasionally television. We have published in 10 different newspapers through advertising and multiple press releases highlighting Delaware Farm Bureau events and our members. We have also sent letters to the editor and editorials specifically discussing the farm bill and to show support of Allen Harim poultry company.
I am sure many of you heard Stewart Ramsey on the radio. Stewart has a good radio voice and we thank him for volunteering to do those. The radio campaigns consisted of local produce themes throughout the year asking listeners to become members and, just recently, the Turkey Round Up on WDSD.
Through social media we have reached 57,000+ likes/followers in a year and a half with Fun Fact Monday, Close-up Friday and various Delaware Farm Bureau news events daily. And most recently, we began featuring our “Meet Your Farmer” series in social media and print. The Meet Your Farmer series is an effort to put a face to Farm Bureau and possibly a farmer neighbor of Delaware residents. It started off with the state officers and county presidents, and now will be going on to committee chairs and other Farm Bureau members.
Our digital version of the “Weekly Digest” to our full members and the recently revamped “Fresh From the Farm Bureau” to our associate members featuring seasonal topics continue to be a success. Through the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation, we received several grants this year for the promotion and education of agriculture. Once again, King Crop Insurance Agency graciously donated $1,000, with Mid Del Foundation donating another $2,000. Richard Wilkins designated the DFB Foundation to be the recipient of the Monsanto Grow Communities grant in the amount of $2,500. Also new this year, The Mid Atlantic Farm Credit Foundation donated $10,000 to the DFB Foundation’s Ag Lab and Bayer Crop Science has set up a sponsorship for the Foundation’s outreach program in the amount of $3,000. We are so appreciative of the community
support that we receive.
The Foundation’s Ag Lab went to 11 public elementary schools and educated 975 students. I am proud to announce that the Ag In the Classroom Program will be coming back into our schools now. There was a time that the program was not active, but that is changing now with the cooperation between Delaware Farm Bureau and the Delaware Department of Ag. Delaware Farm Bureau will focus on the elementary schools and the DDA will focus on the middle and high schools. Through a great cooperative effort, we anticipate the program being very successful. I am very excited about this new venture.
We have been trying to connect with various ag suppliers and service providers in the hopes of offering more discounts as a member benefit to our farmer members with little success. If you have any idea of someone or some business we can contact, please call Heather in the office so we can explore the opportunity.
Throughout the year we have been working with our state legislators on various issues. Per the resolution passed at last year’s convention allowing the Farmland Preservation plates to be used on trailers, House Bill No. 437 was successfully introduced and passed. Most notably, we addressed the deer damage issue.
Both the Delaware Farm Bureau and the Department of Ag have been pushing hard to find an answer to a difficult problem. We finally got the extreme deer damage program in place late in the growing season. It is not perfect, there is still work to be done. Hunting also is now allowed on additional Sundays.
Don Parrish and Cody Lyon addressed delegates at our annual meeting on what is happening at the federal level with issues that affect us. Each year I talk about the value of the American Farm Bureau Federation. I cannot express enough how important the organization is to us as a small state. Yes, because we are a small state and personally know our senators and representative, we can pick up the phone and call them to discuss issues. However, on the national stage we need AFBF working for us helping to get all the votes needed. We do not have the resources to effect the type of change that they can. I am so proud of how Jacob Urian and the other YF&R leaders have grown their committee. It is good to see the interest in Farm Bureau growing and flourishing. As their representatives sit around the board tables, they have such great insight and ideas to off er. Please continue to listen to them. They are what will keep this organization strong
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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.
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Delaware Farm Bureau
President Kitty Holtz
Richard Wilkins elected new DFB president ...
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and manager of a landscape firm, will work full time at DFB’s office in Camden.
Poppiti said he is familiar with Delaware agriculture and has contacts within the legislature. “I am excited to get started on a new adventure,” he added.
Jonathan Moll of Belfint, Lyons & Shuman presented the independent auditor’s report with “no internal deficiencies.” He noted DFB had accomplished the fastest turnaround of any organization his firm has audited.
Holtz gave her final president’s report, which is reprinted as her column in this issue of Delaware Farm Bureau News. She thanked members of the staff by name as she recounted achievements of the previous year. She especially wanted to thank Laura Hill for all her hard work as chair of the food
Holtz said, “I feel I accomplished what I set out to do, and now is the time for DFB to move forward with new and fresh ideas.”
Mary Bea Gooden gave the report from the Women’s Committee, which she chairs. In addition to activities such as the food booth at the state fair, scholarship presentations, selection of Farm Bureau Youth Ambassador and donation of food for the pantry at Ronald McDonald room at BayHealth Kent General, the women helped pack boxes of food at Mountaire’s Thanksgiving for Thousands. In December, they are collecting toys to take to A. I. duPont Hospital.
The Young Farmers and Ranchers were also active this year, with a trip to the YF&R Conference at Fusion in Reno, the strawberry fest — one of the biggest events so far in terms of attendance, the fair
From the President's desk ...
and moving forward.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 with a parade of flags across the stage. Each year as I get ready to carry the State of Delaware flag, I get choked up. I cannot tell you the pride that I felt each time as I carried our state flag representing Delaware and Delaware Farm Bureau. Thank you for the opportunity to feel such pride.
I want to thank our vice presidents, Laura Hill and Jim Mitchell, for their help. Laura has done an outstanding job as chair of the state fair food booth committee. “It is a very large undertaking and her commitment and dedication is very much appreciated.
Over the last four years as your State President, I have had the opportunity to get to know many of our farmers better, to develop many special friendships with local leaders and with other Farm Bureau presidents across the nation. It has been a very memorable and rewarding experience and one that I will cherish forever. Each year at the AFBF National Convention, the convention is opened
I feel I accomplished what I set out to do and now is the time for DFB to move forward with new and fresh ideas. You need the old established values that made this a great organization but also need to have the ability to look forward. Thank you so much for the opportunity you gave me to be able to serve you and the Delaware Farm Bureau. Agriculture and Delaware Farm Bureau will always be in my heart. Thank you.
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and the tractor pull where they had a record number of hooks. YF&R also presented two scholarships this year.
There were five resolutions. Delegates voted to revise DFB’s deer policy to support Sunday hunting recently made legal in Delaware.
Anticipating that the 2018 farm bill will remove the ban on industrial hemp, DFB resolved to support American Farm Bureau Federation’s policy “supporting the production, processing, commercialization and utilization of commercial hemp.”
Delegates also accepted a resolution supporting bonus points for Delaware residents bidding for leases on agricultural properties controlled by public agencies in the state.
Choosing between two separate resolutions regarding dues, delegates voted to support a dues increase to $65 in November 2019.
AFBF was represented by two speakers. Don Parrish, senior director of Congressional relations, and Cody Lyon, director of advocacy and political affairs.
Parrish discussed the farm bill still being considered in Washington: “If Congress is able pull the farm bill past the finish line this year, it will be the first time since 1990 that the farm bill is completed in the year it should have been.” Accomplishing that in a lame duck session, “would be a really, really big deal,” he said.
Agreement “in principle” has been reached; however, Parrish said, “we’re afraid of what the bill might look like when it gets back from the Congressional budget office.”
As farm income goes down, as it has some $64 billion in the last year, safety nets become more
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Don Parrish
DFB honors Franczek, Bakers at 74th annual banquet
Out-going Delaware Farm Bureau President Kitty Holtz formally passed the gavel to newly elected president Richard Wilkins at the organization’s 74th annual banquet held Dec. 6 in Dover. Holtz recalled the honor of carrying the Delaware flag across the stage in opening ceremonies at American Farm Bureau Federation conventions, each time
choking back tears of pride. “I am grateful for the opportunity to feel that pride,” she said.
Holtz also presented awards to retiring board members Jesse Vanderwende, Tommy Collier and Doug Corey. John Filasky and Jim Mitchell are also retiring but were unable to attend.
A special gift, a clock, was pre-
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Presenting a tribute to Dr. Ruthie Franczek, recipient of the Delaware Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award, are, from left, State Representative Danny Short, Representative-elect Jesse Vanderwende, State Senator-elect Dave Wilson, and, at right, Representatives Rich Collins and Lyndon Yearick.
New DFB president ...
important, Parrish said. “The last thing we need is for different constituencies to start tearing this farm bill apart.”
Parrish also addressed the 2015 rule regarding Waters of the United States (WOTUS). “We expect new regulations will be proposed by EPA,” he said. He explained later, “Courts in 28 states say the (2015) rule is likely illegal…. The administration did not dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s when making the definition. The definition is so broad, they wrote ‘navigable’ out of the contract, and that term is important.”
It may be next year before the legality of the rule is decided. Meanwhile, agencies in 22 states, including Delaware and Maryland, must implement those regulations.
“If you are farming and you continue to do what you have been doing, you probably will not get a visit from the Corps. But if you make a change, you may get a knock on the door.”
Lyon offered delegates suggestions on interacting with lawmakers. “How influential you can be has changed tremendously,” he said. Delaware may be a small state, but with se-
nior senators (Tom Carper and Chris Coons), has a lot of power. Delaware’s House member, Lisa Blunt Rochester, is on the Ag Committee. “It is important to have that vote,” Lyon said.
What matters is not merely how many contacts your representatives receive, but your “skill in advocacy and having a relationship with those legislators.”
He encouraged Farm Bureau members to work to build a relationship with staff members of legislators. “You’ve got to start interacting. Get your foot in the door. Sit down and discuss what is important to you.”
Lyon said his job is to provide information to legislators. “Your job is to provide the impact that information has.” How will that legislation affect you and your neighbors?
Finally, be sure to include the “ask.” What do you want the legislator’s office to do for you?
“Facts are noticed, but several impact stories with the same ‘ask’ get attention,” Lyon said.
The final speaker, Steve Hirsch, who is a member of Nationwide’s board of directors, reaffirmed Nationwide’s commitment to farmers. He thanked DFB for being proactive and accepting of change. “We are a strong company, ready to protect the family farm future and things important to you. We will keep our focus on protecting farmers and advancing agriculture,” Hirsch said.
Cody Lyon
First Vice President Laura Hill, right, presents Judy and Chip Baker the Delaware Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year Award.
74th annual banquet...
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sented to former Executive Director Pam Bakerian, who retired in July after 10 years with DFB.
Wilkins presented Holtz with a plaque and an engraved pendant in the shape of Delaware, thanking her for her service and dedication to Delaware Farm Bureau.
Acknowledging members of the executive board, Wilkins said he would rely on this team to figuratively erect a tent large enough to cover all types of agriculture in Delaware. “We need to be the organization to advocate for this industry,” he said.
Awards were presented to the two top Nationwide companies in writing farm policies this year. The Scott Carey Agency took first place, selling more than $118,000 in farm policies. The Roy Crow Agency sold more than $101,000 in farm policies. Crow announced that as of Jan. 1, Jules Hendrix
Women’s Committee Chair Mary Bea Gooden introduced the 2018-19 State Youth Ambassador, Helena Kirk. Kirk, a senior at Middletown High School, said she is excited about the opportunity to represent Delaware Farm Bureau. Kirk recently attended the prestigious three-day 25th Annual Global Youth Institute in Iowa where symposium sessions centered on combating hunger and poverty.
The Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award was presented by Bruce Dempsey to Kent County’s Ruthie Franczek. Franczek earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida and opened her own practice in Newark. She met her husband, Dr. Rich Barczewski, an associate professor at Delaware State University, in a hog pen, Dempsey said. After they married, she moved her practice to Kent County.
“Ruthie was an extremely successful large animal vet and gained clientele all throughout the state of Delaware,” Dempsey said. She was the driving force behind the Birthing Center at the Delaware State Fair.
Franczek and Barczewski have three children — Adam, Stephen and Sarah. While raising the children and maintaining her busy practice, Franczek found time to be involved in several agricultural associations. In 2017, she decided to retire in order to spend more time horseback riding and traveling.
Franczek said, “I thought I could slip into obscurity.” She noted there are good students coming up who will take good care of Delaware’s animals.
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Above, Monte Carey accepts the top award for Nationwide farm policy sales on behalf of the Scott Carey Agency. Below, Roy Crow accepts the second place award. Flanking the winners are Margie Chase, Nationwide sponsor relations senior consultant, and DFB President Richard Wilkins.
Kitty Holtz and Pam Bakerian
Kitty Holtz receives gifts of appreciation for her years of service as Delaware Farm Bureau president from new president Richard Wilkins.
Banquet ...
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Laura Hill introduced Delaware Farm Bureau’s Farm Family of the Year, Vernon “Chip” Baker Jr. and his wife, Judy, of H & V Farms Inc. in Millsboro. Baker has been involved in agriculture almost all his life, first working at H.E. Williams & Co. feed mill in Millsboro and later taking over the family farming operation. He currently tills 621 acres of corn and soybeans and has a 50,000 broiler operation. His farm has been no-till for 25 years and he plants blends of cover crops on all his acreage. He participates in the Conservation Stewardship Program and, because of his interest in improving soil health, became a Delaware Soil Health Champion. He received the Governor’s Conservation Award for Agriculture in 2017. Baker has been a member of DFB since 1995 and previously served as a Sussex County Farm Bureau director for many years. Offering hearty congratulations, Hill said Baker “set a great standard for others to follow.”
Walter Hopkins, chair of Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement, was welcomed to the podium by President Wilkins. Hopkins presented a check for
Above, Jacob Urian, left, presents YF&R Committee Supporter of the Year Award to Jonathan Moore. At right, Kitty and Dave Holtz receive the YF&R Supporter of the Year Award.
$10,000 to the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation, earmarked for the Mobile Ag Lab. Hopkins said, “This is a great opportunity to show our appreciation for all that Farm Bureau does for ag education. With this money, that can continue into the future.”
Jacob Urian, chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, presented the YF&R Supporter of the Year Award to Dave and Kitty Holtz. “They go above and beyond to give to our committee, and have
done so for many years,” Urian said.
Urian presented the YF&R Committee Supporter of the Year award to Jonathan Moore, Kent County YF&R chair.
State Senator-elect Dave Wilson served as auctioneer in a live auction benefitting the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation. A quilt handsewn by Barbara Dunham went for $125, a set of Adirondack chairs built by Milford FFA and finished
Farm Credit Foundation is investing in the youth of Delaware through a $10,000 grant to the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation earmarked for the Mobile Ag Lab. The grant will be used for operating costs for the truck and trailer, curriculum, supplies and other costs of taking the lab to elementary schools throughout the year. At the check presentation were DFB Foundation board members NCCFB President Stewart Ramsey, left; Jackie King of King Crop Insurance; DFB Foundation Manager Laura Simpson, Dave Holtz, Marty Desmond of Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit; Dr. Bart Gill, DFB First Vice President Laura Hill, and Chair of Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Walter Hopkins.
by Laura Simpson brought $350 and FB tag No. 10 brought $1,100. A mountain bike was auctioned for the YF&R, which also raised $1,232 in a silent auction at the banquet.
Sponsors of the banquet included Nationwide Insurance, DelOne and Dover Federal Credit Unions, Delaware Electric Cooperative, Delaware Department of Agriculture, King Crop Insurance and Hunt & Associates.
Women's Committee packs Thanksgiving boxes
For 24 years, Mountaire Farms has been feeding needy families on Delmarva at Thanksgiving and throughout the year. The annual Thanksgiving for Thousands Food Drive is a great example of a community coming together to help
those in need.
Members of Delaware Farm Bureau Women’s Committee were among 350 volunteers who gathered Nov. 19 at Mountaire Farms’ warehouse in Selbyville to pack the food boxes and organize them
help pack food
were Farm Bureau members Connie Fox, Mary Bea Gooden, Barbara Sapp, Jan Cartanza and her sister, Jo Anne Shmitt.
Do people ever ask you why you do what you do? Farming is hard work. And there are lots of obstacles. We get that. But we also know that you’re doing what you love. And a visit to the fair reminds everyone why agriculture is so important.
There’s nothing we’d rather do than provide financing to the farmers in Delaware. For over 100 years, we’ve been helping rural America grow great things—whether it’s crops, cattle, or kids.
So, give us a call. Together, we can help you keep doing what you love.
for distribution. Volunteers packed 85,000 items, including canned goods, boxed goods and a Mountaire roaster chicken, into 8,500 boxes. The boxes were expected to feed about 40,000 people.
At right, Women's Committee Chair Mary Bea Gooden congratulates the new DFB Youth Ambassador, Helena Kirk.
New tools will help address opioid epidemic
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and USDA Rural Development recently unveiled a listing of federal programs that can be used to build resilient communities and address opioid misuse in rural communities. The Rural Resource Guide to Help Communities Address Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Misuse is a firstof-its-kind, one-stop-shop for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities. It is available online at www.rd.usda.gov/ files/RuralResourceGuide.pdf.
The Rural Resource Guide is the second tool to be added recently to USDA’s Community Opioid Misuse Toolbox – a suite of essential tools supporting grassroots strategies to address the opioid epidemic. In October, USDA launched the Community Assessment Tool, an interactive database to help community leaders assess how and why the opioid epidemic is impacting their regions. USDA’s Community Opioid Misuse Toolbox is free and available to the public. It can be accessed at www. usda.gov/topics/opioids.
On hand to
boxes
Mid-Del Foundation presents grant
The Mid-Del Foundation, the charitable arm for Harrington Raceway and Casino, has presented the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation a grant of $2,000. The DFB Foundation was one of 29 local organizations that received financial grants this year at Mid-Del Foundation’s 17th annual grant luncheon.
The Mid-Del Foundation is an endeavor to support organizations and activities involving agricultural, civic and social needs existing in Delaware. Since 2002, the Mid-Del Foundation has awarded nearly $1.4 million in grants.
“These organizations work diligently throughout the year to reach countless people in our community,” said Howell Wallace, Mid-Del Foundation president. “We are happy to support their efforts and hope that our grants aid in achieving their goals. We earnestly appreciate their work and are thankful to be able to contribute to their continued success.”
Foundation President
check
The Blue Jacket Bonanza Program was developed to provide high school students involved in the FFA, who do not have the financial means, a chance to earn their own blue jacket. A jacket will be awarded on a one-time basis per student. Students are required to complete an application process which entails a written essay, a letter of reference, and evidence of community service. Applications, due Feb. 1, may be downloaded from defb.org/programs.
Mid-Del
Howell Wallace, left, gives a
to Laura Simpson, Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation manager. At right are Mid-Del Foundation Director Andy Burger and DFB President Kitty Holtz.
Stewart Ramsey's son Carl pulls a float with a tractor at Wilmington Jaycees’ parade on Nov 24. Ramsey's Farm had two tractors in the parade, both sporting Delaware Farm Bureau banners.
Retiring Delaware Farm Bureau directors saluted during the annual banquet by outgoing President Kitty Holtz include, from left, Doug Corey, State Representative-elect Jesse Vanderwende and Tommy Collier.
Meet Your Farmers: Richard and Donna Wilkins
Richard Wilkins, who farms in Greenwood, was elected president of Delaware Farm Bureau at its annual meeting Dec. 3.
Wilkins, who received DFB’s "Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award" in December 2015, was elected president of Kent County Farm Bureau in October 2017. A past treasurer and past vice president of KCFB, he had been president of the Young Farmers and Ranchers in the mid1980s, and he and his wife, Donna, were Young Farmer Achievement Award winners in 1988.
Since 2002, Wilkins has also been active in the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association, where he was president from 2005 to 2010 and represented that organization at the national level. He then served on several American Soybean Association committees and served as ASA treasurer for two years before being elected ASA vice president, which led to the presidency and then chairman of the board. While his duties at the top of ASA have terminated, he continues to serve on the ASA board, where his main committee assignments are
the Farm Bill & Crop Insurance Advocacy Team and the Farm Bill Task Force. He has been the ASA representative to the National Coalition for Food & Agricultural Research since 2010 and is currently NC-FAR’s vice president as well as serving as a director on the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation Board.
How did a farmer from Delaware, which grows soybeans on about 165,000 acres, compete with farmers from states like Iowa, with 6.5 million acres of soybeans, to take the helm of ASA?
By being friendly, positive and building relationships, Wilkins said. “Farming in central and lower Delaware is not much different from commercial agriculture in Midwestern states.” Another thing that helped him, he said, is that Delaware is about 20 years ahead of other watersheds across the country dealing with regulation pressures on water quality and nutrient management issues. His experience makes him a resource for others just beginning to feel pressures on the freedom to operate because of those issues.
Wilkins checks on the beef cattle on his farm in Greenwood, Del. He was elected president of Delaware Farm Bureau at the 2018 annual meeting in Dover Dec 3.
Wilkins has been growing soybeans since he was a teenager. He double majored in ag business management and ag education at the University of Delaware. He and his wife, Donna, purchased their first farm, 150 acres, in 1992. He now grows about 400 acres of soybeans, 400 acres of corn, 250 acres of wheat, 150 acres of barley, 300 acres of vegetables and 400 acres of hay. In 1998 Wilkins became a Vermeer retail hay equipment dealer, which blossomed into a full-service machinery and equipment dealership, B & W Farm Supply.
Serving as an officer of ASA kept him away from home quite a bit. “I have been to China three times, twice speaking at the Global Food Security Summits. I've delivered messages on USA's sustainable farming practices during many trade missions to EU member nations, Japan, Indonesia and, more recently, at the first Buyer's Conference for the Asian Sub-Continent region. Advocating and negotiating for increased market access into the emerging global econo-
mies has been a passion, as well as eliminating the non-tariff trade barriers that exist in many established economies,” Wilkins said.
"The only reason I can do what I do is that I have a very marvelous wife who helps to keep things from falling apart while I'm away from home. She and my nephew, Christopher Neibert, are the backbone of our farming and business operation.”
Donna Wilkins' signature declares she is a "farmer for free trade."
Joseph Poppiti hired ...
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concerning agriculture at a national level.
“I am passionate about educating elected officials on what are the challenges of farming today. I am familiar with several state legislators and have colleagues who provide support to the legislators,”
Poppiti said. He also has experience in applying for grants and working with AMI’s Community Awareness Scholarship Foundation. Poppiti and his wife, Beth, have one grown daughter, Kathryn. Poppiti started in his new position on Dec. 3.
Richard
The future of the farm
The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the No. 1 farm and ranch insurer in the United States.
Our attention is pulled in a lot of different directions; and that is especially true in our busy seasons. Finding time to talk to your family about the future of the farm may be difficult. You may also be uncomfortable with the thought of selling your farm or handing over control to family members.
Just as you plan every spring so that your farm can have a successful year; you should consider planning long-term so your farm can be successful for years to come. Developing a solid transition plan for your farming business will help ensure that your family’s wishes are met, and emotional stress is minimized.
Here are a few things you should know about transition planning:
• Transition planning is different from estate planning. Estate planning is concentrated on tax liabilities and ways to lessen your tax burden. Succession plans have a broader focus and that is on plan-
ning for the future of the farm. Estate planning can be just a piece of a larger succession planning effort.
• At retirement a farm succession plan can include many things. This can include an arrangement to sell or transfer ownership to a family member, and a plan to liquidate farm assets like equipment, livestock or land at auction. A transition plan may also include other options for your land like renting or leasing.
• You can plan for your desired result. By concentrating on the desired outcome you can feel comfortable and confident in the plan to achieve that outcome. The proper transition plan puts you in control now of the decisions that may be needed in the future. You can plan for your own retirement by deciding what involvement you’d like to continue to have and what income you may need as your retirement age nears. You can also gain assurance that the needs of your spouse, your children and your farm are considered down the line.
• An effective transition plan is able to identify the next generation of operator. If you have
NASS survey helps farmers make decisions
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will soon contact producers to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseeds they store on their farms. NASS also will survey grain facility operators to determine year-end grain and oilseed stocks. These surveys are the basis for the official USDA estimates of production and harvested acres of all major agricultural commodities in the United States and year-end grain and oilseed supplies. Data from the survey will benefit farmers and processors by providing timely and accurate information to help them make critical year-end business decisions and begin planning for the next growing and marketing season. NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only aggregate data. Reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/. For more information call the field office at (800) 282-8685.
Bayer sponsors DFB Foundation outreach
Bayer Crop Science has arranged a sponsorship in the amount of $3,000 to be used by the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation in an outreach program to educate and inform the public about the benefits of innovative agricultural production techniques. Through the program, farmers will tell the stories of how local Delaware farm families are utilizing science and technology to provide safe, affordable and nutritious foods to consumers.
Bayer’s Crop Science division is the third largest innovative agricultural input company in the world and has businesses in high-value seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The non-profit Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation, incorporated in 2013, was created to build awareness, understanding and positive public perception about Delaware’s farm operations, promote fresh local food and sponsor the Ag Education Mobile Classroom. To learn more, visit www.defb.org.
a family member who could and may want to take over the operation, you should be comfortable that they have the knowledge and skills to run it profitably. If it’s being passed down to children, you may ask yourself if they all have an interest in having an active role; and if not, how should they be considered.
• Getting it right the first time. Succession plans sometimes fail because certain risks were not considered during the planning stages. These can include inadequate cash flow, liquidation of some assets to provide for retirement, poor farm estate planning and unresolved issues between family members or a successor who’s not prepared to lead and manage the farm business.
It’s important to enlist the help of qualified professionals who don’t have a stake in the final decisions. They can help you make sound, unbiased decisions for your farm estate. Qualified professionals may include your banker, your accountant, your personal attorney or a financial or estate planner who specializes in farm estate planning.
If you have questions about transition planning or would like to help in finding a qualified professional to speak with, contact the Nationwide® Land As Your Legacy® team at LAYL@nationwide,com or toll-free at 1-855-529-2729.
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Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side and Land As Your Legacy are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2018 Nationwide Products underwritten by Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company, Farmland Mutual Insurance Company, Allied Property and Casualty Insurance Company and AMCO Insurance Company. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2018 Nationwide
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Office: 888-282-3556
www.luminoussolar.com
