Kent, Sussex and New Castle County Farm Bureaus held their Annual Meetings and Banquets in the recent weeks. Each year, these evenings give county farm bureau members the chance to reflect on the work that has been done, and the tasks still at hand. It is also an opportunity to celebrate those who tirelessly work to ensure agriculture stays number one in Delaware.
This year’s Kent County Farm Bureau Banquet was held on September 28, 2015 at the Felton Fire Hall in Felton, DE. Keeping with the tradition, the county presented awards for Distinguished Service to Agriculture, a Youth Ambassador, Scholarship Winners, Rate of Gain winners, the Top Nationwide Recruitment and the prestigious Farm Family of the Year.
The Clark Family was named 2015 Kent County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year. Bruce and Patricia Clark began their poultry operation in 1979 with two houses, at which time Patricia was the primary tender of the chickens while Bruce ran the Country Store in Kenton, DE. Several years later the husband and wife team switched responsibilities and Bruce took over the chickens, and added a third house in 1993. In 1996, their son Bruce B. Clark II and daughter-inlaw Christa joined the operation. They added two houses and then an additional 3 houses from 2003-2004. The family has plans to complete construction on two more houses by October 2015 for a total of 11 chicken houses and a current capacity of 258,000 roasters. They grow four flocks per year for
Mountaire Farms, Inc. on their 75-acre farm just outside of Kenton.
The Clark Family has always cared about the environment and their land. They recently implemented storm water retention ponds and have additional plans to add vegetative buffers around their chicken houses in the future. In 2013, the Clark Family implemented conservation practices that earned them the 2014 Governor’s Agricultural and Urban Conservation Award for Kent County. They also received a Levy Court Tribute in 2014 crediting their successful farm operation. The Clark Family has also hosted tours on their farm for agriculture representatives from foreign countries.
Kent County Farm Bureau (KCFB) also awarded the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award to Robin Talley of the Farm Service Agency. Robin Talley has served
DFB Foundation Chair Kitty Holtz; Ministry of Caring Inc. Director Priscilla Rakestraw; NCCFB President Stewart Ramsey; and Ministry of Caring Inc.’s Sister Julie McCole stand behind the check presented to the Ministry of Caring. Proceeds of the 3rd Annual Milk Run will help provide milk to needy children and also assist the Neighborhood House of Middletown (not pictured).
as District Director and Program Specialist with the Farm Service Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, since 1999. She began her federal career in 1984 with the FSA’s predecessor agency, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and worked as Kent County Executive Director from 1985 to 1995.
Talley holds master’s degrees in economics and business administration, and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, all from the University of Delaware. She has twice received the USDA’s Administrator’s Award, the University of Delaware’s George M. Worrilow Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Secretary of Agriculture’s Honor Award for Superior Service for her work with USDA, and the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Delaware Agriculture from the Delaware
Department of Agriculture. Ms. Talley is a member of the Farm Bureau, Delaware Ag Alumni, National Association of District Directors, LEAD Delaware and is a volunteer at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and many other organizations.
Robin Talley’s understanding of the risks farmers take paired with her knowledge of beneficial federal programs and willingness to host educational presentations on changes to those programs, makes her an outstanding advocate for Delaware Agriculture and farmers in the First State.
The Michael Wilkinson Nationwide Agency received the Top Member Recruitment Award for recruiting 34 members, Gabrielle Virdin and Jamie Taraila received scholarships and Gabrielle was also named Youth Ambassador for 2015-2016. Gabrielle Virdin is the daughter of Robert and Donna Virdin. She is a 2015 Smyrna High School graduate where she served as the Smyrna FFA Chapter Vice President, Chapter President of the Blue-Gold Club, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She began her collegiate education this fall at Delaware State University and is majoring in Animal and Poultry Science. Rate of Gain awards were presented to Dylan Nickerson and Taylor Brittingham for beef; McKenna Breeding and Oliver Menard for sheep; Rylee Ridgely and Lena Berry for swine; and Vanessa Gaines and McKenna Breeding for goats.
Retiring directors Kitty Holtz and Bruce Walton were honored during the banquet. Kitty Holtz now serves as the first female Delaware Farm Bureau president and has been a director since 2003. Walton has served since 1968 and noted the importance of joining the farm bureau and also encouraged those who might not be members to join.
“It’s important to get involved” he said. Before the close of the evening, KCFB Women’s Committee Chair Sandy Virdin along with DFB Foundation Chair Kitty Holtz presented proceeds from the Kent County’s Bounty Farm-to-Fork Dinner to the Food Bank of Delaware. The dinner, held on Aug. 22 on the Knutsen’s Dairy Farm in Harrington, was prepared by Abbott’s Grill and culinary students from the Food Bank and taught guests the importance of eating and supporting local products. Checks totaling $6,672.61 were presented to Chad Robinson, director of the Food Bank’s Milford location.
“This is the epitome of what we at the Food Bank look for,” Robinson said. “The dinner was the nicest, most put-together event we’ve had in a long time.”
The Sussex County Annual Meeting and Banquet was held at the Bridgeville Fire Hall on Saturday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
2015 Grain Rescue Tube Winners
Twelve fire departments will soon be better equipped to respond to grain entrapment and engulfment emergencies thanks to the generous support of CHS, GSI, South Dakota Wheat Growers and other Grain Bin Safety Week Partners.
Each year, Nationwide holds a Nominate Your Fire Department Contest that awards first responders with grain rescue tubes and extrication training. The contest, held annually in conjunction with Grain Bin Safety Week, seeks nominations of first responders describing how their department or community will benefit from winning a tube and training, and how they plan to share both with nearby departments.
In 2014, the contest awarded a rescue tube and training to the Westphalia (KS) Fire Department.
This year’s recipients were chosen from a record-high 300 entries. Each fire department listed below receives an aluminum grain rescue tube and hands-on training valued at $8,000.
• Conrad Fire Department Conrad, IA
• Mt Hope-Funks Grove Fire Department McLean, IL
• Glenville Fire Department Glenville, MN
• Jonesburg-High Hill Fire Department Jonesburg, MO
• Cooperstown Fire Department Cooperstown, ND
• York Fire Department York, NE
• Canton Fire Department Canton, NY
• Central Fire District Smithville, OH
• Bethal Township Fire Department Medway, OH
• Berlin Fire Department Berlin, PA
• Badger Fire Department Badger, SD
• Town of Turtle Fire Department Beloit, WI
Beginning Aug 24, 2015, representatives from Nationwide and partnering organizations are traveling to each location to participate in the awarding of the tubes and training.
Training of the Badger Fire Department is provided by South Dakota Wheat Growers. Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), will travel to the other locations with a state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulator. It’s the perfect training ground for attending EMS and fire personnel to experience firsthand the dangers of flowing grain and to learn specialized rescue techniques – all in a safe and controlled environment.
“Preventing tragic grain bin accidents is one of our top priorities,” said Brad Liggett, President, Nationwide Agribusiness. “But when they occur, fire departments need to be properly equipped and trained to protect both themselves and the communities they serve
– and we want help.”
Nationwide is leveraging its new partnership with GiveForward, an online fundraising and donation website, to help the non-winning fire departments set up a Grain Rescue Tube Online Fundraiser.
Online fundraising through GiveForward makes it easy and FREE for fire departments to securely connect with friends, family and entire communities to raise money to acquire grain rescue tubes, related equipment and training.
Please visit Grain Rescue Tube Online Fundraiser to find a fundraiser in your area. Check back often as new fundraisers should be starting soon.
The chances of surviving a grain bin engulfment are greatly increased if a grain rescue tube is available to properly trained fire departments. The only way to safely remove someone trapped in a grain bin is to remove the grain around the person’s body — using a grain rescue tube or cofferdam.
Should you have questions or require additional information, please contact Doug Becker at beckerd1@nationwide.com or (515) 508-5590.
Calendar of Events
November
President’s Desk
Kitty Holtz
As the leaves change, days grow shorter and harvest continues here in Delaware, it’s also that time of year again that our County Farm Bureau’s complete one of their most important parts of their business structure. Each county has now recently elected their board of directors, with New Castle County Farm Bureau electing to a three year term while Kent and Sussex County Farm Bureau’s elect to a two year term for their board. The elections are structured to select a different set of directors each year based on their by-laws.
The Farm Bureau is a grass roots organization which means that all issues that affect agriculture start as discussions at county-level board meetings and are then taken to the state board of directors. State issues that can have national implications are then taken to the national level of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Below is a list of YOUR County Board of Directors. It is extremely important that if you have an issue that is affecting your day to day operation that you talk to a director in your county! Additionally, if there is an issue that you would be interested in testifying personally about, please contact a director. Your voice is important and is very effective in addressing the issues that affect agriculture here in Delaware and nationwide. Help us ensure we are a strong unified voice- if you have a neighbor that is not a member of Delaware Farm Bureau, please encourage them to join and support our efforts.
Thank you to all the directors for your dedication and commitment to protect agriculture in Delaware.
Sussex County Farm Bureau Board of Directors 2015-2016
Farm Bureau Leader (ISSN 1077-0798), published in Camden, DE, bimonthly, by Delaware Farm Bureau. Production by Susquehanna Printing. 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 Farm Bureau Leader at the office above.
Subscription price to members (paid as part of Farm Bureau membership dues) is $1.60. All other subscriptions are $6.50 per year.
Becky Correll
David Daniels
Chris Lester
James Mitchell
John Filasky, Jr.
George Lovett, Jr.
Bruce Patrick
F. Thomas Unruh
Gary Warren
Chris Willey
William E. Powers, Jr
Dan Severson
Charles Stites, Jr.
Travis Voshell
Crystal Whaley
Kent County Board of Directors
Jonathan Thompson- President
Richard Wilkins- Treasurer
Kay Betts
Bentley Blessing
Teddy Bobola
Ted Bobola, Jr.
Paul Cartanza, Sr.
Tommy Collier
Bruce Dempsey
Mike Everett- YF&R Chair
Robert Garey
Mary Bea Gooden
David Holtz
Gregg Knutsen
David Marvel
Bryan Melvin
John Thomas
Robert Thompson
Jacob Urian
Robert Virdin
Sandy Virdin- Women’s Chair
Sam Walters
Annual Banquets
Continued from page 1
Special guests included Congressman John Carney who spoke briefly to thank the Sussex County farmers for their hard work year in and year out. Like Kent County, each year Sussex County also selects a Farm Family of the Year, a Distinguished Service to Agriculture, Youth Ambassador, scholarship winners, Rate of Gain winners and the top Nationwide recruiter of new Sussex County Farm Bureau members.
This year, the Parker Family was selected as the 2015 Sussex County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year. Clifton Parker began farming full-time in 1973 after leaving college and returning home to his parent’s farm in Frankford, Delaware. Clifton has served as a Sussex County Director and County Delegate since becoming a member of the Farm Bureau in 1981; he also is a past board member of Delaware Farm Credit and Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit. Today, along with his wife Constance, he grows corn, soybeans, wheat and broilers for Mountaire. Past accomplishments for the Parker Family include Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year, the Poultry Environmentalist Award, and Grower of the Year for Golden Pride, Hudson Foods, Tyson Foods and Allen Family Foods.
Clifton says: “Farming was and has always been a part of my life. When I quit college (1973) to come home and farm, my parents were not pleased. They had me add to the existing operation before I could become a part of it. I rented the neighbors chicken houses and never looked back.” Clifton credited his father for giving him responsibilities and also
the right to fail and to succeed and says it is something he is forever grateful for.
“I love the land and protect the land owner’s rights whenever they are threatened. I stand up for what I believe to be right and fair. I want my children and grandchildren to have the ability to choose what they want to do with the land we own when I am no longer here. I love farming and appreciate this recognition very much” said Mr. Parker.
Mark Isaacs was named this year’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture award winner. Mark is a lifelong resident of Sussex County, born and raised on a family grain, poultry and hog farm in Georgetown. DE. He received a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Agronomy and Soils from Clemson University, and a Doctorate in Weed Science from VA Tech University. Mark started working at University of Delaware in 1986 at the substation in Georgetown (currently the Elbert
N. & Ann V. Carvel Research & Education Center) as an Extension Assistant for Environmental Quality where he worked with farmers throughout DE on developing best management practices for nutrient management. Later, he became the Crops Research Coordinator for the substation, where he coordinated agronomic and vegetable research and extension projects conducted there and across the state. In 1991, Isaacs became the Director of the Elbert N. & Ann V. Carvel Research & Education Center, which serves as the Southern Experiment Station for the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Sussex County and includes the Thurman Adams Jr. Agricultural Research Farm, Warrington Research Farm and Lasher Laboratory (Poultry Diagnostic Lab). In this position, he oversees, directs, and supports current and future research and extension as well as teaching programs in the areas of field
and vegetable crops, horticulture, 4-H, family & consumer sciences, and poultry research and diagnostics. In this role, he has worked with numerous local and state officials on addressing and identifying agricultural needs for the state to ensure Delaware agriculture is strong and prepared for the future. Mark’s list of agriculture research accomplishments is quite long; during his career, he has conducted applied research in crop production in the areas of weed management, nutrient management and irrigation. He has worked with farmers on troubleshooting and providing recommendations on crop management issues, and given numerous extension and research presentations to growers and the ag industry. Mark has also worked over the years with state commodity boards (DE Soybean Board), served on legislative and Governor appointed task force groups (i.e. Farm truck regulations, nutrient management, and Department of Ag review) and boards of education (past member of Sussex Tech and Indian River School Boards), and policy and scholarship committees. Isaacs currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sussex County Land Trust. Professional organizations he is a member of include Weed Science Society of America, Northeaster Weed Science Society, Northeastern Society of Agricultural Research Managers, and the DE Farm Bureau. The Scott Carey Agency was the Nationwide Top Recruiter with 54 new members joining Sussex County Farm Bureau. Carey Insurance has also been ranked in the Top 25 Nationwide Agencies in the US.
Samantha Kirk was the sole winner in the Rate-of-Gain contest for her 4-H goat and
Members of the House, Representative Dave Wilson, Representative Harvey Kenton and Representative Bobby Outten present Kent County Distinguished Service to Agriculture winner Robin Talley with a tribute congratulating her on the accomplishment.
Stephen E. Cook, seated, received the 2015 NCCFB Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award on Oct. 12 in Townsend. With him are, from left, are his parents, Hap and Martha Cook; wife Rhonda; daughter Madison; and NCCFB President Stewart Ramse
Rate of Gain winners for Kent County from right to left are: Taylor Brittingham (beef), Vanessa Gaines (goats), Lena Berry (swine), Dylan Nickerson (beef), and McKenna Breeding (sheep and goats). Winners not pictured are: Rylee Ridgely (swine) and Oliver Menard (sheep).
Women’s Committee Chair Sandy Virdin and DFB Foundation Chair Kitty Holtz present a check totaling $6,672.61 to the Food Bank of Delaware’s Chad Robinson. Proceeds from the Kent County’s Bounty Farmto-Fork Dinner held Aug. 22 were donated to support the Food Bank of Delaware.
Annual Banquets
Continued from page 4
hog. Samantha has also served as the 20142015 Youth Ambassador for Sussex County and will continue on in 2015-2016.
In the last of the three county annual events, New Castle County Farm Bureau held their annual dinner and meeting at the Townsend Fire Hall on October 12, 2015. Canned goods and non-perishables were collected by YF&R Chair Travis Voshell, who also continued to sell gun raffles for a Browning shotgun. The raffle will end at the State Annual Banquet on December 3rd in Dover, DE and the winner will have their choice of the gun or a cash option. President Stewart Ramsey opened the evening reviewing the year and all that had been accomplished. He mentioned how blessed he felt for rainfall in Delaware while visiting California during the AFBF Annual Convention and also spoke on the importance for pro-GMO advocacy in the coming year, “Our job is to feed the world, I lobby to do the job with the best technology
Retiring Board Members Bruce Walton and Kitty Holtz receive recognition from President Jonathan Thompson.
possible” Ramsey said.
New Castle County proudly awarded their Farm Family of the Year and Distinguished Service to Agriculture as they traditionally do. Scholarship Winners, Rate of Gain winners and the Youth Ambassador were also recognized. County President Stewart Ramsey also presented proceeds to both the Ministry of Caring and the Neighborhood House of Middletown which were raised at this year’s third annual Milk Run in Middletown.
This year, the New Castle County Farm Bureau selected the Powers Family from Townsend, Delaware as their 2015 Farm Family of the Year.
Karol Powers-Case and her late husband, Bill Powers, Sr., along with their three sons purchased their farm in 1977 after moving to Delaware from New York in 1968.
Bill Jr. bought the farm from his mother in 1987, after Bill Sr. passed away. Bill Jr. married Joan in 1989 and they have two children, Katie and Will.
Powers Farm used to be known for their farm fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas. After that phase of the farm faded
Retiring board member and past president Robert Baker speaks at the NCCFB Annual Banquet about his many years with the New Castle County Farm Bureau. Baker said he looked forward to seeing the next group of young farmers move up into leadership roles for the Farm Bureau.
out and after the showing animals phased out, they now sell brown eggs and meat to restaurants and at farmer’s markets and various local grocery stores. Powers Farm proudly produces a wholesome, safe and local product to sell to the Delmarva area.
Bill and Joan both have been active members of Farm Bureau. Bill served as the New Castle County Farm Bureau President from 1996-2004 while Joan served as New Castle County Women’s Committee Chair. Karol Powers-Case has also been involved with the Women’s Committee and the Ag in the classroom committee.
Bill has served as a New Castle County Councilmen and sits on the County Farmland Preservation Advisory Committee. He has also been awarded an Honorary State FFA Degree, and was awarded the 2006 New Castle and State Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awards.
Will Powers is a member of the YF&R and serves as NCC YF&R Chair. He completed diesel and auto mechanic school and now works with Bill on the farm. Katie is also a member of the YF&R in Oklahoma, along
with a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association.
Stephen Cook was awarded 2015 New Castle County Distinguished Service to Agriculture honors. Mr. Cook is a graduate of Middletown High School and received his bachelor’s from the University of Delaware. He also served as the Delaware FFA President from 1990-1991. Stephen Cook has been an Agriculture Education Teacher at Caesar Rodney High School for over18 years where he also serves as an FFA advisor and is a member of the Delaware Association of Agriculture Educators. He has also once been named Delaware Agriculture Educator of the Year.
As an FFA advisor, Cook has coached numerous state champion teams and individuals in dairy judging, livestock judging, dairy handling, dairy products, meats judging, public speaking and more. Several of his former students from Caesar Rodney High School and 4-H are now agricultural education teachers in Delaware Schools.
Stephen and his family manage Cook Family Farms in Newark, DE and as a result of his research into his family history; the farm received the Century Family Farm award last fall. Stephen started the 4-H/FFA Dairy Leasing program in Delaware with the Glasgow 4-H Dairy club on the family dairy farm on Frazer Rd in 1993.
Over the years, Stephen has developed a swine breeding program that produces feeder pigs for area youth. Along with his wife Rhonda and daughters, Mindy and Madison, Steve continues to produce quality pigs so that students from Delaware have livestock projects that will compete at the regional and national level.
Stephen Cook inspires students to be
The Clark Family receives a signed tribute from Senator Dave Lawson after being awarded the 2015 Kent County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year. Shown left to right are: Bruce Clark I, Patricia Clark, Senator Dave Lawson, Bruce Clark III, Christa Clark and Bruce Clark II.
Senator Bruce Ennis, right, and NCCFB President Stewart Ramsey, behind Ennis congratulate the 2015 New Castle County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year, the Powers Family. From left are: George Case (Bill’s stepfather); Joe Powers Sr. (Bill’s brother); employee Tyler Fox; Karol Power-Case; Will Powers and his girlfriend, Ariel Bilbrough; and Joan and Bill Powers.
Annual Banquets
Continued from page 5
passionate about Agriculture and has been known to tell students past and present to “Keep up the good work, but know, there is always better work to be done.”
Scholarships were awarded this year to Macie Willoughby, Carl Ramsey, Emily Kelley, Christopher Smith, Amanda Peralta, Eric Westbrook and Ryan VanSant. Ryan was also chosen as the New Castle County Youth Ambassador for 2015. Ryan is from Middletown, Delaware and is the son of Denise and Shawn VanSant. He is a 2015 graduate of Middletown High School where he served as his Class President, FFA President and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Ryan is a freshman at the University of Delaware where he is majoring in Animal and Food Science.
Recognition was also given to retiring board member and past president, Robert Baker. Baker is a past New Castle County President and served as Delaware Farm Bureau President from 1998-2006. He spoke
briefly about the importance of the next generation and how young people are the future of organizations like the Farm Bureau.
The Charles Wallace Agency was the Nationwide Top Recruiter with 120 new members joining New Castle County Farm Bureau. The Wallace Agency has been in business for 39 years and proudly supports numerous local organizations.
The 2015 Sussex County Farm Family of the Year is the Cliff and Connie Parker family of Frankford, DE. From left are daughter Catherine Parker Winkler, Connie and Cliff, grandsons Zane, Fritz and Will Winkler, and sonin-law Bill Winkler.
Sussex County Farm Bureau President Jesse Vanderwende congratulates the Sussex County Distinguished Service to Agriculture recipient Mark Isaacs
Samantha Kirk receives her Rate of Gain and Youth Ambassador Awards from Women’s Committee Chair Connie Fox. Samantha was the sole winner in the Rate of Gain contest for her 4H goat and hog. Samantha will also continue on as the Sussex County Farm Bureau Youth Ambassador for 2015-2016.
Utilize your member benefits and stay warm this winter!
Utilize your member benefits and stay warm this winter!
Is it freezing in your house? Are you using your member benefits to stay warm? Save on your heating bill this winter and get a discounted rate with Sharp Energy or Carl King Energy!
New to the Delaware Farm Bureau member benefits this year, Sharp Energy invites customers to participate in their Farm Bureau Member Pricing Propane Program. Those interested in special pricing should call Gary Killmon (302) 242-3138 for members in Sussex County or Jen Vandervort (302) 270-8260 for members in Kent and New Castle County
Is it freezing in your house? Are you using your member benefits and get a discounted rate with Sharp Energy or Carl King Energy! New to the Delaware Farm Bureau member benefits this year, Farm Bureau Member Pricing Propane Program. Those interested 242- 3138 for members in Sussex County or Jen Vandervort Delaware Farm Bureau Members can also receive discounted the Griffith or Carl King office for pricing. Members also
Delaware Farm Bureau Members can also receive discounted heating oil, kerosene, and propane prices by contacting the Griffith or Carl King office for pricing. Members also can receive a $30 discount on the Gold Oil Service Plan. Call (888) 721-5707 or visit www.griffithenergyservices.com to get your heating rate today.
$10.00 per ticket
$10.00 per ticket
Kent County Farm Bureau wins AFBF County Activities of Excellence Award for
Farm-to-Fork Dinner
The Kent County Farm Bureau recently was recognized as one of 24 winners of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Award. Kent County’s Farm-to-Fork Dinner, which took place on a dairy farm in Harrington, DE this past August, showcased Kent County grown food and drink while also teaching guests why it’s important to know where their food comes from. Guest speakers, including Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee and Mike Twining of Willard’s Agri-Service, spoke about the importance of agriculture in Delaware and how technologies, like GM seed, is helping us safely feed the world. Proceeds from the dinner were donated to the Food Bank of Delaware.
This year’s raffle is a Browning A5 Semiautomatic Shotgun in Waterfowl Camo or a cash prize of $800 . Tickets may be purchased at each county banquet and the state banquet. Winner w ill be selected at the Delaware Farm Bureau Annu al Banquet on
This year’s raffle is a Browning A5 Semiautomatic Waterfowl Camo or a cash prize of $800 . purchased at each county banquet and the state w ill be selected at the Delaware Farm Bureau December 3, 2015 . If you have any questions, please Voshell at 302-893-8173.
December 3, 2015 . If you have any questions, please contact Travis Voshell at 302-893-8173.
Twenty-four county Farm Bureaus nationwide were recognized by the American Farm Bureau for innovative program ideas in this year’s County Activities of Excellence Awards program. The winners will be highlighted during AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, Jan. 8-13, 2016, in Orlando, Florida.
This year’s raffle is a Browning A5 Semiautomatic Shotgun in Waterfowl Camo or a cash prize of $800 . Tickets may be purchased at each county banquet and the state banquet. Winner w ill be selected at the Delaware Farm Bureau Annu al Banquet on December 3, 2015 . If you have any questions, please contact Travis Voshell at 302-893-8173.
Winner must pass a background check and be
Winner must pass a background check and be over 18 years old.
The CAE program acknowledges and shares successful county Farm Bureau programs and activities. The awards are based on county Farm Bureau membership. Counties compete for recognition in five different groups. Those groups are county Farm Bureaus with membership of less than 1,000 members, 1,001-3,000 members, 3,001-5,000 members, more than 5,001 members, and a new category this year for collaborative multi-county activities regardless of membership size.
“A genuine commitment to improving county programming was clearly demonstrated by this year’s entries,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Grassroots Farm Bureau members continue to find creative ways to enrich their communities by sharing information about today’s food and farming,” he said.
Congratulations Kent County Farm Bureau!
Winner must pass a background check and be over 18 years old.
Fetterman Agency Wins Prestigious Award
Nationwide Insurance Agency, David Fetterman Insurance Inc. has recently been awarded the 2015 Nationwide Platinum Plowshare Award for reaching $1 million in farm sales. After being in business for 44 years, they have insured more than 250 farms with over $1 million dollars in premium. The Fetterman Agency is one of only 137 agencies nationally to be named to the prestigious Society of the Platinum Plow.
“The farm business was a natural fit for us because we are in a very large agricultural community,” says Dave Fetterman. “We have been active in our partnership with the Delaware Farm Bureau ever since Nationwide and the Farm Bureau developed a relationship.”
Dave says his biggest inspiration to own his own business was his grandfather and father. He flew to Columbus for three weeks of training with Nationwide in 1971. After having several office locations, Dave and his wife decided to settle in Milford, where they have been for approximately 38 years.
“When we first started we had no employees. My wife and I tended to the phone for the first couple of years,” Dave said.
Now with a staff of eight, the agency sells all types of insurance policies including auto, home, life, disability, health and commercial insurance and financial services. Over the past few years, they have also participated in the Nationwide Presidents Conference. Dave says the secret to their success is perseverance.
“We have to take care of the customer and in many ways be obedient to the Lord’s leading,” he said.
If you are in the Milford area and in need of insurance or financial services contact the Fetterman Insurance Agency at (302) 422-3079 or visit them at 200 N Rehoboth Blvd. Milford, DE 19963. Their office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday’s 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Fire Damage Emergency Tips
What you can do until help arrives
A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage and a host of other problems. Ceilings, walls, woodworks, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough professional cleaning. If your home or business suffers a fire, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent further damage until your local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals arrive. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase chances of a successful restoration.
What to Do After a Fire
• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.
What NOT to Do After a Fire
• Don’t attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your SERVPRO Franchise Professional.
• Don’t attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don’t use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damage and can cause electrical shock; air movement may also create secondary damage.
• Don’t send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
Farm Bureau and Agriculture Industry Celebrates Stay of WOTUS Rule
The Delaware Farm Bureau and farmers across the state are relieved by the October 9th decision to temporarily block enforcement of the “waters of the U.S.” rule nationwide made by the U.S. Court of Appeals. An appeals panel granted a stay while legal questions are sorted out and more information about the rule is gathered.
“A stay allows for a more deliberate determination whether this exercise of executive power, enabled by Congress and explicated by the Supreme Court, is proper under the dictates of federal law,” the decision stated. “A stay temporarily silences the whirlwind of confusion that springs from uncertainty about the requirements of the new rule and whether they will survive legal testing.”
The rule, which was developed by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers, went into effect August 28th and has been challenged by numerous associations, environmental groups and states from the very beginning.
A North Dakota judge imposed a stay in August, the day before the rule took effect however it only applied to 13 states. Fridays ruling covered the additional 37 states.
In a statement, EPA said, in part, that they and the Army Corps of Engineers “respect the court’s decision to allow for more deliberate consideration of the issues in the case and we look forward to litigating the merits of the Clean Water Rule.”
“The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased the Sixth Circuit recognizes that this rule has serious flaws and cannot go forward until the courts have had an opportunity to understand its effect on farmers, ranchers and landowners of all kinds,”AFBF President Bob Stallman said in an official statement last week. President Stallman went on to call the WOTUS Rule “the worst EPA order we have seen since the agency was established more than 40 years ago.”
The AFBF & Delaware Farm Bureau will continue to urge Congress for proper legislation to force the EPA and the Corps to withdrawal and for the Senate to pass legislation to nullify this rule. “Farmers and ranchers cannot afford to wait,” President Stallman assures.
Welcome to Kids Korner
A place for the Farm Bureau Kids
KENT COUNTY
Charles Conley 35 Commerce Street Harrington, DE 19952 (302) 398-3276
Glenn Deaton
905-A North Dupont Highway Dover, DE 19901 (302) 734-3700
David Fetterman
200 North Rehoboth Blvd. Milford, DE 19963 (302) 422-3079
Michael Frankos
375 W. North Street, Suite A Dover, DE 19904 (302) 531-0831
Jay Rouse 1252 Forrest Avenue Dover, DE 19904 (302) 678-2223
Michael Wilkinson
223 S. DuPont Blvd., Suite 2 Smyrna, DE 19977 (302) 653-5580
NEW CASTLE COUNTY
Michael Alpaugh 94 E. Main Street Newark, DE 19711 (302) 453-9871
C. Lori Blackwell
248 E. Chestnut Hill Road Newark, DE 19713 (302) 738-5030
Rick Broadbent
3510 Silverside Road, Suite 2 Wilmington, DE 19810 (302) 479-7777
Lisa Broadbent-Diossi 20 Polly Drummond Hill Road Newark, DE 19711 (302) 731-0044
