Farm Bureau News
Celebrating 80 Years!
Local Farmers Feeding Your Family
Delaware Farm Bureau is keeping busy this summer
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) welcomes members and friends to join in an exciting summer filled with events and activities. From lively BBQs and cornhole tournaments to the upcoming Beef and Beer festival on August 10th, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. As we celebrate agriculture and community, DEFB invites you to be part of our family and explore the offerings this season.
In addition to the summer fun, DEFB remains focused on important work. The Promotion and Education Committee is actively using events like the Delaware State Fair to educate the public about agriculture. The Young Farmers and Ranchers are gearing up for their 30th annual antique tractor pull at the fair, along with preparing for a silent auction at the DEFB Annual Banquet. Meanwhile, the Women’s Committee has been busy preparing the Delaware State Fair Food Booth.
Both DEFB and the County Farm Bureaus are gearing up for their annual meetings and banquets, where members can participate, share their views, and learn about Farm Bureau policy. These events are opportunities for members to gather, celebrate the year’s successes, and enjoy the company of their Farm Bureau family. Refer to page 6 for meeting and banquet dates.
This summer, the DEFB launched the #WhyFarmBureau campaign. DEFB wants to hear from its members about why they joined and, most importantly, why they stayed a DEFB member. Through a series of videos on social media, DEFB will be sharing our members’ #WhyFarmBureau stories.
The DEFB marketing team will be traveling to farms across the state to ask, “Why are you a Delaware Farm Bureau member?” and to capture footage of their agricultural operations.
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Sussex County Farm Bureau held a Backyard BBQ & Cornhole Tournament at Ellis Farms in Millsboro on June 22nd.
From the President’s desk
Carper can enhance legacy by delivering cleaner, cheaper fuel
State Board of Directors
President
William “Bill” Powers, Jr.
1st Vice President
Steve Breeding
Most drivers constantly monitor gas prices to look out for price increases and good deals, and nobody looks forward to the price spikes we see every summer. What many Americans don’t know is that a cheaper and more environmentally friendly blend of gasoline exists, but an arcane federal law prohibits the sale of it during the summer months when we need it most. Members of both parties agree the law needs to change to give consumers a less-expensive option and protect our environment, which is why it’s time for Congress to finally act.
This cheaper and more environmentally friendly gasoline is called E15, a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline that is perfectly safe for use in all cars manufactured after 2001. It has just 5% more ethanol than E10, the fuel that drivers use the vast majority of the time. When you fill up your car, you’re almost certainly using fuel very similar to the E15.
Ethanol is less expensive than gasoline, which is why E15 is 25
Delaware Farm Bureau News
Interim Editor
Jaiden Cain jaiden.cain@defb.org 302-697-3183
Delaware Farm Bureau News (ISSN 10770798), published in Camden, DE, bimonthly, by Delaware Farm Bureau. Production by Delaware Printing Company. Periodicals postage paid at Camden, DE and additional offices.
Business and Editorial Offices:
3457 S. DuPont Highway, Camden, DE 19934, 302-697-3183.
Any editorial material may be reproduced with credit to this publication.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Delaware Farm Bureau News at the office above.
Subscription price to members (paid as part of Farm Bureau membership dues) is $1.60. All other subscriptions are $6.50 per year.
cents cheaper per gallon than E10, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It also helps bring down costs for consumers by making the United States less dependent on imported fuel, particularly as conflicts around the world create global supply challenges. It’s also better for the environment than traditional fossil fuels.
According to the Department of Energy, “ethanol improves public health and the environment,” and “on a life cycle analysis basis, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced on average by 40% with corn-based ethanol.” By using more ethanol, E15 is an even more environmentally friendly fuel than E10. Anyone concerned about combating climate change should recognize the benefits of E15, which allows us to cut our GHG emissions from traditional ethanol-free gasoline.
Why can’t consumers always take advantage of this cheaper and more environmentally friendly fuel all year round? A little-known section of the Clean Air Act only allows the year-round nationwide sale of E10, not E15, which wasn’t even in use at the time the law passed. In many parts of the country, including much of Delaware, E15 is not allowed to be sold during the summer months due to air-quality concerns, even though E15 is better for the environment than any other gasoline being sold today.
The EPA recognizes the value of
E15, which is why it uses its authority to issue waivers permitting the sale of E15 during the summer. While the EPA has issued waivers many times, as it did just last week to allow E15 sales for this coming summer, the unpredictability of the waivers and inconsistent regulations around E15 fuel demonstrate why Congress should act once and for all to pass legislation allowing for the nationwide, year-round sale of E15.
Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are pushing legislation to allow year-round sales of E15. These lawmakers support lowering fuel costs for drivers and reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the Senate; it’s the kind of issue Americans hope their legislators will come together to tackle, and that is close to being a reality.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Sen. Tom Carper has significant power to quickly advance legislation allowing for the yearround sale of E15. By doing so, he would build on his strong record of prioritizing our environment and lowering costs for his constituents. As Carper nears retirement, he should add E15 to the long list of accomplishments that will define his legacy. We hope he will use his final months in office to secure cheaper, more environmentally friendly fuel for generations to come.
2nd Vice President
Paul Cartanza, Sr
County Presidents
Kent: James Minner
Sussex: Steve Breeding
New Castle: Stewart Ramsey
Young Farmers & Ranchers
State Chair: Mollie Lynch
Kent Chair: Michael Lynch
Sussex Chair: Connor Vincent
New Castle Chair: Alex Keenan
Women’s Committee
State Chair: Mary B Gooden
Kent Chair: Rebecca Bobola
Sussex Chair: Constance Fox
New Castle Chair: June Unruh
Kent County Directors
Bruce Dempsey
Ted Bobola Jr.
John Comegys
Sussex County Directors
Alan Bailey
Laura Brittingham
Cory Atkins
New Castle County Directors
Bruce Patrick
Dave Daniels
Ryan Greer
697-3183 or jaiden.cain@defb.org for more information!
Delaware Farm Bureau President Bill Powers
Catching up with New Castle County Farm Bureau
By Stewart Ramsey NCCFB President
Hi, I’m Stewart Ramsey, the New Castle County Farm Bureau President. My son Carl and I own and operate Ramsey’s Farm in Wilmington, DE. Our farm produces fruit and vegetable crops for our farm market, hay and straw for equine and other livestock, and Wagyu beef. We are also heavily involved in agritourism and offer our customers the opportunity
to come on out and experience our farm through our U-Pick and pumpkin patches, corn and sorghum mazes, hay rides and other fun activities.
I’ve been a Farm Bureau member for nearly 30 years, serving on various boards. One thing I feel strongly about is the need for Farm Bureau to remain engaged in the legislative process. With each election, we have fewer policymakers from farming backgrounds, and even fewer still actively working on farms. We serve as a resource for information about agriculture, food, and farmers’ needs. Farmers have unique require-
ments, and sometimes we need special treatment to continue providing safe, abundant, and affordable food. Delaware farms vary in size, from those rivaling mid-western farms to small specialty farms selling directly to consumers.
I’d like to highlight a success: New Castle County Farm Bureau worked with the county to correct erroneously high property taxes on farm structures. In some cases, farmers were paying 400% more than their counterparts in Kent and Sussex counties. This effort saved several farms tens of thousands of dollars annually. Now, we’re striving to lower or eliminate these
The Zipline Working with Companies to Deliver Right to Repair Solutions
By Zippy Duvall AFBF President
Farmers are resourceful—sometimes by nature, but more often, by necessity. I was reminded of that one day when I decided to “clean up” my dad’s scrap pile on the farm. You see, my dad, like most farmers, was saving those spare parts to save time and money— both of which are in short supply on the farm. Sure enough, I threw out a part he needed. Dad wasn’t happy, and I learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes you need to fix things yourself or rely on a handy neighbor to help. That’s why when Farm Bureau members called on American Farm Bureau to work with ag equipment companies on right to repair, we made it a top priority to find a path forward.
Advocacy is at the heart of our work at Farm Bureau. From town hall meetings to hearings on Capitol Hill, advocacy at every level, from local to federal government, is critical to strengthening agriculture and protecting our safe, sustainable food supply. But col-
laboration across the food and agriculture supply chain can be just as important. In fact, sometimes opting for a private sector solution over a legislative fix is preferred. That was the exact sentiment expressed by our members when they charged us with outreach to equipment manufacturers. Market-based solutions are effective and much less likely to get bogged down in politics and red tape. It’s about sitting down at the table and sorting things out.
Not long after our grassroots members called on American Farm Bureau to work with ag equipment companies to find a solution on right to repair, we secured our first memorandum of understanding. We kicked off the year signing that MOU with John Deere at our annual convention in San Juan. And we didn’t stop there. I said back in January that I hoped the MOU with John Deere would be the first of many—and sure enough, more have followed. Thanks to the hard work of your team at American Farm Bureau, in the subsequent
taxes for all farms across the state. I urge you to join or remain a Farm Bureau member, get involved, and share your needs. Farmers need a stronger voice now more than ever.
If you would like to talk more about the importance of a Farm Bureau membership, come see me at the New Castle County Farm Bureau Beef and Beer Festival on August 10th from 4pm to 8pm at Coleman’s Tree Farm, 550 Silver Run Road Middletown, DE 19709. You can also send me an email at stewart@ramseysfarm.com with your questions. I look forward to talking with you!
five months we also signed right to repair MOUs with Case IH and New Holland, Kubota, and AGCO.
Last week we were pleased to announce yet another MOU – with CLAAS. A year ago, I never would have imagined that by midyear we would have signed MOUs covering approximately three quarters of the ag machinery sold in the U.S.
Thanks to these agreements, farmers across the country now have the freedom and flexibility to repair their own equipment or work with a local mechanic. In rural communities, it can be challenging and costly to travel for hours to the nearest approved mechanic or dealer when expensive farm machinery breaks down. When your family, your neighbors and your country are counting on you to keep the farm running and the food supply coming, you don’t always have extra hours to spare.
At Farm Bureau, we are proud of the agreements we have achieved
with these ag equipment companies, and we will continue working with other manufacturers as well to ensure all farmers have access to the tools necessary to keep their equipment running, and to keep food on the table for families across America.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall
Bill for the legalization of raw milk makes it to Governor's Desk
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
On Thursday, June 27th, Senate Bill 273 (SB273), the legalization of raw milk bill, passed in the Delaware Senate with a vote of 39-2. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature to become law. Stephanie Knutsen from G&S Dairy in Harrington, DE played a crucial role in advancing Senator Eric Buckson’s consumer-driven legislation.
The initiative began when Senator Buckson received several requests from constituents to legalize raw milk in Delaware. To learn more from a local dairy farmer, he reached out to Knutsen, whose family had grown up drinking raw milk from their dairy farm.
Knutsen, aware of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's historical stance against raw milk sales, conducted extensive research on current safety standards and raw milk data. She looked at data from the past 15 to 20 years, and found low rates of illness and death, which reassured her about the feasibility of SB237. Knutsen then dove into research on the potential economic and health benefits, and estimated an annual economic opportunity of $15.6 million statewide, benefiting Delaware’s remaining 13 dairy farms. For her own farm, transitioning 10% of their herd to raw milk production could nearly double their income. She believes this bill had the potential to revitalize the struggling dairy industry.
To learn more and gain confidence in her knowledge, Knutsen engaged with experts nationwide, including medical microbiologists, epidemiologists, and the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI). The RAWMI is an orga-
nization dedicated to the education of low-risk raw milk production both in the U.S. and internationally. It was through them that she learned about on-farm testing protocols to monitor bacterial levels.
Recognizing opposition to the past attempt to legalize raw milk in the early 2010’s from various sectors including the Delaware Farm Bureau, Department of Agriculture (DDA), and Delaware Department of Health (DHSS), Knutsen focused on addressing concerns through direct engagement. She and her husband Gregg started by presenting their research and data to every Delaware dairy farmer and gained overwhelming support.
They then reached out to the Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB), where she was able to gain support at each County Farm Bureau as well as DEFB through sharing her story at meetings. She also met with Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Scuse, who decided to support the bill with the incorporation of on-farm testing as well as monthly third-party testing ensuring a safe product. Through the testing, raw milk can be required to meet the bacteria count of post-pasteurized milk.
Once DDA showed support, Knutsen met with DHSS and presented them with her research. With an agreement that DDA write the regulations with consultation of DHSS, they agreed to become neutral on the bill.
Knutsen shared that it takes a one on one in person conversation to be able to share her story. She was able to listen to their concerns and share what she had found. Many of the concerns she had had herself, but
Stephanie Knutsen presented her research on raw milk to Legislators in the Delaware House and Senate. Photo submitted by Stephanie Knutsen
they were diminished through her research. However, she faced an issue in being able to speak with the legislators in person.
It was through the County Farm Bureau legislative breakfasts that Knutsen was able to share her research with legislators. Knutsen said “I feel that the power of the Farm Bureau in those breakfasts are what made the difference in this bill. We were able to generate six of the nine democratic co-sponsors on the bill” She added that six of the nine Democratic co-sponsors of the bill came from the legislative breakfasts.
Knutsen praised DEFB for their
presence in Legislative Hall. They maintain a working relationship with so many of the legislators, which was so helpful in sharing the information on SB273. Knutsen said “I can’t thank Farm Bureau enough for being open to the idea, offering their support, and hosting those breakfasts so our voices could be heard.”
Knutsen was ecstatic at the passing of SB273 in the House and Senate and is eager for the Governor’s signature. By allowing Delaware dairy farmers to tap into niche markets, she believes the Delaware dairy industry could be revitalized.
Young Farmers and Ranchers celebrate 30 years of antique tractor pull at Delaware State Fair
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
The Delaware State Fair is filled with sounds of livestock, carnival rides and concert music. But on the last Saturday of the 10-day event, it’s also filled with sounds of tractor engines revving up for a good competition.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Delaware Young Farmers and Ranchers’ Antique Tractor Pull. Since its inception the tractor pull has been a favorite of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee (YF&R). This event brings together tradition and community. Nathan Thompson, Antique Tractor Pull chair, said “I’m happy to see the Young Farmers and Ranchers keeping a tradition alive with friendly competition and unforgettable memories being made.” Being an antique tractor lover himself, he added “It’s always fun for us to have an excuse to get the old iron or family heirlooms out of the shed.”
In honor of the 30th anniversary, this year’s t-shirt design is a throwback to the original. These shirts will be available for sale at the tractor pull. Quantities are limited, so be sure to arrive early to secure yours.
The Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee hosts its annual Antique Tractor Pull contest in the Quillen Arena at the fairgrounds to raise funds for scholarships and other activities. Last year, the event brought out more than 40 farmers and tractors and over $10,000 in funds raised for YF&R programming.
“It’s a tradition for the YF&R. It especially helps raise funds for our leadership conference experience through the American Farm Bureau Federation. The annual Antique Tractor Pull is a very different event than what a lot of other YF&R Committees put on,” Statewide YF&R Chair Mollie Lynch said.
The Antique Tractor Pull will take place on July 27th in the Quillen Arena of the Delaware State Fair. Registration begins at 7:00am and the first hook is at 9:00am. Participants should register for the popular event ahead of time to ensure a spot in the competition, she added. Tractors are weighed on the day of the event and put in classes based on weight and speed. Participants take turns pulling a sled with a weight chosen by class around the arena
Early YF&R antique tractor pulls were held on the racetrack of Harrington Raceway and Casino, shown above and below.
with their tractors.
“There’s bragging rights and talk of which brand is better than the others; they just really enjoy the tractors. It’s a neat, unique event. There’s a social aspect of it, too. They just love to get together, show off their tractors and spend the day with each other,” Lynch said.
The day also includes a bonus moment for the YF&R. “We get to showcase our scholarship winners at that event,” she added. “We need the youth of Delaware to become agriculturists whether it’s as a farmer, seed salesman, agronomist… we need those people in our field. We need new ideas. So to be able to promote young people and education is very important to the YF&R. Our hope is that they get an education in agriculture and come back to support Delaware through agriculture.”
For more information about the Delaware Farm Bureau or the YF&R, or to register for the annual Antique Tractor Pull, visit www. defb.org or call the state office at 302-697-3183.
Visit DEFB at the Delaware State Fair
By Mikayla Paul Delaware Farm Bureau
We are counting down the days until we can support the young ag professionals while they show their livestock, enjoy a refreshing milkshake from the Delaware Farm Bureau Food Booth and watch the Delaware Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers’ Antique Tractor Pull event!
The Delaware State Fair is a summertime tradition, and we are proud to be a part of it. During the 10-day Fair, we educate the public on the importance of agriculture. The Delaware Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee manages the booth located in the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Commodities Building. When you visit our booth, you can test your Ag knowledge with our trivia game, guess how many lima beans
are in the jar to win an awesome prize, donated by Del-One Federal Credit Union, and learn about the role the Delaware Farm Bureau plays in our community.
Many committee members also serve on the Delaware Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, who manage the Delaware Farm Bureau Food Booth. Proceeds from the Food Booth go towards the Women’s Committee programs, including their annual scholarship program.
Interested in getting more involved in the Delaware Farm Bureau? The Delaware State Fair is a great opportunity to get more involved! To volunteer to work the Agricultural Commodities Building booth, contact Mikayla Paul at mikayla.paul@defb.org. To volunteer to work in the Delaware Farm Bureau Food Booth, contact Jan Cartanza at jan.cartanza@defb.org.
Delaware Farm Bureau summer interns to promote Delaware agriculture
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) has hired three summer interns to help promote DEFB and Delaware agriculture. The interns, Beau Davis, Sam Jacona, and Kira Manuszak, bring a vast abundance of experience and knowledge. DEFB is excited to see what they accomplish this summer. Some of their large projects include DEFB member promotional videos, social media content creation, and educational events.
Beau Davis
Beau Davis, of Milford, grew up on her family’s farm, where she developed a deep-rooted passion for agriculture. Her early experiences instilled in her a love for the land and a commitment to the agricultural community. Through her internship, Davis aims to make new connections and promote Delaware agriculture, focusing on showcasing the hard work and dedication of Delaware farming families.
Before graduating from Milford High School in 2022, Davis was actively involved in FFA and 4-H. She also showed livestock at the Delaware State Fair. Additionally, she worked as a sales associate and field scout during the past two
summers, further expanding her knowledge and practical skills in the agricultural industry.
Now a junior at the University of Delaware, Davis is majoring in Agriculture and Natural Resources. She remains deeply engaged in agriculture through her involvement in the university’s FFA, 4-H, and the Agriculture College Council. Through her internship with the Delaware Farm Bureau, Davis hopes to expand her already diverse agricultural background and support the agricultural community.
Sam Jacona, a Milton resident and 2021 Milford High School graduate, hopes to expand her knowledge of agriculture and marketing as a DEFB intern. She is particularly interested in learning how to tailor her graphic designs to specific audiences to make a large impact.
Jacona has experience in direct marketing, having grown produce to sell at a farm stand and the downtown Milton farmer’s market. She wants to learn more about supporting other farmers and advocating for agriculture.
Currently a senior at Arcadia University, Jacona is majoring in fine arts with an emphasis on graphic
design. Over the past three years, she has accomplished a great deal, including participating as a field hockey player, esports participant, honors president, Honors Shadow Play director, studio supervisor, and study abroad mentor for South Korea.
After studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea at EWHA Woman’s University, Jacona plans to learn Korean. Her future aspirations also include working in the music industry as a graphic designer.
Kira Manuszak, of Dover, is one of the DEFB interns, hoping to expand her knowledge in videography, photography, marketing, and Delaware agriculture. Although she has shown horses for most of her life and has been involved at her family’s farm, she is eager to learn more about other agricultural industries.
A 2022 graduate of Calvary Christian Academy, Kira Manuszak is now a junior at the University of Valley Forge, majoring in sports management with a minor in marketing. She is part of the accelerated 4+1 program, which allows her to earn both her bachelor's degree in sports management and a master’s degree in organizational leadership within five years. Her future plans include combining her interests to work in sports marketing.
Throughout her college career, Manuszak has been very active. She has served as a student ambassador, community service leader, student leader, intramural sports participant, admission student worker, and athletics assistant. Additionally, she has represented her university as a student representative, traveling to New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
For more information on the Delaware Farm Bureau, visit www. defb.org. To be featured in our #WhyFarmBureau, visit, https:// defb.org/whyfarmbureau-videos/
Sam Jacona
Kira Manuszak
The Delaware State Fair
is almost here
By June Unruh New Castle County Women's Committee Chair
The time is almost here… Delaware State Fair! Maybe you are reminiscing about your childhood days at the Fair!
Were you a member of a 4-H club or maybe a member of the FFA at your High School? Did you show your prize -winning calf or pig hoping for a blue ribbon? Did you enter your prizewinning biscuits or cookies hoping for the same blue ribbon! I remember how hot and dusty it was! And I remember not being able to wait to go to the 4-H building to check to see if, I had won that blue ribbon for those biscuits and cookies! (Since my childhood, I have only missed one year of going to the Delaware State Fair). It’s a
“Delaware Farm Girl Thing!"
Now, as an adult, I volunteer at the Delaware Farm Bureau Food Booth. The Food Booth is a Women’s Committee Project whose profits go toward scholarships for the youth to go to college. Those same young 4-H and FFA members help work at the Food Booth.
Your help is needed also! Here’s a chance to see old friends and make new ones! By doing so, you will be supporting our youth and you will be supporting the farmers of the state of Delaware. Our food booth's delicious foods are locally sourced.
It’s all about teamwork. We all work together to support a good cause. So, please come and give us a hand in this very important initiative. Remember, YOU are a very important member of the Delaware Farm Bureau Team! And oh, did I mention that the milkshakes are totally awesome!
DEFB SUMMER
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The short videos will be featured on DEFB's social media and at the DEFB Annual Banquet in December.
“We are so thrilled to have our summer interns out in the agricultural community getting footage to highlight our members,” said DEFB marketing coordinator Mikayla Paul. “It gives them the chance to meet our members and see the various aspects of agriculture.”
To stay up to date on everything DEFB, follow us on Facebook and
Instagram @delawarefarmbureau.
If you are interested in being featured in this campaign, please fill out the form at www.defb.org/ whyfarmbureau-video-form and the DEFB marketing team will contact you to schedule a date and time to film. This campaign is open to all DEFB members.
For more information about the Delaware Farm Bureau, visit www. defb.org. To get involved with DEFB, contact the state office at (302) 697-3183 or reach out to Jaiden Cain, Membership and Outreach Coordinator, at Jaiden.cain@defb. org.
DNREC Deer Damage Q&A
By Joe Rogerson and Sam Millman
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Deer damage is a common issue among Delaware farmers. However, DNREC has offered a solution through their Deer Damage Assistance Programs.
While working to help farmers alleviate their crop damage and harvest additional deer we often receive questions from farmers. Below are a few common questions that we receive and our general responses. We’re hoping that this could be a start of a series of future columns in which you the reader, submit questions to us and we’ll attempt to answer some of them.
Question: I have no idea how many deer my hunters harvest so how am I supposed to know if they are harvesting enough?
Answer: Several years ago, the Division switched to a new a new application and permitting process within its Digital DNREC system. Farmers that apply for this program will create a profile that they can use to log into the system any time they want. Within their dashboard, they have access to their crop damage permit and associated deer harvest report card, but they also have access to a complete list of the deer harvested and registered under the unique farm identification number
that is permanent to you. Farmers can track harvest on their enrolled properties at any point during the season and this data is stored in the system so you can even look at the harvest from previous years.
Question: How do I know I have the right hunter on my property?
Answer: Hunters may or may not have your farming interest in mind when hunting your property. Screening your hunters (family or not) is the first step. Ask what their goals are when hunting for deer and what their interest in your property is. Ask if they are ethical hunters and have safety in mind when hunting. Inform them of what your goals are and see if they are supportive of your farming needs. Not all hunters have the trophy buck in mind when they are hunting deer. Should their focus be trophy bucks, then you have a couple options available to you. One would be to not allow them onto your property to hunt. A second option is to offer a “Earn-a-Buck”. With this option, you can stipulate that hunters harvest “x” amount of does before harvesting any bucks off your property. A third option would be to increase or impose lease fees to offset your crop loss, or if you already charge your hunters a fee to hunt your land, consider setting
harvest goals that if they meet, they would than pay a lower lease rate the following year. If adjusted properly, you would make up the lost revenue collected from your hunting lease, with higher crop yields due to less deer damage. There are also meat hunters that are not only interested in harvesting that big mature buck. These are hunters you want. Offer them all the does they can handle. You may need to set harvest minimums if your hunter numbers are few. You can remind the hunters that if they don’t have enough room in their freezers that donating their harvest to the Delaware Hunters Against Hunger program is a great option.
Your goals and management of your property is important, and you should play an active part in the vetting of the hunters that come to your property.
Question: Is hunting and harvesting deer the only way that I can reduce my crop damage and increase my yields?
Answer: No, but undoubtedly the harvest of deer, specifically female deer, is the most important thing that you can do but there are other options. A properly placed propane cannon that periodically emits a loud bang to scare deer out of fields can help give your
crops that jump they need when they sprout to be tall enough that they can then withstand some browsing pressure that does not result in plant mortality. Fencing in areas with significant damage or in areas where “truck crops” are planted, or perhaps a field along a neighboring property that you don’t have access to for which the deer harvest is inadequate, may be an option to consider. They are many styles of fence which can work, ranging from more permanent 8-foot-tall versions to, less expensive but more movable, electric options. Each type has its pros cons and preferred application locations. Crop rotation, aligning planting dates, and even planting buffer strips are all other things to consider when you’re planning your fields for the next year. Each of which can have an impact on your farm on where deer damage could occur. While hunting and the removal of deer is the best thing you do to alleviate crop damage, there are many other things to consider that when implemented appropriately can help to increase your yields, and your profits, if you consider the suite of options available.
If you have any questions, please visit https://defb.org/ deer-damage-questions/ and we will answer them in the upcoming issues within this column.
Harness the weather with a weather station
By Drew Harris UD Cooperative Extension
Weather stations play a crucial role in agriculture by monitoring localized weather variations that directly impact crop health, pest dynamics, and overall farm management.
Equipped with sensors like rain gauges, anemometers, thermometers, and solar radiation sensors, these stations provide essential data for calculating agronomic factors such as growing degree days and evapotranspiration. This information is vital for making informed decisions on irrigation scheduling, pesticide application timing, and other critical aspects of crop production.
Setting up a weather station involves assembling a robust tripod and strategically positioning sensors. Components like the leaf wetness sensor and datalogger are placed centrally for efficient data collection, followed by the installation of the solar radiation sensor and thermometer. The assembly process ensures that each sensor functions optimally to provide accurate and reliable weather data.
Once assembled, the weather station is securely anchored to the ground using rods and cables to withstand adverse weather conditions. This step is crucial to maintaining the station's stability and ensuring continuous operation under varying environmental challenges.
Remote assembly completes the setup by connecting the components to the solar panel and datalogger for data transmission. It's essential to seal entry points to prevent water damage, safeguarding the integrity of the collected data. Once operational, the weather station remotely records and graphs weather data, offering farmers actionable insights into weather patterns and trends.
Over time, the accumulated data becomes a valuable resource for agronomic decision-making and supports broader community resilience against climate variability. Farmers can analyze historical weather patterns to anticipate future challenges and optimize farming practices accordingly. This proactive approach helps mitigate risks associated with weather-re-
lated crop damage and enhances overall farm productivity.
In conclusion, weather stations are integral to modern agriculture, providing real-time and historical weather data that informs sustainable farming practices. Their role in optimizing crop yields, predicting pest outbreaks, and enhancing environmental stewardship underscores their importance in ensuring food security and economic viability for farmers.
As technology continues to advance, weather stations evolve, offering increasingly sophisticated tools for precision agriculture and climate adaptation. Remote access capabilities and data analytics empower farmers to make data-driven decisions, improving resource efficiency and resilience in the face of climate change.
The integration of weather stations into agricultural practices represents a pivotal shift towards precision farming, where every decision is informed by accurate and timely weather information. This approach not only maximizes crop yields but also minimizes environmental impacts through efficient resource management.
Looking ahead, the continued expansion and adoption of weather stations promise to further enhance agricultural sustainability and resilience. By harnessing the power of weather data, farmers can navigate the complexities of modern farming with greater confidence and effectiveness, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Scholarships Cultivate Leaders
By Hannah O'Hara DE YF&R Finanical Liason
The Young Farmers & Ranchers have been hard at work hosting the 14th Annual Strawberry Festival at Bobola Farms, planning the 30th Annual Tractor Pull for the Delaware State Fair and scoring our 2024 scholarship applications! And this year’s candidates were full of successful and qualified applicants!
The Young Farmers & Ranchers are proud to be able to support Farm Bureau families raising exceptional youth that want to further their education to become better community and industry leaders.
Our scholarships strive to provide youth with the extra financial push to pursue dreams of higher education to study agronomy, livestock management, agribusiness and so much more! Our scholarships are not limited to a journey in an agricultural-related field. We have education, engineering and business majors apply too!
The financial aid we provide isn’t just about easing the burden of tuition fees; it’s about investing in Delaware’s youth – the future of agriculture. Unlike many scholarships, the Young Farmers & Ranchers allow scholarship winners to postpone the
allocation to whichever college year you may need the funds. Prior to the semester, provide the State Office with a letter and a current transcript and we will send the funds to your college to help pay the bill!
We aren’t just looking for academic superstars. Sure, stellar grades can help, but we also value practical experience, community involvement, and a genuine passion for agriculture. So if you've spent summers tending crops or helping with livestock, don't underestimate the value of that hands-on experience. Dedicate your time to fully reading the application requirements, asking for recommendation letters and articulating your passions.
Don’t forget the perks beyond the cash. By receiving a scholarship from the Young Farmers & Ranchers, you can build networking opportunities, find mentors, and discover internships with leading agricultural organizations. So, not only do you get to fund your education, but you also get to build connections that could shape your career for years to come.
This year’s scholarship winners will be announced on July 27th at the Delaware State Fair in the Quillen Arena during the Tractor Pull!
To any Farm Bureau family raising young farmers and ranchers that aspire to explore higher education, show us what you are made of and mark your calendars to apply for a scholarship next year. Let's cultivate your future, not just crops.
Using the Heat Index Chart to Work Safely in Hot Weather
By Grainger Editorial Staff Grainger
High humidity makes hot weather so much worse.
Why? It all comes down to how you sweat.
When sweat evaporates from your skin, it takes some of your body heat with it. This makes sweating one of the only ways for your body to cool itself down. But as the air gets more humid, it has less room for more water vapor, so evaporation slows. You can sweat all you want, but it won’t have much cooling effect.
It’s not just your comfort that’s at stake. As your body depletes its supply of water and salt in the fight to stay cool, it can lead to painful cramps and symptoms of heat exhaustion.
And once your body can no longer control its temperature by sweating, heat stroke can occur, with your internal temperature quickly rising to 106 degrees F or higher. Without emergency treatment, heat stroke can cause disability or death.
The heat index is a way to estimate the effect humidity has on how hot weather feels – and how dangerous it can be for people working or spending time in it.
Using the Heat Index Chart
This chart was developed by the National Weather Service (NWS). To read it, find the column closest to the actual temperature and the row closest to the current relative humidity. Where the row and the column intersect, you’ll find an
indication of how it “feels” under those conditions. The chart is color coded to indicate the level of danger posed by prolonged exposure or strenuous activity. The heat index assumes you'll be in the shade, and direct sunlight can add another 13.5 degrees F.
OSHA and NIOSH offer a heat safety app for phones and tablets that allows you to calculate the heat index, shows the risk level and offers reminders about protective measures that are appropriate for the risk level.
According to OSHA, the heat index can be a helpful screening tool as part of more comprehensive workplace assessment. However, it’s important to remember that severe heat-related illness can happen even at heat index values that might seem low. The agency has found that workers have died from heat stroke when the heat index was no more than 86 degrees F.
• The person isn’t working hard.
• The person has as much water as they need and is drinking it as needed.
• The person can remove any and all clothing as needed.
But for people working in the heat, the reality will probably be much different. This throws the heat index off. Direct sunlight and hot winds are two factors .
Another limitation of the heat index is the way values are calculated for some extreme conditions, according to the JAMC paper. The authors of the paper believe that the heat index underestimates how it feels in very hot and humid weather. Their corrected heat index chart has values more than 20° F higher for the most extreme conditions. For example, while the NWS heat index indicates that 90% humidity on an 88° F day feels like 113° F in the shade, those same conditions would actually feel like 139° F according to the corrected chart.
Limitations of the Heat Index
The NWS heat index chart has some limitations, however. It's based on calculations made by Robert Steadman, a textile physicist. He developed mathematical equations to simulate how the body of an idealized person would respond to different temperatures and humidities.
According to a 2022 paper in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology (JAMC), the heat index model includes many assumptions to keep things simple. The mathematical equations assume that:
• The person is in the shade with a steady breeze.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature for Hazard Assessment
Rather than relying only on the heat index, OSHA recommends that heat hazard assessments use a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) taken on the worksite.
A WBGT heat stress monitor combines measurements of three different conditions: the ambient air temperature, the potential for evaporative cooling and the radiant heat. The most obvious source of radiant heat is the sun, but it can also come from ovens, furnaces, hot pavements and lights.
Additionally, OSHA’s process for heat hazard assessments takes into account clothing and workload. The details are described in Section III Chapter 4 of the OSHA Technical Manual.
While the heat index chart can be a helpful screening tool, WBGT is OSHA's preferred assessment method.
Beat the heat with watermelon
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
July and August are historically the hottest and most humid months in Delaware. With highs averaging in the 80s to 90s and humidity around 75%, some days can be close to unbearable.
It is very important for farmers and anyone spending long periods in the heat to stay hydrated. Water is essential for hydration, but sometimes it's nice to have something sweet. Watermelon is the perfect choice for a delicious snack that is high in water content, about 92%, making it both hydrating and cooling. It is also packed with vitamins A and C. Fortunately for Delawareans, there
are many local watermelon growers, and watermelons are in season from July through September. Shopping locally at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and some grocery stores supports local farmers and ensures you get the freshest produce. This not only helps support the local community but also provides high-quality, nutritious fruits.
Remember, supporting local agriculture and staying hydrated are key to having a healthy and enjoyable summer. So, make sure to include plenty of locally grown watermelon in your diet to beat the heat!
To shop locally for Delaware grown products, visit https://delawaregrown.com/pick-fresh/.
Grassroots grow agricultural leaders and advocates
By Steve Breeding DEFB 1st Vice President & SCFB
President
Having a hard time finding your place in Farm Bureau?
Maybe you don’t have enough time to commit to serving on a county board.
Fortunately, the Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) offers all members an abundance of opportunities to get involved!
DEFB has various committees, such as the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee for members 18 to 40 years old, the Women’s Committee, and the Promotion and Education Committee. All of these committees aim to advocate for agriculture and to support our local communities through their programs and initiatives.
I currently serve on the national Promotion and Education Committee, which offers members the opportunity to engage with consumers and bridge the gap between field and fork, by inspiring and equipping farmers to convey the significance of agriculture to the public. Our goal is to help empower grassroots members with effective tools
for engagement and provide training opportunities to equip volunteers to confidently connect with consumers. Tools such as the digital toolbox, which is available on Farm Bureau University, the Target Training Conference, the “Communicate, Collaborate and Influence” workshops, and the Fusion Conference, which takes place every other year, are available to any and all Farm Bureau members interested.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President, Zippy Duvall, appointed me to serve on the national AFBF Promotion and Education Committee for the 2024-2026 term. As a result, our Promotion and Education Committee at the state level has received even more acknowledgment and recognition. Through this opportunity, I have had the pleasure of attending numerous training sessions to sharpen my speaking skills, and building effective strategies to further the conversation with consumers. One of the most challenging tasks I have done since being on the committee is going on live TV to participate in interviews with people that may not be friendly to the agriculture industry. I am provided the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and partake in eye opening experiences and participate in various training sessions that will make me a better and more
effective Farm Bureau grassroots member.
In the short time I have served on the AFBF Promotion and Education Committee, I have built lifetime bonds with a handful of other committee members from across the country. I’ll jokingly admit that the committee refers to me as “the country mouse in the big city” when traveling throughout the nation.
I highly encourage members to utilize Farm Bureau University and create an account to unlock numerous beneficial resources and virtual trainings to get the most out of your Farm Bureau membership. I login
almost daily to learn how I can improve my educational reach to consumers.
The Promotion and Education Committee, on both state and national levels, has provided me the opportunity to continue to share my passion for agriculture and to inform, inspire and collaborate with other individuals. It’s a great next step in the Farm Bureau organization for those who are aging out of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. It serves as a springboard to unlimited opportunities within Farm Bureau.
Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation holds 11th annual Milk Run/Walk 5K
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
Over $15,000 was raised to benefit the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation, Ministry of Caring’s Milk for Children Fund and Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program.
Despite the rainy weather on Saturday, May 18, 82 participants ran the course at Ramsey’s Farm during the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation’s Annual Milk Run/Walk 5K. In its eleventh year, the event has now raised over $215,000 for Delaware-based organizations.
Stewart Ramsey of Ramsey’s Farm in Wilmington, DE has been involved with the Milk Run since the beginning and was happy to host it again this year. “I continue to be amazed at the generosity of our community and partners in agriculture.” He said “the Milk Run was born out of a need to provide milk to children who otherwise would go without that valuable nutrition. The event generates awareness of the need and brings local sponsors together to provide a solution, Delaware Farm Bureau is the perfect organization to tackle this challenge.”
One of the beneficiaries of the race, The Ministry of Caring, provides for those in need in the Wilmington area. Milk is one part of the nutritional meals served to the hungry at the Emmanuel Dining Room. Priscilla Rakestraw, Deputy Director of Development for the Ministry of Caring, said “We are so grateful to the Delaware Farm Bureau and to all the people that participated in the Milk Run! We can provide poor and homeless children with as much milk as they can drink, and that is so important.”
The Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program allows children in need to take a backpack full of food home at the end of the school week to alleviate hunger for the weekend. The backpacks have food such as shelf-stable milk and juice, macaroni and cheese, granola bars, and apple sauce.
The Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation strives to increase awareness, understanding, and positivity surrounding Delaware agriculture. Funds raised from this event will benefit the Foundation’s various programs and other initiatives to support this mission. According to Mikayla Paul, DEFB marketing coordinator,
“This is a fun event for everyone! Whether they were running or walking the course, they got a great view of Northern Delaware agriculture”. She added, “There was even a milk cow from Emerson Dairy!”
Winners of each division received an engraved cow bell. Sponsors also donated an array of gift certificates that were raffled off to participants.
For more information on the Delaware Farm Bureau and Foundation, visit www.defb.org. For more information on the Ministry of Caring, visit https://www.ministryofcaring. org/. For more information on the Food Bank of Delaware, visit https:// www.fbd.org/.
Delaware Farm Bureau holds t-shirt design contest for Delaware youth
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
The Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) invites all youth with a connection to agriculture to unleash their creativity in our t-shirt design contest. Designs will be judged based on creativity, originality, and representation of DEFB's values. The winning designer will receive two complimentary tickets to the Delaware Farm Bureau Annual Banquet on December 14, 2024, where they will be honored for their achievement.
Eligibility is open to anyone 18 years and younger with a connec-
tion to agriculture, including but not limited to 4H and FFA members.
Designs must include the phrase “Delaware Farm Bureau” and are encouraged to feature DEFB’s tagline, “Local Farmers Feeding Your Family.” Each design should use no more than three colors and be original work. Please submit a 300dpi high-resolution digital graphic through our website at www.defb.org/defb-t-shirt-designcontest.
For more information about the Delaware Farm Bureau, visit www. defb.org.
Support DEFB member in Kiss the Pig Contest
JT Robbins will be representing the Young Farmers & Ranchers in this year's Kiss the Pig Contest at the Delaware State Fair.
The contest, coordinated by the Delaware 4H Foundation, raises money to support scholarships for Junior Exhibitors at the Delaware State Fair.
DEFB wants to ensure that JT has to kiss the pig by raising the most the money!
There are many ways to donate. Donations can be accepted directly by the particpants or though their go fund me pages. Addtionally, you can reach out to Doug Crouse, dcrouse@udel.com, for other op-
tions of donating. Please consider donating to this great cause!
To donate,
• Venmo: DelawareYFR
• GoFundMe: https://gofund. me/5ac0f62e
Donations can be accepted up until the day on the contest, July 25th.
Those interested in watching the contest can attend at the Hertrich Plaza at the Delaware State Fair on Thursday, July 25th at 3:00pm.
Delaware Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers held 14th annual Strawberry Festival
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
On Saturday, May 25th, Bobola Farm and Florist was home to the 14th Annual Delaware Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Strawberry Festival. Attendees from across the state enjoyed an afternoon filled with fun activities and delicious strawberries.
YF&R served pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs donated by Haass’ Butcher Shop, alongside ice cream donated by Woodside Farm Creamery and the famous strawberry shortcake. The shortcakes were made by Skyline Café using strawberries donated by Fifer Orchards.
This free event welcomed the whole family, though KidZone wristbands were available for only $6, with a $1 discount for those who brought a non-perishable food item. Thanks to this initiative, 65 pounds of food were donated to the Food Bank of Delaware as part of the Harvest for All campaign.
The KidZone was full of fun activities, including a barrel train,
bounce house, petting zoo, and numerous yard games. The festival also featured live music, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Mollie Lynch, Delaware Young
Farmers and Ranchers Chair, said “It was a wonderful day! It was great to see so many families come out and enjoy the day with us.”
For more information on Delaware Farm Bureau, visit defb.org. If you are interested in joining the DEFB Young Farmers and Ranchers, call the DEFB state office, 302697-3183.
YF&R collected 65 pounds of canned food to donate to the Food Bank of Delaware as part of the Harvest for All intiative. Pictured from left to right, Front to Back: Hannah O'Hara, Abel Elwell, Erica Willing, Sydney Thompson, Megan Davidson, Connor Vincent, Casey Collier, Jordan Betts, Rebecca Bobola, Theodore Bobola, Michael Lynch, Mollie Lynch, JT Robbins, Alex Kennan, Kourtney Keenan
U.S. Headed for Record Ag Trade Deficit
By AFBF Staff American Farm Bureau Federation
After decades of substantial U.S. agricultural trade surpluses, the U.S. is forecast to experience a record trade deficit for the second year in a row. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the factors contributing to the deficit in their latest Market Intel report.
According to the analysis, the forecast $32 billion deficit is caused by a multitude of factors, one of which is rising imports of fresh fruits and vegetables. American produce farmers face significant challenges in competing with less expensive foreign-grown produce, most notably a lack of affordable and available farm labor.
“Production of many fresh fruits and vegetables is extremely labor intensive,” AFBF economist Betty Resnick writes in the Market Intel.
“For U.S. agricultural production broadly, labor accounts for about 10% of expenses. For fruit and vegetable production – labor costs account for 38.5% and 28.8% of input costs, respectively.”
Factors contributing to decreased agricultural export values include falling commodity prices for American crops and a strong U.S. dollar.
“The strong U.S. dollar is making U.S. products less competitive on currency exchange alone,” Resnick explains. “For instance, Japan is consistently a top-5 market for
U.S. agricultural products. The Japanese yen is the lowest it has been against the U.S. dollar since 1990 and half of its value from only 12 years ago, in 2012. While this exchange rate is great for U.S. tourists visiting Japan, it is very difficult for Japanese consumers seeking to purchase quality U.S. products.”
Further complicating matters, the U.S. has not entered into trade agreements with new countries since 2012 while other countries have signed agreements of their own.
“This is a difficult time to be a farmer, and looking ahead at another year with a record ag trade deficit proves that,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Our
farmers are facing high labor costs — if they can hire help at all, competition from growers in other countries and stagnant, outdated trade agreements. I hope Congress and the administration see this historic deficit as a wake-up call and work to implement policy changes to address these challenges.”
This is the fourth time in six years the U.S. has faced an agricultural trade deficit. Prior to fiscal year 2019, the U.S. had not experienced an agricultural trade deficit since at least 1967, and possibly not in its entire history.
Read the full Market Intel at https://www.fb.org/market-intel/ record-u-s-agricultural-trade-deficit-forecasted-to-keep-growing
Youth Spotlight: Shauna Judd
By Shauna Judd DE FFA County Representative
One of the first things all FFA members hear when they join FFA is “I believe in the future of agriculture.” This one sentence is the beginning of one of the most important puzzle pieces that make up the puzzle called FFA. But how do these teenagers apply this little sentence to their life? As a kid, I wasn’t involved in anything that had to do with agriculture but I loved being outside. I grew up playing lacrosse, soccer, and softball which meant that anytime I could be outside, I was outside. I never really thought anything of it until Covid. Something about being locked in your house with nothing to do and no one to see makes you discover things about yourself. As the COVID quarantine went on, I found myself relying on the outdoors to keep my sanity, but through that desperate act of going outside, I discovered something magical about taking a walk down your neighborhood, and not seeing another soul. I felt connected with nature on a level I had never been before. So when my freshman year of high school began, it was no surprise to anyone that my favorite class was plant science and that I
joined FFA. Because of FFA, many issues relating to protected lands, wildlife, and local farmland were brought to my attention that I would not have known otherwise. Learning about these quiet issues has given me the push I needed to believe in my future in agriculture. My plan for the future is to go to college for environmental studies and later on, attend law school. Through law school, my goal is to specialize in environmental law so that I can ensure that the beauties that I experienced during COVID-19 are experiences that anyone can experience in their life.
Ranking Member Boozman releases farm bill framework
By DEFB Staff Delaware Farm Bureau
The farm bill, a crucial component of U.S. agricultural policy, is currently under review by the United States Congress. Typically passed every five years, it has now been nearly six years since the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 was signed into law.
This bill is a complex piece of legislation covering many topics, including commodity programs, conservation, crop insurance, trade, and more. A significant portion is dedicated to nutrition assistance through programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Due to its broad scope, extensive discussion and deliberation are required, making the process lengthy.
We are approaching the end of the extension President Biden signed in 2023, which allowed the continuation of programs from the last Farm Bill. Set to expire on September 30, 2024, Congress is under pressure to finalize revisions.
U.S. Senator John Boozman, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, recently released the Republican farm bill framework. In a speech addressing the framework, Boozman stated, “Our framework builds on the momentum from committee passage in the House and Chairwoman Stabenow’s release of Senate Democrats’ priorities. I am eager to follow the House’s lead and draft a bill that will garner support on both sides of
the aisle.”
Boozman highlighted some aspects of the framework that aim to put “more farm in the farm bill.”
The outline proposes increasing statutory reference prices for all covered commodities by an average of 15% and doubling the funding provided to MAP/FMD. It would add base acres for farms without base or minimal base, reinvest Inflation Reduction Act conservation dollars into the farm bill baseline, and remove guardrails around the use of climate-smart practices.
Additionally, the outline proposes returning cost neutrality to the Thrifty Food Plan and protecting the ability of livestock producers to raise and sell products in interstate commerce without interference from other states.
The framework calls for significant investments in small business development, broadband expansion, and water and energy infrastructure programs across rural America. To further help rural communities, it addresses increased access to healthcare, childcare, and public safety in rural areas.
The outline also includes doubling funding for the farm bill’s premier trade programs to increase overseas competi-
tiveness and doubling funding for agricultural research, spurring more innovation and productivity.
“This is encouraging progress in the Senate, but there is much work to be done. There are stark differences between the two outlines, and we urge Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman to find common ground on the important issues that farmers and ranchers face. We urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to use these outlines to draft a bipartisan farm bill that updates the farm safety net and makes crop insurance more accessible, and to schedule a committee markup soon. The farm bill benefits every family in America. They’re relying on Congress to get the job done,”
said Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
While this framework has some key differences, especially in nutrition and conservation, compared to Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow’s outline, it remains promising. Hopefully, these proposed outlines can be combined and translated into bill text, allowing it to advance to the Senate soon.
To stay up to date on the farm bill progress in the Senate Ag Committee, visit https://www.agriculture. senate.gov/farm-bill. For farm bill progress in the House Ag Committee, visit https://agriculture.house. gov/farmbill/.
Figure 1 provided by American Farm Bureau Federation
Bennett Orchards helping improve industry standards for farmworkers
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
Through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $50 million to 141 recipients across 40 states and Puerto Rico. Among the recipients is Bennett Orchards of Frankford, DE.
Bennett Orchards, known for growing Delmarva’s finest blueberries and peaches, offers pickyour-own blueberries, peaches, and nectarines on their historic farmstead. Additionally, they sell their fruit at multiple producer-on-
ly farmers markets in Delaware and Maryland.
The FLSP Program awarded funding to form a coalition focused on elevating farmworker industry standards in the Mid-Atlantic. In collaboration with the University of Delaware’s Cooperative Extension and the non-profit group Telamon, they aim to implement protections and management practices prioritizing farmworker health, safety, representation, and professional development that can be scaled to fit any size farm. This project will enhance existing practices, such as Collaborative Working Groups, Weekly
Housing Maintenance Plans, and structured bonus payments. It will also implement new worker protections, including bringing the Fair Food Program to Delmarva. The plan acknowledges neutrality, access, and recognition and will help support the ability for farms to hire and retain H2A workers through government ministries in Northern Central America in order to improve labor stability on farms across the Mid Atlantic.
A shared farm management guidebook will be created to improve industry standards in the Mid-Atlantic and help growers with the H2A process. This guide-
book promotes farm viability, improves farmworker well-being, increases labor stability, and ultimately enhances resilience on farms across the Mid-Atlantic. This project aims to continue improving and sharing on-farm management practices designed to increase employee retention, expand crop production, safeguard domestic food production, expand regular migration channels, and increase job satisfaction for farmworkers, the backbone of the agricultural economy.
Enterprise Mobility to join the DEFB member benefit program
By Jaiden Cain Delaware Farm Bureau
Members of the Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) receive exclusive discounts at over 30 different businesses, ranging from Ford truck savings, to travel discounts with
Choice Hotels and Avis car rents, to discounts on equipment from Burke Equipment, and many more. The newest member benefit to join is Enterprise Mobility, offering Delaware Farm Bureau members discounted rates on rental vehicles.
Members can find discounted rates through National, Alamo, and Enterprise booking.
For access to all DEFB member benefits, visit defb.org/membership/member-benefits-2/
For more information on how to enroll your business in the DEFB member benefit program, contact the state office at (302) 697-3183 or email Jaiden Cain at Jaiden.cain@ defb.org
Three pillars of ATV/UTV safety for large farms, agribusinesses
The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) are ideal for a variety of common jobs on large farms and agribusinesses like scouting fields and transporting tools and building materials. The machines also extend the capabilities of ag workers. They’re workhorses for anyone from a large farm manager to a grain elevator operator or agronomist.
But like operating cars, trucks or other motorized vehicles, operating ATVs/UTVs can be hazardous when not done safely. Following a few basic safety tips (PDF) can help reduce the number of fatalities from crashes (PDF) involving these types of off-highway vehicles (OHVs). Safe ATV/UTV operation means everyone in an agribusiness or on a large farm knows and does what’s legal, what’s smart and what’s right.
Three pillars of ATV/UTV safety
1. What’s legal: Not always safe for ATV/UTV operation
Though specific laws vary by state, many ag states permit ATV/ UTV use on some public roadways if the operator is a licensed driver. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. ATVs/ UTVs were built to ride and drive
off-road, said Nationwide Powersports Product Manager David Russell. A car or truck driver might not see – and might collide with – these smaller vehicles.
“People often think that if something is legal, it must be safe,” Russell said. “Always be aware of what is permitted by law. Don’t get lulled into safety complacency because something is legal. What’s legal isn’t always safe.”
Begin building a culture of safety with ATVs/UTVs with your workforce by learning the laws and regulations. Then identify ways you can build on them to make sure all employees operating the machines are working safely.
2. What’s smart: The role of common sense with ATV/UTV operation
Smart, safe ATV/UTV operation is a combination of the right safety equipment and know-how along with responsible operator behavior and common sense. Make a practice of keeping the machines off public roadways whenever possible and travel at a safe, smart speed. Instruct all workers to follow these rules without exception.
“Operators may drive the speed limit on the way to work. Then they’ll hop on an ATV/UTV inside a machine shop or storage building and tear out the door at an unsafe speed because they have work to get done,” said Na-
tionwide Agribusiness Senior Risk Management Consultant Brian Hammer. “Especially with the power of many of today’s ATVs/UTVs, that kind of operator behavior can turn tragic in a hurry.”
3. What’s right: With ATVs/ UTVs, match job, manpower and horsepower
Hammer recommends training every member of your farm or agribusiness workforce before turning a wheel on an ATV/UTV. Also make sure all operators have the right machines to do their jobs and are prepared to do them responsibly. That includes knowing the machines’ capabilities so they can make safe operating decisions.
"Understand how accessories will affect speed and maneuverability. A sprayer and tanks may make your machine top-heavy and prone to rollovers. Components like brakes, tires, suspension, safety belts and even signal lights are not held to the same safety standards as cars and trucks.”
Hammer said. “Make sure you’re pairing man and machine the right way. Never underestimate the importance of common sense.”
Added Russell: “Do you need
a turbocharged engine? Maybe, maybe not. Though you may need extra power for certain on-the-job tasks, the most important thing to understand is what ATV/UTV you need for your job and what you’re buying, including what’s under the hood.”
Become an ATV/UTV safety champion in your business
At Nationwide, we take ATV/ UTV safety seriously and want to make sure every customer is creating a culture of safety around the machines’ use on large farms and agribusinesses. Talk to your Nationwide Farm-Certified agent to make sure you’re doing everything you can to ensure safe, productive ATV/UTV use in your business.
*A.M. Best Market Share Report 2022.
“FARM BUREAU” and the Farm Bureau mark are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and used under license by Nationwide.
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