Farm Bureau members honored with 2023 Governor’s Agricultural awards

Delaware Farm Bureau members Jacob Urian and Guy Philips were honored during the annual Governor’s Agricultural and Urban Conservation Awards ceremony held in May.

Urban conservation award recipients included Sarvil Patel and Jigar Patel of Kent Del Properties, LLC utilized a novel underground stormwater management system. In Sussex County, Rich Rishel was recognized for exemplary leadership in his long-serving role as the director of construction and land development with the Carl M. Freeman group. New Castle County recognizes the Terraces in Rockland Mills for a retaining wall project that improved management of stormwater runoff and eliminated erosion issues.

Representative Ron Gray was recognized as DACD’s Legislator of the Year. Rep. Gray’s advocacy for conservation district programs was instrumental in allocating Community Reinvestment Funds to launch Sussex Conservation District’s Tax Ditch Pilot Program, a program that provides enhanced support to address current and future tax ditch maintenance needs. He is a strong supporter of stormwater programs, an advocate for agriculture and a champion of Conservation Cost Share and Cover Crop programs. This year’s agricultural honorees included Carousel Farm Park and Equestrian Center, an equine facility in New Castle County focused on protecting the environment as they provide services that build up the local community. Urian, a Kent County farmer dedicated to conservation on his beef cattle, grain and hay operation, also earned an agricultural honor. He is very active in the Delaware farming community and is an active member of the Farm Bureau. He has served in different positions in both organizations and has had many responsibilities throughout. Urian is very dedicated to conservation, implementing numerous practices for his livestock as well as using cover crop to stop erosion concerns. BMPs have also been implemented through drainage practices like ditching and tiles. Jake has also been a part of campaigns like “Soil Your Undies”, which brings awareness to soil health and the importance of maintaining it.

Philips, a Sussex County farmer passionate about soil health, was honored with an agricultural award, as well. He farms 300 acres of notill corn, soybeans and wheat in Georgetown. He plants a variety of cover crops and implements soil health practices, which increases organic matter, improving sustainability and profitability. Although he retired from poultry farming in 2022, Phillips operated two poultry houses for over 25 years and installed numerous best management and conservation practices. Phillips is the current secretary/treasurer of the Koeppel-Robinson Tax Ditch which recently joined Sussex Conservation District’s tax ditch pilot program to provide a holistic approach to tax ditch maintenance. Other roles and accolades include county president of the Delaware Farm Bureau, Sussex County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year, Delaware Nutrient Management Commission’s Environmental Stewardship and the National Association of Conservation Districts Soil Health Champion. His passion and commitment to improving soil health benefits water quality; however, his goal is to pass on the land better than he found it.