USDA Secretary to speak at Delaware agriculture dinner

The Delaware Council of Farm Organizations recently announced that Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be at its annual agricultural dinner.

This will be the 41st year that the council puts on its Agricultural Industry Dinner, which will be held on January 26 at the Dover Downs Hotel & Conference Center, according to a release from the organization.

Vilsack will be the featured speaker at the event, a prospect that pleases Kenneth Wicks, the president of the Delaware Council of Farm Organizations.

"I am extremely pleased that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will join the Council, the public, agricultural industry attendees, and our public officials as we celebrate Delaware's $8 billion agricultural industry," Wicks said.

In addition to a speech from Vilsack, the dinner will see Delaware Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee hand out the Secretary’s Award for meritorious service to Delaware agriculture.

Individual tickets to the event will cost $60, with a table for 10 going for $550.

The state's Department of Agriculture seeks to "to sustain and promote the viability of food, fiber, and agricultural industries in Delaware," according to its website.

West Virginia to help farmers with nutrient management planning

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture recently announced that it would be offering nutrient management planning services to farmers in the state free of charge.

According to a release from the department, proper nutrient management plans will not only help farmers reduce the environmental impact of nutrient runoff but will help them maximize their profitability as well.

West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass said in a release that such planning is important and that it was the job of the government to help farmers put these plans in place.

"Nutrient management planning is a vital conservation practice because it provides the framework for many other conservation activities," he said. "I have always believed that farm conservation should be a cooperative venture with government and not an enforcement action by government."

According to West Virginia University's Extension Service, there are four necessary steps that all nutrient management plans must touch on. They are: proper manure storage, correct land application of manure, site management for each particular field and record keeping regarding land practices.

The WVDA says that nutrient management plans stop excess nutrients from making their way into waterways.

Maryland farmer's next effort to establish meat processing is smaller

A Southern Maryland farmer is reasonably confident that his push to implement a meat processing facility on his grounds will meet with swift approval from federal inspectors, according to a published report.

Last year's slaughterhouse plans pursued by Johnny Knott for his land in Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County, ran into local resistance, The County Times reports. But this year's proposal, which he said will be of value to regional farmers and will not be as large an operation as last year's, is sure to please federal officials with the U.S. Agriculture Department, Knott told the publication.

"It's not going to have any impact, no noise, no smell, no traffic," Knott told the publication regarding a trailer that will move carcasses to be processed. "The USDA man will be right there to put his stamp on it."

St. Mary's County's top official for economic development said the issue that the zoning appeals board is tasked with handling is complex and unique but might prove to be a boon for Calvert, St. Mary's and Charles counties.

The St. Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development works to create a strong economic community for businesses and citizens.

Delaware state vet advises strategies to preserve chicken safety

Vigilance is key for poultry farmers interested in staving off flock infections, particularly as the weather gets colder, according to a press release issued by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Heather Hirst, veterinarian for the department, advises raising biosecurity practices, which will help with the prevention of poultry diseases. Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease and Larynotracheitis are three of the more prominent diseases and are easily passed by aerosols, dead birds, feed that becomes contaminated and visitors, among other methods.

She recommends allowing authorized visitors to farms and mandating all visitors sign in while noting the reason for their visit. Once on farm grounds, they should adhere to biosecurity requirements.

People caring for chickens should use shoes and clothes that have been approved for use on farms. The method of discarding dead birds should adhere to state and company approved procedure.

Cleaning and disinfection procedures should be properly executed for all equipment before gaining entry to a poultry house occupied by birds.

Hirst also suggests not keeping other birds and animals near the commercial broiler area.

Maryland's buy-local exhibit set for next month in Annapolis

Maryland growers are cordially invited to exhibit their products later next month at a state-run buy-local trade show, according to a press release.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is holding the January 24 display that will be held in a bigger facility than the one earlier this year, which attracted the registration of more than 300 vendors. The vendors varied among farmers of produce, artisan cheeses, producers of ice cream and farmers of beef and bison. The exhibit also attracted representatives from supermarkets, chefs, directors of nutrition at schools, distributors and officials involved with economic development.

Officials with Maryland Cooperative Extension and regional agricultural marketing were in attendance as well.

Commercial purchasing agents are becoming increasingly interested in Maryland-grown fruits, vegetables, meats and specialty foods. Maryland farmers fulfill vital roles such as providing healthy food, saving and putting open farm land to good use, and widening rural economies.

The January 24 event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Football Stadium in Annapolis. For more information visit www.marylandsbest.net.

Virginia recognizes pesticide safety award winners

Three recipients or teams have been awarded by two Virginia bodies for their involvement in the 2010 Pesticide Safety Education Program, according to a press release.

Recognized by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Pesticide Control Board, the awards went to agents, an individual and a team. The Soil Fumigation Outreach and Education Series Team, which consists of Southside- and Tidewater-area agents, captured first place.

The second-place award went to Robert Jones of Charlotte County for his development of a training program for high school students to explore careers as registered technicians. A Lynchburg and Appomattox County team captured the third-place award for developing programs to train and recertify pesticide applicators.

The top award went to the team of agents who extended efforts to a community of growers that is seeing the onset of changes in labeling information for some pesticide products used in operations.

"There is no question that this is one of the most incredible work efforts and impacts we have seen over the years in pesticide safety education by Extension agents in Virginia," states nomination documents for the top team.

Northeast farms are employing fewer people

For large periods of American history, the number one occupation in the country was farmer. Of course, the transition to an industrial country has changed this, but the U.S. has managed to stick to its agricultural past fairly well. Unfortunately, the Northeast is slowly losing people who once worked on farms, which may make it difficult for prospective farmers to attract laborers.

According to Farm and Dairy Magazine, there were around 36,000 workers in Northeast U.S. farms during the month of October. This is 1,000 individuals down from the year before. What's more, the average weekly hours worked has dipped from 41.9 hours to 39. A combination of the economic conditions throughout the country and the transforming American working landscape has put farm employees at a disadvantage.

As a result, people applying for farm land loans need to be sure that their business plans and loan applications provide provisions for how best to staff their agricultural operations. Make sure to be familiar with the websites and organizations that are effective at finding workers for various farm jobs, such as Farm Job Search or Agri-Management.com.  

Quarantine approved for five Virginia counties, two cities

The Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services finalized a quarantine that targets walnut trees last Thursday at its meeting, according to a press release.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the Thousand Cankers Disease Quarantine for five Virginia counties and two cities. Commissioner Matthew J. Lohr had established the quarantine this past July.

The quarantine is set to become permanent on January 2 of next year after it is published in the Virginia Register.

The effort drives at staving off the artificial dispersal of Thousand Canker Disease, which attacks walnut trees. A fungus is transmitted by the walnut twig beetle and it creates small cankers that develop beneath tree bark

The beetle passes the fungus while boring beneath the bark. Nutrients ultimately cannot be passed and the tree ultimately succumbs to the scourge. Trees die from the top down after having been infested for years prior to demonstrating symptoms.

The counties for which TCD was approved are Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Goochland and Powhatan. Richmond and Colonial Heights are the cities.

Proposed regulations are bad for Pennsylvania farms, advocates assert

Farmers in Pennsylvania take exception to some proposed federal regulations that aim to prohibit children younger than 16 years of age from various tasks that are helpful to farms, The Associated Press reports.

Among those jobs are operating power machinery, assisting in silos and applying pesticides but the proposed regulations would not apply to children at their parents' farms but they would if those farms are incorporated. At least 4,000 remarks have been submitted to the U.S. Labor Department, which asserts the government must step in to address statistics indicating a child is killed on a farm every three-plus days.

But Larry Cogan, vice president of the farm bureau in Somerset County, told the Daily American of his resistance to the federal regulations enacted as law.

"It is very important that kids help; it goes back to the idea that they are family farms," he told the publication. "To have chores when you grow up on a farm is part of farm life. You learn by doing. Think of our conservative population - Amish and Mennonites - it is ingrained in them to work on the farm."

Also opposing the regulations are the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the Pennsylvania State Grange and the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators.

Stink bugs are best dealt with in the winter

Many farmers might consider the winter to be a time of planning ahead for the next season rather than actual agricultural work. However, there are a few things farmers can attend to during the colder months to ensure a successful spring and summer.

The past few years has seen a rapid increase in the presence of a foreign pest that can be dealt with even during off-peak seasons. According to the Staunton News Leader, the Mid-Atlantic area has been experiencing a massive uptick in the number of stink bugs infesting area farms. Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania are being hit particularly hard.

One of the best things that new farmers can do to make sure that their land isn't infested once again come spring is to clear the area near their fields of Trees of Heaven. These invasive plants, also known as Ailanthus altissima or China Sumac, are native to Asia and provide a home to the stink bugs that also originate there. Reducing the number of this flora found near plots of land will go a long way toward preventing these kinds of infestations.

Investigate Pennsylvania farms at this year's farm show

There are many online resources and books from which prospective farmers can learn about their intended areas of expertise. However, sometimes the best education can be had from firsthand sources and experts. That's why people considering careers in agriculture should be sure to check out the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg this January.

The show will be held at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center at the state capitol from January 7 to 14. It is one of the biggest indoor agricultural expositions in the country and will feature 6,000 animals and over 10,000 exhibits. The event is celebrating its 96th year and is one of the oldest farm shows in the country.

If you're uncertain about which breed of cow to raise, how best to feed your livestock, which products make the best investments or where to begin investigating your options for financing your farm, this is the perfect opportunity. People who have been exploring farm land loans and want to know everything there is to know about farming in Pennsylvania should drive to Harrisburg after the new year and take some notes.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit establishes Leadership Endowments

Three-year commitment to support4-H and RULE programs

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA—A $25,000 gift, building on an existing relationship with the state 4-H program, will create The Farm Credit State 4-H Council Endowment for Leadership, and an equal amount will continue funding of the RULE (Rural Leadership) Scholarship and Study Institute.

One of the largest agricultural lenders on the east coast, MidAtlantic Farm Credit has been providing significant support to rural leadership initiatives in Pennsylvania since 2007. Past gifts have allowed 4-Hers to take part in leadership opportunities in the context of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) and have provided funds, allowing RULE to enhance rural leadership programming while lowering financial barriers to participation for RULE Fellows.

The RULE program, designed to encourage and foster the development of community leaders, is recognized for its global impact and regional outreach. RULE’s graduates have not only attained high public office, but are also known as positive community change agents. The Farm Credit gift will provide ongoing support for RULE participants and programming.

The newly announced Endowment for Leadership will help support the Pennsylvania 4-H Leadership Conference, a weekend-long educational experience that brings together hundreds of 4-H delegates from across the state for a conference that builds and enhances their skills they will use in 4-H leadership roles and beyond.

Pennsylvania 4-H Program Leader Christy Bartley commented, “The creation of The Farm Credit State 4-H Council Endowment for Leadership will help provide perpetual funding for the State 4-H Council and a sustainable funding stream to bolster the state 4-H Leadership Conference. This generous support from MidAtlantic Farm Credit will allow 4-Hers to work with leadership educators to build and perfect their skills. “

“We’re fully committed to the next generation of agriculturalists and rural leaders,” says Bob Frazee, CEO of MidAtlantic Farm Credit. “We’re very excited about this partnership, and we know that it will be a wonderful learning opportunity for talented people across the state.”

Pennsylvania 4-H provides a solid foundation of leadership experiences to more than 180,000 young people each year. 4-H thrives on its ability to nurture youth of every socioeconomic background through building relationships with a caring adult mentor. This unique focus allows 4-H volunteers to focus on core life-skill-building needs.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. The 4-H program is all about people sharing, doing, and learning together in all kinds of projects, events and activities through local clubs, special interest clubs, school-based and after-school programs and individual memberships.

Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber, Senior VP of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
swieber@mafc.com / 800.333.7950

Gifts from Delaware abound

The First State is rife with holiday gift ideas that were locally grown and produced, according to a press release.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture presents the Delaware 2012 Value Added Food Guide, which holds delectable items like ales, beers and wines. Baked goods are available as is ice cream, jams and jellies. Consumers can purchase marinades, sauces, meats and cheeses.

"I am proud of this diverse array of quality products that will delight the taste buds and enhance the holiday experience for all," Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee said. "The Delaware Department of Agriculture is available to assist our specialty food processors with marketing and promotion information for their products. DDA wants to help them grow."

Jack Markell, governor of the state of Delaware underscored the value of purchasing locally grown quality gifts as they contribute to the local community.

Buying locally helps keep people in Delaware working while also helping small business owners spend money on other small businesses, according to the governor.

Pennsylvania farms to be visited by agricultural officials

Randomly selected Pennsylvania farms will be visited by federal representatives probing conservation and farming practices' impact on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, according to The Reading Eagle.

The visits are part of a larger effort in the region as more than 1,500 farms in Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia and West Virginia also will receive the federal representatives through the end of next month.

"The National Agricultural Statistics Service wants to develop a science base for managing the agricultural landscape throughout the watershed in order to restore the health of the Bay," Reading-based field representative Elwood Blake with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection told the Reading Eagle. "The survey also will illustrate the good work of farmers, improve and strengthen technical and financial programs, and strengthen the bottom line of Pennsylvania's farm producers."

The representatives will ask farmers to show data on various production practices such as the application of chemical, fertilizer and manure, as well as how they handle integrated pest management. The federal officials also will look into adopted conservation practices.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service is under the umbrella of the U.S. Agriculture Department and it probes the gamut of agricultural issues in the nation.

Poultry farmer named to Virginia Farm Bureau board

The board of the Virginia Farm Bureau voted to tap the owner and operator of a poultry farm as a member, according to a published report.

Robert Mills Jr. of Briar View Farms Poultry was elected to a three-year term on Thursday, during the bureau's 2011 annual convention in Norfolk, GoDanRiver.com reports. The co-owner of M.C. Cattle replaces a board member who opted against re-election and he said he very much looks forward to facilitating the entry of young people into the industry.

The 38-year-old Mills, who was once the president of the Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau, said that he was excited for the opportunity that this position will present.

His poultry farm raised roughly 34,000 birds for Perdue Farms and he has two sons who help him cultivate burley and dark-fired tobacco.

The Virginia Farm Bureau works with farmers and policymakers to encourage the prosperity of agriculture and the industry in Virginia.

West Virginia aims to develop economy, jobs through agriculture

A north central West Virginia county is working with the state to develop the economy and boost the state's economy, according to the State Journal.

A study detailing how to generate enough common agriculture products to supply the state's demand is due for release early next year. The study is commissioned by the Food & Farm Coalition of the Community Development Hub.

"They are determining demand for individual products," program manager Savanna Lyons with the Food & Farm Coalition told the publication. "One of the exciting things is going to be estimates of job creation. If we expanded those sectors so we could meet the demand, how many jobs could be created? There is potential for the economy to grow if we focus on meeting food demand."

A cattle-farming initiative in Doddridge County is involved with the effort and the director of the county's economic development authority said he is impressed with the amount of cattle in the region.

Science is an important part of West Virginia's efforts to preserve human, animal and plant health, according to the Agriculture Department.

Farmers don't always pursue USDA 'organic' label, even if they exceed requirements

The widespread popularity of farmers markets in the U.S. has focused attention on the U.S. Agriculture Department's use of the word "organic," USA Today reports.

Northern Virginia farmer Hana Newcomb told the publication she never has used any pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals, going back to well before the federal government first regulated the word in 2002. She said she prefers to call what her farm grows "ecoganic" as a method of prompting inquiries from customers about growing strategies.

"My customers put faith in me to provide them exactly what I say I'm growing," farmer Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia told the publication. "Polyface is open to any visitor, unannounced, 24/7/365 … unescorted. That's our credibility."

Some farmers' practices exceed requirements mandated by the Department of Agriculture to be considered organic but they don't bother keeping up with the required paperwork in part because of the significant demand. Salatin of Polyface Farm said he would have to hire an additional full-time employee to take on the responsibility.

The Department of Agriculture requires a three-year transition period for the land in point unless the landowner can prove no prohibited substances were used on that land or nearby within the past three years.

Farmers often need to consider more than the crops they produce

While most people get into farming because they're interested in growing produce or raising livestock, there are many other considerations they have to make. After all - applying for a farm land loan means that a person will be attempting to buy a large tract of land. The responsibility of that kind of ownership can bring farmers into contact with many other economic forces.

For example, many agricultural operations chose to lease their land or grant permission to chemical and energy companies for drilling and exploration. In particular, some Pennsylvania farmers found themselves in business with the natural gas industry and have since felt the repercussions of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.

Two dairy farmers will be appearing at Skaneateles First Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles, New York, this week to share their thoughts about doing business with energy companies and the effects that the process had on crops, livestock, the land and their financial positions. This is the sort of information that is essential to take into account before engaging in some kind of agricultural operation. Consider that while farming may be the reason that a person applies for a farm land loan, other opportunities or situations might arise that cause them to use their land differently.  

Virginia governor declares December state Christmas Tree Month

Thursday is the first day of Virginia Christmas Tree Month, per the declaration of Governor Robert F. McDonnell.

According to a press release from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the governor and first lady of Virginia are observing the 150th commemoration of the Civil War with their decorations of the Executive Mansion.

Virginia began decorating trees in 1842 when a College of William and Mary professor first presented the German custom to Williamsburg. The trees were laced with popcorn, gilded nuts and lighted candles. By the time the Civil War began, the tradition was well entrenched in Virginia.

The McDonnells' Christmas tree is from Claybrooke Farms in Louisa County. Crazy Joe's Tree Farm in Culpeper is supplying the wreaths and Mill Farm Christmas Trees of Williamsburg is supplying the greenery.

Each of the three purveyors of Christmas goods is members of the Virginia Christmas Tree Association.

The Executive Mansion's Christmas tree and accompanying decorations will be open for public viewing during open houses on December 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for which reservations are not required.

Pennsylvania facilitates safe disposal of pesticides

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is making it easier than ever for agricultural businesses and pesticide applicators in 20 counties statewide to safely discard pesticides, according to a press release.

The 2012 options for CHEMSWEEP this year will differ from last year. The effort is especially necessary because pesticide products often are discontinued or phased out of service, which leaves questions as to how to dispose of them. Taking them to landfills is not an option since they often are toxic or dangerous.

"CHEMSWEEP provides a safe, legal way to dispose of unwanted pesticides," said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. "Since 1993, the program has helped our agriculture industry properly dispose of nearly 2 million pounds of unwanted or unusable pesticides, helping to safeguard our environment."

The pesticides typically present a hazard to public safety and they pose dangers to the environment if placed in barns, garages or other areas for the long-term.

The Department of Agriculture intends to hire an independent contractor to collect and package the pesticides, which will be checked out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and later incinerated. The program will cover expenses for the first 2,000 pounds and participants will be billed for the excess.

Virginia targets eminent domain rollback

The Virginia Farm Bureau is hard at work these days devising the best way of keeping the state of Virginia from seizing land from private owners, The Associated Press reports.

While convening in Norfolk for its annual convention from Tuesday through Thursday of this week, the largest farm lobby in the state is planning its approach to requesting a constitutional amendment that will minimize Virginia's capacity to pursue eminent domain. The effort, which will come to a head when the 2012 General Assembly convenes next year, includes the creation of a video produced by the Virginia Farm Bureau.

"For them, it's their land, they bought it, they paid for it, they pay taxes on it and they just don't feel it's right to take it from them and give it to another private entity," Farm Bureau president Wayne F. Pryor said in the video.

Resistance is likely to manifest from the Virginia Municipal League and Northern Virginia cities and towns as well.

The Virginia Farm Bureau supports the state's farmers by promoting their industry so that agriculture may prosper.

Delaware farmers' market sales climb again

Farmers' markets in Delaware had a 2011 season to remember by grossing $1.8 million in sales, a $400,000 increase over sales for last year, according to a press release.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced this past season's increase marks a sixth consecutive increase in annual sales at the end of a season. Jack Markell, governor of Delaware cited the fresh fruits and vegetables as strong benefits of the markets, also noting they support farmers and contribute to the economy.

"Congratulations to all of our farmers' markets, our farmers, and other vendors for an outstanding season," said state Agriculture Secreatary Ed Kee. "The success of these markets is a reflection of the quality of Delaware's agricultural products and the hard work of Delaware farmers that are second to none. Our farmers' markets provide consumers with a direct connection to those who produce the food that they put on their table."

The $1.8 million in sales broke down as 57 percent vegetable and fruit and 43 percent eggs, meats, honey, bread and pastries.

New Castle County had five markets, Kent County had two and Sussex County had 10 markets.