It’s Fair Season (Already?)!

The aroma of popcorn, cotton candy, and hot dogs fill the air.  You hear children laughing and cows ‘mooing’.  Your feet are aching from walking all day and you are ready to sit down and enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel.  Does that sound about right – like your last trip to your local fair?

Well, in case you are ready to get back out there and enjoy the cool summer nights, there are tons of fairs going on in your area in the next couple weeks!  Whether it’s the first time you’ll attend, or a continued family tradition, be sure to check these out:

• July 11-14: Talbot Co. Fair, Easton, MD
• July 12-15: Baltimore Co. 4-H Fair, Timonium, MD
• July 19-28: Delaware State Fair, Harrington, DE
• July 20-28: Cecil Co. Fair, Childs, MD
• July 21-28: Washington Co. Ag Expo & Fair, Boonsboro, MD

If you do attend, be sure to snap an ag-related photo and enter it in our fair photo contest on Facebook - you could win up to $250!  You can scan the QR code to be directed to the official contest page.

To find out what other fairs are occurring in your area this summer, check out our Calendar of Events.

Step Up, Stand Out, and LEADelaware!

The LEADelaware Class III planning committee has announced revised dates for its two-year agricultural leadership program. The sessions will begin on September 12, 2012 and continue through spring 2014.

The program is seeking 15-20 candidates just like you, who are involved in the agriculture industry as professional employees, farmers, teachers, or other related career fields and have a desire to be the next generation of leaders within the agricultural community.

During the two-year program, class members will participate in teamwork and leadership activities, visit local and regional agribusinesses, meet agriculture policy makers, and plan an international trip to experience diversity in perspectives and agricultural practices.

Bill McGowan, UD community development extension agent in Sussex County and LEADelaware committee member says, “LEADelaware is an opportunity to learn and experience leadership.”

Do you think you have what it takes to step up, stand out, and lead Delaware’s $8 billion industry? If so, hurry because the deadline is Friday, June 15, 2012!

For more information about the program or application process, visit their website or contact Laurie Wolinski at 302.831.2538.

Frequently Asked Questions to a Lender

What's your rate? How much are closing costs? You got questions. We got answers! At Farm Credit, our loan officers meet with hundreds of customers a year who ask those exact questions. So, what's the answer to those questions you ask?

Q: What are your interest rates? A: It depends. This isn’t the answer most people want to hear, but it’s the most honest one. Before a loan officer can quote rates, they need to gather as much information as possible – amount of loan, loan type, desired terms, etc. There is a wide range of rate products that are available depending on your needs. It’s also important to remember that rates change daily (even several times a day for mortgages).

Q: How much are closing costs? A: It depends. Most closing cost fees are tied to the loan amount, and a purchase has more costs than a refinance. Some of the things that are included in the closing costs are: transfer tax, recording costs (we are exempt in MD), title work, initial escrow (to pay taxes and insurance), appraisal, daily interest (interest from settlement to the first payment) and origination fee.

Q: How much down payment is needed? A: It depends. There are many different products available that have a wide variety of down payment requirements. For farm loans, the general down payment is 20%. For residential mortgages, it can vary from 0% (depending on program qualifications) up to 20% (in order to avoid mortgage insurance). In general, the more down payment you have, the more likely for both approval and a great rate.

As you can see, the answer to many of these questions is often “it depends.” We look at every loan request as unique and individual. If you have other questions you'd like answered, leave a comment or email info@mafc.com. In the meantime, look for our next blog listing the 26 factors that go into quoting a rate.

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.

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.

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.

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.