The Delmarva Farmer

03/02/2025

USDA Rural Development is making about $30 million available through the Value-Added Producer Grant program in fiscal year 2025 to help support the development of products that can generate new income streams for your business.

(Editor’s note: Ora Rollins is the acting state director for Virginia Rural Development.) This is just about the time of year when New Year’s resolutions drop by the wayside as our resolve to make positive changes begins to falter. We’ve all been there. However, making and working a plan is on...

03/01/2025

"It’s cold outside, which means we are all thinking about the joys of spring: warm breezes, flowers blooming, and — if you’re thinking about raising honey bees — shopping for your 'nuc!'"

(Editor’s note: Nicole Cook is an environmental and agricultural faculty legal specialist with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. This column should not be interpreted as legal or financial advice for the reader.) It’s cold outside, which means we are all thinking about the joys of spring...

02/28/2025

The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council has recognized one of its hardest-working, long-time members, Leo Tammi, with the Harlan White Industry Service Award.

WEYERS CAVE, Va. — Dr. The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council has recognized one of its hardest working long-time members, Leo Tammi, with the Harlan White Industry Service Award. “Leo is truly a servant to the forage industry, and in addition to being an advocate for farming and rural commun...

02/27/2025

The long-term effects of losing poultry flocks and what it means to commercial poultry growers was the subject of a “Lunch and Learn” session presented via zoom by the University of Maryland Extension on Feb. 13.

The long-term effects of losing poultry flocks and what it means to commercial poultry growers was the subject of a “Lunch and Learn” session presented via zoom by the University of Maryland Extension on Feb. 13. The speaker, Dr. Jordan Shockley, associate Extension professor, grew up on Marylan...

02/27/2025

Send in your Photo Contest entry today! ... It’s just might get in next week’s paper!

We’re always looking for your best photos to submit for what is now the 2025 Photo Contest. Show everyone what is going on this time of the year in your neck of the woods.

Send in a favorite that show farm life — YOUR farm’s life — whether it’s still life, with kids or grandkids, equipment, produce and livestock or pets.

Hurry and squeeze in your entry now so we can share it with our readers! Just e-mail a favorite to [email protected] with “2025 PHOTO CONTEST” in the subject line.

02/26/2025

“We see this project as hopefully being the one that we’ll be able to point to and say, ‘This works here. This is something that should be done more broadly.'"

FREELAND, Md. — A proposed solar farm in northern Baltimore County could become one of Maryland’s first agrivoltaic projects, integrating crop production with renewable energy generation. Lightstar Renewables, a Massachusetts company founded in 2019, is working on a proposal for a 23-acre solar ...

02/25/2025

"Once again, I suffer from information overload. Several issues that could affect the grain markets are in limbo at this time."

(Editor’s note: John Hall is a professional commodities analyst.) Once again, I suffer from information overload. Several issues that could affect the grain markets are in limbo at this time. Here’s my take on last week’s events. First, March corn closed up a dime for the week at $5 on Feb. 20...

02/25/2025

Come Join Our Team!
***Sales and Marketing Job Opportunity ***
American Farm Publications is seeking a highly-motivated advertising sales representative for The Delmarva Farmer Newspaper, based out of our office in Easton, MD.
For nearly 50 years, The Delmarva Farmer has served the agricultural community as a trusted source for farming news and information.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate effective communication skills on the phone and in person and be able to build and maintain relationships with clients including local travel when necessary. Excellent customer service and a professional attitude is a must. Excellent organizational and analytical skills are key.
Basic computer skills are required. Digital marketing and graphic design experience is a plus as well as familiarity with the region’s farming industry.
The full-time position includes health benefits, 401K, paid vacation and sick leave.
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter via email to Renee VanPelt, [email protected].

02/24/2025

We’re always looking for your best photos to submit for what is now the 2025 Photo Contest. Show everyone what is going on this time of the year in your neck of the woods.

Send in a favorite that show farm life — YOUR farm’s life — whether it’s still life, with kids or grandkids, equipment, produce and livestock or pets.

Hurry and squeeze in your entry now so we can share it with our readers! Just e-mail a favorite to [email protected] with “2025 PHOTO CONTEST” in the subject line.

02/23/2025

The 2025 Virginia Forage and Grassland Council Winter Conferences attracted 574 industry members from throughout the state to four sessions offering ways to improve livestock performance.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. — The 2025 Virginia Forage and Grassland Council Winter Conferences attracted 574 industry members from throughout the state to four sessions offering ways to improve livestock performance. The two guest speakers, Chris Teutsch and Jessica Williamson, each shared the same quote in ...

02/23/2025

"Over the past couple of decades, it has been disappointing to me to observe that as a nation, the bulk of our population have lost its understanding of science."

(Editor’s note: Dr. Rich Barczewski is a Professor Emeritus at Delaware State University.) Over the past couple of decades, it has been disappointing to me to observe that as a nation, the bulk of our population have lost its understanding of science. In the agricultural community, all of our adva...

02/23/2025

Even with decades of auctioneering behind him, Dave Yearsley didn’t plan on competing in the Maryland Bid Calling in January, but he’s glad he did it.

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Even with decades of auctioneering behind him, Dave Yearsley didn’t plan on competing in the Maryland Bid Calling in January, but he’s glad he did it. “Actually, I was talked into it,” he said in a recent phone interview. Yearsley was selling for J.G. Cochran Auctionee...

02/22/2025

The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council presented Norman Bower its most prestigious award during the recent 2025 Winter Conferences, naming him Producer of the Year.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. — The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council presented Norman Bower its most prestigious award during the recent 2025 Winter Conferences, naming him Producer of the Year. “Norman Bower’s practices reflect a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability,” the ...

02/22/2025

Gov. Wes Moore inducted the Deford Family of Baltimore County into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame during the 55th Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture event, held on Thursday, Feb. 6 at Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel.

HANOVER, Md. — Gov. Wes Moore inducted the Deford Family of Baltimore County into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame during the 55th Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture event, held Ton hursday, Feb. 6 at Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel.   “There is no Maryland without Maryland agricult...

02/19/2025

A small community surrounded by corn might not sound like the setting for a Broadway hit, but Shucked has been winning over audiences nationwide.

NEW YORK — A small town surrounded by corn might not sound like the setting for a Broadway hit, but Shucked has been winning over audiences nationwide. The musical, fresh off its Broadway run, is now on a national tour and will stop in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore in the coming weeks. “It all...

02/18/2025

A school bus ride years ago led two local kids to become friends, eventually get married, and establish a farming operation of grain crops and custom work as well as cheese production and farm tours.

Mary and Greg Stewart establis Fawn View Farm in 2011.

PYLESVILLE, Md. — A school bus ride years ago led two local kids to become friends, eventually get married, and establish a farming operation of grain crops and custom work as well as cheese production and farm tours. Mary and Greg Stewart established Fawn View Farm in 2011. Today, the farm includ...

02/17/2025

Ronnie Moyers tells people he’s “in the timber business,” which is about half right.

(Editor’s note: John Markon is a public affairs technician for Virginia NRCS.) HIGHTOWN, Va. — Ronnie Moyers tells people he’s “in the timber business,” which is about half right. “About 90 percent of our farm’s 600 acres is forest we manage for timber,” he said. “That’s the land...

02/16/2025

For some, winter has been a time for vacations and cruises to warmer areas — time for recharging and renewal. For most, it is also a time of reflection and refocusing, of dreaming and reality checking.

The hard work is coming soon.

(Editor’s note: Gordon Johnson is a retired vegetable and fruit specialist with the University of Delaware.) Winter provides that limited “down time” for produce growers. For some, it has been a time for vacations and cruises to warmer areas — time for recharging and renewal. For most, it is...