On June 1, a new regulation was published in the Delaware Register of Regulations (Volume 26, Issue 12) listing potbellied pigs and feral swine of any kind as invasive. The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is providing a 30-day grace period for potbellied pig owners to apply for an Invasive Animal Permit. Owners have until August 12 to submit an application and comply with 3 DE Admin. Code 906 Possession, Sale, or Exhibition of Non-Native and Invasive Animal Species.

Whether you are headed to the state fair from the city, suburbs, or our rural communities, the Delaware State Fair is a perfect opportunity to learn about agriculture, the state’s top industry.

More than 40 Delaware potbellied pig owners have applied for an Invasive Animal Permit since the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) notified residents last week of the new regulation, 3 DE Admin. Code 906 Possession, Sale, or Exhibition of Non-Native and Invasive Animal Species, listing potbellied pigs and feral swine of any kind as invasive. One of the biggest concerns for these owners is the visible identification ear tag their animals must have to comply with the regulation.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) today announced it is awarding $665,872 in funding to 12 projects through the First State Food System Program. The program, managed by the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, strengthens the local food system by supporting the broad food supply chain spectrum.

Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse presented Katherine “Kitty” Holtz with the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture during the State Fair Awards presentation on Governor’s Day for her contributions.

The Delaware Forest Service mobilized a 3-person wildland fire engine crew from Blackbird State Forest on July 28th for a fire assignment to Wawona, California. Working with the Yosemite National Park’s Emergency Communication Center and various agencies from all over the country, the crew will be working on patrolling and isolating new fire starts due to human activity and lightning strikes.

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in Delaware the first time for 2023 in a sentinel chicken, DNREC announced today.

The Delaware Forest Service has launched a new online portal for reserving campsites and other venues on state forestland. Applicants can make reservations for primitive tent camping, rent the Lodge at Redden State Forest and reserve the pavilions. Additional campsites at Blackbird State Forest and Redden State Forest are also now open to the public.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is reminding senior Delawareans who registered to participate in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program to visit local farmers markets and on-farm markets to use their benefits before they expire on October 31.

With the announcement of the 27th round of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation, Delaware has reached a new milestone, permanently preserving 151,257 acres of farmland.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced they will be distributing $199,600 in relief funds through the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety (SPRS) Block Grant Program to eligible Delaware seafood processors, dealers, and processing vessels who were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOVER, Del. (October 19, 2023) – With hunting season now open, the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service would like to remind our users of regulations as they relate to State Forest lands. This information can also be found in the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. To view all State Forest Rules and Regulations, please […]

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is issuing an alert regarding green iguanas that the public may have won as a prize at the Apple Scrapple Festival this year. Anyone who is not prepared to keep these reptiles, are asked to contact the Department so the iguanas can be placed in the care of one of the many reptile rescue and rehabilitation centers within the state.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture reminds any farmers who have yet to enroll their property as a farmland preservation district that October 31, 2023, is the deadline to be eligible for 2024 preservation funding.

The Office of the State Veterinarian announced Delaware has had five confirmed cases and one suspected case of West Nile Virus (WNV) recently reported in Delaware horses. These are the first Delaware cases of WNV in horses in 2023, with the cases occurring between September 9 and October 16, 2023.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is urging all poultry owners, including commercial producers and backyard flock owners, to take precautions to protect their flocks from disease after a commercial broiler flock in Caroline County, Maryland, was preliminarily confirmed to have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Further confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending.

Following an extensive application and interview process, LEADelaware has seated 12 fellows representing Delaware’s agriculture industry, who will begin a 2-year journey to develop leadership skills within the food, fiber, and natural resources industries. The program offers unique learning opportunities where fellows will do site visits, attend seminars and expert panels, and participate in team activities and workshops. At the end of the program, the cohort will go on an international agriculture study trip to be determined in 2025.

DOVER, Del. (December 13, 2023) – The Delaware Association for Environmental Education (DAEE) is holding its 15th Annual Conference with a focus on “Nature Access for All!” on February 24, 2024, at Fred Fifer III Middle School in Camden. The keynote speaker will be Dr. McKay Jenkins, noted author and University of Delaware professor. Todd […]

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced beginning January 2, 2024, their seed laboratory will offer additional testing service options to assist producers. For the first time since 1999, DDA is increasing fees for services performed by the DDA Seed Lab.

Delaware’s agricultural industry looks forward to attending the annual Delaware Ag Week at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington from January 8 – 11, 2024. “Ag Week is the largest venue where Delaware farmers, agribusinesses, and subject matter experts can network and learn about the latest innovations and research that will impact them in the upcoming growing season,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse.

The challenge is geared towards children ages 4 through 10, but all ages are welcome to join. The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge aims to engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today that last year’s farmers markets hit an all-time high sales record. In 2023, sales from all 17 Delaware community-run farmers markets totaled $4,144,951, up $437,136 from the previous record set in 2022.

PHOTO: Lyla Jones of Brandywine Springs Elementary (at right) was the State winner for the 2023 poster contest. Contact: Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service (302) 698-4551  ashley.melvin@delaware.gov DOVER, Del. (February 1, 2024) – The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, […]

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is working with the Delaware Department of Agriculture to execute a controlled burn at Brandywine Creek State Park in February or March. This prescribed burn will help manage nearly 30 acres of meadowland near the park’s nature center.

Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), more than $1.7 million in competitive grant funding is available for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of Delaware’s food supply chain. The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced they are accepting applications for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) through April 30, 2024.

Governor Carney, Secretary of Agriculture Scuse, and state legislators inducted three Delaware farm families into the Century Farm Program, honoring them for their commitment to keeping farmland within the family for 100 years. Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse also took the opportunity to announce a new program related to long-term ownership of family farms.

The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) is making significant progress toward the goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030. The initiative has awarded funding to seven new projects, which will push the total count beyond 200,000 trees this year.

DOVER, Del. (April 22, 2024) – The Delaware Forest Service hosted the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Col. John Haslet Chapter in Dover, and other volunteers to establish a memorial plot dedicated to former State Forester Walter F. Gabel, who served in this role from 1974 to 1991. “We are excited about this DAR […]

Surrounded by family members, teachers, legislators, and cabinet officials, a dozen school-aged children from across Delaware were honored during the Delaware Forest Service’s annual Arbor Day celebration held on April 26 at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center for their artistic abilities, depicting this year’s theme of “Trees are Terrific…For Outdoor Adventures!”

With the passing of former State Representative Donald Clark on June 24, 2020 Governor Carney has ordered the United States and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff Friday, July 10 as a mark of respect for Mr. Clark and his service to Delaware. Mr. Clark was first elected to the […]

Governor John Carney has ordered the Delaware state flag at State facilities be lowered to half staff on Monday, August 31 in observance of Overdose Awareness Day. The Governor’s order only applies to State facilities, however local governments, businesses and Delawareans flying the Delaware state flag are encouraged to participate as well. The Delaware state […]

Governor Carney has ordered the Delaware flag to be lowered September 9, 2020 to honor the many years of public service of former Milford mayor Joseph Ronald “Ronnie” Rogers who passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2020. Mr. Rogers began his political career in Milford by running for city council representing the 1st ward in […]

In accordance with 29 Del. C. §6332, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will hold virtual public hearings from November 9, 2020 through November 20, 2020 to review and take public comment on each state agency’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request. A complete calendar of these virtual public hearings can be found here Notification […]

In accordance with 29 Del. C. §6332, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will hold virtual public hearings from November 9, 2020 through November 20, 2020 to review and take public comment on each state agency’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request. A complete calendar of these virtual public hearings can be found here Notification […]

Monday, December 7, 2020 marks National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Each year, on December 7 we honor the over 2,400 men and women who lost their lives for our country on this day in 1941. Public Law 103-308 requests the President to issue a proclamation requesting flags be lowered to half staff each December 7. […]

Fourth annual report highlights State accomplishments WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday released the fourth annual report of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board. Governor Carney established GEAR by Executive Order in February of 2017 in order to identify ways for state government to operate more efficiently, improve the delivery of state services, and provide […]

President Biden ordered flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on March 22, 2021 in honor and remembrance of the victims of the shooting in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. In concurrence with the President’s order, Governor Carney has ordered both the U.S. and Delaware flags at state […]

Governor Carney has ordered the Delaware flag to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, as declared through his signing of SJR4. We encourage local governments, businesses and Delawareans to do the same to promote awareness of overdose prevention and acknowledge all who have suffered the […]

In observance of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, a time to honor the patriots who perished, commemorate the valor of all those who defended our Nation, and recommit ourselves to carrying forth the ensuing peace and reconciliation that brought a better future for our world, Governor Carney in conjunction with President Biden, has ordered both […]

Fifth annual report highlights State’s continuous improvement accomplishments WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney released the fifth annual report of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board. Governor Carney established GEAR by Executive Order in February 2017 in order to identify ways for state government to operate more efficiently, improve the delivery of state services, […]

In conjunction with President Biden, Governor Carney has extended the order lowering both the American and Delaware flags to half-staff at all State buildings and facilities until sunset on Saturday, December 11, 2021 as a mark of respect for the passing of former U.S. Senator Robert Joseph Dole.

In recognition of the passing of former State Senator Robert “Bob” L. Venables, Sr. and former State Senator and Representative Winifred Theodora “Winnie” Spence, Governor Carney has ordered the Delaware flag at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff through Sunday, January 2 as a mark of respect for their service to the State […]

In recognition of Chief Pridemore’s service to the State of Delaware, Governor Carney has ordered the Delaware flag at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff until sunset on March 15, 2022.

President Biden ordered flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on May 16, 2022 in memory of the more than 1 million Americans who have died from COVID-19.

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday signed a $5.0 billion Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget for the State of Delaware, a sustainable financial plan that makes investments in Delaware public schools and education programming. The operating budget, Senate Bill 250, includes pay increases for state employees, including 2% to 9% increases for all merit employees and increases for […]

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of gun violence perpetrated on July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Illinois, President Biden has ordered flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff until sunset on July 9, 2022.    In concurrence with the President’s order, Governor Carney has ordered both the U.S. and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff until sunset on July 9, 2022. 

Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Governor Carney has ordered the Delaware flag to be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from sunrise to sunset, in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, as declared by Senate Joint Resolution 6. We encourage local governments, businesses and Delawareans to do the same to promote […]

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 marks National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Each year on December 7, we honor the over 2,400 men and women who lost their lives for our country on this day in 1941.

Plan focuses on strengthening economy, investing in public schools, supporting families and workforce, and protecting the environment.

With the passing of former State Senator J. Donald Isaacs on April 28, 2023, Governor John Carney has ordered the Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff on Monday, May 8, 2023, as a mark of respect for Mr. Isaacs and his service to Delaware.