The Delaware Forestry Association (DFA) will present its 2018 “Tree Farmer of the Year” award on Thursday, March 22, at its annual banquet and meeting at the Bridgeville Fire Hall, 311 Market Street, Bridgeville, Delaware 19933, (302) 337-7272. Tickets are $27 for adults, $13.50 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 6 and under. Reservations are kindly requested by March 16. The Delaware Forestry Association is also offering its annual $1000 scholarship to a student who chooses forestry or a related major at a two-year or four-year accredited college or university. Applications are due by April 1 and the winner will be notified by May 1.

DNREC and Department of Agriculture will conduct a joint public hearing Monday, March 12 on proposed regulations for possessing firearms in Delaware’s state parks and wildlife areas and state forests.

Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) Chairman W. Duncan Patterson announced at the Commission meeting on March 8, 2018 that two candidates, Cynthia L. Smith and Robert E. Colton had been selected for the positions of Associate State Steward and Safety Steward respectively. "Both of these individuals have a deep respect for the racing industry and the people involved in racing," said DTRC Executive Director John F. Wayne. "They will fit in well, maintaining the high level of regulatory oversight that the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission expects and deserves.”

Douglas R. Simpson of Bridgeville has been named the 2018 Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year for his longtime dedication to forest conservation and landowner education. The award recognizes landowners who practice exceptional management and promote sustainable forestry. Simpson is a Delaware native who owns tree farms on approximately 700 acres in Sussex County, which were first certified in 1995. The award was given at the annual meeting and banquet of the Delaware Forestry Association at the Bridgeville Fire Hall.

During the next several weeks, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will contact around 350 producers across Delaware to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2018.

As the 2018 growing season officially comes to an end, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers in Delaware to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseeds they store on their farms. At the same time, NASS will survey grain facility operators to determine year-end grain and oilseed stocks.

The Delaware Forest Service's Arbor Day School Poster Contest is now accepting entries from Delaware students in grades K to 5 in all private, public, charter, and home schools. Winners will be selected from each county in the following grade categories: K, 1-2, 3-4, and 5. Awards will be presented at the State Arbor Day Ceremony with Governor John Carney.  This year’s theme – “Trees Are Terrific…in Cities and Towns!” – is designed to increase knowledge about the benefits of trees in our communities. The deadline to register is March 15 and the deadline to submit posters is March 29.

The Delaware Forestry Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Banquet will be Thursday, March 21 at the Felton Fire Hall. Highlights include the Delaware Tree Farm Committee's 2019 “Tree Farmer of the Year” Award and recognition of 25-Year Delaware Tree Farmers. The DFA is also offering its annual forestry scholarship. Application deadline is April 1. Details can be found at http://delawareforest.com

Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission Chairman, W. Duncan Patterson announced at the Commission meeting held today that two candidates had been selected for the position of Associate State Steward and Safety Steward.

Ellie Merrick, a 5th-grader at Southern Delaware School of the Arts in Selbyville, has been named the State Winner of the Delaware Forest Service's 2019 Arbor Day Poster Contest. This year’s theme – “Trees Are Terrific…in Cities and Towns!” – was chosen to highlight the benefits of trees in our communities. Almost 100 years before Earth Day, Arbor Day was established on April 10, 1872 by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska. It is believed more than one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day. In Delaware, Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated on the last Friday in April, which falls on April 26, 2019. This year, the Delaware Forest Service will help Dover celebrate its 30th Anniversary as a Tree City USA by planting more than 30 trees at parks and streets throughout the city.

Delaware celebrated Arbor Day in Dover, an annual occasion to highlight the many benefits of trees and encourage communities to plant more of them. The Delaware Forest Service hosted its annual Arbor Day Ceremony at Dover’s Schutte Park, honoring its school poster contest winners and recognizing Dover’s 30th Year as the First State’s longest-running Tree City USA. The event culminated with the planting of more than 30 large trees at six locations, including a zelkova on the historic Green on State Street. Delaware State University also held its Arbor Day event and celebrated its 8th consecutive year as Delaware’s only certified Tree Campus USA, followed by a ceremonial tree planting on campus.

The Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Program has awarded more than $92,000 for 24 tree projects throughout the First State. Over the past 15 years, the annual grant program has provided more than $1.5 million to help communities increase tree canopy and promote the natural benefits of trees: cleaner air and water, increased property values and civic pride, and reduced storm water runoff and flooding.

The Delaware Forest Service's urban and community forestry program will hold the 9th Annual Delaware Arborist and Tree Care Seminar on October 22 and 23, 2019 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in Harrington. While targeted to tree care industry professionals, the event is open to the public and anyone who wants to create healthier communities through trees.  The cost is $100 for both days (includes lunch on the first day only and snacks). All major credit cards accepted. The agenda covers one full-day session on Oct. 22 and one half-day session on Oct. 23. Attendees can learn the latest developments in tree care through lectures by academic and industry experts, outdoor demos, and vendor exhibits featuring the latest equipment and technology. Learn more at http://delawaretrees.com

Following up on the recent announcement of USDA’s approval of Delaware’s Domestic Hemp Production Program, the Delaware Department of Agriculture released their registration materials online Friday, February 7.

 Settlement and Default Handling Procedures in Multilateral and Deferred Net Settlement Systems under the PSS Act, 2007

 Amends Notification No. 41/1999 – Customs, dated the 28th April, 1999 - This notification exempts specified g

 Exchange Rate notification for Import / Export of goods with effect from 1st October, 2010

 Compliance with circular dated April 15, 2010

Full Article