ea

Smokey Bear to visit Delaware schools for Fire Prevention Month

To honor October as “Fire Prevention Month,” Smokey Bear will visit Delaware schools to teach children that “only you can prevent wildfires.” Nationwide fire data continue to show that human activity causes the largest number of forest fires, which is why Smokey teaches children at a very early age that they should never play with fire or use matches. Last year, the Delaware Forest Service provided 104 fire education programs to 9,410 students - a record number of school programs for the agency.




ea

Delaware farmers urged to prepare ahead of storm

Livestock owners should prepare now for possible weather effects from Hurricane Joaquin, Delaware agricultural authorities said Thursday. "Being prepared is never wasted effort," said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • News

ea

Arbor Day Poster Contest and Free Seedling Giveaway

"Trees are Terrific...and Forests are Too!" That's the theme of the Delaware Forest Service's 2016 Arbor Day Poster Contest, which is open to all children in grades K to 5 in Delaware public, private, home, and charter schools. After-school programs and youth groups are also eligible. The deadline for poster submission is April 8, 2016. For more information, email contest coordinator Ashley Peebles at ashley.peebles@state.de.us or call 302-698-4551. Winners will receive a $25.00 gift card, a ceremonial tree planting held at the winner's school, and an invitation to the State Arbor Day Ceremony (attended by the Governor).




ea

Daniel J. Tartt, Jr. of Harrington is 2016 Tree Farmer of the Year

Daniel J. Tartt, Jr. of Harrington was honored as Delaware's 2016 Tree Farmer of the Year at the Delaware Forestry Association's annual meeting in Felton. The Middletown FFA forestry team - comprised of students Alana Hodge, Lauren Berry, Brandon Dawson, Laura Melancon and their advisor Jeff Billings – was also recognized for representing Delaware and placing highly in the team and individual FFA forestry event at the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, KY. Silver Anniversary Tree Farmers Carl Solberg, George & Gladys Kirk, and David Hastings were honored for celebrating 25 years in the American Tree Farm System. On hand to present awards were Rep. David L. Wilson and Rep. Harvey Kenton. The event also celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System's founding in 1941. Delaware’s first Tree Farm was certified in 1959 and today there are over 200 Tree Farms covering more than 20,000 acres. Governor Markell delivered a video message (YouTube: https://youtu.be/7YIB5MqANbs ) to congratulate the Delaware Forestry Association and recognize the award winners for 2016.




ea

Delaware farmers’ market season begins in April

With a record season behind them, Delaware's farmers' markets are gearing up for another great year. Twenty-three community-run farmers' markets will be opening over the next three months, selling Delaware produce and other farm-fresh goods.



  • Department of Agriculture

ea

Grants available to help farmers, agribusinesses with marketing, research and sales

More than $300,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help produce, market or access Delaware-grown fruit, vegetables and certain other crops. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through June 3.



  • Department of Agriculture

ea

More than 120,000 acres of Delaware farmland now preserved as program marks 20th year

More than 120,000 acres of Delaware farmland are now permanently preserved for future generations, state officials announced today, marking the 20th anniversary of the state's preservation program. With 17 farms on 2,245 acres entering the latest round of the program, the new milestone means that 24 percent of First State farmland is now preserved for perpetuity.



  • Department of Agriculture

ea

Delaware wildfire crew headed to Rocky Mountains

The Delaware Forest Service is sending a 20-person team of wildland firefighters to the Rocky Mountain region for a scheduled two-week assignment to battle wildfires for the National Interagency Fire Center. The crew departed Blackbird State Forest this morning and is headed to Denver, Colorado to be “pre-positioned” for a specific assignment.




ea

“Happy and Healthy Chickens” photo contest winners announced

The Delaware Department of Agriculture has announced the winners of its 2016 Happy and Healthy Chickens Photo Contest, celebrating the best snapshots of Delaware backyard poultry flocks. The winner, chosen from a field of nearly 100 photographs, was Weston Williams, 11, of Felton, for his photo “Proud Stance.”



  • Department of Agriculture

ea

Delaware sends wildfire crew to Great Basin region

Delaware is sending its second wildfire crew of the summer to the Great Basin region. Responding to a spike in wildfire activity in the West that has increased the National Fire Preparedness Level to 4 on a 5-point scale, Delaware has joined forces with neighboring Mid-Atlantic states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio) to dispatch five crews, a total of 100 firefighters, to battle fires in the Great Basin. The crews departed Harrisburg, PA for Salt Lake City on August 25. Delaware is now assigned to the Henry's Creek Fire near Idaho Falls, Idaho.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Forest Service
  • Delaware Forest Service
  • Delaware wildland fire crew
  • National Fire Preparedness Level

ea

Smokey Bear to visit Delaware schools in October

Smokey Bear will be back in Delaware schools starting this October, visiting first-graders throughout the First State to remind children that "only you can prevent wildfires." The second week of October is National Fire Prevention Week, observed annually in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Smokey Bear has become one of the Delaware Forest Service's most successful educational programs. In the past two years, the DFS provided an average of 90 Smokey Bear fire education programs to about 8,250 students per year — representing almost 75% of the first-graders in the entire state. Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history.




ea

Gov. Markell recognizes leadership, service of Delaware agriculture leaders

Gov. Jack Markell has presented the Order of the First State to two noted Delaware agricultural leaders and public servants, Bob Garey of Felton and Bill Vanderwende of Bridgeville.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017)
  • Office of the Governor

ea

Redden Forest picnic area closed due to illegal activity

The Delaware Forest Service is closing a picnic pavilion and adjacent parking lot at Redden State Forest due to persistent criminal activity at the site, located on the Jester Tract at Camp Road and Redden Road north of Georgetown, Sussex County. Designed by Delaware’s first state forester William S. Taber and constructed by conservation work crews in 1936, the rustic pavilion has now become a magnet for lewd conduct, drugs, and other offenses that have occasionally startled and kept away other visitors. While agency officials have no specific timetable for reopening, they plan to use the closure period for renovations and security upgrades that could again allow for public access at the site.




ea

Grants available for education, marketing, and research of specialty crops

Nearly $300,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help increase the competitiveness of Delaware-grown specialty crops. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through May 15, 2017.




ea

Merriken is Delaware’s 2017 “Tree Farmer of the Year”

Leslie Merriken received Delaware's 2017 "Tree Farmer of the Year" award for her extensive work in forestry conservation and education at the Delaware Forestry Association's annual meeting in Bridgeville. The honor recognizes landowners who practice exceptional management and promote sustainable forestry. The American Tree Farm System was established in 1941 and is one of the oldest forest landowner organizations. Delaware's first Tree Farm was certified in 1959; today there are more than 200 Tree Farms covering over 20,000 acres.




ea

Delaware Department of Agriculture asks Delawareans to keep an eye out for hungry pests

To protect our State, we are asking Delawareans to join us in the battle against invasive plant pest and diseases. If you suspect an invasive pest or disease, contact our Plant Industries section at (302) 698-4500. Get acquainted with the hungry pests that would like to dine in Delaware by visiting www.hungrypests.com. This April—Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month—we urge you to help stop the spread of these harmful pests.




ea

Collaboration leads to largest round of Delaware farmland preservation in several years

“I am proud to announce the largest round of Delaware farmland permanently preserved through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Program in the last several years. This is a result of federal funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and funding from both New Castle County and Kent County,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse. More than 124,000 acres of Delaware farmland are now permanently preserved for future generations, with 3,039 acres of easements selected into the state’s preservation program.



  • Agriculture
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Governor John Carney
  • Office of the Governor
  • agriculture
  • Delaware Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse
  • Kent county levy court
  • New Castle County

ea

Delaware wildfire crew on fire near Meeker, Colorado

A wildfire crew from the Delaware Forest Service is now working on the 300-acre Wilson Fire, located 9 miles north of Meeker, Colorado in Rio Blanco County. Started by lightning on July 7, the blaze is currently 15 percent contained and is threatening oil and gas production equipment. Delaware’s crew is comprised of 17 firefighters from Delaware and three from West Virginia. The crew flew from Harrisburg, PA on Sunday to the Rocky Mountain region along with teams from Maryland, New Hampshire, and two crews from Pennsylvania.




ea

Equine vaccinations essential during peak mosquito season

Late summer coincides with peak mosquito season, which brings an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) for humans, but also for horses. “Owners are encouraged to talk to their veterinarian about having their horses vaccinated against these viruses,” said Delaware State Veterinarian Dr. Heather Hirst.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Department of Agriculture
  • Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis
  • horse
  • horses
  • mosquito
  • mosquito-borne diseases
  • vaccination
  • West Nile Virus

ea

Delaware Department of Agriculture warns Delawareans about pesticide application scam

In the scam, the homeowner is told that they must leave their house for a period of twelve hours while the individual sprays crops in the nearby vicinity. There are some indicators that these visits are a scam in an attempt to get the homeowner to leave their house unattended. There are currently no agricultural pesticide spraying practices in Delaware that would require one to leave their home.




ea

Delaware receives federal funding for agriculture research and marketing projects

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that seven projects received grant funding through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Delaware received nearly $300,000 to enhance the competitiveness of Delaware grown specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse
  • specialty crops
  • USDA
  • USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant

ea

DNREC, DDA prepare to respond to Delaware Supreme Court’s Dec. 7 decision allowing firearms in state parks and forests

DOVER – The Delaware Supreme Court, by decision dated Dec. 7, 2017 in the matter of Bridgeville Rifle & Pistol Club, LTD, overturned a Superior Court ruling and ended a ban on visitors’ possessing firearms in Delaware’s state parks and state forests. Pursuant to the ruling, visitors may now possess firearms unless they are prohibited by law due to a past conviction for a violent crime, active Protection from Abuse Order, or mental health commitment. Following the Court’s decision to invalidate the existing regulations limiting firearms in state parks and forests, and some Division of Fish & Wildlife properties, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) anticipate issuing interim firearm regulations. The interim regulations would respect the State Constitutional provisions on firearms cited by the Court, by implementing the State’s interest in ensuring the safety of the public in a less restrictive manner.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
  • Division of Fish and Wildlife
  • Division of Parks and Recreation
  • Delaware State Parks
  • Firearms
  • health and safety
  • outdoors and recreation

ea

Delaware has record soybean harvest in 2017

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the final crop production numbers for 2017. Overall, Delaware farmers had a good year with some of the crops breaking records. According to Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse, “Yields such as we had in 2017 are good news for our farmers, and for poultry growers and processors who use much of the grain grown here for feed.”




ea

DNREC, DDA propose new regulations for firearms possession within Delaware state parks, wildlife areas, and state forests

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Department of Agriculture have proposed new regulations expanding the scope of legal possession of firearms within Delaware’s state parks, state wildlife areas and state forests.




ea

Volunteers needed to plant trees on March 17 and 18 at Blackbird State Forest, enhancing the Chesapeake Bay

Volunteers of all ages are needed this month to help plant 8,800 hardwood seedlings along the Cypress Branch at Blackbird State Forest to enhance the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The planting will take place on Saturday, March 17, and Sunday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Blackbird State Forest’s Naudain Tract, 2076 Harvey Straughn Road, Townsend, Delaware 19734. The weekend tree planting is a “rain or shine” event. Equipment, including shovels, will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and wear boots or other work shoes. Snacks will be provided and commemorative T-shirts and patches will be given to both youth and adult volunteers on a first-come, first-served basis. The project is a cooperative partnership between the Delaware Forest Service, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Division of Watershed Stewardship, and the Girl Scouts of the USA.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
  • Division of Watershed Stewardship
  • Forest Service
  • New Castle County
  • Blackbird State Forest
  • Chesapeake Bay watershed
  • Delaware Forest Service
  • DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship
  • Girl Scouts
  • tree planting

ea

Public hearing for DNREC, DDA proposed firearm regulations set for Monday, March 12 in Dover

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.




ea

Douglas Simpson of Bridgeville is 2018 Tree Farmer of the Year

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.




ea

Collaboration leads to largest round of Delaware farmland preservation in four years

More than 127,000 acres of Delaware farmland are now permanently preserved for future generations, with the purchase of the development rights of 41 farms totaling 3,534 acres. This is the 22nd consecutive year of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Program
  • Delaware Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse
  • easements
  • farmland
  • Kent county levy court
  • New Castle County
  • Preservation
  • Sussex County
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

ea

“Flying colors”: Delaware passes annual aerial forest health “check-up”

In late-June, Delaware’s forests get an annual “physical” or “check-up” – just after spring’s “leaf-out" blankets the state in a wave of green color. Just as people should visit the doctor to be screened for potential diseases, trees are examined with a variety of tools to hopefully spot minor issues before they turn into major ones. Armed with a digital camera, GPS technology, and a tablet equipped with specialized software and satellite data, forest health specialist Bill Seybold boards a small plane for a sky-high view of the First State. The annual aerial survey is specifically designed to detect potential threats that can only be seen from the air. Fortunately, early results from the 2018 aerial forest survey indicate no major outbreaks of tree diseases or insect pests.




ea

Delaware wildfire crew headed to Colorado

The Delaware Forest Service is sending a 20-person wildfire crew to Colorado's Rocky Mountain region as more uncontained large fires in the West has increased the demand for trained firefighters. The National Fire Preparedness Level was increased to 3 on a 5-point scale on June 29, indicating that wildfire activity is occurring in multiple geographic areas and mobilization of resources through national agencies is moderate to heavy.  The crew mobilized on Tuesday, July 3 at Blackbird State Forest in Smyrna, Delaware and will travel to Denver from Philadelphia on July 4 for positioning in the Rocky Mountain Geographic Area, which has reported 5 new fires and currently has 6 uncontained large fires. Nationally, 66 fires are currently burning a total of 578,424 acres. As of July 3, a total of 277 wildfire crews  are currently deployed across all regions of the U.S. and wildfire activity is expected to increase.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Forest Service
  • Blackbird State Forest
  • Colorado wildfires
  • Delaware Forest Service
  • Delaware wildfire crew
  • Rocky Mountain Geographic Coordinaion Center

ea

Delaware Forest Service’s Ashley Melvin earns Gold Smokey Award

Ashley Melvin, the Delaware Forest Service's education specialist who directs its successful Smokey Bear fire prevention program, received a Gold Smokey Award in Ohio recently at an annual meeting of state foresters. The award was presented to the Mid-Atlantic Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact's education committee, of which Delaware is a member. The compact is comprised of seven states including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. In the world of wildfire prevention, there is no greater honor than to receive a Smokey Bear award, especially the national Gold Smokey award. These special awards are reserved for people or organizations that provide sustained, outstanding service, with significant program impact, in the wildfire prevention arena. Honorees demonstrate innovation, creativity, commitment and passion for wildfire prevention.




ea

Sussex Tech’s Mitchell earns DFA forestry scholarship

Shawn Patrick Mitchell of Greenwood, a recent graduate of Sussex Tech who plans to study wildlife and fisheries at Frostburg State University, received the Delaware Forestry Association's 2018 scholarship at the Delaware State Fair last week. Agriculture Secretary Michael T. Scuse and Governor John C. Carney were there to present the ceremonial check to Mitchell as his parents David and Melissa looked on. Once he earns his bachelor's of science degree, Mitchell hopes to be a game warden or park ranger one day.




ea

Delaware Forest Service looks to increase wildfire crews for upcoming fire season

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Forest Service is looking to increase its wildfire crews for the upcoming season through training for new recruits. During the 2018 wildfire season, Delaware sent two full crews out to Colorado, Idaho, and Montana to be first responders. Interested recruits should be over 18 years old, physically fit, motivated, and […]




ea

Deadline extension for agricultural preservation districts puts Delaware closer to preserving 381,000 acres of farmland

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation voted to extended district enrollment until December 31, 2018 to any agricultural landowners who want to preserve their farms and still have the opportunity to submit an application for the upcoming round. Farms must be enrolled in a preservation district before the landowner can sell an easement.




ea

Four Delaware farm families honored for 100 years of farm ownership

The Delaware Department of Agriculture honored four Delaware’s farm families for their continued commitment to farming the same land for a century or more. The Delaware Century Farm Program was established in 1987 to honor farming families who have owned and farmed their land for at least 100 years. The farms must include at least 10 acres of the original parcel or gross more than $10,000 annually in agricultural sales. Including this year’s inductees, the program has honored 143 farms throughout Delaware.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Century Farm
  • Century Farm Award
  • Delaware Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse
  • Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Austin Short
  • farm
  • farm families
  • Sussex County

ea

Emergency quarantine declared for pest threatening Delaware

Photos are available for media use on Flickr. Dover, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today that they are quarantining eleven zip codes in New Castle County to eradicate, control, and prevent the spread of spotted lanternfly in Delaware and to surrounding states. The spotted lanternfly is a destructive invasive plant hopper […]




ea

Delaware launches hemp research pilot program

Dover, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that they have launched the Delaware Hemp Research Pilot Program in partnership with Delaware State University’s College of Agriculture and Related Sciences. “The research component announced today gives producers an opportunity to see if hemp is a worthwhile product for their farming operation,” said Secretary […]



  • Department of Agriculture
  • 2014 Farm Bill
  • agricultural research
  • Delaware Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Hemp Research Pilot Program
  • Delaware State University
  • hemp

ea

Delaware receives funds to increase locally grown specialty crops

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that they are seeking applications for this year’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, with nearly $359,000 allocated to assist in increasing the competitiveness of Delaware-grown specialty crops. Applications will be accepted through April 22, 2019.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Delaware Department of Agriculture
  • grant
  • specialty crops
  • USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant

ea

Dicamba applicators urged to check Pesticide Use Limitation Areas before spraying

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture is urging all pesticide applicators that plan to use dicamba this growing season to check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) online Bulletins Live! Two system on a monthly basis before spraying. This new online system allows agriculture and other pesticide users to easily determine where pesticide […]




ea

Emerald ash borer continues to threaten Delaware trees

DOVER, Del. — Emerald ash borer (EAB), a destructive insect from Asia that attacks and kills ash trees, has been confirmed in Newark, Delaware. Originally found in northern Delaware in 2016, recent infestations were confirmed in both Middletown and Seaford in November 2018. Current guidelines recommend the removal or treatment of ash trees if located […]




ea

Severe crop damage at Redden State Forest creates public deer harvest opportunities to assist local farmers

DOVER, Del. — A recent increase in severe deer damage to agricultural crops on two portions of Redden State Forest in Sussex County has created public deer harvest opportunities to assist local farmers. Through a partnership with DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is opening specific portions of […]




ea

Delaware second state on east coast for USDA hemp plan approval

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that the USDA approved the state plan submitted for the Delaware Domestic Hemp Production Program. Delaware is now the second state on the East Coast to receive approval to administer a domestic hemp program.



  • Department of Agriculture
  • Governor John Carney
  • approval
  • Delaware Domestic Hemp Production Program
  • Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse
  • hemp
  • state plan
  • USDA

ea

Read Excel File data in ASP.Net

Here Mudassar Ahmed Khan has explained with an example, how to read Excel File (xls & xlsx) data in ASP.Net using C# and VB.Net. When the Excel file is uploaded, the Excel File data is available in the InputStream property of the FileUpload control. Using ClosedXml library, the Excel file data can be easily read from the InputStream property and displayed on Web Page using GridView in ASP.Net using C# and VB.Net.




ea

Print Designing India | Brochure Designing | Logo Designing|Leaflet Designing - H K Digital Online

H K Digital Online offers Print Designing, Brochure designing, logo designing, leaflet designing, graphic designing with affordable rates.




ea

Software Development India | Cheap Software Development Delhi | Software Development Services India - H K Digital Online

H K Digital Online Offers Software Developemnt Services, Cheap Software Development Services, e-commerce development, CRM Development, SMS Utlity and More Software with affordable Rates.




ea

Website Promotion India | Cheap Search Engine Optimization Delhi | Web Promotion India | SEO Services India - H K Digital Online

H K Digital Online offers Cheap Website Promotion, Search Engine Optimization, Web Promotion Services, SEO Services with affordable rates.




ea

Web Hosting India | Cheap Web Hosting Services India | Web Hosting Company Delhi - H K Digital Online

H K Digital Online offers Cheap Web Hosting Serivices, Linuk web hosting, windows web hosting, reliable web hosting services in delhi india




ea

Website Development India | Cheap Web Development Services Delhi | Web Development Company India

H K Digital Online offers Web Site Development Services India, Web Development India,Web Site Development India,Web Development Company India,Web Development Company in India




ea

Website Design India | Cheap Website Development Services Delhi | Website Design Company India: H K Digital Online

H K Digital Online is the Website Design Company provide creative design needs in India. Our web designers specialize in creative fresh web designs with an artistic flare with affordable rates.




ea

Website Design Services India | Cheap SEO Services India | Software Development Services India | Web Hosting Services India - H K Digital Online

H K Digital Online is the Online Marketing Company provide creative Website design, SEO Services, Website Development and Web Hosting needs in India. Do you need leads? Contact us NOW.