American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall visited Delaware on Wednesday, July 23, and Thursday, July 24, 2025. During his stay, President Duvall met with Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) leadership and members, toured the Food Bank of Delaware, and attended the Delaware State Fair.
The visit began with a dinner hosted by the DEFB Board of Directors, providing an opportunity to share DEFB’s successes, challenges, and strategic priorities. President Duvall also got to know each board member personally and learn more about Delaware’s diverse agricultural landscape.
Thursday marked Governor’s Day at the Delaware State Fair. President Duvall joined DEFB President Bill Powers and First Vice President Steve Breeding for the festivities. He and President Powers even participated in the FFA Games’ egg toss alongside Delaware FFA members and state leaders.
Later, President Duvall attended Governor Matt Meyer’s announcement of new appointments to the Governor’s Council on Agriculture. The newly appointed members include Jackie King, Kristy Baxter Malin, Elizabeth Patrick, and Gwendolyn Pierce. Returning council members are Chair Robert Fifer, Mark Wilson, and Paul Cartanza Sr. These members, many of whom are DEFB members, bring a wide range of experience in agriculture to the council.
During the event, both President Duvall and DEFB President Powers expressed appreciation for the Governor’s recognition of agriculture as Delaware’s leading industry.
“You don’t know how lucky you are to have a governor that will stand behind a podium and appoint people to an agriculture committee and also talk about the value of what agriculture brings to this state,” said President Duvall.
He emphasized that the efforts of DEFB and President Powers contribute to the broader mission of protecting and promoting agriculture at the county, state, and national levels. He urged farmers to continue sharing their stories, stating, “Ninety-eight percent of people in this country are free to do what they want to do because less than two percent of us decide to grow the food and fiber they consume every day.”
That afternoon, President Duvall participated in DEFB’s new “Ask a Farmer” initiative, launched by the Promotion and Education Committee. Alongside DEFB Board Member John Comegys, he engaged with fairgoers at the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Commodities Building, answering questions about farming and the agricultural industry.
To wrap up his visit, President Duvall toured the fairgrounds, watched livestock shows, visited the barns, and met with DEFB members. The experience gave him a firsthand look at the breadth of Delaware agriculture and the dedication of its youth and farming community.
For more information about the Delaware Farm Bureau, please visit www.defb.org.
