The Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) celebrated its 80th anniversary with its first multi-day conference on Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. The event featured the annual meeting of delegates, educational sessions, and the annual banquet, bringing together members, legislators, and industry professionals to celebrate and advance agriculture in Delaware.
Annual Meeting of Delegates
The conference began on Friday with delegates from each county convening to discuss policy initiatives. As a grassroots organization, DEFB uses the annual meeting to address members’ concerns and aspirations. Delegates proposed and voted on policy resolutions to be incorporated into the DEFB policy book, which guides the organization’s legislative efforts.
This year, delegates passed resolutions focused on supporting the next generation of farmers, preserving agricultural land, and advocating for Delaware’s diverse agricultural community. Extensive discussions on deer damage led to the adoption of several policies aimed at mitigating its impact.
The business meeting culminated with the reelection of officers President Bill Powers, First Vice President Steve Breeding, and Second Vice President Paul Cartanza, Sr.
Friday Educational Sessions
Friday afternoon featured a series of educational breakout sessions hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and the Water Supply Coordinating Council (WSCC)
- Membership Engagement: Austin Large, Director of Membership and Organization Development at AFBF, led a session on engaging members across generations. Attendees brainstormed strategies to recruit and retain members focusing on generalized generational traits.
- Deer Damage Mitigation: DNREC representatives, Ryan Harris, Sam Millman, and Joe Rogerson, hosted a session on managing deer damage and utilizing deer damage permit programs effectively.
- Economic Update: AFBF Economist Betty Resnick provided an economic outlook, highlighting challenges for farmers amid uncertain market conditions.
- Drought Monitoring and Saltwater Intrusion: Kevin Brinson, Delaware State Climatologist and Director of the Center of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (CEMA), and Steve Smailer, Director of DNREC’s Division of Water, spoke on the emerging concern of saltwater getting into aquifers, emphasizing its growing impact on Delaware farmers.
Saturday Sessions and Activities
On Saturday morning, attendees participated in sessions focused on transition planning and advocacy.
- Farm Transition Planning: Eric Vinores, representing Nationwide, stressed the importance of establishing a comprehensive transition plan. He shared real-life examples of families who faced significant challenges because they did not have a plan, highlighting that transition planning goes beyond creating a will or trust.
- Advocacy Skills: Farmer Advocate David Hafner of Florida conducted an interactive session on developing elevator speeches and public speaking skills, equipping participants to effectively engage with elected officials and other stakeholders.
- Mental Health Resources: Steve Breeding, Sussex County Farm Bureau President and National Promotion and Education Committee member, delivered a presentation highlighting the critical importance of addressing the mental health crisis within the agricultural community, especially after a challenging year like this one.
In a lighter moment, DEFB staff organized a gingerbread house decorating contest. Teams worked together to decorate houses, which were displayed to be voted on during the annual banquet. The winning team, made up of Delaware Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) members, consisting of Will and Ariel Powers, Connor Vincent, Megan Davidson, and Maci Carter, was recognized during the banquet.
Annual Banquet
On Saturday evening, over 200 attendees gathered for the DEFB Annual Banquet, celebrating 80 years. The event celebrated achievements within the agricultural community and featured awards, entertainment, and fundraising activities.
Mollie Lynch and Mary B Gooden were honored for their retirement as State Chair from YF&R and Women’s Committee, respectively.
YF&R State Chair Will Powers announced the committee’s member of the year, Mollie Lynch, and supporter of the year, Chris Feghali, owner of Federal Firearms.
DEFB announced Mollie and Michael Lynch as the state Rising Star recipient for their unwavering dedication and passion for Farm Bureau and agriculture.
Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse was named the state Distinguished Service to Agriculture award recipient. Through his two stints as Delaware Secretary and service with USDA as Undersecretary and Acting Secretary, Scuse has shown that he constantly fights for the preservation of Delaware agriculture and the farm way of life.
Hailing from Sussex County, the Clifton Murray Family was selected as the state Farm Family of the Year. The Murray family has dedicated their life to farming their family farm in Selbyville growing grains, hogs, poultry, seed, and since 2005, turf.
Musical entertainment was provided by Quade Gannon, and Stephanie Knutsen led attendees in line dancing. The YF&R committee, along with the DEFB Foundation, hosted silent and live auctions, raising funds for leadership opportunities and scholarships for future generations.
Keep an eye out next year for DEFB’s Annual Conference! For more information on Delaware Farm Bureau, visit defb.org.
