On December 18, 2024, Governor-elect Matt Meyer nominated Don Clifton as Delaware Secretary of Agriculture. Clifton has served as the Executive Director of Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) since May 2022.
DEFB members and staff have developed a long lasting relationship with Clifton. They are sad to see him go, but excited to work with him in this new capacity. DEFB President Bill Powers said, “I really appreciate what Don has done for Farm Bureau in his time here. We are lucky to have such a good working relationship with him when he moves into his new office.”
Clifton brings a variety of farming and agribusiness experience to the position. The Clifton family has grown grains, soybeans, and processing vegetables in northeast Sussex County since the 1920’s. In addition, they operated Clifton Canning Company, a vegetable cannery, for nearly 50 years before closing the operation in 1995. The Cliftons also maintained a 300 head beef herd through the 1970’s and 80’s. Clifton is a third-generation farmer and has farmed for over 45 years.
Clifton received Presidential appointments as State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency twice, serving in the Clinton and Obama administrations. In addition to performing his Delaware responsibilities, he was occasionally tapped to perform detail service at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. working on items from administrative streamlining to policy on farm lending program delivery. Back in Delaware, he was responsible for the development of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for the state.
Clifton also served on Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Strategic Economic Council (SEC) as the co-chair for Agriculture and Biotechnology from 2001-2002. One of the significant outcomes the SEC brought forward was funding for a crop insurance cost-share program. The program was funded and operated for the years 2004-07. It helped farmers obtain higher levels of coverage and reduce risk. A unique feature of the program was that it was devised so that it incurred zero administrative cost to the taxpayer or the farmer.
In 2001, after his first stint with FSA, Clifton and his wife Ruth established Farmers First Services, Inc., an agricultural consulting business through which they developed and presented crop insurance education programs for farmers through partnership agreements between Delaware’s Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the USDA Risk Management Agency.
Clifton also serves as Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Agriculture and serves on the Governor’s Energy Advisory Committee.
Don and his wife, Ruth, reside near Milford, DE. They have seven children and ten grandchildren.
In a press release by the Governor-elect and his transition team, Governor-elect Meyer said, “Don’s extensive experience in agricultural leadership, combined with his deep commitment to sustainability and community development, will be invaluable as we work to strengthen Delaware’s agricultural sector. Agriculture is part of Delaware’s history and will continue to be a part of its future, and I look forward to working with Don to support Delaware’s hardworking farm families.”