Key Takeaways:
- Delaware’s Agricultural Lands Preservation Program has protected nearly 30% of the state’s farmland, preserving 155,486 acres across 28 rounds.
- A new farm sign was unveiled at Shadybrook Farms, home of the Cartanza family, to promote the program and celebrate its success.
- Governor John Carney’s administration secured $78 million in state funding, leading to the preservation of 33,409 acres on 403 family farms.
- The program has preserved over 60% of its total acreage under Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse’s leadership.
Unveiling of New Farm Sign Celebrates Farmland Preservation in Delaware
Governor John Carney, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse, and members of the General Assembly gathered at Shadybrook Farms, home of the Cartanza family, to unveil a new farm sign symbolizing Delaware’s Agricultural Lands Preservation Program. The program, launched in 1991, aims to preserve farmland for future generations and has successfully protected nearly 30% of Delaware’s farmland to date, totaling 155,486 acres.
Governor Carney thanked farm families for their commitment to agriculture and emphasized the importance of farmland preservation in supporting the state’s agricultural industry and open spaces. “As one of the best farmland preservation programs in the country, we have put significant resources into this program to ensure generational farms remain in operation,” Carney said.
Record Preservation Achievements Under Carney Administration
During Governor Carney’s tenure, the Delaware Department of Agriculture secured $78 million in state funding, complemented by county and federal contributions, resulting in the preservation of 33,409 acres on 403 family farms. This achievement marks the highest number of farms preserved in the program’s history. Secretary Scuse expressed gratitude to the state’s farmers and legislators for prioritizing farmland preservation, ensuring that agricultural land remains productive for generations.
New Farm Signs Promote Preservation Program
As part of the celebration, Governor Carney and Secretary Scuse unveiled the new farm sign, which is available to landowners who have preserved their farms. The sign serves as a public acknowledgment of the land’s protected status and promotes the Agricultural Lands Preservation Program. Landowners can request the sign online to display at the end of their farm lanes.
Mark Collins, chairman of the Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation, praised the new sign and the preservation efforts, noting the significant progress made under Secretary Scuse’s leadership. “This sign is a great way for the public to recognize the farms that have chosen to preserve their land,” Collins said.
Leadership and Commitment to Agricultural Preservation
Secretary Scuse has been instrumental in securing funding for farmland preservation during his tenure, with $122.5 million allocated to preserve 687 farms on 63,100 acres. Other state leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, expressed pride in Delaware’s achievements in agricultural preservation, emphasizing the importance of supporting farming and agricultural science for the state’s economic vitality.
Landowners interested in participating in the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Program can learn more and apply for the new farm sign at the program’s official website.
