[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8598-S8599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF MR. BILL VANDERWENDE AND MR. DAVE BAKER

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Mr. 
William ``Bill'' Vanderwende and Mr. David ``Dave'' Baker for their 
leadership, vision and commitment to Delaware's agriculture

[[Page S8599]]

community through their roles as Chairman and Vice-Chairman, 
respectively, of the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission. Both have 
dedicated their lives to Delaware and its farming communities, 
benefitting and protecting the farming industry and the thousands of 
farmers and citizens who rely on our state's priceless natural 
resources.
  As the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the 19-member Delaware Nutrient 
Management Commission since its inception in 1999, Bill and Dave have 
led the Commission through years of development--made up of innovation, 
labor and compromise--that resulted in Delaware's premier Nutrient 
Management Program--one that serves as a model for other States. 
Moreover, Bill and Dave helped guide Delaware through U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency approval of the State's controlled 
animal feeding operation regulations, helping to preserve our State's 
rich agricultural resources, while protecting farmers and their 
livelihood for generations to come. When I was Governor of the State of 
Delaware, I worked closely with both Bill and Dave on the development 
of the Delaware Nutrient Management Program and know well their passion 
and loyalty to doing what is right for the First State's agricultural 
community, as well as for our environment and our neighbors' 
environments.
  The Delaware Nutrient Management Program was established in June 1999 
as a result of the Delaware Nutrient Management Law. The mission of the 
Delaware Nutrient Management Program is to manage those activities 
involving the generation and application of nutrients in order to help 
maintain and improve the quality of Delaware's ground and surface 
waters and to help meet or exceed federally mandated water quality 
standards, in the interest of the overall public welfare. The 
responsibilities of the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission 
include: considering the establishment of critical areas for voluntary 
and regulatory programs; establishing Best Management Practices to 
reduce nutrients in the environment; developing educational and 
awareness programs; considering incentive programs to redistribute 
excess nutrients; establishing the elements and general direction of 
the State Nutrient Management Program; and, developing nutrient 
management regulations.
  In 2001, under the team's leadership, the Delaware Nutrient 
Management Commission outlined a Memorandum of Understanding with the 
Delaware Department of Agriculture, the Delaware Department of Natural 
Resources and Environmental Control, and the chief executives of all 
poultry companies operating in Delaware--an agreement that was the 
first of its kind. This unique partnership between the agriculture and 
environmental sectors in Delaware has helped contribute to the progress 
Delaware has achieved in nutrient management. Currently, the First 
State leads the nation in nutrient management planning participation. 
Ninety-nine percent of all farmers who are required to have a nutrient 
management plan do, indeed, have one.
  The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission's strong working 
relationships with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the Delaware 
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Delaware's Congressional delegation, 
and with Delaware's Governor and the State's General Assembly has 
contributed to the implementation of on-the-ground solutions for 
nutrient management that encourage environmental stewardship and have 
positive benefits to agriculture and its farmers.
  A native of Harrington, DE, Bill Vanderwende is a man of family, 
faith and farming and serves as a proud, life-long member of Delaware's 
farming tradition. For over 40 years, Bill and Ellen--his wife of 
almost 60 years--along with their 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 
several employees, have run a dairy, grain and vegetable farming 
operation in Bridgeville with 700 head of dairy and 3,000 crop acres. 
Bill has represented Delaware's dairy industry for decades.
  Bill's leadership in the agricultural community stretches beyond the 
Nutrient Management Commission. Bill has been a distinguished member of 
the Sussex County Conservation District Board of Supervisors for 20 
years, serving as chairman since 1992. In addition, Bill served as a 
member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Agriculture, a member of 
the Governor's Advisory Council on Soil and Water, and as Vice-Chairman 
of Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation Board of Trustees. Bill and 
the Vanderwende family have also received numerous awards recognizing 
their positive impact and influence on Delaware's farming tradition, 
including Bill's honor as the recipient of the 2009 Secretary's Award 
for Distinguished Service to Agriculture given by the Delaware 
Department of Agriculture and the Vanderwendes' 1993 Farm Bureau award 
for the Farm Family of the Year.
  Over the years, Dave Baker has made a remarkable contribution to 
Delaware's agricultural community through his work, leadership and 
thoughtful attention to detail. His commitment to Delaware's and our 
nation's farmlands, as well as his commitment to his family and 
community is unmistakable. Since moving to Middletown, DE in 1952, Dave 
Baker has remained close to his roots. Today, just outside of his 
hometown, Dave lives with his wife Barbara. Together, they have a son 
Erik and two grandchildren. There, Dave is the President of Baker 
Farms, a 3,000-acre grain farm. He also founded Delaware Egg Farm--now 
Puglisi Egg Farms Delaware--Delaware's largest egg producing operation.
  In addition to his role of Vice-Chairman of the Delaware Nutrient 
Management Commission, Dave is Chairman of the Commission's Planning 
and Personnel subcommittees. Moreover, Dave's agricultural acumen and 
outstanding leadership in the field of agriculture has been recognized 
in Delaware and well beyond our borders. Most recently, he received the 
2010 Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture given 
by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. During my term as Governor, 
Dave was the Chairman of the Nutrient Management Advisory Committee, 
the organization responsible for drafting Delaware's ground breaking 
nutrient management statute. He is also a past president of the 
Delaware Council of Farm Organizations. Nationally, he has served on 
the American Egg Board and the Poultry Advisory Committee for the Farm 
Bureau, and regionally, he is a past chair of the Egg Clearinghouse and 
the Northeast United Egg Producers.
  Delaware is fortunate to have such an outstanding team led by Bill 
Vanderwende and Dave Baker to carry on a legacy of farming values that 
shape, honor and preserve our State's treasured agricultural heritage. 
Bill and Dave's leadership on the Nutrient Management Commission 
reaches those not just in our agricultural community, not just in our 
State, but the millions of Americans who are impacted by Delaware's 
decisions on nutrient management. The continued leadership of these two 
men will keep our farming industry prosperous, while protecting our 
natural resources for generations to come. It is with a genuine sense 
of honor and pride that I rise today to extend the heartfelt 
congratulations and thanks of our entire Congressional delegation to 
our friends and outstanding Delaware residents, Bill Vanderwende and 
Dave Baker.

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