    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

             Phase 11
             MURDERKILL RIVER'_'COR_'Rl`DOR REPORT

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                                                REPORT ON'PHASE 11. OF THE
                                      MURDERKILL RIVER CORRID                              -.@-ROJECT-

                                                               prepared by

                                                    Kent Conservation', District
                                                                      and
                                          Cooperating Agencies             and Organization'si""

                                                            September         1987

                        This project was coordinated by Robert E., Williams, Natural Resource.!7ons@itant for the,K-@;t
                        Conservation District. The project was partially funded by a grant frdmft Office of Ocean
                        Coastal Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, made   available ffirough the -
                        Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental C6nit'rol.

                                                     KENT CONSERVATION DISTRICT

                                                         3500 SOUTH DuPONT HIGHWAY
                                                            DOVER, DELAWARE 19901
                                                                 PHONE: 697-6176

                        Dear Friend of Conservation:

                                The Kent Conservation District is pleased to provide this Phase H report for the lik of

                        auencies, omanizations and landowners concerned with natural resources in the.Murderkill River

                        Corridor. Durin- Phase II, the management strategies developed on paper in the o ri@"g'inal Murderkill

                        River Corridor Report (1986) saw the first stacres of development in the field. One unusual aspect

                        of this implementation period has been the remarkably high level of cooperation among participants

                        representing 18 separate agencies and government groups. It is the intent of this report to detail

                        both the work accomplished and the exemplary teamwork demonstrated during Phase 11 of the

                        Murderkill River Corridor Project.

                                The cooperation and assistance of all participants in this effort have been appreciated.

                        Particular thanks go to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, Agland Preservation Section, for

                        the compilation of maps.

                                Finally, the District expresses appreciation to the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources

                        Mana-ement, for fundina made available duouah the Delaware Department of Natural Resources

                        and Environmental Control, and to the New Castle Conservation District for providing staff

                        support to help with the final report.

                                                                         Sincerely,

                                                                         Robert Winkler, Chair-man

                       Table of Contents

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                                           MURDERKILL RIVER CORRIDOR REPORT

                                                                  PHASE H

                                                      TABLE OF CONTENTS

                           Section                                  Topic                                     Page

                               1.               Summary                                                               1

                               2.               Introduction                                                          2

                               3.               Plan of Work: Project Number 1                                        4

                               4.               Plan of Work: Project Number 2                                        7

                               5.               Plan of Work: Project Number 3                                        9

                               6.               Plan of Work: Project Number 4                                        11

                               7.               Plan of Work: Project Number 5                                        13

                               8.               Plan of Work: Project Number 6                                        15

                               9.               Other Activities                                                      17

                               10.              Recommendations                                                       23

                               11.              Maps and Documentation                                                24

                                                            hhh@ -,
                                                         Summary

                      OF                                                                0 '1                                                               4%

                                                                 SUMMARY

                                The Murderkill River Corridor Project attempts to use a pro-active approach for developing

                        and conducting a comprehensive watershed management project. This program did not emerge as a

                        response to severe environmental problems, but rather as an attempt to develop a plan of resource

                        management that would preserve the watershed for future generations. Man3r agencies have been

                        working on independent resource management goals that overlap or complement each other. The

                        Murderkill River Corridor Project aims at bringing these efforts together to implement common

                        resource-management goals thmugh interagency cooperation.

                                The focus of the Murderkill River Corridor Project is on implementation of alternative

                        management options for natural resources. Management options developed earlier in the project

                        (Phase 1) provided the base from which implementing action could move forward. To attain any

                        degree of success, however, the actions to beimplernented in Phase II would depend on

                        coordinated efforts by representatives from the state, county, and municipal govenunents in

                        partnership with landowners. Once the management options undertaken have been completed, the

                        success of this team approach should be evident to all.

                                The Kent Conservation District's Murderkill River Corridor Project Plan of Work - Phase

                        Il serves as a plan of action for six projects designated to receive primary attention. Through its

                        Murderkill River involvement, the Kent Conservation District has demonstrated the ability to take a

                        broad resource management approach and become a leader among other natural resource agencies.

                                                              INTRODUCTION

                        BACKGROUND

                                In Fiscal Year 87, the Kent Conservation District received a grant from the Office of Ocean

                        and Coastal Resource Management (through the Department of Natural Resources and

                        Environmental Control) to carry out Phase Il of the Murderkill River Corridor Project. Phase I of

                        the Murderkill River Corridor Project included an inventory of natural and cultural resources;

                        analyzed current land uses and problems; and identified general options for resource management.

                        The results are published in a comprehensive Phase I report.

                                The major purpose of Phase Il is implementation of selected management options that can

                        be accomplished in a relatively short time and produce significant results using a team approach.

                                Since the Murderkill River Corridor is a complex of diverse and relatively unspoiled

                        resources, it provides an opportunity to develop cooperative effort in planning and implementing

                        measures needed to protect or improve specific and intermingled kinds of land. The mix of

                        wetlands, forests, farmland, waters, wildlife habitat, historical and cultural resources, and

                        urbanizing areas provide several immediate opportunities to utilize the team mechanism to achieve

                        conservation objectives.

                                The management options developed in the initial Murderkill River Corridor Report (1986)

                        became the starting point for the Phase 11 effort.

                                Each participant ranked the options in his area of interest into near-term, mid-term and

                        long-term categories. Although definite completion dates were not listed in most cases, it was

                        understood the near-term items would receive primary effort during Phase IL

                                Participants in this first implementation phase included the Soil Conservation Service
                        (SCS); the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS); the Kent County Planning

                        Office; Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREQ -

                        including the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the

                        Division of Water Resources, and the Division of Parks and Recreation; the Delaware Cooperative

                               Extension Ser-vice; the Bureau of Archaeology and Cultural Affairs; Delaware's Department

                       of Agriculture - Forestry Section; and the Kent Conservation District. This technical team will form

                       partnerships with area landowners to accomplish the resource management objectives.

                       PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

                               The purpose of the Phase II Report is to examine the status of resource management option

                       implementation. Particular attention has been paid to the team approach in order to evaluate its

                       effectiveness and detect any problems or weaknesses.

                       PROCESS
                               Initially, each agency participant pursued implementation strategies in6s:@iea of interest

                       using priority projects of his or her agency. It was quickly recognized that any effort spent in this

                       way would be spread over a multitude of unrelated projects. A focusing mechanism was urgently

                       needed.

                               The solution was found in the selection of six multi-resource projects on which 0

                       participants would concentrate, using individual areas of expertise as needed. These designated

                       projects were then incorporated into the Kent Conservation District's Murderkill River Cor-ridor

                       Plan of Work - Phase IL which is included in Section 9, Item A.

                       PHASEHREPORT

                               This report records the status of actions taken on the designated six projects as well as the

                       broader categories covered in the plan of work. It supports the formation of technical teams, which

                       fostered the crossing of agency lines to accomplish common tasks set before them.

                                                                      3

                                                 PLAN OF WORK: PROJECT NUMBER 1

                               Ralph A. Timmons, District Conservationist, Soil Conservation Service Resource for
                                                             Kent Conservation District.

                        PLAN OF WORK STATEMENT

                                Erosion and sediment control on steepJarmLands adjacent to or impacting upon
                                wetlands, natural areas, or wildlife habitat.

                                The Link Farm, just below Killens Pond State Park, established erosion and sediment

                        control basins on a steeply sloped field that drains into the Murderldll River. The erosion and

                        sediment control measures on the Link Farm will be expanded and will serve as a demonstmtion site

                        for other landowners. Two additional projects on other farms will be selected, planned,   and

                        implemented. The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) will take the lead assisted by the Agricultural

                        Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). The Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Wetlands

                        and Natural Heritage Sections of DNREC will support this effort.

                        BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY

                                The water-and sediment-control basins established on the Link farm as part of a complete

                        erosion-and sediment-control system showed that surface run-off could be controlled, thereby

                        demonstrating water-quality benefits in a difficult vegetable-farming operation. These conservation

                        measures proved that Best Mana ement Practices (BMPs) could be successfully applied by Kent

                        County landowners as conservation systems in their battle against erosion and sedimentation.

                        BNW's established on one field of the Link farm can serve as a model for the rest of the farm as well

                        as other farms in the area. The SCS is now developing a revised conservation plan that will contain

                        grassed waterways, drop structures, terraces. and tillage operations - all the BMP's needed to

                        resolve the problems on this particular farm and create a total conservation system.

                                Recognizing that Delaware farmers are experiencing financial restraints, the Kent

                        Conservation District participated in establishing, as a conservation incentive, a state-wide program

                        to supplement federal cost-sharing for implementing BNT's. This program is intended to ease the

                                                                          4

                        problem of completing a total conservation plan when installations of BMP's over a period of years

                        exceed the the financial ability of the landowner and cost-share monies available through traditional

                        USDA programs.

                                 At the start of Phase 111, the District and the SCS intended to target their conservation

                        planning efforts within the Murderkill River Corridor. However, this focus was too broad, so

                        critical areas were established. As a result, a map study was conducted and 24 potential areas were

                        identified. By piggy-backing on a DNREC Mosquito-Control aircraft flight, 14 of the 24 were

                        confirmed. A follow-up flight will be scheduled after crops are harvested to reconfirm areas and

                        indicate those that are most critical.

                                 From the critical areas Est, at least two additional farms will have new or revised

                        conservation plans developed. By working closely with landowners, the goal is to start BMP

                        placement as weather permits in the spring of 1988. In addition, at least one farm will be signed into

                        the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This is a federal program under the new "farm bill"

                        whereby a portion of cropland acreage will be taken out of production and dedicated to wildlife

                        planting.

                                 For the District and SCS to reach the goals stated above, they must produce the best

                        possible conservation plan that is in harmony with the farmer's land management goals. Even if this

                        occurs, getting BMP's established depends on a farmer's ability to take the action and contribute

                        his share to the total cost. The total effort may be frustrated for many reasons. Work schedules

                        could be destroyed, and the ultimate goal may possibly prove to be unreachable.

                                 The erosion-control effort in the Murderkill River Corridor came to the attention of the US

                        Department of Agriculture through the participation of the Soil Conservation Service in this study.

                        As a result, a corridor site was included in the filming of a flatland-erosion video presentation

                        developed by the United States Department of Agriculture for national distribution.

                        EVALUATION

                                 A mission being accomplished through a cooperative team approach is very evident in this

                                                                           5

                       project. Examples include the establishment and use of the state conservation cost-share, the use of

                       a scheduled Mosquito-Control flight, the sharing of technical assistance and funds, and the

                       cooperation needed to focus on the six designated projects.

                                                                         6

                                                 PLAN OF WORK: PROJECT NUMBER 2

                                          Lynn A. Herman, Regional Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Section,
                                                Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, DNREC.

                        PLAN OF WORK STATEMENT

                                Overcoming soil aci&ty and other problems associated with sludge dsposal on the
                                Penuel Wildlife Management Tract.

                                The farmland on the Penuel Tract was used, under lease to a private farmer, for disposal of

                        sewage sludge. Application of sludge over several years reduced the pH to 4.5 or lower, maldng

                        production of conventional crops impossible. A plan will be developed for all lands in the tract to

                        raise soil pH, improve productivity, and to integrate the use of farmland with overall wildlife

                        management objectives. The Wildlife Section, DNREC, will take the lead assisted by the Division

                        of Water Resources; the SCS, Extension Service, and ASCS; the Forestry Section of Delaware7s

                        Department of Agriculture; and the Kent Conservation District,

                        BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY:

                                The Penuel Tract of the Milford Neck Wildlife Area has had a history of sewage sludge

                        disposal. During the years 1983-86, The Kent County sewage treatment plant had an agreement

                        with the agricultural leases of the Penuel Tract to dispose of sewage sludge on the agricultural soils

                        of the area. Because of a general lack of communication between Kent County and the lessee, a

                        responsible program of sludge application was not followed. A crop failure during the 1986-87

                        growing season resulted in the cancellation of the agricultural lease and discontinued use of sewage

                        sludge in the agricultural practices of the area. Further investigation by the Wildlife Section revealed

                        pH values of from 4.6 - 5.1 on the fields of the tract. Public concern over the operation of the

                        Treatment Plant during 1986-87 focused attention on the Penuel Tract as an example of an

                        improperly administered program of sewage sludge disposal. Increased public attention resulted in

                        the loss to the county of most of the 240 farmers who had been accepting sludge as an integral pail

                        of their agricultural planning.

                                As sludge volume approached maximum storage capacity at the plant in the spring of 1987,

                                                                        7

                       DNRECs Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Water Resources, together with the

                      Delaware Cooperative Extension Service and Kent County, developed a plan whereby sewage

                      sludge would be applied to two tracts administered by the Wildlife Section. These include the

                      Penuel portion of the Milford Neck Wildlife Area and the Buckaloo, portion of the Ted Harvey

                      Conservation Area. OExhibits 1 & 2.)

                               The outcome has been a three-year lease by the county, effective with the 1987 growing

                      season, which permits only one application of sewage sludge per year, with rates determined by a

                      crop's capacity for nitrogen. Grain sorghum was chosen for the Penuel site because of its high

                      nitrogen uptake and drought resistance characteristics. The conservation plan on file for the Penuel

                      Tract, prepared by the Soil Conservation Service, was modified to accommodate the crop changes.

                      A complete update is scheduled for the fall of 1987. Soil-pH monitoring, ground-water analysis

                      through the use of test wells, and grain testing for the uptake of heavy metals will be used as a basis

                      for ensuring compliance with provisions of the agreement. For more details, see Section 9, Item B,

                      of this report.

                      EVALUATION BY COORDINATOR

                               The tearn approach was used to develop a quick reaction plan for resolution of the problem

                      existing at the Penuel Tract. A joint effort was undertaken by DNREC and Kent County to address

                      sewage-sludge disposal regulations. The resulting agreement provides a regulated basis for the

                      disposal of sludge on the Penuel and Buckaloo Tracts.

                                                                        8

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                                           PENUC4      TRACT

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                                                               MILFORD KECK WILDLIFE-AREA
                                                                      PENUEL TRACT

                               A. Hunting permitted in season (see note below).
                               9. The Refuge, located in the Northeast corner.of this tract (see map, other side)
                                  is closed to all forms of hunting and other activities.
                               C. Persons may hunt on the Milford Neck Wildlife Area only as directed    by the rules
                                  stated herein, which have beenestablished by Regulation 25 of the Division of Fish
                                  and Wildlife, pursuant to Section 103, 7 Delaware Code.
                               0. For further information, contact the Division of Fish.and Wildife,    Dover,
                                  Delaware (telephone 736-5297).
                               E. All waterfowl hunters must have proper boat safety equipment. See     the Delaware
                                  Hunting & Trapping Guide.

                                                                            William C. Wagner 11, Director
                                                                                                       1987

                                                          STATE WILDLIFE AREA USE REGULATIONS

                               FIREAR14S          - no firearms Permitted from March I through August 31 or on Sundays,
                                                    except on designated ranges. No firearms are permitted on dikes at
                                                    any time.
                               HUNTING            - Permitted  only as designated on area maps. No trapping except by
                                                    valid con       holders.
                               VEHICLES/BOATS     - No off highway  vehicles, either registered or unregistered,
                                                    permitted. Speed limit 20 m.p.h. No excessive noise; adequate
                                                    mufflers required. NO AIR BOATS.
                               TRESPASS           - No entry into closed areas.'    .
                               HOURS              - Entry limited from sunrise to sunset except to lawfully hunt and
                                                    fish.
                               CAMPING.  SWIMMING,- No unauthorized camping or swimming. Dumping is strictly prohibited.
                                 DUMPING

                                                    PLEASE OBSERVE THE COURTESIES OF A GOOD SPORTSMAN
                                                             HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE OUTING

                                    State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color,
                                    national origin, age, sex, religion and/or handicap or disability. If you
                                    believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or
                                    facility, or if you desire further information, please write to:

                                                 Office for Equal Opportunity     Division of Fish & Wilflife
                                                 U. S. Department of Interior     P.o. Box 1401 -
                                                 Washington. D. C. 20240          Dover. DE 19903

                               Federal Aid Project W-5-0

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                                                          TED HARVEY WILDLIFE AREA
                                                                BUCKALOO TRACT

                          A. WATERFOWL HUNTING

                          1. Hunters will hunt from state blinds GI and G2 only, by,lottery held at the Little Creek
                             checking station.
                          2. Ted Harvey drawing and hunting rules apply to Buckaloo.

                          B. DEER - ARCHERY

                          1. Archers may hunt from the six state-built stands during September and October.
                          2. No permit is needed.

                          C. DEER - SHOTGUN A MUZZLELOADER

                             Ted Harvey drawing and hunting ru
                                                              2es., including the pre-season drawing.,

                          0. A special steel shot'demonstration dove hunt wIII be allowed around,goose pit G2. Dove
                             hunting will be allowed September 5-19, Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Hunters are required
                             to leave the field by 4:00 P.M. Steel shot is required in all gauges. Hunters must check
                             in with attendant at the field

                          E. STEEL SHOT

                              Waterfowl and dove hunters are required to use steel shot in all gauges. It Is unlawful
                              to-possess any lead shot loads while hunting waterfowl or doves in this area.

                          F. NO OTHER HUNTING ALLOWED ON THIS TRACT

                          G.  Persons may hunt on the Buckaloo Tract only as directed by the above rules, which have
                              been established by Regulation 25 of the Division of Fi@ih and Wildlife, pursuant to
                              Section 103, 7 Delaware Code,

                          H.  For further information, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Dover, Delaware 19903
                              (telephone 736-5297).

                                                                             William C. Wagner 1, Director
                                                                                                       1987

                                    State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color,
                                    national origin, age, sex, religion and/or handicap or disability. If you
                                    beiieve you have been discriminated against In any program, activity, or
                                    facility, or If you desire further information, please write to:

                                       Office for Equal Opportunity    Division of Fish and Wildlife
                                       U. S. Department of Interior    P. 0. Box  1401
                                       Washington, D.C. 20240           Dover, Delaware 19903

                                    Federal Aid Project W-5-0

                                                PLAN OF WORK: PROJECT NUMBER 3
                                        Michael Petit De Mange, Plamer I, Kent County Planning Office

                       PLAN OF WORK STATEMENT

                               Work with Charles West to develop a planfor his proposed subdivision just south
                               of Coursey Pond

                               A zoning application has been approved by Kent County for a large subdivision (240 units)

                       just south of Coursey Pond. Since this subdivision lies within the Murderkill River Corridor, a

                       concentrated effort will be made to contact the landowner and work with him on a plan containing

                       such considerations as setbacks, erosion and sediment control, conservation areas and easements,

                       archaeological and cultural resources, parks, recreation areas, and reforestation. 71be District will

                       take the lead assisted by the Division of Parks and Recreation, Division of Fish and NVildlife, SCS,

                       Forestry Section of the Dept. of Agriculture, the County Planning Office, and Delaware's Bureau of

                       Archaeological and Cultural Affairs.

                       BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY

                               Subsequent to the publication of the Kent Conservation District's Plan of Work - Phase H,

                       a rezoning application from Calvin Meyers was approved by Kent County for the development of

                       land he owns north of Coursey Pond. The study group desired to expand the statement of work

                       and incorporate the second tract As a result, the District met and discussed the situation with the

                       two landowners and both accepted the offer of assistance.

                               The rezoned tracts were incorporated into a Coursey Pond regional map produced for the

                       Corridor Report (Section 9, Item Q and a copy was distributed to each study group participant.

                       Their comments; were to be submitted to the Kent County Planning Office, where they would be

                       compiled into a guidance package for the developers. Although simple to state, this has not been

                       rapidly done because it was not a routine case of checking accomplished work against regulations

                       and policies for compliance. This was a case of considering the regulations and policies first, and

                       then recommending what to do to best use the existing resources and/or ensure compliance with

                                                                      9

                         policies and regulations. Obviously the developers' desire to change the lake front will conflict with

                         policies against construction of piers and bulkheads and policies for preservation of fish and wildlife

                         habitats. Some discussions have taken place, but more are foreseen before the guidance packages

                         are complete.

                                  Exhibit I is the draft guidance package for the Charles West tract that was reviewed at a

                         September 1987 participant meeting. The discussion triggered additional ideas, so expansion of the

                         package is anticipated. Attention is directed to the fact that the rezoning authorized 240 units.

                         However, the draft recommends a Planned Unit Development (PUD) approach and set-asides,

                         which will reduce this number.

                                  Future steps will include forwarding the guidance packages to the landowners and

                         participating, upon request, in site-plan preparation as well as critique of the completed site plans

                         before their submission to Kent County for review and approval. Since the landowner can choose

                         when and how to proceed, no timetable or schedule can be forecast.

                                  Action was taken by the Delaware Department of Agriculture when the zoning applications

                         were filed. A report on Agland Preservation was prepared using the Kent County Land Evaluation

                         and Site Assessment aXSA) system. A copy of the report submitted on the Meyers tract is included

                         in Section 9, Item D of this report.

                         EVALUATION

                                  A true team involvement is seen in this project. Interaction between various levels of

                         government, as well as within the DNREC agencies, has been very pronounced. The guidance

                         package requirement removed many participants from their normal regulatory or reactive postures

                         by demanding response from a pro-active position. This project has so far proved to be an excellent

                         test of the pro-active involvement of traditional regulatory agencies.

                                                                           10

                              Murderkill River Corridor Project
                              Site Development Recommendations
                                 For The Charles West Tract

              In keeping with the goals and objectives of the Murderkill River
              Corridor Project the Kent County Planning Office believes that
              the major objective for development ofthis site should be to
              minimize land coverage and to designate uses that foster a sense
              of place and-individual responsibility. The Planning Staff offers
              the following recommendations:

                    1) Development plan should be prepared by a professional
                      site development firm which has expertise in structural
                      and landscape architecture and in the development of
                      waterfront property.

                    2) Site should be developed as a PUD (Planned Unit Develop-
                      ment) that would:

                              a) Permit reduced lot sizes.

                              b) Permit a variety of housing types (single-
                                 family, multi-plexes, etc.)

                              c) Reduce the amount.of land coverage and increase
                                 the area that could be designated for other
                                 uses such as conservation and recreation areas.

                     3) At least seventy percent of the permitted lots should occur
                        in cluster development. The remainder could be used for
                        larger individual lots.

                     4) Development along the shoreline of Coursey Pond should
                        be limited as follows:

                              a) 40% into residential lots.

                              b) 40% conservation/passive recreation.

                              c) 20% community facilities.

                     5) Building coverage on individual lots should be limited
                        as follows:

                              a) On wooded lots, no more than 20% of the lot
                                 shall be cleared for development.

                              b) Building coverage for any lot within the
                                 development shall be limited to 15% of the
                                 total lot area.

                    .6) The development should incorporate a variety of commun-@-
                        ity facilities which reflect the uniqueness of this

                                                                                    Exo

                     site such as:

                            a) Nature trails.

                            b) Boat ramp and picnic area.

                            c) Garden plots.

                            d) Recreation center and game fields.
                            e) Conservatio@ areas.

                   7) Country lane type cul-de-sac streets are recommended
                      with the following specifications:

                            a) Cartway width not to exceed 18 feet(20 feet
                               if curbing is required).

                            b) Cul-de-sac turnaround radius not to exceed
                               38 feet.

                            c) Irregularly shaped cul-de-sac turnarounds
                               would be permitted. Planted islands in cul-
                               de-sac turnarounds are encouraged.

             9/03/87
             MJP

                                                  PLAN OF WORK: PROJECT NUMBER 4
       0                Charles Salkin, Manager of Technical Services Section, Division of Parks and Recreation, DNREC

                        PLAN OF WORK STATEMENT

                                 Survey private lands within the Killens Pond State Park Area.

                                 The varied uses of private lands within the Killens Pond State Park area have some impact

                        on the park and the Murderkill River Corridor. A survey, with landowner cooperation, is needed to

                        identify land uses, possible conservation and/or recreation uses, problems, and opportunities. The

                        survey is needed for developing the overall management objectives of the park area. The Division

                        of Parks and Recreation will take the lead, assisted by the SCS, Division of Fish and Wildlife, and

                        the Forestry Section. A map of Killens Pond State Park is found in Section 9, Item E.

                        BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY

                                 Project participants undertaking the Killens Pond project were faced with outdated

                        management options for the park that included provisions for a mass parkland acquisition. In

                        reality, though, state officials had last acted on acquisitions for Killens Pond Park in 1978, and no

                        immediate plans consider new expansion. In addition, owners of private lands contiguous to

                        existing park boundaries may not support new acquisitions since the number of landowners have

                        increased and the land is more residential. Obviously, a proposal was needed to trigger cooperative

                        effort before a survey could be undertaken to show constructive ways of mutually benefitting both

                        landowners and the Park's overall objectives.

                                 The original Killens Pond Park master plan highlighted the need to preserve all natural and

                        cultural resources along the Murderkill River. Action had been taken in the immediate vicinity of the

                        public ponds in the area, but the remaining acreage was left in private ownership. A general action

                        was needed to help the park and nearby landowners.

                                 The catalyst forjoint public/private action for the total area appears to lie in establishment of

                        a greenway that would include Killens Pondi. McCauley Pond, and Coursey Pond. The greenway

                        would link up with the nature preserve to be established between McCauley and Coursey Ponds,

                        and Frederica and the Murderkill River Corridor would be covered.

                                Exhibit I shows an action plan for establishment of this greenway .

                        EVALUATION

                                A resource conservation vehicle, the greenway, is to be used to enlist the efforts of

                        landowners, a school district, a conservation district, and multiple state agencies to develop a

                        coordinated land-use plan for this segment of the watershed. This project is an example of how

                        group interaction led to a new approach to a problem.

                                                                       12

                                     MURDERKILL RIVER CORRIDOR PROJECT - PHASE II

                                                  Private Lands in the Vicinity of
                                                 Killens Pond State Park

                                This segment of the Murderkill River Corridor Project        is a
                           plan for Phase III for the preservation and conservation of
                           private lands in the vicinity of Killens Pond State Park.          Long-
                           range plans have called for the expansion of the park to include
                           adjoining private property and nearby lands and waters of the
                           Division of Fish and Wildlife. This plan wil.1 describe present
                           conditions, summarize the recreation and conservation history of
                           the area, explain the "geenway" concept, and outline a strategy
                           for application of that concept along the Murderkill at Killens
                           Pond.

                                        Description of Killens Pond State Park

                                Killens Pond State Park comprises 582 acres including the
                           66-acre pond itself. Since the initial acquisitions in 1965,
                           comprehensive    outdoor recreation facilities with a             family
                           orientation have been developed. Original development included a
                           boat ramp, picnic facilities, a natural swimming beach, hiking
                           trails, small-boat rental, playgrounds and primitive               youth
                           camping.   In the late 1970's and early 1980's a major expansion
                           project included a 59-site family campground, a modern swimming
                           pool complex, new boat rental facilities and expanded picnic/day-
                           use areas. Present development was completed in 1986 with the
                           additiort  of- " a --sportsJday-Use, @@om_ lex, expancred-_, pi@nicking
                                                                   P_
                                 -ties
                           facili     and a new p6rk' office.- -,(See attached. pamph-let.)

                                                  History of Acquisition

                                The first 485 acres of Killens Pond State Park was acquired
                           in 1965 from private landowners. This was the first use of
                           federal  Land and Water Conservation Fund monies in Kent County
                           and created the county's first and only state park.           In three
                           separate transactions between 1967 and 1978, 96 additional acres
                           were acquired bringing the total acreage to 582.

                                In January of 1970, a master plan report was compl6ted for
                           the Division of Parks and Recreation by a          private consultant
                           (Charles   T. Main, Inc., Boston, Mass.) for the                proposed
                           "Murderkiln State@, Park." It was anticipated that this large,
                           multipurpose outdoor recreation resource area would encompass
                           several thousand acres including Killens, Coursey, and McColley
                           Pond and all of the lands surrounding and connecting those ponds.
                           Phase I was to be acquired and implemented by 1980 and have an
                           instant capacity for over 11,000 visitors.           (See outline on
                           attached map.)     Needless to.say, this ambitious plan has been
                           implemented only on a small scale. No additional lands have been
                           purchased since 1978 and state officials have given no serious
                           consideration to implementation of Phases II and III of the 1970

                                                                                                       Ex.

                        master plan.     Wholesale acceptance of this plan at this time
                        would be seriously limited by escalating land costs, conflicting
                        land uses and the continued intrusion of private residences
                        within the proposed take lines. However, the need to meet ever-
                        growing recreation demand and to protect natural resources along
                        the Murderkill River Corridor remains.

                                                Need for Expansion

                             While Delaware's State Park system has own to include 5
                        parks each in New Castle and S-ussex Counties, villens Pond is the
                        only state park located in Kent County. Even though Kent County
                        may have its "fair share" of public outdoor recreation lands,
                        much of this is currently dedicated to fish and wildlife
                        activities and has not been set aside for active                public
                        recreational use.     Further, Kent County government owns and
                        manages only one small park near Dover and does not have a long-
                        range plan for a countywide system of regional parks. There are
                        no significant municipal parks in southern Kent County.

                             There are many reasons that Killens Pond State Park should
                        be expanded in the general direction proposed in Phase I of the
                        1970 master plan. First, there is no room within the State's
                        present land holdings for the addition of any major                new
                        recreation facilities. Second, expansion of existing use would
                        push public activity very close to the park boundaries increasing
                        the likelihood of conflicts with adjacent land uses.            Third,
                        additional lands are needed to facilitate efficient management,
                        i.e.; -el-iminate tro-uble-some inholdin s, -reduce   0icroachments
                                                                -9
                                           0                  Four--th, att-e-ndance at. Ki I lens-
                        develop" internal r ad sy-stem,--etc
                        Pond continues    to increase; in   recent years, average annual
                        visitor days have been over 150,000. Fifth, the 1984 Statewide
                        Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) calls for more
                        facilities in Kent County to meet the need for             bicycling,
                        camp-ing, swimming, fishing, tennis, golf, and sport fields; all
                        of these activities could be accommodated within an expanded
                        state park at Killens Pond. Finally, the original park master
                        plan highlighted the need for preservation of all natural and
                        cultural resources along what we now call the              Murderkill
                        Corridor; these objectives have been met only in the areas
                        immediately surrounding the public ponds.

                                       Planning for a Killens Pond Greenway

                             A greenway is a stream corridor or other linear section of
                        the landscape which is protected in the public interest by joint
                        public/private efforts or through multiagency pu.,lic action. The
                        purpose of the greenway is to protect individual elements of
                        natural and cultural heritage into a cohesive whole while
                        providing    expanded    opportunities    for   linear     recreation
                        activities. This concept has direct applicability to the portion
                        of the Murderkill River near Killens Pond, if not to the entire
                        corridor.    This holistic 'approach would enable other public

                          conservation agencies to join with the Department of -Natural
                          Resources and Environmental Control to protect a Killens Pond'
                          Greenway in a more satisfactory and comprehensive manner than if
                          only potential state park resources were addressed.

                                The primary benefits of acquisition/conservation of this
                          corridor   include:

                                1.   Protection of water resources to promote water quality,
                                     aquatic life, fishing and boating.

                                2.   Connecting existing. state-owned lands and            provic rg
                                     opportunities for linear recreation such as hiking and
                                     canoeing.

                                3.   Conservation of      wildlife by       connecting      otherwise
                                     disconnected habitat.

                                4.   Aesthetic enhancement including scenic vistas        for thos@
                                     within and outside of    the geenway corridor.

                                5.   Expanded protection of historic and prehistoric cultual
                                     resources, the value of which alone may not warrant
                                     acquisition or governmental action.

                                6.   Linking Killens Pond State Park with the Murderkill
                                     River    Natural Area/Nature Preserve to extend               the
                                     benefits of the greenway to Frederica.

                                7.   In-clusidfi of-public and pri4ately@owned buffer-areas- to
                                 -             --re@sourc-e va                        be- justified-.
                                     protect                @ 1 ues -wh,f ch mig,ht--not
                                     solely for state park purposes.

                                8.   Utilization of conservation methods such as conservation
                                     easements,     best    management     practices,     etc.      as
                                     alternatives to acquisition.

                                                   Interagency Cooperation

                                The following agencies and interests should be included in
                          future efforts to expand Killens Pond State Park and/or establish
                          the greenway:

                                Division of Parks and Recreation
                                   *Killens Pond State Park
                                   *SCORP
                                   *Natural Areas
                                   *Rare Plant Conservation
                                   *Interpretation

                               Division of Fish and Wildlife
                                 *Coursey Pond Access Area
                                 *Fish and Wildlife Management
                                 *Mosquito Control
                                 *Endangered Species.-
                               Department of Agriculture
                                 *LESA Evaluation
                                 *AgLand Preservation
                                 *Forestry

                               Division of  Aistorical and Cultural Affairs
                                 *Historic  and Prehistoric Sites
                                 *Cultural   Surveys

                               Kent Conservation District
                                 *Landowner Contacts
                                 *Erosion and Sediment Control
                                 *Floodplain Management
                                 *Agricultural Conservation Practices

                               Lake Forest School District
                                 *Lake Forest High School
                                 *Outdoor Education

                                                     Recommendations

                               To advance the cause of expanding Killens Pond State Park
                         utilizing the concept of-greenway planning, the-following           step's
                        -should beundertaken@._

                               1.   Representatives from the above-mentioned agencies         (and
                                    others as appropriate) should join together to form a
                                    planning team to further define and carry out this
                                    effort.

                               2.   This group should do a parcel-by-parcel review of all
                                    private lands identified on the attached map to evaluate
                                    the conservation values of each property and their
                                    significance to the state park and the greenway.

                               3.   Appropriate    boundaries or "take lines" should            be
                                    redefined according to the findings of the evaluations
                                    and the interests of the participating agencies.

                               4.   Citizen participation, including landowners from the
                                    immediate neighborhood, should be promoted to encourage
                                    citizen support and to insure the success of the effo.-t.

                               5.   As strategies are developed, individual            landowners
                                    should   be    contacted to educate them         and     begin
                                    implementation, as appropriate.

                                                             VISIT OUR OTHER
                                                                                                      Killens Pond
                                                                   DELAWARE
                                                                                                      State         Park
                                                                STATE PARKS!

                                                                  Bellevue State Park
                                                                  Carr Rd., Wilmington
                                                             Brandywine Creek State    Park
                                                                Rt. 100 and 92, Rockland
                                            1r+               Cape Henlopen State Park
                                                                         Lewes
                                                          Walter S. Carpenter Jr. State Park
                                                                Rt. 896, north of Newark
                                                             Delaware Seashore State Park
                                                             Rt. 1, south of Rehoboth Beach                                   "ON
                                                               Fenwick Island State Park
                                                                 Rt. 1 , south of Bethany

                                            ONE"
                     g'                                        Fort Delaware State Park
                                                                     Delaware City
                                                               Holts Landing State Park
                           Moor",                                    Rt. 26, Millville
                                                                Lums Pond State Park
                                                                    Rt. 896, Kirkwood
                                                                 Trap Pond State Park
                                                                  Rt. 24, east of Laurel

                                                                         HT OF NA

                                                                              ..........

                                                                A@  -A&

                                                                          NMENTNt -
                                                                  I)PAYD E WR

                                                                                                                        LEGEND                               the main attraction, offering fishing and
                                                                                                                   (2   PARKING                              boating opportunities. Largemouth bass,
                                                                                                                   M    'ARK OFFICE                          pickerel, crappie and bluegills wait to
                                                                                                                        COMFORT STATION                      bend those rods. A boat launching area is
                                                                                                                        PAVILION                             available, as well as paddleboat, rowboat
                                   FIT. 384                                                                        M    PICNIC AREA                          and canoe rentals.
                                                                                                                        FAMILY CAMPING                              Blue waters of a 25-meter pool invite
                                                                                                                        PRIMITIVE YOUTH CAMP
                                                                                                                                                             visitors to take a plunge while the little
                                                                                                                        DAY CAMP
                                                                                                                                                             ones splash in a separate wading pool. A
                                                                                                                        SHOWER BUILDING
                                                                                                                        HIKING TRAIL                         ramp for the disabled leads into the pool,
                                                                                                                   0    FITNESS TRAIL                        and wet wheelchairs are provided.
                                                                                                                   8    DISC GOLF                            Afterward, bathers may shower and dress
                                                                                                                   is   BASEBALL                             in a modern bathhouse, also accessible
                                                                                                                        BASKETBALL                           to the disabled.
                                                                                                                        VOLLEYBALL                                  Hikers enjoy the Lakeside Nature
                                                                             ........                                   SHUFFLEBOARD                         Trail, that winds along the wooded slopes
                                                                ...... .... .                                           HORSESHOES
                                                                                                                        PLAYGROUND                           of the pond to its source, the Murderkill
                                                                                                                                                             River, and back along sun-splashed open
                                                                                                                        DOG TRAINING AREA
                                                                                                                   19   FISHING                              fields. For additional exercise, a physical
                                                                                                                                                             fitness trail and a nine-hole Frisbee golf
                                                           K I L L E N  S                                          0    SWIMMING
                                                                           P 0 N D
                                                                                                                   0    BOAT LAUNCH RAMP                     course provide a challenge.
                                          ... .... ......
                                                                                                                   0    BOAT RENTAL
                                        ..........                                                                                                                  Camping is a primary Killens Pond
                                                                                                                                                             d
                                                                                                                                                               raw, with 59 wooded campsites
                                                         ......... ...                                                                                       featuring hookups for water and electric, a
                                                                                                                                                             modern shower house and a sewage
                                                                                                                                                             dumping station. The sites are available
                                                                                                                                                             on a first come, first served basis. Also, a
                                                                                                                                                             primitive camping area is available for
                                                                                                                                                             youth groups.
                                                                                ...                                                                                 Picnic sites, athletic fields, new game
                                                   PARADISE
                                                             ALLEy
                                                                                                                                                             courts such as shuffleboard and horse-
                                                                                                                                                             shoes, and a dog training area add to
                                                                                                                                                             Killens Pond State Park's appeal.
                                                                                                                                                                    A pleasant day of fun and relaxation
                                                                                                                                                             in a beautiful, natural setting await Killens
                                                                                                                                                             visitors. For more information, write
                                                                                                                                                             Killens Pond State Park, R.D. #11, Box 198,
                                                                                Killens Pond may be the only state                                           Felton, DE 19943, or call (302) 284-4526.
                                                                         park in Delaware's central county, but this                                                Location: Killens Pond is one mile
                                                                         diversified facility offers almost every-                                           southeast of Felton, between U.S.
                                                                         thing an outdoor enthusiast could want.                                             Route 13 and U.S. 113 in Kent County.
                                                                         Recreational opportunities abound amid                                                   No person or group shall be excluded from
                                                                         grassy fields, woods carpeted with pine                                             participation, denied any benefits, or subjected to
                                                                         needles and sparkling waters.                                                       discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin,
                                                                                                                                                             or handicap. The Department of Natural Resources and
                                                                                The 66-acre picturesque mill pond is                                         Environmental Control is an equal opportunity employer.

                                                    PLAN OF WORK: PROJECT NUMBER 5
                                           Virginia A. Gruwell, District Manager, Kent Conservation District

                         PLAN OF WORK STATEMENT

                                  Contact Bowers Beach, South Bowers Beach, Frederica, and the Kent County
                                  governments to determine if needsfor assistance exist with respect to their
                                  participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

                                  Kent County and the towns of Bowers, South Bowers, and Frederica all participate in the

                         NFIP under ordinances approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Division

                         of Soil and Water Conservation will take the lead in determining their interest in and need for

                         additional assistance in order to carry out the provisions of the floodplain ordinances.

                         BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY

                                  In the years since the ordinances were approved by the Federal Emergency Management

                         Agency (FEMA), there have been numerous changes in land use and government personnel. It was

                         obvious a review would be beneficial for orientation purposes as well as to determine if needs
                         existed. During this phase, repeated in-person and telephone contacts were made to obtain

                         information needed by the Conservation District and Kent County officials to evaluate the

                         participation of FEMA in each community. To fully assess needs, the Conservation District also

                         asked the three towns and Kent County to complete a modified Association of State Floodplain

                         Managers'questionnaire (Exhibit 1).

                                  As a result of the extensive contact process, the needs in the communities are now known.

                         But, at the conclusion of the Phase II period, completed questionnaires had been submitted by only

                         Kent County and Bowers Beach. This return rate, though not unexpected, demonstrated the need to

                         track personnel changes in the small communities in the county and arrange orientations as quickly

                         as possible to keep interest sustained.

                                  The effort to obtain completed questiomaires will continue, particularly for their value to

                         the municipalities involved. Non-receipt of the finished forms, however, will not bar further

                                                                             13

                                    ASSOCIATION OF STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS
                                  .AND THE                CONSERVATION DISTRICT
                                       COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE QUESTIONNAIRE
     $your community is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program           (NFIP) and you may
         have found a need for additional technical advice or assistance on various aspects of
         floodplain management. Such assistance could be provided by services of our Conservation
         District technicians.

         In order to improve floodplain management assistance programs, we are trying to find out
         in what areas communities need the most help. On a scale of 0 to 3, please circle the
         score for each of the following activities.

              0 =  We don't need any outside help
              I =  We could use some assistance
              2 =  Assistance is very important
              3 =  We may have to drop from the program if we don't receive additional help

                                                    Activity                           Score (Circle  One)

         Flood Hazard        A.  Obtaining floodplain maps                             0     1     2      3
         Identification      B.  Revising maps to reflect changed conditions           0     1     2      3
                             C.  Obtaining flood elevations in unstudied areas         0     1     2      3
                             D.  Identifying floodways                                 0     1     2      3
                             E,  Understanding floodplain maps and data                0     1     2      3
                             F:  Identifying unique hazards (alluvial fans,            0     1     2      3
                                 mud flows, coastal erosion areas, etc.)
      6-loodplain            G.  Wise uses of floodplains                              0     1     2      3
       WIPGagement
         Assistance

         Regulatory          H.  Develop local floodplain building standards           0     1     2      3
         Assistance          1.  Understanding the NFIP regulations                    0     1     2      3
                                 Preparing or revising the ordinance                   0     1     2      3

         Assistance  to      K.  Administering a permit & inspection     program       0     1     2      3
         Administer          L.  Reviewing building/development plans                  0     1     2      3
                             M.  Obtaining and certifying building floor               0     1.    2      3
                                 elevations
                             N.  Reviewing requests. for variances and waivers         0     1     2      3
                             0.  Pursuing and correcting violations                    0     1     2      3

         Information         P.  Flood warning and evacuation                          0     1     2      3
                             Q.  Stormwater management techniques                      0     1     2      3
                             R.  Floodproofing techniques                              0     1     2      3
                             S.  Flood insurance coverage and claims                   0     1     2      3
                             T.  NFIP banking and lending    rules                     0     1     2      3
                             U.  Public information on flood programs                  0     1     2      3

         Please return this form by November 20, 1986, to:

                                                                                                          Ex.

                       assistance. The Kent Conservation District and Kent County representatives will evaluate the forms

                       that have been received (Section 9, Items FI and F2) and develop a program to satisfy the needs

                       identified. This program can be revised if additional needs are revealed by the two late reports.

                               Finally, both Kent County and the Kent Conservation District fully realize that any

                       assistance to facilitate local compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFEP) must

                       include an educational program for realtors and landowners as well as for agency and government

                       representatives.

                       EVALUATION

                               The Kent Conservation District and Kent County have learned that local interest in a

                       program like NFIP will wane as government agency contacts diminish. Personnel changes can

                       result in the loss of experience and knowledge, thus m-orientation after a personnel change is

                       strongly suggested. This project demonstrates how the Conservation District can and does interact

                       with government in small communities.

                                                                       14

                                               PLAN OF WORK: PROJECT NUMBER 6
                          Ron Vickers, Chief, Natural Heritage Programs, Division of Parks and Recreation, DNREC.

                       PLAN OF WORK STATEMENT

                               Contact landowners within deflned natural areas to encourage registration and
                               dedication of land. Individual letters will be written to landowners in natural areas
                               to befollowed by personal visits. The effort will be to encourage protection of the
                               total area -public andprivate. The Division ofParks and Recreation will take the
                               lead, assisted by the SCS, Wildlife Section, Wetlands Section, and others as
                               appropriate-

                       BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY

                               The Office of Nature Preserves within DNREC is mandated under the 1978 Natural Areas

                       Preservation System Act to administer a statewide system of nature preserves and natural areas.

                       These lands contain unique or significant examples of Delaware's diverse natural heritage:

                       unspoiled wetlands, old growth forests, rare plant and animal communities, and geological or

                       archaeological sites. These natural landscapes provide endangered species habitats, scientific

                       research sites, reservoirs of native ecosystems, critical areas benefitting the environment, and

                       buffers against modem-day pressures.

                               Protection of natural areas is encouraged by a voluntary three-step process:

                                              (1) inventory - locate the most significant sites;

                                              (2) registration - recognition by the state and landowner of the significance

                                                 of the area and a good-faith agreement to protect it; and

                                              (3) dedication - permanent legal restriction placed on the area through a

                                                 conservation easement or articles of dedication. Once a natural area is

                                                 dedicated, it is a nature preserve.

                               Part of the Murderkill River Corridor Project area contains a site on the statewide natural

                       areas inventory. This large expanse of undeveloped waterway and wooded swamp includes the

                       river and adjacent woodlands and wetlands from Frederica to Coursey Pond and Browifs Branch to

                       McCauley Pond.

                               A packet of information was mailed to natural-area landowners to inform them of the

                                                                      15

                        Murderkill River Corridor Project and to encourage them to protect the natural heritage values of

                        their land. The packet included a cover letter, two handouts on the natural areas program, a map of

                        the defined area, and a site description. (Section 9, Item G-1.)

                                A completed nomination-registration form for a natural-area landowner and a deed to a

                        dedicated nature preserve, which includes a management plan, are found in Section 9, Items G-2

                        and G-3. Followup site visits are being scheduled and, when necessary or requested, technical

                        assistance will be provided by other agencies.

                                This project required creating a list, by tract and address, of at least a portion of the

                        landowners. After discussion, it was decided that this information should be compiled for the entire

                        corridor area. Later, it became apparent that the information should be presented in both a typed list

                        and a map.

                                The quantity of human resources needed to do this compilation manually was staggering,

                        so the Conservation District queried Kent County to see if the requirement could be met by

                        extraction of data from their data-processing files. Investigation proved this to be feasible, and the

                        agencies agreed to share production costs.

                                The landowner data was processed through the Department of Agriculture digitizer and the

                        map in Section 9, Item G-4 came into being.

                        EVALUATION

                                Hem again is interaction of government agencies to produce a procedure and documents of

                        use to the study group. Of greater import in this project, however, was the cost-saving method

                        devised for obtaining the required current data. Also seen is the ability of the Kent Conservation

                        District to bridge the gap between agencies and assist in funding a solution.

                                                                        16

                                                                                                                                                                                                    -------                   A
                                                                                                                                                                                                  @l    Other Activitie      -s- I

                                                        OTHER ACTIVITIES

                     PURPOSE

                             Resource management in Delaware has become a complex system of agencies
                     pursuing resource management goals that often complement each other. The Murderkill
                     River Corridor Project pointed out that many activities undertaken in Delaware by resource
                     management agencies were helping the effort without any special coordination of the project
                     committee.

                              In addition to the six designated projects, the Plan of Work - Phase 11 contains management

                     options for other general categories. These include Farmland, Recreation, and Water Quality,

                     among others. This section addresses activity in the general categories during this reporting period.

                     FARMLAND

                             1.      Food Security Act of 1985

                                             This "farm bill" produced new Conservation Reserve, Conservation

                                     Compliance, Sodbuster, and Swampbuster provisions. The landowners in Kent

                                     County had to be informed of these provisions because anyone growing crops had

                                     to select options.

                                             Kent Conservation District joined with the SCS and ASCS in use of

                                     newsletters and radio spot announcements for a total of seven releases during this

                                     phase. Examples are in Section 9, Items H- I through H-3. In addition, the Kent

                                     Conservation District passed out several hundred slick cover packets on this subject

                                     at the Delaware State Fair in August.

                                             By encouraging full participation in the fann bill program, many acres of

                                     highly erodible lands can be removed from production and stabilized to prevent

                                     erosion. The result will be significant water-quality benefits and better land-use

                                     over the long term.

                             2.      Development of Alternative Crops and Cropping Systems.

                                     a -     Grain S  orghurn

                                                     More commonly known as milo, this item has been proposed as an

                                                                   17

                                                   alternative crop, and poultry integrators have been encouraged to consider

                                                   it as part of poultry rations. As a result, in 1986, contracts were offered in

                                                   the amount of 320,000 bushels.

                                                           Milo's advantages are good production on droughty soils, input

                                                   costs which are 30 percent those of corn, and more consistent yields than

                                                   corn. The grain also can provide a needed crop rotation in Delaware.

                                                   (Section 9, Item 1-1.)

                                          b -      Dr@ Edible Bean Cultivars

                                                           Insight into the process of developing an alternative crop, such as

                                                   edible dry beans, is found in a project to evaluate upright dry edible bean

                                                   cultivars in Delaware (Section 9, Item 1-2) and an accompanying briefing

                                                   (Section 9, Item 1-3).

                                          C -      Research

                                                           Funding for University of Delaware research and on-farm research

                                                   for eight new commodities (which included four bean varieties, two

                                                   potato varieties and a watermelon) was provided by the Department of

                                                   Agriculture through the Market and Research Program (Section 9,

                                                   Item 14). By promoting these alternative crops, Delaware farmers can

                                                   begin to reduce irrigation requirements and therefore improve water

                                                   quality.

                                 3.       Alternative Opportunities

                                                   An Agricultural Producer Processing Committee has been formed to

                                          evaluate producer processing opportunities in Delaware. A successful Texas

                                          program is being considered for possible implementation in Delaware. (Section 9,

                                          Item J-1.) A committee agenda is in Section 9, Item J-2.

                                                   This committee concluded that they should explore areas such as.

                                                                           18

                                          aquaculture and non-food products. The latter would include domestic rubber,

                                          kenaf fiber to manufacture newsprint, and erucic acid for industrial consumption

                                          (Section 9, Item J-3).

                                                   The committee also found different approaches contained in a TV special

                                          presented by the National Audubon Society in April 1987. The theme was cost-

                                          effective methods of raising crops toward a style called regenerative farming. Many

                                          farmers in the US have changed patterns and methods to reduce or eliminate the

                                          use of chemicals (Section 9, Item J-3).

                                                   Pertinent information concerning these new approaches is being sought

                                          and evaluated by the committee and will be supported as more details become

                                          available. Again, regenerative fanning has major production and water-quality

                                          benefits.

                                 4.       Economics

                                          a -      Financial Management

                                                   1.       The Cooperative Extension Service has organized a Farm

                                                            Financial Management Center to focus on economics in

                                                            agriculture. A typical conference agenda covers subjects such as

                                                            new crops, new livestock ventures, producer processing and

                                                            alternative dollar-producing opportunities (Section 9, Item K-1).

                                                   2.       Extension Circular 148 was published in April 1987. This

                                                            document reveals current information on farm financial conditions,

                                                            based on surveys conducted in 1986 and 1987. (Section 9,

                                                            Item K-2).

                                                   3.       Another Extension publication available for purchase is Methods

                                                            of Soils Analysis & Irrigated Corn Production. This is a guide to

                                                            yields based on decades of research and encourages maximum-

                                                                                19

                                                       profit yields instead of maximum-production yields. A financial

                                                       review of a farm may show where dollars can be saved by

                                                       changing wasteful management techniques. An example is the

                                                       overuse of fertilizers. Not only does cutting back save money, but

                                                       water-quality problems are reduced in the process.

                                      b -      Financial Assistance

                                                       A legislative initiative generated by the Delaware Department of

                                               Agriculture during Phase II of the Murderkill Corridor Study proposed

                                               establishment of a "Center for Alternative Agriculture." Its suggested

                                               placement in the Commodity Development Section indicates concern for

                                               markets for the new crops and financial suppon, particularly for young

                                               people desiring to start fanning in Delaware. Another initiative addressed

                                               low interest funding to support irrigation activities (Section 9, Item K-3).

                                               Even though interest in each initiative was high, funding was not currently

                                               available and neither initiative was passed by Delaware's legislature.

                                                       Maintaining agriculture in Delaware promotes open space, large

                                               land ownership, and the ability to manage natural resources. A loss of

                                               agriculture will promote smallefland ownership and increased residential

                                               development in rural areas. A healthy farm community can help in the

                                               Murderkill River Corridor by preserving its natural resource base.

                              5.      Soil Erosion

                                               The Delaware No-Till Council annual meeting attracted 250 producers. The

                                      program featured no-fill operations and use of poultry manure on no-fill ground.

                                      (Section 9, Item I-1.) The agricultural agencies commend the water-quality

                                                                      20

                            benefits being realized through no-till fanning. Even though soil erosion is

                            naturally reduced through no-till operations, wise use of chemicals is a concern.

                            The Delaware No-Till Council can reach producers and effect positive changes.

                      6.    Pesticides

                            a -   A Department of Agriculture report on the certification and use enforcement

                                  of pesticides is in Section 9, Item L-1. The report reveals that a national

                                  certification program review identified Delaware as one of the states

                                  needing major changes in this area. As a result, all commitments for

                                  inspections and sampling under the EPA Cooperative Enforcement

                                  Agreement were met or exceeded.

                            b -   The Cooperative Extension Service provided supporting education

                                  materials such as:

                                  Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendationsfor 1987

                                  Commercial Fruit Productionfor 1987

                                  Tri-State Commercial Pesticide Recommendationsfor Field Crops in 1987

                                  (See Section 9, Item 1-1).

                            c -   Better pesticides can only benefit the Murderkill River Corridor.

                      7.    Water Quality

                            a -   Best Management Practices

                                        The Cooperative Extension Service has developed fact sheets on

                                  Best Management Practices for Agricultural Wastes (Section 9, Item I-1).

                            b -   Manure

                                1       Demonstrations on manure management with small grains and

                                        corn were successfully conducted (Section 9, Item I-1).

                                 2.     Representatives from federal, state, and local government and

                                        industry have formed a committee named PLUS (Poultry Litter

                                                  21

                                                       Utilization and Storage) to deal with manure storage. (Section 9,

                                                       Item 1-1.) Again, this effort should produce major water-quality

                                                       benefits.

                                       c -    Delaware Stream Watch

                                                       Monitoring is being accomplished in the Murderkill River Corridor

                                             under Delaware Nature Education Society (DNES) and DNREC

                                             coordination. A station for Brown's Branch is located in Harrington,

                                             Delaware and the Murderkill River mainstream is patrolled from Frederica to

                                             Bowers Beach. The DNES, which strongly supports projects like this, is

                                             actively seeking additional volunteers to expand coverage.

                             8.        Natural Heritage

                                       a -   Rare Plant Survey

                                                       Funding is being sought to support this operation. Initial field

                                             work would begin on the dedicated nature reserve within the Murderkill

                                             River Corridor.

                                       b -    Natural Areas Directory

                                                       The existing directory is being revised and will reflect areas in the

                                              Murderkill River Corridor.

                                                                     22

                I
                   Recommendations
                1@ L..     -- -1

                                                          RECOMMENDATIONS

                               The sheer amount of work undertaken and accomplished during Phase 11 of this study

                      clearly demonstrates that a group of agency and government representatives with diverse concerns

                      or areas of responsibility can successfully address conservation issues through a team approach.

                               The Ke nt Conservation District's Plan of Work, which focused on designated projects,

                      facilitated the study group participants' ability to jointly develop definitive action plans. The new-

                      found ability for many project participants to shift temporarily from the role of reactive regulator to

                      proactive technical assistant is a clear benefit of this endeavor.

                               Overall the Murderkill River Corridor Report has been an excellent vehicle for opening lines

                      of communication, developing appreciation for other concerns or areas of responsibility, and

                      development of new end-products or techniques that will be applicable in areas other than the

                      Murderkill River basin.

                               Based on these remarks, it is recommended that:

                               1       The study be continued using the team approach for the six targeted projects.

                               2.      Meetings be scheduled on a more regular basis.

                               3.      The Kent Conservation District prepare meeting agendas which reserve time to

                                       address other resource management options not directly linked to the six projects.

                               4.      The Kent County Planning Office conduct an orientation briefing for study group

                                       participants. Presentation should cover the zone and development process and

                                       related codes and regulations.

                                                                      23

                                            i
                                               Maps & Documents __ i
                                            j @Mlaps & Dc

                                                     MAPS AND DOCUMENTATION

                               SEQUENCES                                     ITEM
                                       A.               Kent Conservation District, Murderkill River Corridor Report,
                                                        Phase H, Plan of Work, 1987.

                                       B .              DNREC, Wildlife Section, Memorandum to Delaware Advisory
                                                        Council on Fish & Game, Sewage Sludge Application on State
                                                        Wildlife Areas. June 26, 1987.

                                       C.               Map: Coursey Pond Region

                                       D.               Department of Agriculture, Letter to Kent County Planning Office.
                                                        RE: Petition Z-87-9. February 5, 1987.

                                       E.               Map: Killens Pond State Park Area

                                       F-1              Questionnaire for Kent County

                                       F-2              Questionnaire for Bowers Beach

                                       G-1              Information Packet for Natural-Area Landowners.

                                       G-2              Example of Completed Nomination - Registration of Natural Areas
                                                        Form

                                       G-3              Example of Deed for a Dedicated Nature Preserve

                                       G-4              Map of Tracts and Landowners

                                       H-1              SCS Public Service Announcement RE: Farm Bill Slide Show
                                                        Available. December 12,1986.

                                       H-2              Kent County ASCS News, Volume 27 No. 1
                                                        SodbusterlSwampbuster Reminder. January 21, 1987.

                                       H-3              Kent Conservation District Newsletter, Volume 12 Issue 3, Don't
                                                        Lose Your Eligibility.

                                       I-1              University of Delaware, College of Agricultural Sciences &
                                                        Cooperative Extension System, 1986 Annual Report.

                                       1-2              Delaware Department of Agriculture Files Project Title: Evaluation
                                                        of Upright Dry Edible Bean Cultivars in Delaware to Assist
                                                        Market Development. Undated, 3 pp.

                                       1-3              Delaware Department of Agriculture Files, Briefing Script. Dated
                                                        2/11/87, 3 pp.

                                       14               Delaware Department of Agriculture Files Commodity
                                                        Development Section, Annual Report, Fiscal 1987. 4 pp.

                                       J-1              Delaware Cooperative Extension Memorandum RE: Agricultural
                                                        Producer Processing. January 12, 1987.

                                                                      24

                                            MAPS & DOCUMENTATION (Continued)

                                     J-2             Proceedings - Producer Processing Committee, January 16, 1987.

                                     J-3             Delaware Cooperative Extension Memorandum RE: Alternative
                                                     Opportunitiesfor Farmers, April 6, 1987.

                                     K-1             Delaware Department of Agriculture, Division of Production and
                                                     Promotion, Memorandum. RE: Strategiesfor Tomorrow's
                                                     Farmer. December 16,1987.

                                     K-2             Delaware Cooperative Extension. EJaension Circular 148, April
                                                     1987.

                                     K-3             Proposal: To establish a center for alternative agriculture within the
                                                     Commodity Development Section. Delaware Department of
                                                     Agriculture. Undated. 2 pp.

                                     L-1             Report on Pesticide Certification and Use Enforcement. No
                                                     Letterhead. Undated, 2 pp.

                                                                  25

                                                                 KENT CONSERVATION DISTRICT
                                                                 3500 South duPont Highway
                                                                         P.O. Box 864
                                                                   Dover, Delaware    19303

                                                       MURDERKILL RIVER CORRIDOR PROJECT    - PHASE 11
                                                                    Plan of Work     1937

                   The Kent Conservation District received a grant from the Office of       Ocean and Coastal Resource Management through
             the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to carry out Phase II of the Murderki I I River Corridor
             Project.   The Murderk i I I River Corr idor Project inc I uded an inventory of natur a I and cu I tura I resouras; ana I yz ad current
             land uses and problems; and identified general options for resource management.
                   The major purpose of Phase I I is imp I ementati on of s a I acted management opt ions thpt can be accomp I i shed in a
             relatively short time and produce significant results using a team approach.
                  'Since the Murderki I I River Corridor is a complex of diverse and relatively unspoi led resources, it provides an
             opportunity to develop cooperative effort in planning and implementing measures needed to protect or- improve specific
             and intermingled kinds of land.     The nsix of wetlands, fo  'rests, farmland, waters, wildlife habitat, historical and
             cultural resources, and urbanizing areas provide several immediate opportunities to utilize the team mechanism to
             achieve conservation objectives.     The following projects will be developed under the overall coordination of the Kent
             Conservation District particularly the relationship between private landowners and state agencies.

                  1.   Erosion and sedinsent control on steep farailands adjacent to or impacting upon wetlands, natural areas,
                       wi ldl if e habitat, etc.
                             The Link Farm just below the Ki I lens Pond State Park establ ished erosion and sediment control basins on a
                             field with rather steep slopes which drains into the Murdarkill River.          The erosion and sediment control
                             measures on the Link Farm wi I I be expanded and wi I I serve as a demonstration to use with other
                             landowners.    Two additional projects on other farms wi I I be selected, planned, and implemented.         The Soil
                             Conservation Service (SCS) will take the lead assisted by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservatior
                             Service (ASCS) .   Fish and Wildlife, Wetlands, and Natural Heritage sections of DNREC will provide
                             ccrsultation.

                       Overcoming boil acidity and other problems asso-tiated with bludge disposal on the Penuel Wildlife
                       111anagement Tract.
                             The farmland on the Penuel Tract was used, under lease to a private farmer, for disposal of sewage
                             sludge.   Excessive application of sludge over several years reduced the pH to 4.5 or lower making
                             production of conventional crops impossible. A plan will be developed to raise soil pH, improve
                             productivity, and' to integrate use of farmland with overall wildlife management objectives for all lands

                                                                                                                                            A

                 DEPAR71MEN2T OF NATURAL RESOURCES -A.ND EN-VIRONMEN-TAL CONTROL

                                DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

                                     M E H 0 R A N D U M

             TO       : Delaware Advisory Council on Fi sh & Game and Interested
                        Citizens of Delaware

             FROM     : Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

             SUBJECT  : Sewage Sludge Application on State Wildlife Areas

             DATE     : June 26, 1987

                  The  DNREC in conjunction with the Division of Water
             Resources has developed draft regulations concerning the use of
             sludge on farm lands CSee attached letter to interested citizens
             and Discussion Draft - Land Treatment of Wastes, Guidance and
             Rules of Practice). The Division of Water Resources will hold
             two public workshops on Thursday-, July Z, 1987 at 1:30 p.m. and
             7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Richardson and Robbins
             Building. At that time, concerns about sludge application
             guidelines should be expressed to the Water Resources Division.

                  Attached find a news release from the Department of natural
             Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) dated May ZS, 1987.
             This information was provided as a public service to reiterate
             the serious problem faced by the Kent County Sewage Treatment
             Plant in terms of its mounting sludge buildup, and to announce a
             plan developed by the DNREC which uses the Penuel Tract of the
             Milford Neck Wildlife Area and Buckaloo Tract of the Ted $arvey
             Wildlife Area as sludge (application) sites for three years
             beginning with the 1987 growing season.

                  In addition to the terms specified in the news release, the
             following  points need to be clarified:

                    I.  The three year agreement is for one application of
                        sewage sludge per year, with application rates determined
                        by the amount of nitrogen the selected agricultural crop
                        is capable of utilizing. Renewal of the contract for
                        the next growing season will be approved only if
                        compliance with the terms of the contract have
                        satisfactorily been met. Soil PH monitoring and grain
                        testing for uptake of heavy metals are the main criteria
                        which will be used by the Wildlife Division to renew
                        the contract. Application.of the sludge by the county
                        must be done just prior to the growing season and follow
                        land treatment of waste, guidance and rules of practice
                        (Public workshop 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., July 2, 1987, R&R,
                        Building).

                                                                                   B

                                                2

                     2.  The total agricultural area of the Penuel Tract is 275
                         acres. The negotiated amount of land available for
                         sludge application by the County is 190 acres of the
                         total. The Delaware Division of Wildlife will maintain
                         the remaining 75.acres, of which 50 acres will be
                         planted with Sudex,..15 acres in winter wheat (dove
                         fields) and 10 acres with a-mixture of soybeans,
                         buckwheat, sunflowers and sorghum (mini milo), out
                         standard wildlife food plot planting. The total
                         agricultural area of the Buckaloo Tract is 45 acres.
                         The negotiated amount of land available for sludge
                         application by the County is 40 acres, with the
                         remaining 5 acres maintained-by the Wildlife Division
                         in winter wheat cover. Sludge will not be applied on
                         Wildlife Division maintained fields on both tracts.
                         Revision of the area maps, which are given to
                         hunters, has just been completed and will show those
                         areas where sludge has been applied.

                     3.  The entire acreage of the Penuel Tract was limed at a
                         rate-of two tons per acre prior to the agreement
                         reached by Kent County and the DNREC. The Buckaloo
                         Tract was limed during the 1986 growing season and did
                         not.require treatment in 1987.

                     4.  Federal guidelines suggest that where sewage sludge is
                         applied to land, access should be controlled. While
                         this is not a federal regulation, it is important to
                         note that a majority of the people (hunters) visiting
                         our wildlife areas do so during the regulated hunting
                         seasons from September through February. During the
                         remainder of the year we have regulations which
                         restrict usage of our areas. We do, therefore, control
                         access during that time of the year when sludge is
                         being applied (April-June). Kent County has also agreed
                         to post with appropriate information signs, those areas
                         where sludge has been applied. In addition, the
                         Division is initiating a plan which will limit vehicle
                         access at the main entrance road to the Penuel Tract.
                         A parking lot is being built which will restrict access
                         from April 1 through August 31 each year. This parking
                         lot was planned prior to concern about sludge being
                         applied to the area and it will reduce vandalism,
                         dumping, unlawful shooting and other violations of the
                         Division's regulations.

                     S.  Division personnel are monitoring the application of
                         sludge on a routine basis. The net result of our
                         efforts has been a more responsible approach by the
                         County in applying the sludge, particularly with
                         respect to application rates.

                           6.  The Penuel Tract has been singled out as an example of
                               what negative effects the application of sewage sludge
                               does to agricultural lands. Criticism has been based
                               only on visible crop failures with no scientific
                               evidence to support these claims. Numerous soil tests
                               conducted by the Division in conjunction with the
                               Cooperative Extension Service show that pH is the
                               problem.. Heavy metal loading of the soils has not been
                               detected, even though the tract has a history of annual
                               sludge applications. The most recent agricultural lessee
                               of the Penuel Tract attributed crop failures to
                               the application of sewage sludge. Extensive
                               soil tests indicated that the primary reason for
                               crop problems was caused by low pH of the land,
                               that Was a result of failure to adequately lime
                               the property as required in the lease.

                           7.  A variety of wildlife species are harvested on the
                               Penuel Tract. The following table provides information
                               on those species which are hunted or trapped during the
                               legal seaso  'ns and which may come in contact with
                               sludge treated soils:

                           Time At                                                                  Hunting
            Species        Penuel Tract     Food        Habitat         Resident/Migratory         Season

            Rabbit         Year round       Grass       Field/woods        X                   Nov.16-Jan.13
                                                                                               Jan.18-Jan.30

            Quail          Year round       Insects,    Field/woods        X                   Nov.16-Jan.13
                                            Grain,                                             Jan.18-Feb.29

            Waterfowl      Feb.-Oct.        Aquatic     Marsh, water       X                   Nov.2-Nov.7
                                            Bugs, Veg.                                         Nov.24-Nov.28
                                                                                               Dec.5-Jan.2
            Waterfowl      Oct.-Feb.        Grain,      Marsh, fields                X
                                            Ag. Veg.

            Dove           Mar.-Sept.       Insects,    Woods, fields      X                   Sept.5-Sept.26
                                            Grain                                              Oct.12-oct.24
                                                                                               Dec.7-Jan.9
            Dove           Oct.-Feb.        Grain       Fields                       X
                                            Harvested
                                            (Aug-Jan)

            Deer           Year round       Grasses     Fields,            X                   Oct.8-10
                                                        Woods, Marsh                           Nov.6-14
                                                                                               Jan.14-16

            Muskrat        Year round       Marsh       Marsh              X                   Dec.15-March15
                                            Vegetation

                                              4

                  In order for the consumption -of these species by humans to
             pose a threat, whatever was contained in the sludge aust be
             contained in the food they consume. Although we cannot find any
             direct testing of the animal flesh, EPA has tested grains and
             silage grown with the assistance of septic sludge. EPA has found
             that these grains and silage are suitable to feed poultry and
             livestock intended for human consumption. "There is no
             information about the relationship between sludge and earthworms
             that may affect woodcock.   The take of woodcock on the Penuel
             Tract is, however, minimal or nonexistant.   In Delaware woodcock
             are usually taken coincidentally to quail hunting and are a very
             -lightly harvested species.   Waterfowl which migrate from the
             northern tier of states and provinces may come in contact with
             sewage sludge or effluent at any time during their migration.
             Interestingly sewage lagoons and settling basins are often
             favorite resting and feeding areas for waterfowl during
             migration.   It is naive assumption that all waterfowl species
             which are hunted in Delaware have never come in contact with
             sewage sludge or effluent.

                   It his been represented to us by a public health specialist
             that the consumption of wildlife from sludge treated areas does
             not represent a significant human health risk.   Questions about
             the health risks of consuming wildlife, species taken from sludge
             treated lands should be directed to the Department of Public
             Health. The final decision to hunt and consume wildlife species
             taken on sludge treated lands rests with each individual sportsman.
             Although the consumption of game animals from areas receiving
             sludge is outside the area of expertise of the Division of Fish
             and Wildlife, the information we have received indicated that
             there is no known health risk involved.
                   8.  in March of this year, we collected fish samples from
                       the outfall stream of the lent County sewer plant. The
                       species were those that spent their total life cycle
                       within the Murderkill River System. It has been re-
                       presented to us by public health specialists that con-
                       s=ptioa of these fish at these levels represent no
                       health hazards. We will be taking' fish samples again in
                       August and having the analysis repeated.

                 May 25, 1987

                 Vol. 17, No. 122

                                 SLUDGE APPLICATION ON STATE LANDS

                      The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
                 Control today signed a Contract with Kent County that will allow
                 530 tons of treated sludge from the Kent County Sewage Treatment
                 Plant to be. applied on two tracts in the Division of Fish and
                 Wildlife's Milford Neck Wildlife Area before the end of June.

                      The 40 acre Buckaloo tract will receive 125 tons, or 3 tons
               .per acre. The 190 acre Penuel tract will receive 408 tons, or 2
                 tons per acre. Both areas were approved previously for sludge
                 application at a rate of up to five tons per acre. The lower
                 aqppliction rates        have been established based upon
                 recommendations from      the Delaware Cooperative Extension
             Service. These     rates were set using the country's new-sludge
                 management manual for land application and represents a
                 significant reduction from 'char. orifinally permitted. Sorghum,
                 the crop selected for the Penuel tract, should utilize all
                 available nitrogen in the sludge that is to be applied.

                      J. Ross Harris, an environmental quality specialist with the
                 Cooperative Extension Service, in conjunction with researchers at
                 the University of Delaware's College of Agriculture, provided a
                 sail analysis, interpretation and cropping recommendations for
                 sludge utilization and long term management of the Penuel tract.

                      According to his evaluation, the major problem with sails on
                 the property is not metals concentrations bur. low pH.            He
                 recommended liming as a solution and the county will be required
                 to elevate the pH of the soils on the site to 6.5.

                      According to the contract, the county will install and
                 sample two groundwater monitoring wells, and analyze its sewage
                 sludge on a monthly basis for the total nitrogen, ammonia and
                 nitrate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, lead, zinc, nickel,
                 copper, and cadmium content.     The county has also agreed to
                 deliver sludge which is well stabilized and will not present a
                 severe odor nuisance to ONREC cc nearby residents. The property
                 will be posted to indicate where sludge has been applied.

                      What to do with the nine tons of sludge- the Kent County
                 Sewage Treatment Plant generates daily has created difficulties
                 for both the state and county in recent months. Concerns over
                 the health effects of sludge, the refusal of some canning
                 companies to accept produce that has been fertilized with sludge,
                 and odors caused most farmers to back out of the county's sludge
                 application program.     The counting inventory of sludge at the
                 plant - 900 tons at present-contributed to an enforcement

               action taken by the state in March.

                    As part of a Secretary's Order issued at that time, the
               county was required to prepare an operations manual for land
               application of sewage sludge by June 1, and hold workshops on the
               topic for appropriate agencies and farmers. Two sessions have
               been held to date, and an Friday, May 22the Department received
               the completed manual.

                    The new state guidelines for land treatment of wastes hav   a
               also been completed and have been-distributed for comment.

                                           -Jamison-

                                                       Doc. No. 40-01/87/05/23

                                                           STATE OF DELAWARE
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
                                                       & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
                                                      DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
                                                       89 KINGS HIGHWAY, P. O. BOX 1401
             SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT                    DOVER, DELAWARE 19903                                    TELEPHONE (302) 736-5731

                                                             June  8,  1987

                       Dear Interested Citizen:

                              As part of our plans for adopting revised Guidance and Rules of
                       Practice for Land Treatment of Wastes, the Division of Water Resources
                       has prepared the enclosed Discussion Draft for your review and comment.

                              The Division will hold  two public workshops on Thursday, July 2,
                       1987 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The workshops will be hold in the
                       Auditorium of the Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway,
                       Dover, Delaware. The workshops will include a brief presentation by.
                       Division of Water Resources staff. followed by an open forum for
                       statements and/or questions from the audience.

                              Presentations at the workshop will be limited initially to five
                       minutes to afford each participant the opportunity to present their
                       views. Those who cannot be present at the workshop are requested to
                       submit a written copy of their comments to the Division of Watar
                       Resources, Water Pollution Control Branch, 89 Kings Highway, P.O. Box
                       1401, Dover, DE 19903 by July 9, 1987. Substantive comments are
                       invited and will be considered in preparing the final document which
                       will be the subject of a subsequent hearing. The data and location of
                       the public hearing will be published after July 9, 1987.

                                                             Sincerely,

                                                             Robert J. Zimmerman
                                                             Supervisor
                                                             Water Pollution Control Branch

                       bab

                       Enclosure

                                         STATE OF DELAWARE
                                   DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                        2320 SOUTH DUPONT HIGHWAY
       OFFICE OF THE                     DOVER. DELAWARE 19901          TELEPHONE: (302) 736 - 481 1
         SECRETARY

                                         February  5, 1987

                Mr. Alan 0. Thompson
                Planning Director
                Kent County Planning Office
                414 Federal Street
                Dover, Delaware 19901

                Re: Z-87-9

                Dear Mr. Thompson:

                     Thank you for this opportunity to comment on Petition Z-87-9
                to amend the Kent County Zoning District map.

                     We regret the possibility of     this farmland being developed
                Into residential lots, but we feel    It highlights the shortcomings
                in the present Kent County zoning     code regarding the protection
                of farmland. In this Instance the     difference between the A-C and
                A-R categories Is Innocuous. Both     allow development, albelt on 1
                acre,versus 0.5 acre minimum lot      sizes. and neither provide any
                real protection for Kent County's     productive agricultural land.
                We believe that the smaller lot size permitted In the A-R
                category may allow the owners to retain a larger percentage of
                the   parcel    In   agricultural production, while potentially
                realizing an equal amount of total Income from the sale of the
                0.5 acre lots rather than the presently allowed 1 acre lots.

                     We have analyzed this parcel using the Kent County Land
                Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) system. This parcel scored
                85 land evaluation points and 169 site assessment points for a
                total LESA score of 254 points out of 300.           The fields along
                Delaware Route 15 (,Canterbury to Milford Road) are primarily
                Sassafras loam soils which are some of Kent County's best
                agricultural soils.       The surrounding land use Is primarily
                agricultural and the presence of Coursey's Pond results In a high
                limiting site factor score. The high LESA score Indicates that

                                                                                           D

               Mr. Alan 0. Thompson
               February 5, 1987
               Page Two

               this parcel has a high potential for long-term agricultural
               production and without Coursey's Pond as an attraction would
               probably not be developed.

                   Should this petition be granted, we urge the owners and the
               county to direct the first phase of the develooment,towards the
               wooded areas and the poorer soils on the western portion of the
               property.' By phasing the development the owners may be able to
               continue to farm the majority of the tillable land along Route 15
               and allow It to remain productive and more In character with the
               surrounding land use.

                   We must defer to the experts at the Department of Natural
               Resources and Environmental Control for their comments concerning
               the possible effects on Coursey's Pond of In-ground septic
               systems being located on this parcel.

                    Finally, our comments would not be complete If we did not
               state that the soon to be completed update of Kent County's
               comprehensive plan must address the Issue of true agricultural
               zoning   rather    than    current   agricultural-conservation and
               agrlcultural-resldentlal   categories.   With a true agricultural
               zoning district In place   comments on proposed zoning changes will
               be more meaningful.

                                               Sincerely,
                                                      0
                                               Kevin C. Donnelly
                                               Planner
                                               Agland Preservation Section

               KCD:cmm
               Enclosure
               CC: Michael R. Owen, (w/encl)
                    Michael McGrath, (w/encl)
                    John Sherman, (w/encl)
                                                          onnel4ly

                         LESA Analysis for Application Z-87-9
                               Calvin and Grace Meyers

                           PROJECT REVIEWS FORM
                             AGLANDS SECTION

      PROJECT I.D. NUMBER: Z-87-9

      COUNTY: Kent                           LOCATION:-Coursey Pond/.Rd. 387

      TYPE OF ACTION: Rezoning request

      CHANGED FROM: A-C

      CHANGED TO: A-R

      LEGAL OWNER: Calvin & Grace Meyers

      EQUITABLE OWNER:

      TOTAL ACRES IN PARCEL: 108.00          TOTAL ACRES
           CROPLAND: 91.70                   MINUS: ACRES USED IN LE
           FOREST: 16.30
           OTHER: -0.00                  DIFF: 0.00                <<SHOULD BE ZER
      LAND EVALUATION SCORE: 85                                    ELSE CHECK LE A
      SITE ASSESSMENT SCORE: 169

           TOTAL LESA SCORE: 254

         JECT NOTICE RECEIVED: 2/03/87

      NEXT ACTION DATE: 2/05/87

      FINAL ACTION DATE:

      DATE OF REPLY: 2/05/87

      AGLANDS' DECISION:

      FINAL DISPOSITION OF THIS PROJECT:

      NOTES: Z-87-9

      THIS BEGINS THE PROFESSIONAL ANALYSIS SECTION

                            >>LAND EVALUATION SECTION<<
                    CROPLAND
               AGRICULTURAL GROUP            ACRES      ACRES AC 1 TO AC 10: 91.7
                                                        ACS. CROP\OTHER LAND: 91.
                        1               AC  1: 6.75          **CHECK TOTAL"
                        2               AC  2:
                        3               AC  3: 59.6    NOTE: REFER TO SOILS REFER
                        4               AC  4:                SHEET TO MATCH MAP
                        5               AC  5: 19.3           SYMBOLS TO AG GROUP
                        6               AC  6:
                        7               AC  7:

                         8               AC 8: 6.05
                         9               AC 9:
                         10              AC 10:

                      FOREST
                AGRICULTURAL GROUP             ACRES
                                                      ACRES FOREST: 16-30
                                                      ACRES AF 1 TO AF 6: 16.30
                         1               AF  1: 16.3    *-*CHECK TOTAL**
                         2               AF  2:
                         3.              AF  3:
                         4               AF  4:
                         5               AF  5:
                         6               AF  6:

                            >>SITE ASSESSMENT   SECTIONc<

       QUESTIONS 1    7 FOR ALL COUNTIES

                                                                  ANSWER WITH 1    6
       1. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE SURROUNDING AREA IS IN
           AGRICULTURE?
           [USE 1.5 MI RADIUS IN SUSSEX; 1 MI IN KENT &
           NEW CASTLE]

                   1) 90 - 100% IN AGRICULTURE
                   2) 80 - 89% IN AGRICULTURE
      WE           3) 50 - 79% IN AGRICULTURE
                   4) 0 - 49% IN AGRICULTURE                    SAl: 1

       2. HOW DO   YOU RATE THE INVESTMENT FOR AGRICULTURE
           ON THIS PARCEL?

                   1) UPPER 1/3 FOR FARMS OF THIS TYPE
                   2) MIDDLE 1/3 FOR FARMS OF THIS TYPE
                   3) LOWER 1/3 FOR FARMS OF THIS TYPE          SA2: 2

       3. SITE FACTORS THAT MAY LIMIT CONVERSION
             ARE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS PRESENT?
                   FLOODPLAINS, HISTORIC SITES, ENDANGERED
                   SPECIES, POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE TO WATER
                   QUALITY

                   1) 3 OR MORE ARE PRESENT
                   2) 2 ARE PRESENT
                   3) 1 IS PRESENT
                   4) NONE ARE PRESENT                          SA3: 2

        4. IMPACT  OF THE PROPOSED CONVERSION ON THE RETENTION OF FARMLAND

                   1) SIGNIFICANT AND IMMEDIATE IMPACT
                   2) SIGNIFICANT BUT LONG RANGE
                   3) LITTLE, IF ANY, IMPACT                    SA4: 2

      5. ZONING    FOR THE SITE AND ADJACENT LAND

                   1) SITE AND ALL ADJOINING ZONED FOR AG
                   2) 1   25% OF PERIMETER ZONED NON-AG
                   3) 26   50% OF PERIMETER ZONED NON-AG
                   4) 51   75% OF PERIMETER ZONED FOR NON-AG
                   5) 76   100% OF PERIMETER ZONED FOR NON-AG
                   6) 100% OF PERIMETER AND THE SITE ARE ZONED
                         FOR NON-AG
                                                                  SA5: 1

      6. COMPATIBILITY    OF THE PROPOSED   USE WITH   THE
            COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

                   1) SITE IS AN AREA PLANNED FOR AGRICULTURE
                   2) SITE IS NOT PLANNED FOR AGRICULTURE
                                                                  SA6.: 1

      7. CENTRAL, SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM WITHIN 1/4 MILE

                   .1) NO
                   2) YES                                         SA7: 1

      QUESTIONS 8 AND 9 ARE FOR KENT      AND SUSSEX

      8. DISTANCE TO URBAN     CENTER

                   1) SITE IS  MORE THAN -5 MILES FROM AN
                         URBAN CENSUS TRACT
                   2) SITE IS  3 - 5 MILES FROM AN
                         URBAN CENSUS TRACT
                   3) SITE IS  1 - 3 MILES FROM AN
                         URBAN CENSUS,TRACT
                   4) SITE IS  LESS THAN I MILE FROM AN
                         URBAN CENSUS TRACT                        SAB: 1

       9. LAND USE ADJACENT    TO THE SITE

                   1) ALL ADJACENT PROPERTY ENGAGED IN
                         AGRICULTURE OR VACANT
                   2) ONE OR MORE SIDES IN INDUSTRIAL;
                         NO RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL
                   3) ONE OR MORE SIDES IN COMMERCIAL;
                         NO RESIDENTIAL
                   4) ONE SIDE IN RESIDENTIAL OTHER
                         THAN ACCESSORY TO FARMING
                   5) TWO OR MORE SIDES IN RESIDENTIAL             SA9: 1

       QUESTION 10 IS FOR NEW CASTLE AND SUSSEX

       10. PERCENTAGE OF SITE FARMED IN 4 OF LAST 5 YEARS

                   1) 90 - 100% OF SITE
                   2) 50 - 89% OF SITE
                   3) 0    49% OF SITE                             SA10:
      WSTION 11 IS FOR        SUSSEX ONLY

       11. AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL LAND FOR PROPOSED USE IN THE AREA

                   1) VACANT, BUILDABLE LAND WITH FACILITIES IS
                        AVAILABLE
                   2) VACANT, BUILDABLE LAND IS     AVAILABL E-BUT
                        WITH FEW FACILITIES
                   3) LITTLE VACANT, BUILDABLE'LAND REMAINS IN THE
                        PROJECT AREA
                                                                   SAll:

       QUESTION 12 IS FOR NEW CASTLE ONLY

       12. EXISTENCE OF OFF-SITE AGRICULTI     "IAL SUPPORT SYSTEM

                   1) ALL AG SUPPORT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE
                   2) 1 OR MORE AG SUPPORT SYSTEMS NOT AVAILABLE
                   3) NO AG SUPPORT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE
                                                                   SA12:

       CROPLAND LE: 70
       FOREST LE: 16

       WORKI:   55.5555555555556           WORK7: 5.55555555555556
       WORK2:   16.6666666666667           WORK8: 5.55555555555556
       WORK3:   22.2222222222222           WORK9: 16.6666666666667
       WORK4:   13.8888888888889           WORK10:  0
            K5: 16.6666666666667           WORK11:  0
           _A6: -16.6666-666666667         -WORK12: CY -

                                   ASSOCIAT;ON OF STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS
                                  AND TH         6;;@P,-qONSERVATION DISTRICT
                                      COU        ASSISTMCE QUESTIONNAIRE
       G

         Your community is participating   in the National Flood Insurance.Program (NFIP) and you may
         have found'a need for additional technical advice or assistance on various aspects of
         floodplain management. Such assistance could be provided by services of our Conservation
         District technicians.

         In order to improve floodplain management   assistance programs,   we are trying to find out
         in what areas communities need the most help. On a scale of 0      to 3, please circle the
         score for each of the following activities.

              0" =  We don't need any outside help
              I =   We could use some assistance
              2 =   Assistance is very important
              3 =   We may have to drop from the  program if we don't receive additional help

                                                   Activity                         Score (Circle One)
         Flood Hazard       A.   Obtaining floodplain maps                         00     1     2      3
         Identification     B.   Revising maps to reflect changed conditions        0     1            3
                            C.   Obtaining flood elevations in unstudied areas      0     1            3
                            D.   Identifying floodways                              0     1    T       3
                            E.   Understanding floodplain maps and data            a      1     2      3
                            F.   Identifying unique hazards (alluvial fans,         0           2      3
                                 mud flows, coastal erosion areas, etc.)
         Floodplain         G.   Wise uses of floodplains                          0)     1     2      3
         Management
         Assistance

         Regulatory         H.   Develop local floodplain  building standards       0     1            3
         Assistance         -I.  Understanding the NFIP regulations                 0    W      2      3
                                                                                   Q0
                            J.   Preparing or revising the ordinance                      1     2      3
         Assistance  to     K.   Administering a permit & inspection program       QD           2      3
         Administer         L.   Reviewing building/development plans               0           2      3
                                 Obtaining and certifying building.floor            0     1     2      3
                                 elevations
                            N.   Reviewing requests for variances and waivers      0      1     2      3
                            0.   Pursuing and correcting violations                (19    1     2      3

         Information        P.   Flood warning and evacuation                       0           2      3
                            Q.   Stormwater management techniques                   0     1    0       3
                            R.   Floodproofing techniques                           0           2      3
                            S.   Flood insurance coverage and claims                0           2      3
                            T.   NFIP banking and lending  rules                    0                  3
                            U.   Public information on flood programs               0                  3

         Please return this form by November 20, 1986, to:

                                                                                                       F-1

                                  ASSOCIAT,40N OF TA1 FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS
                                 AND THE 41C@ 92CONSERVATION DISTRICT
                                     COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE QUESTIONNAIRE

        Your community is participating in the National    Flood Insurance Program   (NFIP) and    you may
        have found a need for additional technical advice or assistance on various aspects         of
        floodplain management.   Such  assistance could be provided by services of our Conservation
        District technici'ans.-

        In order to improve   floodplain.managen*nt  assistance programs, we are trying    to  find c t
        in what areas communities need the most help. On a scale-of 0 to 3, please circle the
        score foreach of the following activities.

             0     We don't need any outside help
             1'=   We could use some assistance
             2 =   Assistance is very Important
             3 =   We may have to drop from the program if we don't receive additional help
                                                   Activity                          Score (Circle One)

        Flood Hazard        A.   Obtaining floodplain maps                                 1       2    3
        Identification      B.   Revising maps to reflect changed conditions               1       2    3
                            C.   Obtaining flood elevations in unstudied areas (Q)         1       2    3
                            D.   Identifying floodways                                     1       2    3
                            E.   Understanding floodplain maps and data                    1       2    3
                            F.   Identifying unique hazards (alluvial fans,          0     1       2    3
                                 mud flows, coastal erosion areas, etc.)
      t
          oodplain--        G.   Wise uses of floodplains                            rJO   1       @2   3
          anagement
        Assistance

        Regulatory          H.   Develop local floodplain building standards               1       2    3
                            1.   Understanding the NFIP regulations                  LO            2    3
        Assistance                                                                   0     (1)9
                            j.   Preparing or revising the ordinance                 0     'T      2    3
        Assistance  to      K.   Administering a permit & inspection   program       0     1       2    3
        Administer          L.   Reviewing building/development plans                      10      2    3
                            M.   Obtaining and certifying building floor             0     1       2    3
                                 elevations
                            N.   Reviewing requests for variances and waivers        0     ()1          3
                            0.   Pursuing and correcting violations                        1            3

         Information        P.   Flood warning and evacuation                              1       2    3
                            0.   Stormwater management techniques                          1       2    3
                            R.   Floodproofing techniques                                          2    3
                            S.   Flood insurance coverage and claims                 0             2    3
                            T.   NFIP banking and lending  rules                     0             2    3
                            U.   Public information.on flood programs                0             2    3

         Please return this form by November 20, 1986,    to:

                                                                                                        F-2

                                                            "d

                                                  STATE OF DELAWARE
                                           DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL REsoURCES
                                               & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
                                         DIVISION OF PARKS & RECREATION
                                                    89 KINGS HIGHWAY
                                                      P.O. Box 1401
                                                  DOVER. DELAWARE 19903

                        Dear
                        The' Murderkill River and its tributaries is one of the few
                        undisturbed waterways in Delaware. This area contains a diverse
                        mixture   of natural habitats, agricultural lands and              some
                        residential development.      In order to better understand these
                        resources and how to manage and protect them for the future, a
                        study known as the Murderkill River Corridor Project is underway.
                        This study is assessing the natural, cultural and agricultural
                        resources within the defined corridor. It is also addressing
                        resource conservation and management options 'on a cooperative
                        basis   between landowners and natural resources            management
                        agencies.   The Project is coordinated by the Kent Conservation
                        District with the assistance of the Department of Natural
                        R6s.ources and Environmental Control and the Department              of
                        Agri cul ture.

                        One part of the overall Project deals with natural areas
                        preservation.    Natural areas are lands containing unique or
                        significant examples of Delaware's natural heritage. The Murder-
                        kill River natural area is an unspoiled waterway with diverse,
                        high quality natural habitats. It is home to many wildlife, fish
                        and plant species. The undisturbed vegetation along the river
                        helps control erosion and maintain good water quality.              The
                        defined natural area, which is within the larger Murderkill River
                        Corridor Project, is outlined on the attached map. The Office of
                        Nature   Preserves    is responsible for        the   natural     areas
                        preservation system. The attached handouts explain more about
                        the program.

                        As a landowner within the Murderkill River natural area, the'
                        Office of Nature Preserves is contacting you to encourage you to
                        help protect the natural features of this area.          Our natural
                        areas program is voluntary. Our efforts succeed only with your,
                        cooperation.    As a. natural area landowner there are several
                        options avail.able to you for preserving your part of Delaware's
                        natural heritage. One way is by registering the portion of your
                        property within the defined natural area with the          ,Office of
                        Nature Preserves. Although not legally binding, registration is
                        recognition by this office and you of the significance of the
                        area and represents a good-faith agreement to protect it.

                                                                                                          G-1

                      Another legally-binding option for protection of the natural area
                      is dedication. There are two different ways of dedicating land.
                      One way 'is for you to retain title to the land and set up a*
                      conservation easement. Deed restrictions are placed on the land
                      for protection of the natural values of the site. A second way
                      to -dedicate a natural area is through a donation or gift of the'
                      land." Again, deed restrictions*are applied to. the 'site and
                      ownership transfers to the Office of Nature Preserves.        (Two
                      landowners have donated part of,their land to this office and
                      dedicated them as a nature preserve. See attached map.)        For
                      either option, conervation easement or donation, you may be
                      afforded tax benefits. Depending on your specific circumstances,
                      property, income, estate, and inheritance taxes may be reduced.

                      Our office hopes you agree that the Murderkill River natural area
                      is worthy of preservation for present and future generations. We
                      would be very willing to discuss with you the protection of your
                      portion of this natural area. Our office can be reached in Dover
                      at 736-5285. If you want more information about the Murderkill
                      River Corridor Project, please contact the Kent Conservation
                      District at 697-6176.

                      Thank you for your time and consideration.

                                                      Sincerely,

                                                      Ron Vickers, Chief
                                                      Natural Heritage Programs

                      RV:db

                                                 RIVER NATURAL AREA

                     Extensive areas of visually attractive wooded swamp fringing a major
                Kent County river and two of its tributaries bind the Murderkill River
                west of Frederica, Browns Branch,'and As'h''Gu't -into a notable natural unit.
                A pleasant upstream voyage on  the Murderkill from Road 389 would begin in
                tidal waters 'of low salinity--less than two parts per-thousand. Big'cord-
                grass is the dominant vegetative feature,*with hightide-bush at higher
                elevations, grading quickly into a fresher marsh situation, with abundant
                cattail and marsh mallow. A short distance upstream are red maple and
                bayberry, first on the northbank and rapidly followed on both sides of the
                river by the well-developed, wooded Big Cripple Swamp. Here red maple,
                green ash, and American holly comprise the tallest vegetation, with winter-
                berry, sweetbay magnolia, and sweet pepper-bush profuse beneath. Swamp
                rose and poison ivy.occur frequently, and switchgrass and tidemarsh water
                hemp appear in small, intermittent open areas.

                     Above the confluence, some surprisinginly steep banks, with an
                elevation change of 20 feet, occur along both Murderkill River and Browns.
                Branch. Here a true canopy is developed, consisting of red maple, white
                oak, tulip, Virginia scrub pine, and some American beech. Atlantic white
                cedar, American holly, and sweetbay magnolia constitute an understory.
                A dense shrub layer consists of hazel alder, sweet pepper-bush, winterberry,
                southern arrowwood, red chokeberry, silky dogwood, and swamp rose. Common
                and laurel-leaf greenbrier are prominent, and water-willow is found at
                stream edges.

                     At higher elevations, oaks assume increasing prominence in the canopy,
                and flowering dogwood and eastern red cedar are conspic Iuous in the under-
                story. Japanese honeysuckle is prolific in open, disturbed areas near
                roadways. West of Road 35, red maple predominates in the canopy but is
                accompanied by sycamore, black gum, Spanish oak, and American beech.
                Mountain laurel is prominent on the steep banks. Mistletoe growth was
                luxuriant in the taller streamside woody vegetation at the time of field
                reconnaissance.

                     The area is especially attractive to wood-aucks. It is a productive
                feeding area for long-legged wading birds and kingfishers and the breeding
                ground for a variety of songbirds.

                     The tidal range in the Murderkill River is approximately 3.5 feet.
                Channel depth at Frederica on flood tide approaching highwater slack is
                7.0 feet; however, the channel depth in the Murderkill River at the
                western end of the natural area is only about 18 inches at low water slack.

                     Elevation over the area varies from less than 10 feet to slightly more
                than 30 feet above sea level. Soils in the furthest downstream portion of
                the-natural area are classified primarily as tidal marsh, as are those on
                the southern side of the Murderkill River from just below its confluence

                  .with Browns Branch. Soils in the flood plain of Ash Gut      are very wet, very
                   poorly drained Johnston silt loam. The remainder of the      area is designated
                   as s'wamp, with perimeter soils including Evesboro sandy loam, mixed
                   alluvial land, made land, Rumford loamy sand,'Sassafras sandy loam, and
                   Sassafras and Evesboro soils.,

                        Pleistocene  sands and  gravels'of the  Columbia Formation  are approximately
                   48 feet thick-over this area.. The Frederica aquifer --a Miocene.aged sandy
                   zone*in the Chesapeake  Group -  begins  approximately 120 to 138   feet.below
                   sea level and   is between 25 and 50 feet thick here.   The Cheswold   aquifer,
                   also Miocene,  occurs between 250 and 300 feet below   sea level.

                        Air quality is excellent, but water    quality is moderately reduced.
                   There is considerable sediment visible, due in part.to tidal action and in
                   part to runoff f 'rom agriculatural areas, roadways, and the few developed
                   areas in the vicinity. Dissolved oxygen     is moderately high in this portion
                   of the Murderkill River segment; however, fecal coliform. counts exceed the
                   state standard for primary contact recreation. Water quality has remained
                   fairly constant over the past four years.

                        The noise level is modestly elevated, particularly in relation to
                   seasonal recreational activities; however, summer boat traffic'is
                   comparatively light. The visual appeal of the area is generally high.
                                                                             I

                        Prehistoric occupation of the valley was dense throughout the Woodland
                   Period, spanning some 2,600 years from approximately 1000 B.C. to Contact
                   time. Major archaeological sites within the natural area are Frederica-Adena
                    ite of the Delmarva-Adena Phase--400 B.C. to A.D. 100; Coulborne type site
                   for Coulborne ceramics dated about 500 B.C.; and Hollager Middle Woodland
                   site. The boundaries also include numerous small sites.

                   An earlier appellation for Murderkill River was Murther Kill, a combination
                   of the seventeenth century English spelling of murder and the Dutch word
                   for creek-. Legend@relates that an expedition of Dutchmen sailed up the
                   creek to trade with the Indians. During a drunken melee, the Dutchmen were
                   "barbarously" murdered.

                        The Murderkill River drainage   basin west of the Murderkill-Browns
                   Branch confluence was studied by consultants to the state Division of
                   Parks and Recreation. The bulk of the defined natural area within this
                   portion of the basin was designated as "most suitable for preservation and
                   protection". The natural area complex defined involves multiple property
                   ownerships. Appropriate legal techniques for preservation in private
                   holdings should be appliid.

                   From: Fleming, L. M. 1978. Delaware's Outstanding Natural Areas and
                               their Preservation. DNES, Hockessin, DE      422 pp.

                                            MURDERKILL RIVER NATURAL AREA

                                                                   FREDiStICA

                                                                    Ash Gwt

                                                          Awedwhill RiVW

                                                                                aig Cgillple
                                                                                  Swamp
                         Camrsey Pamd

                                                                        Road

       ALMA                            A4 Cawley pand

                        ; E01,       Outline of Natural Area

                                     Dedicated Nature Preserve

                   DELAWARE'S
                   NATURAL AREA8.PRESERVA,TION SYSTEM

                   WHAT I S-  A NATURAL   AREA?

                         In a broad sense, Delaware's natural areas are remnants of the
                   landscape which greeted the first settlers. They.are "living museums"
                   which represent the best examples of our diverse natural heritage: marshes,
                   .forests, waterways, plant and animal communities and important
                   geological and archaeological sites. These special areas can serve as
                   outdoor classrooms that provide opportunities for field study in the sciences,
                   education in natural history, outdoor recreation, and enjoyment of nature's
                   scenic beauty. Notable examples of natural areas in Delaware include
                   Trussum. Pond, Cape Henlopen, Bombay Hook, Island Field Site, Great Cypress
                   Swamp, White Clay Creek, and portions of Brandywine Creek State Park.

                   HOW ARE THESE SPECIAL PLACES PROTECTED?

                         In 1978, the Delaware Legislature established the Natural Areas
                   Preservation System to be administered by the Department of Natural
                   Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). The legislation provides for
                   an Office of Nature Preserves (ONP) 'within the Department whose staff is
                   assisted by the Natural Areas Advisory Council, a group of private citizens
                   appointed by the Governor. A three-step process was established to encourage
                   the preservation of our state's outstanding natural areas:

                         1. Inventory - The first  step is to identify and inventory
                         Delaware's most significant natural areas. The preliminary field
                         study and research was conducted by the Delaware Nature Education
                         .Society who identified about 100 areas, located in all three counties.
                         The natural areas on the inventory are in both public and private
                         ownership and range in size from just a few acres to several thousand
                         acres. These sites represent  'about 3.5 percent of Delaware's land
                         area. A few of the areas on the inventory.have already been lost
                         to pressures of development but other sites with unique natural
                         features are being identified and may be added to the inventory.

                         2. Registration - Owners of natural areas included in the statewide
                         inventory may nominate their properties for listing on the Delaware
                         Registry of Natural Areas. This is strictly a voluntary program and
                         is not legally binding. It is, however, a mutual recognition by the
                         State and the property owner of the significance of the site.
                         Each party is then pledged to protect the natural area and to refrain
                         from any activities which would diminish its natural values. Final
                         determination for inclusion on the Registry rests with the Secretary
                         of DNREC acting on recommendations of ONP staff and the Natural Areas
                         Advisory Council. In some cases, this is the last step of the preser-
                         vation process.

                         3.. Dedication 7-Permanent and legal protection of natural areas is
                         accomplished through a process known as dedication. Through the use
                         of either a Conservation kasement-or Articles of Dedication, owners of
                         sites listed on the Registry may voluntarily place restrictions on
                         the use of their.property. Mai2age'ment-practices.for.the natural
                         -area are formulated with the advice' 'of a team of experts from State
                         agencies who are familiar with the specific natural features of the
                         property. In some cases, there may be financial benefits, e.g.,tax
                         incentives, to the owners who participate in the dedication of their
                         properties. Dedication does not mean that private property owners
                         must open their land for public use; conversely, restrictions on
                         publicly-owned properties may limit certain human activities but will
                         not close them for public use. Following approval of the management
                         plan by the Advisory Council and the Secretary of DNREC, the area
                         is officially recorded as a Nature Preserve. This will insure its
                         preservation for the benefit of future generations.

                         Many properties throughout Delaware have now been registered as natural
                    areas and several are being protected as Nature Preserves. Others are
                    being protected by related regulations-such as the Wetlands Act. But the
                    job of protecting all of Delaware's critical natural areas is far from
                    complete.

                         An important part of preserving our natural heritage is public under-
                    standing of the significance of these places. You can help by visiting
                    those locations that are open to the public and learning more about these
                    unusual and beautiful areas which make up Delaware's Natural Areas Preser-
                    vation System.

                         For more information contact:

                                                Office of Nature Preserves
                                                Division of Parks and Recreation
                                                P.O. Box 1401
                                                Dover, DE 19901
                                                (302) 736-5284

                                                           PROTECTING

                                                           DELAWARE'S
                                                           NATURAL,
                                                           AREAS

                                                                                                        XV I

                                                           What Is A Natural Area?
                                                           A natural area is a portion of Delaware's landscape
                                                           containing unique or significant examples of our
                                                           diverse natural heritage: wetlands, forests, rare plant
                                                           and animal communities, and geological or
                                                           archaeological sites.

                                                           How Are These Special Places Protected?
                                                           In 1978 the Delaware legislature established the Natural
                                                           Areas Preservation System. Voluntary protection of
                                                           our state's outstanding natural areas is encouraged by a
                                                           3-step process: (1) Inventory - locate the most significant
                                                           natural areas; (2) Registration - recognition by the state
                                                           and landowner of the significance of the area and a good
                                                           faith agreement to protect it; (3) Dedication - legal
                                                           restrictions placed on the area. Once a natural area is
                                                           dedicated then it is a nature preserve.

                                                           How Are Natural Areas And Nature Preserve* Different
                                                           From Parks?

                                                           Designating a site as a natural area recognizes its value
                                                           to Delaware's natural heritage. Nature preserve status
                                                           legally protects a natural area for the benefit of present
                                                           and future generations. Parks are developed for outdoor
                                                           recreational needs such as swimming and camping. If
                                                           these activities took place in a nature preserve, they
                                                           would destroy the significant natural features that
                                                           preserves were meant to protect.

                                                           Why Do We Need Nature Preserves?
                                                           We need these unique areas as (1) classrooms for field
                                                           study in the natural sciences, (2) reservoirs of natural
                                                           materials which may have future value, (3) habitat for
                                                           rare and endangered species, and (4) an opportunity to
                                                           commune with the natural world.

                                                           What Can I Do At A Nature Preserve?
                                                           Visitors can enjoy many outdoor pleasures including
                                                           hiking, nature study, photography, and birdwatching.

                                                           What Can't I Do At A Nature Preserve?
                                                           Visitors are prohibited from doing things that harm the
                                                           natural features of the preserve such as collecting plants
                                                           or animals, camping, or using motorized vehicles in the
                                                           preserve.

                                                           What Can I Do To Help?
                                                           You can help by giving to the
                                                           Nongame Wildlife, Endanger-
                                                           ed Species, Natural Areas
                                                           Preservation Fund directly or
                                                           on the Delaware state income
                                                           tax form. These tax-deductible
                                                           contributions are the only
                                                           funding source for natural
                                                           areas preservation in
                                                           Delaware.

                                                           How Can I Got More Information About Delaware's
                                                           Natural Areas Preservation System?

                                                           By contacting the administering agency:

                                                           Delaware Department of Natural Resources and
                                                              Environmental Control
                                                           Division of Parks and Recreation
                                                           Office of Nature Preserves
                                                           P.O. Box 1401, 89 Kings Highway
                                                           Dover, DE 19903
                                                           (302) 736 - 5285

                                                                                     ORT OF #A

                                                                                                   Do@. No. 40-06/85/02/02

                                                                                                        'D
                            NOMINATION--RF61STRATION nF NAT11RA1 AREAS
                                                                                                         A
                                           RETURN TO:
                                                                                                              CID
                                DEPARTMENT OF HATURAL RESOURCES
                                       ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
                                DIVISION OF PARKS & RECREATION
                                   TECHNICAL SERVICES SECTION
                             OFFICE OF HERITAGE. PLANNING & RESEARCH                         RON'NrE
                             EDWARD TATNALL BUILDING, P.O. BOX 1401
                                     DOVER, DELAWARE    19901

                            DNREC FORM                                         FOR DNREC USE
                                                                               Date Received OT - -N
                                                                               Date Evaluated
                                                                               Date Entered       I T - '-z- I

                            Type or clearly print all entries           Complete all applicable sections

                            1. 1DENTITY

                                NAME OF SITE                                   FOR DNREC USE ONLY
                                                                               Nomination #
                            Murderkill River & Browns Branch Registration 0                               24

                            2.  LOCATION

                            STREET & NUMBER

                            CITY, TOWN                                 HUNDRED
                            Frederica                                   South Murderkill
                            STAT                                       COUNTY
                            Deiaware                                    Kent
                            USGS GRID                                  STdTE MODIFIED GRID              126-118-178
                            Lat. 380 591 2011 N, Loncr. 75                 281 35" W                    t26-1 4-178
                            Flarrincrton Wford..,@nd Fr e
                                                                        d:Lajiga oc@uads
                            __yroperty-map er(close k0PL10             Ter      oc   'Iclosed (optional)126-122-174
                                                                                                        130-128-176
                                                                                                        I30-T24-172
                            3. GEMERAL INFORKATION

                            A.  Theme (s)                             B. Acr
                                Xupland area                              apperUxe. 1,000
                                -Twetland area
                                -unique habitat                       C. Title Rights
                                .::geological area                             Fee Simple   (without easements
                                   marine & subaqueous area                                 or restrictions)
                                .",archaeological area                         Restricted  or Eased
                            D.  ownership              E. Occupancy                  F.   Public Accessibility
                                _public                        occupied                     unrestricted
                                _Mprivate                   Z:unoccupied                  -rest:ricted
                                   both                                                     ,pone

                            4. 014NER OF PROPERTY
                            NAME   Attachment 1

                            STREET & NUMBER

                            CITY,TOWN                                       STATE

                            PHONE NUMBER

                                                                                                                              G-2

                    5. BOUNDARIES

                        A. Legal Description:

                        B. Documentation: at least one of    the following must be enclosed:
                              property survey (preferred)
                            X drawn on USGS topographic map  (7 1/2 x 15 series); where
                              boundaries do not conform to existing property lines, please
                              use natural boundaries such as streams, topographic contours,
                              etc.

                    6. LAND USE:   describe as completely as possible
                        A. Master  Plan description (if any)
          The Murderkill State Park master plan states that portion of the natural
          area along the Murderkill Branch west of Browns Branch confluence is
          designated as most suitable for preservation and protection.

                        B.  Comprehensive Plan Allocation Parks & permanent open space
                        C.  Zoning                         farmland, forest, farm residences
                                                           widely scattered non-farm residences
                            1. State ordinances - e.g. Wetlands or Coastal Zones
                                Wetlands Act
                            2. Local-ordinances - e.g. Zoning class by ordinance
                                Agricultural-conservation
                        D.  Deed Restrictions, existing Rights-of-Way, etc.; please attach
                            a copy of the Certificate of Title.

                        E.  Current human activities;

                            1. Interior: What human practices are occurring within the
                                   site?
                                Season recreational activities, e.g.,
                                Summer boat traffic, hunting, fishing; timbering

                            2.  Exterior: What practices are occurring in the site's
                                immediate environment or the ecosystem of which it is a
                                -Part?
                                Recreation on Cqoursey's Pond and Cauley's.Pond; small sum
                                mer cottage development, hunting, fishing, boating, dumping

                    7. SITE CHARACTERISTICS

                        A. Themes
                    Check                         Circle as Appropriate
                    X Upland Areas:               hardwood forests, steep slopes, mixed                                               hardwood or pine forests
                    X Aquatic and Wetland Areas:  flood zones, freshwater marshes and bogs
                    -Unique Habitats:             rare, threatened or endangered plant and
                                                  animal species; unusual species
                                                  associations; representations of vege-
                                                  tative succession
                    -Geological Areas:            fossil deposits and representations of
                                                  geophysical processes
                    -Marine and Subaqueous        spawning grounds; habitats of rare, unique
                                                  or endangered marine species; scientific
                                                  baseline and demonstration areas; migratory
                                                  routes of important marine species
                    X Archeological Areas:        remnants of earlier cultural pattersn and
                                                  products

                          B.  Describe present physical appearance and character such as:
                              landscape, soils, slopes, water quality and flow, air quality
                              and noise, vegetative cover, wildlife habitats and other
                              important characteristics. Be specific about the taxonomy of
                              biotic, geophysical and/or cultural materials found within the
                              site. (If additional space is required, please make attach-
                              ments to this page.)
                                  Attachments 2,      3, 4

                          C. Photographic requirement.
                                Enclose at least four color 35mm  slides of the most
                                significant features described above.

                      8.  SIGNIFICANCE (if additional space is required, please make
                                         attachments to this page)

                          A. What ma kes this area unique or representative of
                              natural/c.ultural diverskit ->
             Pleasant waterways with attractlvg*wooded fringe,
             undeveloped & unspoiled remains of a large river system

                          B. Detail sufficiently to allow for understanding of Its
                              importance. Focus upon individual features and/or
                            g assocaat3,f ns w@icl; are the most qutstangint characteris'Cs*long-legged
             1. spawning roun s or isa; Z. prot=ctive ee Ing area k1or
             wading birds; 3. major archaeological sites; 4. breeding ground for a
             variety of song birds
                          C. Describe the recreational, educational and scientific values
                              of the site.                     I
             Murderkill River and Browns Branch offer not only opportunities for boating
             and hunting, but also excellent educational examples of archaeological
             sites spanning some 2,600 years from approx. 1000 B.C. to contact time

                     .9. THREATS

                          A. How do existing or potential activities impact the feasibility
                               f preservotion or reqtorationJ
             Timbering Water quality in this natuial             'site is moderately reduced by run-
                           off from agri. areas, roadways, & developed areas in the vicinit
                           Noise levels are modestly elevated by seasonal rec. activities.
                          BTh%gdpt @2n %qn@%dely@ecld(@n%aPf@a&3@P@&%eEiPA-;d-Fc)adways & in the waterwa
                           Future development.of homesites, littering, and agri. run-off
                           can be mediated through educational programs, it is hoped.

                      10.  SPECIAL CONDITIONS

                           A. Public Sensitivity: Will the site    be seriously threatened
                               by publicity or notoriety?
                           No. as long as it doesn't encourage trespassing on priv. prop.

                           B. Owner Involvement: To what degree has the owner been
                               involved in this nomination?

                           Prior discussion with landowners

                          11, BIBLIOGRAPHIES @ DOCUMENTATIONS

                                LIST AND MARE APPROPRIATE ATTACHMENTS

                              Attachment 5

                          12. ENCLOSURES (check and describe as appropriate)
                                A.   x Mans    Attachments 6, 7

                                B.   X Photos

                                C.      Deeds & Land Records

                                D.   -4 or more 35mm slides
                                E.   -Qualifications of experts
                                F.   X_Other pertinent documents

                          13.   NOMINATION BY
                          NAME/TITLE                                           7/28/80
                          ORCANIZATION                                       DATE
                          5elaware Nature Education Society (302) 239-2334
                          STREET & NUMBER                                    TELEPHONE
                          P. 0. Box 700
                          CITY OR TOWN                                       STATE
                          Hockessin                                            Delaware 19707

                          14, LANDOW    NER CONCURRENCE
                                     A _r@ Q" t 4- d@)      -net
                                                                                           37/0
                          OWNER                                     (j WITNES                        DATE

                                                          (FOR DNREC  USE ONLY)

                          15.   RECOMtMENDATION
                                kRegistration
                                -Reevaluation
                                _Rejection

                                RATIONALE:

                          16.   S F                     A I        SERVEa

                                        e  00,                        Witness                       Date
                          17.     ATU        EAS ATAI I S
                                                1z                                            "?
                                                         %=
                                                         T     P
                                  .@@EA,
                                ChfIrperson                           Witness                       Date
                          18. DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL

                                Hon. Secret y

                                Name                                  Witness                       Date

                                                                             A4 F - -%d

                                                                                @13-
                                                D E E D

                                                                        A-A A.* 't
                       THIS DEED, made this                   d a y o f -Lrt: c eriutrn- j A. D.

                                                BETWEEN

                       MARY DERRICKSON McCURDY and HAROLD G. McCURDY, her husband,

                  of 6 Gooseneck Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Parties of the

                  First Part,

                                                  AND

                       THE STATE OF DELAWARE for the use of the Department of

                  Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Party of the Second

                  Part.

                       WITNESSETH:   That the Parties of the First Part, for and in

                  consideration of the sum of.One Dollar ($1.00), current lawful

                  money-of the United States of America, and other valuable and

                  lawful considerations,        the receipt whereof is hereby

                  acknowledged, hereby grants and conveys by donation unto the

                  Party of the Second Part:

                       All that certain tract, piece,     or parcel of land situate
                  in South Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, and State of Delaware,,
                  and being part of the lands of Mary B. D. McCurdy lying on the
                  southerly side of State Route 12 and County Road No. 35 and being
                  bounded on the North by other lands of Mary B. D. McCurdy, and
                  lands of William R. Erb; on the East and South by the Murderkill
                  River, Ash Branch, and lands of Charlotte'H. Cooper; and on the
                  West by lands. of Louis R. Wooten, as shown on a survey prepared

                   Plot reference concerning this
                    deed is Plot Book 18, Page 36 1

                        by Harry P. Carroll, R.L.S., and dated December 17, 1984,
                        attached hereto as Exhibit 'A', and being more particularly
                        bounded and described as follows to wit:

                                Beginning at a- -point on the division line between lands of
                        Mary B. D. McCurdy And lands of William R. Erb, said point being
                        located the following four courses and distances from a point in
                        the centerline of State Route'12 where it is intersected by the
                          esterly line of lands of the State Board of Education of the
                        'tate of Delaware;
                                1)     thence along          line of lands of the State Board of
                        .,ducation of the State of Delaware, S 130 30' 08" W, 1364 feet to
                        i point in line of lands of William R. Erb; thence thereby
                                2) S 790 33' 41" W, 453-35 feet to a point in line of lands
                        of Erb; thence thereby,
                                3)     S 170 141 30" Wo 1012.11 feet to a point in line of
                        lands of Erb; thence there,by
                                4) S 420 341 2011 E, 1235.28 feet to the point of beginning,
                        thence from said point of beginning, and along line of lands of
                        Erb, S 420 341 2011 E, 2360 feet, more or less, to a point on the
                        westerly edge of the Murderkill River; thence along the westerly
                        and northerly edge of the Murderkill River in a southerly and
                        westerly direction, with the various meanderings thereof, a
                        distance of 3000 feet more or less to a point in Ash Branch;
                        thence thereby in a northwesterly direction, with the various
                        neanderings thereof 3680 feet more or less to a0point in line of
                          ands of Louis R. Wooten, thence thereby, N 8                            291 0611 E, 120
                          eet mo-re or less to a point in line of lands of Mary B. D.
                          cCurdy;        thence     thereby the following twenty courses and
                          istances:
                                1)     S 440   091  0811 E, 179.85 feet to a point;
                                2)     S 270   021  1011 E, 215-42 feet to a point;
                                3)     S 610   261  E, 167-74 feet to a point;
                                4)     S 530   131  3011  E,   84-57 feet to a point;
                                5)     S 350   301  2-011 E,   110.21 feet to a point;
                                6)     S 400   491  1311  E,   94.78 feet to a point;
                                7)     S 61"   33'  5911  E,   117-40 feet to a point;
                                8)     S 440   17'  27"   E,   203-38 feet to a point;
                                9)     S 180   47'  0211  E,   339-04 feet to a point;
                              10)      S 560   221  10"   E9   157-90 feet to a point;
                              11)      S 400   301  5911  E,   140-03 feet to a point;
                              12)      S 80 351 5111 E, 149-98 feet to a point;
                              13)      S 360   101 3311   E,   67-53 feet to a point;
                              14)      S 560   49' 4811   E,   274-45 feet to a point;
                              15)      N 640   09'  52"   E,   .99-41 feet to-a point;
                              16)      N 890   13'  5711  E,   51-51-feet to a point;
                              17)      3 410   441,5911   Et   69-79 feet to a point;
                              18)      N 660   141 1711   E,   20.2.64 feet to a point;
                              19)      S 820   251 3611   E,   90-15 feet to a point;
                              20)      N 630   33'  1011  Et   111-93 feet to the point and place of
                                       beginning.
                        bontaining 72 acres of            land more or less.

                                                                              McCurdy
                       TOGETHER with an easement across oGhe-r lands o.L

                  between County Road No. 35 or State Route 12 and the property

                  described above. Said easement shall be for vehicular ingress

                  and egress to the above described property and shall be on the

                  existing roadway or hereaftercreated roadways.

                       BEING a part of the lands heretofore willed unto Mary

                  Derrickson McCurdy by Mary Lewis Burton Derrickson, her mother,

                  in and by. Will dated December 11, 1950, which is of record in the

                  Office of the Register of Wills in and for Kent County at Dover,

                  Delaware, in Will Book G-3, Page 349.

                      The above described property, consisting of woods and wooded

                  swamp is on the Delaware Registry of Natural Areas and is hereby

                  conveyed to the State of Delaware for the express purpose of

                  establishing thereon a Nature Preserve in accordance with 7 Del.

                  Code, Chapter 73.    The property will be known as the Burton-

                  Derrickson Tract of the Murderkill River Nature Preserve and will

                  be maintained by the Department of Natural-Resources and Environ-

                  mental Control in accordance with the Management Plan attached

                  hereto as Exhibit IBI.

                       The State of Delaware, by John E. Wilson, III, Secretary of

                  the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control,

                  joins in the execution of this deed for the purpose of accepting

                  the aforementioned property subject to the restrictions contained

                  therein.

                       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, tile Parties of the First Part have here-

                  unto set their hand and seal the day and year aforesaid.

                  Witness:

                                                          Mary Derrickson McCu4dy

                  Witness:

                                                                               S E A L
                                                              Harold G.

                       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The State of Delaware, under the hand

                  and seal of John E. Wilson, III, Secretary of the Department of

                  Natural Resources and Environmental Control, has executed and

                  accepted delivery of this deed.

                  Witness:                                THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                                                                               (SEAL)
                                                       JQeh E. Wilson, III
                                                       @Iecretary .
                                                   /-"Department of Natural
                                                         Resources and
                                                         Environmental Control

                     STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
                                                   SS
                     COUNTY OF ORANGE
                          BE IT REMEMBERED,   that on this 23RD DAY OF JANUARY,

                     A.D. 1985, personally appeared before me, the Subscriber, a

                     Notary Public for the   State and County aforesaid, MARY DERRICKSON

                     McCURDY AMD  HAROLD G.  McCURDY, parties to this Indenture, known

                     to me personally to be such,  and  acknowledged said Indenture to

                     be their act and deed.

                          GIVEN under my hand and seal of office the day  and year

                     aforesaid.

                                                                      Notary  Public

                     STATE OF DELAWARE
                                           SS
                     COUNTY OF KENT

                          BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this                   day of December,

                     1984, personally came before me, the Subscriber, a Notary Public

                     for the State and County aforesaid, John E. Wilson, III,

                     Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and

                     Environmental Control, known to me personally to be such, and

                     acknowledged this Indenture to be the act and deed of the State

                     of Delaware.

                                                             Notary Public

                                 MURDERK1LL RIVER NATURE PRESERVE

                                      BURTON-DERRICKSON TRACT

                                          MANAGEMENT PLAN
     0
                      The function of a nature preserve   is to protect   important
                 features of the natural heritage of the State of Delaware and
                 guarantee 'their existence for future generations.   The State of
                 Delaware through the Department of Natural Resources and Environ-
                 mental Control and specifically the Office of Nature Preserves
                 agrees to administer the following management plan to protect and
                 maintain the nature preserve in its natural ecological condition
                 as specified below.

                      The construction or placing of buildings or other permanent
                 structures on, above or under the ground is prohibited except for
                 observation 'blinds,nesting structures, etc., which are associated
                 with approved educational and s-cientific uses of the tract.
                 There shall be no signs, billboards or advertising except those
                 necessary for resource protection, safety, boundary
                 identification or interpretation.  The construction of utilities,
                 roads or other public works structures is prohibited except for
                 existing utility rights-of-way.

                      The dumping or placing of soil, material 'as landfill, trash,
                 waste or other unsightly or offensive materials is prohibited.
                 The dredging, excavation or removal of loam, peat, gravel, soil,
                 rock or other material is prohibited. Exceptions are for
                 archaeological investigations authorized by the State Division of
                 Historical and Cultural Affairs and legitimate mosquito control
                 activities authorized by 16 Delaware Code, Chapter 19.         Said
                 mosquito control activities shall be limited to those requiring
                 no physical alterations    no ditching or alteration of existing
                 drainageways.

                      There shall be no surface use except for compatible outdoor
                 education and scientific activities which must allow the tract to
                 remain in its natural condition.    There shall be no activities
                 adversely effecting drainage, flood control, water conservation,
                 erosion control and soil conservation.      Activities adversely
                 affecting aquatic and terrestrial organisms and their habitats
                 including hunting, shoreline fishing and trapping are prohibited
                 except for public health and safety purposes.

                      There shall be*no removal or destruction of trees, shrubs or
                 other vegetation except as may be necesdary for control of
                 disease, pests, undesirable species and for safety purposes or
                 for creation and maintenance of trails.

                      Intentional introduction of exotic plant and animal species
                 will not be permitted.    In the rare instance where the natural
                 balance of a biological area is seriously upset, control measures
                 may be employed compatible with maintenance of other natural

                 features.   The reintroduction of extirpatea species shall be
                 undertaken only after careful consideration and evaluation of
                 environmental and socio-economic effects by qualified ecologists
                 and resource managers.

                      There shall be no collecting of@plants and animals where
                 such collecting threatens indigenous species on the tract.
                 Collecting of plants, animals, fossils, minerals or artifacts
                 shall be for scientific and nature study only and shall be
                 subject to State regulations and permits.

                      Non-destructive, research, educational and scientific
                 activities shall be permitted and shall be compatible with the
                 fun.ction and resources of the tract. Such uses shall be
                 considered case-by-case by the-Office of Nature Preserves.

                      Recreation and other uses of the tract are strictly limited
                 to those authorized by the State but may include non-motorized
                 boating, photography, nature study, etc., and then only on
                 existing trails and waterways.

                                                                                                                                                                                   it
                                                  7,

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         reference concerning        thi
                                            Plot is
                    Vo
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                                   L   7@6

               United States      Soil                  3500 S. duPont Highway
               Department of      Conservation
                                                       Dover, Delaware   19901
               Agriculture        Service

               Contact: Frederick T. Mott
                        (302) 697-9549

                        Decembpr 12, 1986

               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                        FARM BILL SLIDE SH014 AVAILABLE

                   Want to learn if the conservation provisions of The Food Security Act

               of 1985, better known as the Farm Bill, will affect your farm operation?

               A slide show, now available from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service details

               this significant legislation and its impact on farmers says Fred I. Mott,

               SCS; District Conservationist.

                   The show, entitled-CONSERVATIO'iN.PR@DVISIONS OF THE FOOD SECURITY ACT

               OF 1985, explains how farmers who grow crops on highly erodible land or

               who clear wetlands for farming could lose eligibility for some USDA

               benefits.

                   The program details the four parts of the Farm Bill - sodbuster,

               swampbuster, conservation compliance, and conservation reserve. Furthermore,

               it tells which USDA benefits are denied if conservation provisions are not

               met.

                    The slide show operates on a carousel projector  and has a narrated

               tape. It is approximately 11 minutes long.

                    Organizations interested in loaning the program should contact the

               Soil Conservation Service at 3500 S. duPont Highway, D3ver, Delaware or call

               697-9549.

               The Soil Conservation Service                                                    SCS-AS- I
               is an agency of the                                                 H-1          10-79
               Department of Agriculture

      KENT COUNTY AS                                          NEWS

                                                                                   HOURS
       COUNTY COMMITTEE                           OFFICE STAFF                        8:00 a.m.
            MAURICE BLESSING                            Robin L. Talley               4:30 p.m.
            JACOB.A BISHOP                                                                    - Friday
                    ? I .                               Tz ha R. Hughes                Monday
            DALE SCUSE                                  G1 -;a M. Carey
                                                        Regina B. Maddrey          PHONE
                                                        Delia C. Watkinson             (302) 697-3179

            January 21, 1987                                                    Vol. 27 No. 1

            THE RESULTS ARE IN...                         DIL YOU KNOW?

            Maurice     Blessing was        elected       Kent County farmers can now sign
            chairman     of    the     county ASC         up for the 1987 Feed Grain and
            committee at the         county ASCS          Wheat Acreage Reduction Programs.
            convention, held December 9.
                                                          The programs offer price support
            Jacob Bishop was elected vice-                loans and deficiency           payments
            chairman and Dale Scuse as a                  with a portion of the payments
            regular member.                               available in advance. Feed Grain
                                                          program     participants are also
                                  0                       eligible     for    land      diversion
            Many -thanKs to    Ge'rge-Wilson for
            his dedicated      service to Kent            payments.
            County farmers during the past
            9 years.                                      Acreage reduction         requirements
                                                          are:    27.5% for wheat         and 20%
                                                          with an optional 15% paid land
                                                          diversion for feed grains.
            The CCC interest rate            7 0
            for commodity loans                           Target prices are:           $3.03 for
            disbursed in January                   70     corn, $2.88 for sorghum,           $2.60
            is                                            for barley, $1.60 for oats, and
                                                          $4.38 for wheat.

                                                          Signup ends March 30, 1987.
            FOREIGN-OWNED AGRICULTURAL LAND
                                                                                                H-2
            Foreign investors who have bought
            or sold agricultural land in Kent             SODB%JSTER/SWAMPBUSTER REMINDER
            County are reminded to report the
            trans-ction to this office within             Farmers who plant agricultural
            90 days.                                      commodities on highly erodible
                                                          land or converted wetlands after
            The report is required by law                 December 23, 1985, will         not be
            and persons who fail to report,               eligible       for     certain       USDA
            or who are late in reporting,                 -programs.
            face possible fines.
                                                          Contact     the Soil Conservation
            As of December 31, 1986, foreign              Service or this office if you
            investors had        reported owning          plan to do any clearing or will
            about     12.1 million acres            of    be planting a field that was not
            agricultural land in the U.S.                 tilled in 1981-1985 crop years.

     +
                                                                                          T:11@-PHONE..
     i-   VOL 12, Issue 3

                        THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER                   as our District have arranged for 75%
                            By Bob Winkler                      cost sharing funds to help initiate this
                                                                concept of total water management in old
                    The loss of crops from   excessive          drainage systems as well as new ones.
                water has taught all of us farmers, to             If you are interested, please call
                develop and maintain good drainage              our District office for more information
                systems on our farms.                           and assistance.
                    The droughts of recent years,
                and those of the past, have also left                         DON'T LOSE
                their damage and caused us to wonder                       YOUR ELIGIBILITY
                1. can we have good drainage and still
                conserve the water in our ditches when          If you are a farmer and clearing up new
                we need this precious resource.                 land or planning to clear new-land you
                    All of the supervisors of the Kent          could lose your eligibility to partake
                Conservation District join me in saying         in certain U.S. Department of
                .. yes" to this question. It's almost           Agriculture programs such as price and
                like having your cake and eating it too.        income supports, disaster payments, crop
                Several years of research and studies at        insurance, FmHa loans, C.C.C. storage
                North Carolina State University (NCSU)          payments, farm storage facility loans
                and the practical experience of farmers         and other farm commodity programs.
                in eastern North Carolina agree that                At this time it is not well known
                this can be done.                               that this pro7ision is included in The
                    With proper planning, which can be          Food & Security Act of 1985 called the
                provided through our District, a simple         "Farm Bill". This provision of the
                metal structure with removable boards           "Farm Bill" is found under the names of
                can be placed in many of our drainage           "Sodbuster", "Swampbuster" and
                ditches. The boards will hold the water         "Conservation Compliance". The
                when we need it. The boards can be              intention is to discourage converting
                removed when we want to have the desired        highly erodible land to cropland
                drainage. Not all drainage systems and          "sodbuster"; converting wetlands,
                sites will lend themselves to this type         including much of our poorly drained
                of water @:ontrol structure, but I know         woodlands-in Kent County, to cropland
                we have a great potential for controlled        "swampbuster"; and continuing to farm
                drainage and total water management in          any highly erodible lands in annual
                Kent County.                                    crops "Conservation Compliance".
                     Now that the technique has been                Space does not allow for me to
                developed we expect this practice to be         explain the details of these provisions.
                a very popular one. Two systems have            Farmers are advised to become well
                already been established in Kent County.        informed of these provisions as more
                Our District has received requests for          information becomes available. I
                five more at this time.                         strongly urge anyone converting or
                     our District has invited all               planning to convert any land to cropland
                resource agencies to join with us    to         to contact our iffice at 697-9549 for a
                help our cooperating landowners receive         determination if you will be affected by
                the best controlled drainage assistance         these provisions and learn what to do if
                possible. We are doing this because             you are.
                there are other advantages besides water                              F. T. Mott
                conservation and improved water tables.
                Controlled drainage results in better
                ditch maintenance and better wildlife                    ***I"(' 'ANT NOTICE***
                habitat. Water running through water
                control structures has improved water               There will be an  Upper Chester
                quality. NCSU studies have shown there          River Watershed Public Information
                is a significant reduction in nitrogen          meeting on December 2, 1986 at 7:30 p.m.
                through denitrification while water is          at the fire hall in Sudlersville, MD.
                held in ditches.                                     All affected landowners should plan
                     The ASCS County Committee as well          to attend.
                                                                                                   H-3

                                                                 ITEM
                                                         2906 AnnuzR Rzp(c)n
                                                         College of Agricultural Sciences,
                                                         Agricultura@ ExpeTimenz Station,
                                                         and Cooperat@ve Extens@on
                                                         System at the University of
                                                         Delaware

                                                                                Ov

                                                                              140,

                                          oil
                                                         0
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                                                                                     Of

                Contents

                                                                                      7171-777 @7@
                1986 Annual Report                                     2            Dean's Statement                                  Imm IN
                College of Agricultural Sciences,
                Agricultural Experiment Station,                       3            Teaching and Research -
                and Cooperative Extension                                                     A Dynamic Interdependence
                System at the University of
                Delaware
                                                                       6            Extension - The Vital link

                                                                    13              Research and Extension Briefs

                                                                    18              Research Contributions, Delaware ffMINNOM
                                                                                              Experiment Station 1888-1986

                DESIGNER: Susan Paul                                19              The State Agricultural Research System and the
                EDITOR: Claire McCabe
                CONTRIBUTING EDITORS:                                                         Delaware Agricultural Experiment Station:
                   Doris Crowley, Cornelia Weil
                PHOTOGRA,PHY-.                                                                A Centennial Perspective
                   Duane Perry, Doris Crowley
                TYPESETTING:
                   Graphic Communications                           27              Research and Extension Briefs (continued) om
                PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS:
                   Shirley Smith,
                   Rosemary Aguirre Cortes,                         35              Looking Ahead - Biotechnology at the Delaware
                   Michael Roberts
                                                                                              Experiment Station

                                                                    36              Active Research WN&LWp,@,gg

                                                                    41              Administration, Faculty and Professional Staff 0

                It is the policy of the University of Delaware that
                no person shall be subjected to discrimination
                on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex,
                national or ethnic origin, age, handicapped or
                veteran status.

                 100 years of agricultural
                 research - a look back -
                 a look ahead

                                                                                                                 cides, better vaccines, and machinery
                                                                                                           A
                                                                                                                 were developed; and marketing strate-
                                                                                                                 gies were explored.
                                                                                                                   The knowledge base became exten-
                                                                                                                 sive, but by the 1970s it was evident
                                                                                                                 that improvement in many crops
                                                                                                                         come at longer intervals and in
                                                                                                                 would
                            PV                                                                                   smaller increments. Within the last
                                                                                                                 decade, however, fundamental studies
                                                                                                                 at the cellular level have opened up
                                                                                      r A,40", t
                                                                                                                 the potential for a whole new era of
                                                                                            t i                  improved plants and animals. Looking
                                                                                           @,A                   ahead, the ability to identify a specifi-
                                                                                             .3
                                                                                                                 cally useful area of a chromosome in a
                                                                                                                 cell presents major opportunities to
                                                                                                                 improve the quality of plants and
                                                                                                                 animals and economically produce
                                                                                                                 userul chemicals that until now have
                                                                                                                 been prohibitively expensive.
                                                                                                                    Research at the Delaware Agricultu-
                                                                                                                 ral Experiment Station now involves
                                                                                                                 this latest technology in basic studies
                                                                                                                 of the genetic makeup of important
                   This annual report of the College of          ware Agricultural Experiment Station            poultry viruses. The goal is to use
                 Agricultural Sciences at the University         had published its first annual report.          genetically manipulated viruses to
                 of Delaware is dedicated to the 100th              Research activities carried out in           produce more efficient vaccines to
                 year celebration of the establishment           Delaware since 1887 can be divided              control diseases. These and similar
                 of Agricultural Experiment Stations at          into a series of efforts. Initially several     efforts at the Delaware Station are very
                 the nation's land-grant colleges. On            professors began to identify areas of           much in tune with the original intent
                 March 2, 1887, Congress passed an act,          concern by working closely with indi-           of the Hatch Act "to conduct original
                 subsequently known as the Hatch Act,            vidual farmers and by conducting                researches .... bearing directly on the
                 that established Experiment Stations            research at farm locations. Cattle and          agricultural industry of the United
                 11 to conduct original researches or            plant disease problems were diag-               States.
                 verify experiments on the physiology            nosed, and remedies sought. The
                 of plants and animals; the diseases to          growing awareness of the usefulness of
                 which they are severely subject, with           inorganic fertilizers resulted in consid-
                 the remedies for the same; the chemi-           erable analysis and evaluation of avail-
                 cal composition of useful plants at             able materials. New varieties of plants
                 their different stages of growth;               and new breeds of poultry and live-
                 .... etc .... ; and such other researches       stock were compared. These kinds of
                 or experiments bearing directly on the          essentially empirical investigations
                 agricultural industry of the United             resulted in major improvements in               Donald F Crossan
                 States ...... ne Hatch Act further pro-         animal and plant productivity, an in            Dean of the College and Director,
                 vided for grants of money to states to          fact continue today.                            Delaware Agricultural h:ipe7iment
                 be used by Experiment Stations at var-             During this early formative period,          Station
                 ious land-grant colleges of agriculture         steady advances in biology, chemistry,
                 and, in addition, sought state legisla-         engineering and economics occurred;
                 tive consent to the provisos of the act.        and by the 1940s, the laboratory
                 The Trustees of Delaware College,               became a much more important part
                 located in Newark, Delaware, agreed to          of agricultural research. Basic studies
                 the establishment of the Experiment             were coupled with field studies result-
                 Station and sought and obtained the             ing in a greater depth of understand-
                 consent of the state legislature and            ing of how to improve crop yields and
                 governor. By June 30, 1888, the Dela-           animal productivity. The organic pesti-

                 2

               Teaching and research -
               a dynamic
               interdependence
               Doris H. Crowley
                                                                            4@7771

                                                                                                              been an integral part of the college
                                                                                                              curriculum. But during the last seven
                                                                                                              years both efforts have intensified
                                                                                                              greatly, thanks in part to a department
                                                                                                              decision to increase the number of
                                                                                                              soil scientists on its staff (from two to
                                                                                                              four) and to add more soils courses
                                                                                                              (particularly upper level ones) to the
                                                              VJT,                                            department roster, along with special
                                                         4h,LE N                                              laboratories and seminars. These
                                                                                                              changes have allowed for Ph.D. level
                                                                                                              research in soil science.
                                                                                                                  Research and teaching go hand in
                                                                                                              hand," says soil chemist Dr. Donald L
                                                                                                              Sparks, who has been conducting basic
                                                                                                              research on the availability of potas-
                                                                                                              sium in Delaware soils since he joined
                                                                                                              the faculty in 1979. "if you do research
                                                                                                              that's very current, that makes the
                                                                                                              courses you teach more current."
                                                                                                                Soil scientist Dr. J. Thomas Sims,
                                                                                                              who arrived two years later, agrees.
                                                                                                              "The longer you're involved in your
                                                                                                              research area, the better you can
                                                                                                              become at teaching, because you can
                                                                                                              bring more things into it from outside
                                                                                                              the textbooks. To me, it's the differ-
                                                                                                              ence between just making a list and
                                                                                                              being able to explain why something
                                                                                                              is important. Lists are fine, but reality
                                                                                                              sometimes contradicts lists." His own
                                                                                                              research centers primarily around the
                                                                                                              relationships between agricultural prac-
                                                                                                              tices and environmental quality and
                                                                                                         @i   includes studies of organic waste man-
                                                                                                              agement, efficient fertilization practices
                                                                                                              and the movement of agricultural
                                                                @A&M
                                                                         . . . . . . .                        chemicals into groundwater.
                                                                                                                 As teachers, both scientists have
                                                                 Both research and teaching have              developed new courses, upgraded old
                                                                benefited from Congress' 1887 deci-           ones and done much to awaken stu-
                                                                sion to locate state agricultural exper-      dent enthusiasm for the challenges of
                                                                iment stations at state land-grant uni-       soils-related research. Last year soil
                                                                versities. The current soils curriculum       mineralogist Dr. Russell A. Rebertus
                                                                in the department of plant science            and soil microbiologist Dr. Jeffry J.
                                                                illustrates the dynamic interaction           Fuhrmann were appointed to further
                                                                which exists between research and             strengthen the department's teaching
                                                                teaching in the College of Agricultural       and research programs in this impor-
                                                                Sciences at Delaware's own 1862 land-         tant subject area.
                                                                grant university.                                The College of Agricultural Science's
                                                                  Experiment station researchers have         first Ph.D. student in soils was
                                                                been studying problems associated             accepted in 1982. He received his
                                                                with the fertility of Delaware soils          degree three years later and is now
                                                                since 1888. And soil science has long

                                                                                                                                                         3

                                                                77

                 doing post-doctoral research at the
                 University of Florida. Seven other stu-
                 dents are conducting doctoral level
                 research in soil science, four are work-
                 ing towards master's degrees in the
                 field, and one is completing work
                                                                                                             H
                 towards an undergraduate degree with
                 distinction. The degree with distinction
                 program gives outstanding undergrad-
                 uates an opportunity to do basic
                 research, and sometimes even publish
                 papers, before they enter graduate
                 school.
                   "We have as many doctoral students
                 now as some very large soils programs
                 at other institutions," says Sparks.
                 "Many of our graduate students in soils
                 come from major institutions in oth
                 parts of the country. All of them are on
                 assistantships. Since 1982 two Dela-
                                                                                V,
                 ware students have received National
                                                                                                     Ir
                 Potash Institute fellowships. These are
                 competitive grants open to outstanding                                                           Pow'
                 graduate students in soils in the
                 United States and Canada. Only six are
                 offered each year."                            RIM', V11
                                                                   V
                   As part of their training, graduate
                 students in the college's soils program
                 are expected to work part-time for             Dr. Donald L. Sparks uvrks closely u*b graduate researcb fellow Cbristian Scbultbess as &-y conduct
                 their advisors in order to obtain practi-      soil cbemistry anal)ses.
                 cal experience beyond their own
                 research involvements. Sims explains,          studying the dynamics of mineral potas-        for this behavior has not been fully
                 "We try to afford students opportuni-          sium release from coastal plain soils as       explained. The release of potassium
                 ties outside of class to become edu-           a junior and wrote a thesis on the sub-        from feldspars in the sand fractions of
                 cated in other areas-how to use the            ject for a degree with distinction,            such soils could be the answer.
                 computer, how to use analytical                which she received in June 1985. For              Two of Sims' students-degree with
                 equipment, how to do field work.               her master's, under Sparks' guidance           distinction candidate Karen Schilke
                 People who do that have a real advan-          she has been investigating the rate of         and doctoral candidate Scott Kline-
                 tage when it comes time to look for a          potassium release from feldspars in the        have been conducting research on the
                 job."                                          sand fractions of coastal soils. Many of       movement of sulfates through the soil.
                   Both undergraduate and graduate              these soils contain 80 percent or more         Both presented papers at the same
                 students are also encouraged to attend         sand.                                          meeting.
                 and participate in professional meet-             Sadusky has found that these sands             Recent graduates of Delaware's soil
                 ings. last winter, for example, 16             release considerable potassium, which          science program have done very well
                 members of the department-                     she and Sparks believe is coming from          academically and professionally. A
                 including eight students and four              the feldspars in them. Their findings          number who began as candidates for
                 faculty-attended the national meeting          on the availability of mineral potas-          undergraduate degrees with distinction
                 of the American Society of Agronomy            sium for plant uptake in sandy coastal         and went on to earn their master's
                 and Soil Science Society of America in         plain soils have potential application         degrees in the department have since
                 New Orleans. Students gave nine of             for crop production all along the East         entered doctoral programs at other
                 the 12 University of Delaware research         Coast. Farmers from Florida to New             universities. (it is against department
                 papers presented at the meeting.               Jersey often have noted a lack of crop         policy for students to earn all three of
                   Master's candidate Maria Sadusky             response to applied potassium on               their degrees here.)
                 was among those reporting. She began           Atlantic coastal plain soils. The reason          One Delaware soils graduate is an

                 4

                environmental chemist at the Philadel-            Sparks says, "Our research is very             "It's a cooperative effort, where you
                phia Academy of Science; another               original. We've pretty much pioneered          sit down and talk about what students
                recently joined the DuPont company             kinetics work with soils here. Kinetics        think they should do next," he con-
                as a research chemist. One of Sparks'          concern the rate of reaction between           tinues. "You aren't really telling them
                first undergraduate advisees now has a         plant nutrients and chemicals in the           what to do, you're discussing their
                Ph.D. and works in Tennessee for the           soil. We've been able to relate the            ideas with them and giving them some
                Oakridge National laboratory, which            kinetics of potassium, boron, sulfur           feedback, giving them suggestions,
                specializes in environmental research.         and nitrogen to rates of movement              editing, and trying. to give them finan-
                  "I'm very excited about our teaching         through the soil. This work has tre-           cial support through university and
                program," Sparks says, looking back at         mendous practical implications in the          outside grants. You're also getting
                its achievements over the past seven           area of groundwater quality and pollu-         feedback, which is very productive.
                years. "I think we have unlimited              tion. To understand what is happening          I've talked with people at other
                potential to excell."                          to sulfate, nitrate, borate and other          research institutions who say they
                  As for the research side of the              leachates, we must have kinetic                prefer working with technicians. That
                department's soil program, the soil            information."                                  may be more efficient, but personally,
                chemist describes that as "very basic             One of Sparks' doctoral students,           I prefer the interaction with.the
                but applicable. We're trying to answer         Charles Toner, has a grant from the            students."
                questions of vital concern to us all."         U. S. Geological Survey to study the
                Sims, for example, is currently studying       rate at which nitrates move through
                pesticide movement through soils.              different soils. Sims' advisees Karen
                  "Much of what we're doing will help          Schilke and Scott Kline are doing sim-
                us manage the environment better,"             ilar research on the movement of sul-
                Sparks says, "and also manage our fer-         fate through the soil.
                tilizer inputs very economically. So              Thus research and teaching go hand
                we're doing a lot of nutrient manage-          in hand, both benefiting from the
                ment research that will help farmers.          land-grant/experiment station juxtapo-
                That's why we started all our potas-           sition. "I rely tremendously on
                sium. work -to find out how to                 students-undergraduate and
                reduce leaching of fertilizer,"                graduate-in my research program,"
                  Research results are interpreted and         says Sims. "They assist in all aspects of
                passed on to Delaware farmers by               research, including field studies, labor-
                extension specialists such as agrono-          atory analyses and statistical analysis of
                mist Dr. Richard W Taylor and county           the data, using the university's com-
                extension agents. The results are also         puter facilities.
                used by the university's soil test labora-
                tory to upgrade fertilizer recommenda-
                tions for Delaware crops. Studies of
                nitrogen fixation and nitrogen man-
                agement now being conducted by
                Fuhrmann should help refine those
                recommendations further. Sims'
                research on poultry manure has
                already shown farmers how to make
                better use of this resource, while
                Sparks' own work on potassium avail-
                ability in coastal plain soils is provid-
                ing valuable practical information on
                this nutrient.
                  The soil chemist's long-term studies
                of banded potassium and residual po-
                tassium are helping explain why corn
                plants show no yield decline on these
                sandy soils despite declining potas-
                sium levels.

                                                                                                                                                         5

                Extension - the vital link

                                                       MEW,

                                                                                                    W-1     university; extension agents, from offi-
                                                                                                   N t. 4   ces in each county. This arrangement
                                                                                                     0
                                                                                                            makes it possible to respond quickly
                                                                                                            to local needs and to tailor programs
                                                                                                            to meet them.
                                                                                                               like shoppers in a supermarket of
                                                                                                            ideas, extension educators are always
                                                                                                            looking for vital, relevant, up-to-date
                                                                                                            information from a variety of research
                                                                                                            sources. Extension programs presently
                                                     %k,
                                                                                                            em
                                                                                                               phasize five priority areas:
                                                         FF
                                                                                                               Improving the profitability of
                                                                                                            13
                                                                                                               agriculture,
                                                                                                            o  Maintaining and improving water
                                                                                                               quality,
                                                                                                            o  Providing food, nutrition and health
                                                                                                               education,
                     4
                                                                                                                      ping youth and adult leader-
                                                                                                            [3 Develo
                                                                                                               ship skills,
                                                                                                            0  Revitalizing rural Delaware.
                                                                                                               These programs address current
                                                                                                            needs. At the same time, the Coopera-
                                                                                                            tive Extension System must be relevant
                                                                                                            to the needs of tomorrow. Besides the
                                                                                                            traditional support it receives from
                                                                                                            federal, state and local governments,
                                                                                                            Extension is calling increasingly on the
                                                                                                            private sector, including local industry
                                                                                                            and commodity groups, as active
                                                                                                            partners. Volunteer participation is also
                                                                                                            on the rise. Volunteers in Delaware
                Delaware extension is beong farmers and their families adjust to the demands of a more competititv contribute thousands of hours each
                agriculture.                                                                                year to the Cooperative Extension
                                                                                                            System.
                   Integrating knowledge and new              technology to Americans where they               The following examples show how
                technology into educational programs          live and work.                                Extension is helping the people of
                which have immediate, practical appli-          The federal investment in this part-        Delaware better their lives in just one
                cation is a major function of the             nership, through the U.S. Department          program area-farm profitability-
                Cooperative Extension System. For this        of Agriculture, assures that extension        through application of the results of
                reason, Extension has a special rela-         educators are able to respond to criti-       research.
                tionship with research at the University      cal national issues affecting agriculture,
                of Delaware and other land-grant col-         the food system and rural communi-
                leges across the U.S.                         ties. The state and university invest-
                  For more than 70 years federal, state       ment assure that this response is rele-
                and local governments have worked             vant to local needs and has the
                together in Delaware and other states         research base to back it up.
                in a vital and productive partnership-          Surveys indicate that in Delaware,
                the Cooperative Extension System.             Extension links one in four families          Dr. Richard E. Fowler, Director
                Extension's purpose is to "help people        with the University of Delaware. The          Delatt-are Cooperative hxtension @vstem
                put knowledge to work," bringing              programs our specialists and agents
                research-based information from the           deliver to farmers, consumers and
                nation's storehouses of science and           other users are built on research.
                                                              Extension specialists work out of the

                6

                 Increasing farm                                      However, even relatively efficient             the local economy. it then explores
                 profitability                                     producers are discovering that they               state government policy alternatives
                                                                   lack information and skills in the area           which might be considered to assist
                                                                   of farm financial management-the                  farmers and/or ease the transition out
                    American agriculture is in the midst           most critical requirement for survival.           of agriculture.
                 of a major economic crisis. Unprece-                 Better farm business management                   One section of the publication de-
                 dented high interest rates, overproduc-           decisions begin with better financial             scribes steps now being taken by
                 tion and slackening demand for farm               record keeping and analysis.                      Cooperative Extension to help produc-
                 commodities both at home and abroad                                                                 ers and their families make better
                 have forced many farmers to go out of                                                               management decisions. Those families
                 business because of unserviceable                                                                   in a position to improve their farms'
                 debts, poor income prospects and the              Checldng the farm                                 financial status are being helped to do
                 declining value of their land and other           financial pulse                                   so. Tbosewhose future in farming is
                 assets.                                                                                             less certain and who want to explore
                    The number of Farmers likely to be                                                               or prepare for other occupations and
                 forced out for these reasons is very                 In April 1986, Cooperative Extension           lifestyles can also receive counseling.
                 high. For those who leave, the adjust-            published a bulletin, "Delaware Farm
                 ment is often difficult and painful.              Financial Conditions and Public Policy
                 Many farm families are losing every-              Implications for State Government."
                 thing they've worked for over a life-             The 21-page bulletin was written by               Extension farm financial
                 time. Because young farmers are more              extension economist Gerald F. Vaughn              management center
                 likely to have heavier debt loads, they           and analyzes local farm financial con-
                 are more vulnerable than older, more              ditions and their implications in terms
                 established farmers.                              of farm family stress and impact on the              To help local farmers and their fami-
                    Concerned over the severity of the             agricultural industry and other sectors           lies adjust to the demands of a more
                 farm crisis and its disastrous effects-           of the Delaware economy. The report               competitive agriculture, in the fall of
                 economic and emotional-on farm                    also discusses some state government              1986 the Delaware Cooperative Exten-
                 families and rural communities, Dela-             policy alternatives that might be consid-         sion System established a Farm Finan-
                 ware extension professionals and                  ered to assist farmers and/or ease the            cial Management Center. The center,
                 experiment station scientists are work-           transition of distressed farm families            which is housed in the College of
                 ing to help local farmers and their               out of agriculture.                               Agricultural Sciences, is staffed by a
                 families weather this crisis, whether                Vaughn based his analysis on the               statewide corps of 10 extension econ-
                 they remain in farming or seek other              results of two surveys of Delaware                omists and county agents, including a
                 ways to earn a living.                            farm lenders and farm operators                   home economist and an agricultural
                    Much of the information farmers                funded by the Delaware Department of              agent from each county. A number of
                 need to become more efficient and to              Agriculture and conducted in January              these people have received special
                 raise their net incomes already exists,           1986 by the Delaware Agricultural Sta-            training in farm financial analysis and
                 generated by years of on-going exper-             tistics Service. Although the state's farm        family financial counseling. Center ser-
                 iment station research-particularly in            economy is healthier on the whole                 vices include helping families with a
                 the areas of crop nutrition and pest              than agriculture in many other parts of           future in farming strengthen their farm
                 management, and poultry management                the United States, the surveys showed             businesses by showing them how to
                 and disease control. Much of this                 that as many as one in five Delaware              keep better financial records and pre-
                 research effort is directed toward                farmers with debt could be in financial           pare the balance sheets, income state-
                 improving resource management in                  trouble, while one in 10 expected to              ments, cash flow projections and mar-
                 ways which will increase agricultural             leave farming in 1986 if current trends           keting plans necessary in making
                 profitability while protecting the                in income and expenses persist. The               sound farm business decisions.
                 environment-especially groundwater.               1986 drought has not improved the                    In addition, extension personnel are
                                                                   picture.                                          working through the center to provide
                                                                      The bulletin discusses the implica-            educational services to families whose
                                                                   tions of these findings in terms of farm          future in farming is less certain and
                                                                   family stress and the impact such farm            who wish to explore or prepare for
                                                                   losses could have on Delaware's agri-             alternative occupations and lifestyles.
                                                                   cultural industry and other sectors of

                                                                                                                                                                   7

                                                   A

                                                 2@                                                                     Smart farming for
                                              @k
                                                                                                                        tough times

                                                                                                                          What does it cost to grow an acre of
                                                                                -mmM        1!@aenston farm manage-     corn? What are your break-even costs?
                                                                                                                        How can you cut your production
                                                                                            ment specialist Dr Don
                                                                                            Tilmon uses a computer      costs? What production costs can you
                                                                                            to sbou P farmers bou, to
                                                                                                                        eliminate without sacrificing yield? Can
                                                                                            compare inputs for
                                                                                                                        you afford the land rent you're paying?
                                                                                                      eff-u-
                                                                                            more cost-
                                                                                            production decisions          These are some of the questions
                                                                                                                        extension agricultural agents and spec-
                  Farmer micro-computer                             adopters of new technology have been                ialists asked the farmers who turned
                  user group formed                                 most likely to benefit financially from             out last winter for a statewide series of
                                                                    the increased efficiency it gives them              meetings on "Smart Farming for Tough
                                                                    over competitors.                                   Times." At each of the nine informal
                     Farmers may soon spend more time                  To make other farmers aware of the               sessions-most of them held in farm
                  in front of their computers than                  group and its meetings, the Delaware                shops-grain producers were shown
                  behind the steering wheels of their               Electric Cooperative, Inc. has run free             how to calculate their production costs
                  tractors. A key component of agricul-             ads in its monthly newsletter. And                  for every field they farm. Using this
                  tural profitability is better decision            since meetings aren't always conven-                analysis as a guide, they learned ways
                  making, And micro-computers have                  ient to attend, Mike McGrath, manager               to trim costs for greater efficiency.
                  proven themselves to be useful farm               of the agricultural lands preservation              They also learned how to set target
                  management tools.                                 section of the Delaware Department of               prices for marketing their crops.
                     Early last year University of Delaware         Agriculture and an enthusiastic suppor-               The information presented at these
                  extension community resource devel-               ter of the group, has arranged for it to            "Smart Farming" meetings was revised
                  opment specialist Daniel S. Kuennen               use the department's new electronic                 later for use in a special late winter
                  and Delaware State College extension              bulletin board as a means of sharing                supplement by the same title pub-
                  agricultural agent Glenn 12yton teamed            information.                                        lished by The Delmarva harmer news-
                  up to start a Delaware farm micro-                   Though still growing, the Farmers'               paper, which reaches most of Dela-
                  computer users group. The idea of                 Computer User Group has published                   ware's farmers.
                  forming such a group was the result of            a users directory to encourage informa-               "Many producers were complimen-
                  talks between extension director Dr.              tion sharing. "The ease of getting the              tary of the information covered at
                  Richard E. Fowler and farmers already             group up and running is due to the                  these meetings, even though some of
                  using micro-computers in their                    information we've been able to attain               the production advice given was
                  operations.                                       through the nationwide Extension Sys-               directly counter to various industry
                     Since February 1986, the group has             tem link with other universities,"                  recommendations," says Sussex County
                  met about once a month (except dur-               Kuennen says. "We've also benefited                 extension agricultural agent Derby
                  ing July and August) to discuss a va-             from cooperation from other public                  Walker. "They appreciated the fact that
                  riety of topics including buying hard-            agencies such as the State Department               our extension recommendations are
                  ware and software, spread sheets,                 of Agriculture. The group is still find-            backed by research."
                  modems, data bases, software                      ing its way in a relatively new technol-              "As a result of our Smart Farming
                  exchange and batch files. Guest speak-            ogy, but early results are already                  educational meetings, more farmers
                  ers at the meetings have included                 evident."                                           are taking our advice," reports New
                  economists from the college's depart-                                                                 Castle County extension agent Dean
                  ment of food and resource economics                                                                   Belt. "One producer told me recently
                  as well as representatives of the state                                                               that by following our fertilizer recom-
                  department of agriculture and private                                                                 mendations to the letter he reduced
                  industry.                                                                                             his annual fertilizer bill by $18,000,
                     "Many of the farmers involved in                                                                   with no visible differences in his crop.
                  our meetings are what economists call                                                                 This farmer was barely able to pay his
                  early adopters," Kuennen says.                                                                        bills in 1985, with no money left over
                  "They've tested the technology and                                                                    for living expenses. With the low price
                  found it useful." Historically, early                                                                 for 1986 com and soybeans he may be

                  8

                 in the same financial position again,            presently available, the amount needed           and perennial weed pests, followed by
                 but at least he made a sizeable dent in          to grow a corn crop is based on antic-           timely control recommendations,
                 his production costs."                           ipated yield. The University of Dela-            resulted in a savings of over $10,000 in
                    Many other producers have expe-               ware soil testing laboratory recom-              crop loss from weed competition.
                 rienced similar savings by adjusting             mends that farmers use a                         Weed mapping will result in improved
                 their cropping practices according to            five-year-average yield to arrive at a           weed control next year on all of the
                 Extension's research-based guidelines.           realistic goal for each field.                   scouted acreage. Fertilizer practices
                 A Sussex County farmer, for example,               For irrigated corn, extensive field            based on leaf tissue and soil test
                 learned that he had been over-liming             and laboratory studies have shown that           results are expected to result in
                 and -fertilizing his corn and soybeans           a realistic yield goal is 175 to 200             improved fertility on 20 percent of the
                 for years. By following university soil          bushels per acre, depending on soil              acreage involved in the program.
                 test recommendations, he was able to             type. Because of their lower moisture-            In the future, the program will be
                 cut his fertilizer bill by 50 percent on         holding capacity, light sandy soils              expanded to include new, research-
                 1,000 acres for a savings of $20,000.            generally have a lower yield goal than           based information on treatment thresh-
                    Another farmer was able to adjust             silt loam soils.                                 olds, fertility management and sam-
                 both his herbicide and fertilizer pro-                                                            pling techniques to help producers
                 grams for a savings of $3,500 on 400                                                              make more efficient and profitable
                 acres and still attain the same amount                                                            management decisions.
                 of weed control and yield.                       Field corn IPM program
                    In one case, a grower who regularly
                 harvests 135 bushels of corn per acre
                 had been applying enough nitrogen                  Field corn production on 160,000               Reducing cyst nematode
                 for a crop of 180 bushels-just to be             acres in Delaware results in an esti-
                 sure he had enough. last summer he               mated $48 million in cash farm                   losses in soybeans
                 took the advice of his county exten-             income each year. Routine pesticide
                 sion agent and applied only enough               applications, weed competition and                Delaware soybean growers lose an
                 for his average yield. By doing so he            improper fertilizer management have              average 2 percent of their potential
                 saved $6 per acre on 600 acres, for a            resulted in decreased net profits for            soybean yield-230,000 bushels in
                 total savings of $3,600.                         producers of this crop.                          1985-to the soybean cyst nematode
                                                                    During the past four growing sea-              (SCN). Figures are not available for
                                                                  sons, extension pest management        .spe-     1986 losses, but were probably at least
                                                                  cialist Joanne Whalen and her assist-            that much. At $5.25 a bushel, that
                 Soils research helps                             ants have conducted a field corn                 amounts to a $600,000 loss. Sussex
                 farmers cut costs                                integrated pest management (IPM)                 County producers were hardest hit;
                                                                  program to help producers control                though some in Kent County also suf-
                                                                  crop pests more efficiently and thus             fered losses. According to extension
                    Fertilizer recommendations from the           increase profitability.                          plant pathologist Robert P. Mulrooney,
                 University of Delaware soil test labora-           Twenty-two growers from all three              the nematode is the number one dis-
                 tory are based on decades of research            counties participated in the 1986 pro-           ease problem in Delaware soybeans.
                 in Delaware and other states with sim-           gram. Over 5,000 acres were scouted              11 In general," he says, "growers with
                 ilar soils and crops, and are in close           on a weekly basis for insect, weed,              heavily infested fields can expect a 33
                 agreement with those of neighboring              disease and agronomic problems.                  percent yield loss."
                 states. Reviewed and updated annually,           Farmers involved in the program saved             The problem is limited primarily to
                 these recommendations serve as                   over $60,000 by reducing insecticide             land where soybeans have been grown
                 guidelines that can be modified by               use for black cutworm and corn borers            continuously. At a conservative esti-
                 extension agronomists, county agents             on 90 percent of the scouted acreage.            mate, approximately 20,000 of Dela-
                 and growers according to individual              A 22 percent reduction in soil insecti-          ware's 240,000 acres of soybeans are
                 needs, management techniques, pro-               cide use resulted in a savings of over           infested to some degree.The pest, first
                 duction capabilities and yield histories         $13,000.                                         detected in Delaware in 1978, has now
                 in order to produce maximum eco-                   In-season identification of annual             spread as far north as Dover. It has
                 nomic yields.                                                                                     been a serious problem in soybeans in
                    Nitrogen is one of the most costly                                                             the southeastern United States for
                 crop production inputs. Since a reli-                                                             many years.
                 able soil test for this nutrient is not

                                                                                                                                                              9

                    Working with extension agricultural         Alternative enterprises                         efficacy. One insecticide was identified
                 agents in the infested counties, Mul-                                                          as being as effective as the previously
                 rooney is showing soybean farmers              for farmers                                     used material and much safer to
                 how to reduce losses from this pest.                                                           human applicators and the environ-
                 He has developed a control program                Many Delaware corn and soybean               ment. Ibis information was submitted
                 which incorporates the results of field        farmers would benefit by diversifying           to the EPA-
                 trials by extension workers and                their production to spread economic               After reviewing the data, the EPA
                 researchers at the University of Dela-         risk, improve cash flow and increase            gave full federal approval for the use
                 ware and the University of Maryland, as        income. Growing a few acres of high-            of this insecticide on carrots for the
                 well as with scientists at the U.S.            value vegetable crops such as carrots           1986 growing season as well as future
                 Department of Agriculture's soybean            or cucumbers for processing or fresh            seasons. Most growers and processors
                 breeding program in Illinois and               market use is one way to boost                  are pleased with the weevil control
                 Mississippi.                                   income. There is also a need to iden-           provided by this new material and feel
                   A cooperator in this program since           tify new markets for crops suitable for         it has probably saved Delaware's carrot
                 1979, Mulrooney has conducted yearly           Delaware growing conditions, pro-               production industry.
                 soybean variety trials on nematode-            vided markets can be developed for
                 infested land to identify current com-         these crops. More information on cul-           Grain sorghum evaluated for
                 mercial and potential new varieties for        tural practices is also needed. Follow-
                 resistance to SCN and adaptability to          ing are three examples of farm enter-           Delaware
                 Delaware growing conditions. Farmers           prises that are benefiting from
                 who can't rotate out of soybeans, are          extension and/or research programs.               Many dryland farmers now grow
                 encouraged to plant varieties which                                                            continuous soybeans on the droughty
                 have performed well in these plots.                                                            soils of Sussex and lower Kent coun-
                    "Nematode levels in infested fields         Insecticide labeling saves day                  ties because corn yields on these soils
                 can easily be reduced by rotating to           for Delaware carrot growers                     are so uncertain. The practice has led
                 another crop, or by using resistant va-                                                        to a sharp decline in soybean yields
                 rieties," the plant pathologist says.                                                          due to the buildup of diseases and
                 "Farmers are finding it really pays to            Delaware farmers produce approxi-            soybean cyst nematode infestations.
                 follow recommendations from our                mately $12.5 million worth of carrots a           Planting grain sorghum (milo)-
                 annual SCN-resistant soybean and state         year. Without adequate control of the           which, unlike corn, tolerates drought-
                 soybean variety trials. Use of resistant       carrot weevil, they could not grow this         could be one way to break out of this
                 varieties alone can increase the yield         valuable cash crop. The weevil, which           unprofitable monoculture. However,
                 of SCN-infested fields from 10 bushels         thrives in this part of the U. S., injures      before sorghum can be considered a
                 to 30 bushels an acre. Farmers who             carrots by tunneling into and scarring          viable crop alternative for Delaware,
                 rotate crops such as corn, grain               the surface of the tap root, making             farmers must have an assured market.
                 sorghum or vegetables into their crop-         them unacceptable for either fresh              Broiler industry demand for milo on
                 ping sequence also benefit in                  market or processing use.                       Delmarva will depend on the price of
                 increased soybean yields."                        In 1985, the Environmental Protec-           this grain compared to that of corn, as
                                                                tion Agency banned the use of the               well as the price of corn and soybeans.
                                                                only insecticide which had proved               For example, at the currently very low
                                                                effective against this pest-a com-              prices for these grains, poultry opera-
                                                                pound that had been used for nine               tors have little if any economic incen-
                                                                years under an emergency exemption              tive to switch to lower priced grain
                                                                state registration. Because of this             sorghum.
                                                                action, extension entomologist Mark               The amount and consistency of
                                                                Graustein initiated insecticide evalua-         sorghum supply will also affect
                                                                tion studies for carrot weevil control as       demand. And a cost effective produc-
                                                                part of his field program.                      tion system tailored to local growing
                                                                   The data from these studies were             conditions is needed before this crop
                                                                pooled with those from similar studies          can be recommended.
                                                                conducted in Ohio and evaluated for               For several years a study has been
                                                                                                                under way at the College of Agricui-
                                                                                                                tural Sciences' Research and Education

                 10

                                                                        ware farmers who now grow or                       last summer ranged between 52.4 and
                                                                        recently grew sorghum. The econo-                  58.4 bushels an acre despite the severe
                                                                        mists have also met with all of the                drought. Corn grown in the same
                                                                        grain dealers identified as having an              experiment yielded an average of only
                                                                        interest in the project. Their prelim-             22.2 bushels an acre.
                                                                        inary findings indicate that:                        Farmers who grow sorghum, must
                                                                        o it now costs farmers $70 to $130 per             know how to harvest and store it
                                                                                                                           properly. Two members of the
                                                                          acre to grow grain sorghum                       department of agricultural
                                                                          (excluding land and management).
                                                                                                                           engineering-Dr. Sundaram Gunaseka-
                                                                        o one reason for the extreme varia-
                                                                                                                           ran, a specialist in electric power and
                                                                          tion in input costs is over-
                                                                                                                           proqessing, and Thomas H. Williams,
                                                                          fertilization on the part of some
                                                                                                                           extension specialist in power and
                                                                          growers.                                         machinery-recently produced a four-
                                                                        13 A critical production mass is needed            page fact sheet, "Harvesting, Drying
                                                                          to establish a market. This may war-             and Storage of Grain Sorghum," for
                                                                          rant the running of a test market
                                                                          where cash contracts are offered in              use by Delmarva farmers.
                                                                          the spring.                                        Besides outlining appropriate har-
                    Researcbers and extension specialists are investi-  o in some areas timely harvest may be              vest procedures, the publication illus-
                                                                                                                           trates appropriate dryer bin construc-
                    gating the potential for groulng so?gbum as an        essential to avoid heavy bird dam-
                    alternative grain crop on drough@v Delauvre           age. (Fields near marshy areas with              tion and describes the airflow, air
                    soils                                                 large blackbird populations are                  temperature and static pressure
                    Center near Georgetown to demon-                      probably the most vulnerable.                    requirements for drying the grain. in
                                                                                                                           addition, it tells how to adapt existing
                    strate the potential savings to growers               The same state grant is helping                  corn drying bins for sorghum and dis-
                    who switch from dryland corn to grain               agronomist Dr. Richard W Taylor, who               cusses correct storage procedures. The
                    sorghum. At present this would be                   holds a joint extension/research                   fact sheet recently won an award from
                    most viable for those farmers who                   appointment, evaluate commercially                 the American Society of Agricultural
                    raise grain crops such as corn for feed-            available grain sorghum varieties for              Engineers. It was available to Delaware
                    ing livestock, swine or cattle. This                their agronomic and chemical traits.               farmers through county extension offi-
                    could involve a sizeable portion of the             He is preparing a report on the charac-            ces in time for the 1986 harvest
                    dryland corn acreage grown in south-                teristics of the varieties tested, to help         season.
                    ern Delaware.                                       farmers assess their market potential.
                      Two extension specialists and an                  Milo can be substituted for corn in
                    experiment station economist are cur-               poultry, swine or beef cattle rations,             Computer program for
                    rently investigating grain sorghum                  but varieties differ in palatability,              Delmarva broiler growers
                    production and market development                   depending on their tannin content.
                    opportunities in the state, with the aid              Taylor has also conducted field trials              "Delmarva farmers are fortunate to
                    of a $9,000 grant from the Delaware                 on large, replicated blocks of both                have a strong poultry industry during
                    Department of Agriculture.                          grain sorghum and corn under dryland               these times of low grain prices," says
                       Extension crops marketing specialist             conditions to compare yields from the              extension poultry specialist Daniel H.
                    Carl German and agricultural market-                two crops. Data from the 1984 and                  Palmer. "Broilers offer the opportunity
                    ing specialist Dr. Ulrich C. Toensmeyer             1985 trials show an average yield                  to diversify and to make more efficient
                    hope to determine the per acre cost of              advantage of 26.4 bushels per acre for             use of existing farm labor. in the face
                    growing grain sorghum as well as the                bird-resistant Milo over corn, with Milo           of today's high fertilizer costs and low
                    economic feasibility of substituting                yields topping corn by 47.5 bushels in             crop prices, poultry manure has
                    Milo for corn in poultry and livestock              1985, which was a typically dry year for           acquired greater economic importance.
                    rations. They are also analyzing the                Delmarva. At the same time, seeding                And existing farm equipment can be
                    potential impact on the state agricultur-           and fertilizer costs for the sorghum               used in handling this valuable by-
                    al economy of growing more sorghum                  were about $35 lower than for corn.                product. The trick is to put dollar fig-
                    and less corn and soybeans.                           Yield differences between the two                ures on each of these potential
                       Since March 1986 German and                      crops were even more dramatic in                   benefits."
                    Toensmeyer have collected production                1986. Average grain sorghum yields
                    cost data from approximately 10 Dela-

                                                                                                                                                                           11

                 Approximately 300 new broiler                 All this information can be analyzed
               houses were constructed on Delmarva           before the grower or potential grower
               in 1986. Most growout companies are           has made any commitments regarding
               anxious to see more constructed. The          financing or construction. The service
               future looks good indeed for the              is free, confidential and the printout
               chicken meat industry. However, indi-         may be kept for study and future use.
               vidual growers must examine their               Over the years, with the help of
               own special set of circumstances              Tilmon or Palmer, dozens of farmers
               closely before deciding to build. First-      have used the program. In some
               time growers have even more home-             cases-especially when interest rates
               work to do than existing producers            were high-some decided it wouldn't
               who wish to expand. Assembling and            pay to put up a new broiler house.
               analyzing all the information which           The program is now being used in
               must be collected before the construc-        Maryland, too, and Eastern Shore
               tion crew arrives can be difficult. This      broiler companies have copies of it.
               is where a computer can help.
                 University of Delaware extension
               farm management specialist Dr. Don
               Tilmon has developed three computer
               programs designed to help people
               interested in putting up new poultry
               housing. The programs are for broiler,
               roaster and cornish production. The
               grower committee of Delmarva Poultry
               Industry, Inc. (DPI) helped Tilmon
               gather the basic input information and
               helps update this information each
               year. it has also been updated to agree
               with tax law changes.
                 items covered in the analyses
               include number of houses to be built,
               capacity per house, flocks to be raised
               per year, construction cost per house,
               number of years for which house will
               be financed, costs to buy and finance
               equipment, interest rate, estimated
               annual utility costs, anticipated annual
               repair costs, taxes and insurance,
               annual cleanout cost, anticipated con-
               tract payment per bird, labor costs plus
               inflation factors on all these costs.
                 Once the prospective grower has
               entered these figures, the computer
               will analyze the information and print
               the results. The printout gives yearly
               totals, costs per 1,000 birds, costs per
               square foot, cumulative totals and net
               income per hour of labor, projecting
               these for each year up to a total of 20
               years.

               12

                   RXI-Fesearch and extension
                   briefs

                   Community

                       W                                                         7                                          Dr Patricia Tanner Nelson, extension jamov
                                                                                                                            and child develOpment specialist, ansuering the
                                                                                                                            public's questions at the 1986 Delauvre State
                                             7Y                                                                             /,air
                               lot

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                                                                                       W.                                           -XXS           Manag           00
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                                           'A 1-11 P,-

                                                                                           R

                                                                                                                            Extension goes to the fair

                                     "A
                                                                                                                               Reaching out for new audiences,
                                                                                                                            University of Delaware extension pro-
                                                                                                                            fessionals took a tent to the Delaware
                                                                                                                      A@I
                                                                                                                            State Fair in Harrington last July. The
                                                                                                                            40 foot by 60 foot, blue and white
                                                                                                                            striped tent featured extension and
                                                                                                                            research exhibits on topics including
                                                                                                                            profitable farm management, water
                                                                                                                            quality, food and nutrition, leadership
                                                                                                                            development, drip irrigation for field
                                                                                                                            crops and home gardens, and careers
                                                                                                                            in agriculture.
                   %MOAN=                                                                                           &
                                                                                                                               Scientists from the Delaware Agricul-
                                                                                                                            tural Experiment Station were on hand
                                                                                                                            each day to explain aspects of their
                                                                                                                            research. And extension master gar-
                                                                                                                            deners; prepared a special groundcover
                                                                                                                            display, in addition to landscaping the
                                                                                                                            tent, inside and out. A stage at one
                                                                                                                            end of the large, shaded area provided
                                                                                                                            a place for special presentations and
                                                                                                                            entertainment, as well as 4-H demon-
                                                                                                                            stration contests.
                                                                                                                               Looking back over their week-long
                                                                                                                            stint at the fair, extension planners
                         ACT

                                                                                                                            declared themselves well-satisfied with
                                                                                                                            the results of this outreach effort.

                                                                                                                                                                             13

                                                                                             U                  -F
                                            now*

                                                                                                             5.
               Survey shows strong public
               support for extension
               system

                 Approximately 60 percent of the
               Delawareans interviewed during a ran-
               dom household survey said they are             Master gardener harl
               aware of the Delaware Cooperative              Eavinger conducting a
               Extension System and its programs.             turf and lawn. uved
               Ninety-five percent of those using the         clinic during the 1986
               system said they are highly satisfied          Ag Day at the unimsity
               with the services they receive.                Nursery industry                               Master gardeners sow skills
                 Conducted by the Delaware House-
               hold Survey of the College of Urban            newsletter                                     throughout the community
               Affairs, the survey was commissioned
               by Extension to assess public aware-             Extension horticulture specialist               A novel cadre of trained volunteers
               ness of and attitudes toward its pro-          Susan S. Barton works closely with the         known as "master gardeners" has been
               grams. The survey team reached 434             Delaware Association of Nurserymen,            cultivated by the Delaware Cooperative
               households throughout the state by             whose 85 members include growers,              Extension System and scattered
               telephone during the spring of 1985.           wholesalers, retailers, landscapers,           throughout the community to conduct
                 "Extension's job is education," says         greenhouse operators and florists. As          plant clinics, address garden groups,
               extension community development                executive coordinator of the DAN, Bar-         design demonstration gardens and
               specialist Dan Kuennen, in explaining          ton regularly receives information from        answer common homeowner
               the rationale behind the survey. "We           the American Association of Nursery-           questions.
               must be responsive to local needs. A           men which can be of use to local pro-             The first class of 20 master garden-
               survey is one way to find out how well         ducers. As extension horticulturist, she       ers graduated last spring in New Castle
               we're doing."                                  also attends regional and national             County. Since then they have answered
                 Extension staff work out of five offi-       meetings in her subject area and               over 1,200 questions by telephone,
               ces around the state. They present             receives numerous trade journals and           created groundcover displays at the
               information through public meetings,           newsletters related to aspects of orna-        Delaware State Fair and Newark Com-
               demonstration projects, tours, personal        mental horticulture.                           munity Day, conducted turfgrass and
               visits, telephone calls, direct mailings,        To pass on all this information, last        weed clinics, written news releases on
               publications, computers and the mass           year Barton developed a quarterly              gardening topics for mass media use
               media (newspapers, radio and TV).              newsletter that goes out to members            and designed a courtyard for the Uni-
               The survey has helped determine                of the Delaware nursery industry. The          versity of Delaware's adult day care
               which of these methods are best                newsletter contains association news,          center. In addition, they have devel-
               suited for serving specific extension          pesticide updates, marketing informa-          oped a landscape design for the Wil-
               audiences.                                     tion, research reports and other mate-         mington Hbrary, given talks before
                                                              rial pertinent to the Delaware nursery         garden clubs and garden centers and
                                                              industry.                                      led walking tours of the university's
                                                                "The response from readers has               Clark Garden.
                                                              been excellent," Barton reports. "By              Last December their ranks more
                                                              reading the newsletter they can keep           than doubled when a second class,
                                                              abreast of what's happening nationally,        taught jointly in Kent and Sussex coun-
                                                              locally and in the scientific community        ties, completed the free eight-week
                                                              in the field of horticulture. The new          course required for certification. A
                                                              production or maintenance procedures           third class began in February 1987 in
                                                              or marketing techniques they learn can         New Castle County. Although commit-
                                                              help them save or make valuable                ted to serve only 45 hours in exchange
                                                              dollars."                                      for their training, a number of
                                                                                                             members of the original class are still
                                                                                                             actively involved.

               14

                    Originating in 1972 in the state of             Facilitating farm accident                        Helping neighbor help
                 Washington, the master gardener                    rescue                                            neighbor
                 volunteer concept has now spread to
                 39 states. The program makes it pos-
                 sible for Cooperative Extension to dis-              Agriculture is Delaware's leading                 In December 1985, in response to a
                 seminate its home gardening programs               industry. it's also one of the most dan-          call from a county agent, extension
                 to larger audiences. University of Dela-           gerous. Cooperative Extension, farm               farm management specialist Dr. Don
                 ware extension horticulturist Sue Bar-             organizations and many other groups               Tilmon visited a Delaware dairy farm.
                 ton, who organized Delaware's pro-                 have combined resources to help                   He found a farmer recovering from
                 gram, says the ideal master gardener is            reduce the state's farm accident rate.            major surgery, a feed supply getting
                 11 someone with both gardening expe-               One approach is to provide safety                 very low, and a family unable to ana-
                 rience and a strong desire to help                 education for the farm community.                 lyze their alternatives, The wife was
                 others enjoy gardening."                           Another is to teach rescue teams about            attempting to finish a degree program
                    Members of Delaware's first class               agricultural hazards and farm rescue              at Delaware State College.
                 ranged in age from mid-20s to mid-60s              procedures. Tractor rollovers, animal-              Tilmon called in extension dairy
                 and included a former estate gardener,             related mishaps, exposure to manure               specialist Dr. George F. W. Haenlein to
                 patent attorney, florist, minister, nurse          gas, electrocution with power lines,              formulate a ration using the coarse
                 and several homemakers. Most were                  grain bin drownings, chemical spills              forages that were in storage. The cows
                 retired.                                           and entanglement in power take-off                made it through winter, but by spring
                    These budding master gardeners                  (PTO) shafts are among the common                 the farmer's medical condition had
                 were given 45 hours of instruction on              hazards of farming.                               deteriorated. Unable to manage his
                 plant identification, soils, insect identi-          Rescue from farm equipment is sim-              dairy operation, his losses were run-
                 fication and control, landscaping, turf            ilar in many ways to rescue from                  ning between $1,200 and $1,500 a
                 management, plant disease and con-                 motor vehicles, with which most                   month.
                 trol, houseplant care and vegetable                rescue squads are familiar. However,                Subsequent visits revealed a neigh-
                 gardening. Their instructors included              poor accessibility to the scene and lack          bor who was willing to lease the herd
                 university faculty, extension specialists          of advice on disassembly of equipment             for one year until the farmer's health,
                 and county agents. Once certified, the             and the extrication of victims often              improved and he could resume opera-
                 volunteers began work under the                    hamper rescue efforts. Standard rescue            tions. The question was, what value
                 supervision of New Castle County                   equipment which easily removes                    should be put on the lease arrange-.
                 extension agent Dave Tatnall.                      automobile pieces from around                     ment for the cows? Tilmon worked
                    Last fall, several New Castle County            trapped victims may not work when                 independently with each party, helping
                 master gardeners began a project to                applied to much more ruggedly built               the ailing owner determine the least
                 catalogue, label and rejuvenate the                farm equipment.                                   amount of payment he could afford to
                 Clark Garden, a demonstration garden                 Extension safety specialist Ron jester          take and helping the neighbor deter-
                 located in front of Townsend Hall,                 is working with the Delaware State Fire           mine how much he could afford to
                 home of the College of Agricultural                School, in cooperation with farm                  pay for use of the herd. After counsel-
                 Sciences. The project should make the              equipment dealers and local farmers,              ing both farmers as to clauses that
                 garden more useful to area residents               to train qualified personnel in farm              should be in the lease for the protec-
                 as a source of information on land-                rescue procedures. Over the past three            tion of each, he let the families nego-
                 scape plants suitable for Delaware                 years hundreds of rescue personnel                tiate the final agreement.
                 growing conditions.                                have received training.                             The owner now has a cash surplus
                    Possible future master gardener                   Eventually jester plans to modify the           each month from his resources instead
                 activities include working on commu-               training materials being used in these            of a deficit, and his spouse has an off-
                 nity demonstration gardens and pro-                workshops for presentation to farm                farm job that helps support the family
                 viding horticulture therapy programs               and rural audiences. The objective of             until his health improves.
                 for rehabilitation centers or nursing              this educational program is to develop
                 homes. Master gardeners with writing               a corps of individuals in each county
                 or photography skills may help                     with the skill and technical know-how
                 develop slide sets, fact sheets and                to handle the unique and challenging
                 other educational materials for use by             problems involved in farm rescue and
                 fellow volunteers.                                 transport.

                                                                                                      @,V

                                                                                                                  ings sponsored by public agencies,
                                                                                                                  local colleges and corporations. This
                                                                                                   F              preventive approach to money man-
                                                                                                                  agement is aimed at individuals whose
                                                                                                                  lives are in transition, or those setting
                                                                                                                  up households for the first time.
                                                                                                                     Extension home economists in Dela-
                                                                                                                  ware's other two counties are provid-
                                                                                                                  ing similar money management infor-
                                                                                                                  mation. For example, Sussex home
                                                                                                                  economist Sally Foulke has trained 20
                                                                                                                  state social workers in her county. She
                                                                                                                  is also working with retired couples
                                                                                                                  and widows who need help learning
                                                                                                                  how to maximize their resources.
                                                                                                                     After a survey showed that over 100
                Extension bome econo-                                                                             subscribers to her county home eco-
                mist Debotabj Amsden                                                                              nomics newsletter wanted additional
                trains a volunteer to
                                                                                                                  information on family financial man
                provide financial cou n                                                                           agement, Foulke created a second
                seling to Delaware
                families                                                                                          monthly newsletter, "Money Matter$."
                                                                                                                  This new publication carries articles on
                Family financial counseling                      week course for volunteers in financial          such topics as goal setting, individual
                                                                 counseling. Classes provide in-depth             retirement annuity plans, calculating
                                                                 training in the areas of credit, debt            needed rate of return, taxes, refinanc-
                   Cooperative Extension recognizes              loads, budgeting, dealing with credi-            ing a home and record keeping.
                that financial and emotional stress are          tors, figuring interest payments, finan-
                not limited to farm families. Extension          cial decision making, financial goal set-
                educators also work with non-farm                ting and related topics.
                families to help them become more                   In return for this training each              Family stress management
                economically secure.                             volunteer agrees to provide financial
                   Frequent requests for financial               counseling for four families over the
                counseling and a community survey                coming year. The commitment                         over the past three years, extension
                conducted by the United Way of Dela-             involves meeting with each family four           family stress management workshops
                ware indicated a need to increase                or five times, making telephone                  have reached 3,622 parents, home-
                community resources to aid financially           follow-ups, providing encouragement              makers, factory workers, managers,
                stressed families. In response to this           and monitoring progress.                         farm families and other interested
                need, New Castle County extension                   Impressed with the success of their           Delawareans. In on-site evaluations at
                home economists Deborah J. Amsden                volunteer training program, the Divi-            the conclusion of workshops,
                (University of Delaware) and Mary                sion of State Service Centers asked the          o  88 percent of the participants felt
                Alice Morris (Delaware State College)            home economists to design a financial               the workshop had increased their
                have adapted materials prepared by               management class for personnel and                  knowledge of the causes and effects
                University of Maryland extension fam-            volunteers who would be working                     of stress;
                ily resource management specialist Dr.           with families requesting public assist-          [3 77 percent reported being better
                Mary Stephenson and are using them               ance funds. The 18 people who com-                  able to recognize personal stress
                to train volunteers to help families             pleted this class are now trained to                symptoms;
                develop financial management skills.             provide budget counseling for service            o  62 percent said they had learned
                The United Way of Delaware provided              center clients.                                     more effective ways to manage
                funds to purchase the training                      Amsden and Morris have also taught               stress;
                manuals.                                         classes on personal financial manage-            o  70 percent felt more confident that
                   As of October 1986, 29 community              ment to workers involved in job train-              they could manage stress positively
                volunteers and 13 professionals                  ing programs and have presented                     in the future.
                representing local agencies in New               information on basic life skills at meet-
                Castle County have completed the six-

                16

                     When workshop participants were                 Helping farm families
                  contacted in random sample follow-up
                  telephone surveys nine to 11 months                weather tough times
                  later,
                  o All said they were attempting to                    "Too much stress in your life can
                     interpret their problems in a posi-             affect your health, safety, family rela-
                     tive light;                                     tionships and your decision-making
                  o  96 percent felt more in control of              capacity," says extension family life
                     their lives;                                    specialist Dr. Patricia Tanner Nelson.
                  o  96 percent were spending quality                "So it makes good sense to be the very
                     time with their families;                       best stress manager you can."
                  o  92 percent said they were more                     Even under normal circumstances,
                     effective stress managers.                      farming is one of the 10 most stressful
                     To obtain an outside expert's opin-             occupations in the U.S. The current
                  ion on the impact of this extension                economic crisis in American agricul-
                  program on individual and family well-             ture has greatly intensified the pres-
                  being, extension family life specialist            sures on farmers. To help Delaware
                                                                     farm families understand the stressors
                  Dr. Patricia Tanner Nelson asked                   in their lives and cope with them
                  Richard Pryor, director of Catholic                more effectively, Nelson has written a
                  Social Services in Wilmington, to                  newsletter, "Strategies for Farm Fami-
                  comment on the survey results. Here is             lies in Tough Times." She decided to
                  part of his reply:                                 write the newsletter, rather than hold
                       "in one year ... in our family                meetings on the subject, because she
                     counseling program [Catholic Social             felt that individuals experiencing diffi-
                     Services], we serve about 700                   culties in their farm businesses had a
                     cases .... The total cost of delivering         desire and need for the privacy that a
                     that service was more than half a               newsletter would provide.
                     million dollars last year. The clients            The newsletter is available free to
                     and other third party contractors pay           Delaware residents. Out-of-state sub-
                     about 20 percent of that, United                scribers are asked to pay a modest fee
                     Way pays 40 to 45 percent of that               to cover postage and handling. The
                     cost. That's a lot of money the                 newsletter covers the nature of stress
                     community could be using in other               and situations in farming which can
                     ways if more families were strong               cause irritation, fatigue, uncertainty,
                     enough to not need our intensive                conflict, depression and similar re-
                     services.                                       actions. Each issue also contains prac-
                       I believe the response to all                 tical suggestions for managing or
                     your programs is dramatically posi-             reducing stress.
                     tive. Based on my experience, I                   To help publicize the newsletter and
                     think it's fair to say that a significant       alert farm families to available help,
                     portion of the population you have              the college's communication office
                     served will not... need services like           prepared a series of related articles on
                     ours .... your data is essentially on           the pressures of farming and how to
                     target. You've got valid responses."            cope with them. The series was sent to
                                                                     area newspapers, radio and TV stations.

                                                                                                                                                                    17

                'Rewsearch contributions,
                Delaware Experiment
                Station - 1888-1986

                   Agricultural Experiment Stations all         o Analyses of the flow of funds from             [3 The Delmar soybean was developed
                over the United States are celebrating             purchases and sales in agriculture,              at the Experiment Station, along with
                their 100th anniversary this year. The             tourism, banking, transportation, manu-          two green-seeded varieties-Verde
                federal Hatch Act which brought them               facturing, construction, professional            and Emerald-that are to be eaten as
                into being was passed in March 1887.               services and other sectors of Dela-              vegetables.
                   Delaware's Experiment Station was               ware's state and county economies
                established nearly a year later on Febru-          has made it possible for station econ-        [3 Years of field trials and new knowl-
                ary 21, 1888, in connection with Dela-             omists to measure the effect a change            edge on the basic chemistry of potas-
                ware College (now the University of Del-           in sales in any one sector would have            sium in Delaware soils have led soil
                aware). The following are some of its              on the state's or county's total econ-           scientists at the Experiment Station to
                achievements since then.                           omy. Such input/output studies help              lower their fertilizer recommenda-
                                                                   policy- and decision-makers develop              tions for this basic element on crops,
                c3 On-going, poultry-related research              plans more likely to favor local eco-            thus reducing farm production costs.
                   has led to improved control of respira-         nomic growth.
                   tory diseases, Marek's disease, infec-                                                        o The Delaware Agricultural Experi-
                   tious bursal condition, anemia-derma-        c3 improved crop production practices               ment Station has developed chemical
                   titis syndrome and infectious synovitis.        including fertilizer use, irrigation and         methods for insect, weed and disease
                   During the broiler industry's early             tillage methods have been developed              control in plants. Plant pathologists at
                   development, the Delaware Agricul-              at the Delaware Station, which led the           the Station were involved in devel-
                   tural Experiment Station was active in          way in no-tillage crop production sys-           opment of the fungicide Zineb, with
                   developing coccidiostats and sulfa              tems for corn and soybeans. Delaware             one researcher named in the initial
                   drug treatments for the control of coc-         now leads the nation in percentage of            patent.
                   cidiosis in poultry. By applying re-            no-till acreage.                              o Experiment station entomologists
                   search results the industry has saved                                                            were instrumental in developing salt-
                   millions of dollars.                         o The Delaware Station has been a
                                                                   leader in irrigation water management            marsh management systems for inte-
                � The Delaware Experiment Station has              research in the region. Agricultural             grated mosquito control and marsh-
                   been a leader in providing informa-             engineers and agronomists have been              land use. The first truly selective in-
                   tion on the best temperature range for          active in determining irrigation water           secticide, Abate, was first tested against
                   optimum broiler growth, broiler                 use requirements for corn, soybeans              mosquitoes and non-target organisms
                   house insulation and mechanical ven-            and- vegetables in the mid-Atlantic              at the Station.
                   tilation. Fuel consumption data gener-          states. With the help of this informa-
                   ated in the 1970s by a computer pro-            tion, Delaware's irrigated cropland
                   gram developed by agricultural engi-            has more than doubled over the past
                   neers in cooperation with poultry               decade, with drought-susceptible corn
                   producers has resulted in significant           becoming the state's major irrigated
                   savings for the industry.                       crop.

                � Delaware economists and poultry               0 The Delaware Station has been a
                   nutritionists were among the first in           leader in surface and groundwater
                   the U. S. to use computers to formu-            quality studies. The state of Delaware
                   late least-cost broiler rations. Now a          has used results from these studies to
                   standard practice nationwide, the pro-          establish water quality management
                   cess annually saves Eastern Shore pro-          and regulatory policies to reduce
                   ducers millions of dollars. By 1961 a           groundwater contamination by ferti-
                   number of Delmarva firms were using             lizer, herbicides and domestic sewage.
                   least-cost formulas provided by the
                   Experiment Station; one company
                   representative estimated his firm saved
                   over $200,000 the first year it switched
                   to the new system.

                18

                THE STATE AGRICULTURAL
                   RESEARCH SYSTEM AND
                         THE DELAWARE
                         AGRICULTURAL
                   EXPERIMENT STATION:
                          A CENTENNIAL
                           PERSPECTIVE
                        Donald F. Crossan, Ph.D.                           -iwm
                     Director, Delaware Agricultural
                            Experiment Station
                                                                  @N  q,

                                    @g

                                   4

                                                                                                                                             @;4

                                                                                                                                                  4,-A

                Thefirst DelawareAgricultural Experiment Station building stiMstands on the Universi@v of Delaware campus RenamedRecitation Annex, it nou bousesgrapbic
                arts studios.

                   March 2, 1987, marks the 100th anni-         Europe were impressed that various pro-         tural colleges. Some of the proponents
                versary of the passage of the Hatch Act         fessors' research and subsequent lec-           wanted agricultural research to be part of
                that established agricultural experiment        tures were stimulating farmers to accept        the college system, others did not. The
                stations at land-grant colleges in each of      scientific methods to improve their farm-       basic idea of teaching agriculture took a
                the United States. This act was the result      ing. There was nothing comparable in            formal turn in the 1850s with the drafting
                of hard-won cooperation between the             the United States.                              of a legislative proposal by SenatorJustin
                federal government and the individual             One visiting professor from Yale Uni-         Morrill of Vermont to establish colleges
                states. It was preceded by years of debate      versity, John P. Norton, was intrigued          for agriculture and the mechanic arts, to
                on whether or not there should be cen-          with the idea of an agricultural research       be financed by the sale of grants of
                tralized control by the United States           center that would help solve practical          goverriment-owned land. Southern con-
                Department of Agriculture, in effect            problems. He returned to Connecticut as         gressmen felt that federal intervention
                creating a series of federal research sta-      a professor in agricultural chemistry at        into the education system was an in-
                tions, or whether control should rest           Yale and began to conduct soil and              fringement on states' rights. Thus they
                primarily with each state and its affiliated    manure analyses, charging a fee to sup-         fought the passage of Morrill's proposal.
                land-grant agricultural college.                port his lab. He wrote reports on all sam-      The intervention of the Civil War re-
                   The very premise that there should be        ples and sent them to the respective            moved the Southerners' objections; and
                agricultural experimentation had its roots      clients. He also established a two-month        in 1862, the 12nd-Grant College Act
                in Europe. There were successful institu-       series of lectures designed particularly        (Morrill Act) was passed. Each state was
                tions in Scotland, England and Germany          for farmers.                                    provided a grant of federal land, pro-
                in the 1800s that applied science to the          other states began joining in a grow-         ceeds from the sale of which would pro-
                problems of agriculture. In the 1840s,          ing movement to establish state agricul-        vide an endowment for an agricultural
                lAmerican visitors to laboE@@@                                                                                                               1

                                                                                                                                                          19

                  and mechanic arts college. Delaware                                                                             lished the land-grant colleges and pro-
                  College at Newark, Delaware, was desig-                                                                         vide support for the establishment of
                  nated as the state's land-grant college.                                                                        agricultural experiment stations at these
                  The college made efforts to interest                                                                            same colleges.
                                                                                           S
                  young people in the study of agricultural
                                                                                                                                     one of the first editorials in the newly
                  subjects and offered short courses on                                                                           founded magazine Science (1884) sup-
                  agricultural topics. The Delaware State
                                                                                                                                  ported agricultural research. Letters were
                                                                                                                      Vi
                  Grange was very active in encouraging                                                                           exchanged between scientists and the
                                                                                IR
                                                                                                               j '1@
                  the college to live up to the intent of the                                                       g             magazine as to whether or not science
                  Land-Grant Act.
                                                                                                    F,           "g,              and practical work should not or could
                     One issue that was raised by the pas-                 "Y                                                     not be separated. The editors of Science
                  sage of the Morrill Act was whether or not                                                                      replied that, in their judgment, there was
                  the agricultural colleges should do re-                                                                         little danger that the scientific experi-
                  search. Until that time it was assumed                                                                          ments would be so scientific as to be too
                  that professors taught, and that was their                                                                      far removed from the needs of the farm-
                  primary responsibility. There was dis-                                                                          ers. This debate was central in building
                  agreement as to what constituted re-                                                                            national awareness of the need for organ-
                  search and what agricultural research                                                              'A           ized agricultural research.
                  should be. Irrespective of this, there was                                                                         A professor of agriculture at Iowa State
                  general agreement that research in agri-                                                                        College drafted a bill for consideration at
                  cultural subjects had to be done if agri-                                                                       a convention called by the Secretary of
                  culture was to advance.                                                                                         Agriculture in 1882. The bill asked for
                     In 1880, a group of research-111inded                                                                        $15,000 annually from the federal govern-
                  professors from Midwestern land-grant                    Corn  bas long been an important crop on         the   ment to pay for agricultural experimenta-
                  colleges formed an association of teach-                 Delmarva peninsula. In the early 1900@ busking         tion at each station. The bill suggested an
                  ers of agriculture. These teachers care-                 corn tvas a labor-intensive part of production.        association of the experiment stations
                                                                           Modern machinerv bas since reduced the needfor
                  fully recommended and explained why                      band labor                                             with the U.&D.A., yet would allow the
                  they thought publicly financed experi-                                                                          trustees of each college general control
                  ment stations should be established at                                                                          over agricultural research. This bill was
                  the land-grant colleges. First, the col-                                                                        introduced into the House Committee
                  leges already possessed land, laborato-                                     3                                   on Agriculture; and for the next four
                  ries and trained specialists on their teach-                                                                    years, many aspects of the bill were dis-
                  ing staffs. Thus, to associate experiment                                 I                                     cussed and debated. A committee of col-
                  stations with colleges made both eco-                                                                           lege presidents worked with several fed-
                  nomic and scientific sense. Second, the                                                                         eral legislators and convinced Representa-
                  association noted that research would be                                                                        tive William H. Hatch and SenatorJames
                  valuable in educating students. And                                                                             Z. George to champion the experiment
                  finally, a college-based experiment sta-                                                                        station bill. Debate in the Senate revealed
                  tion, rather than a federally controlled
                                                                                  %                                               strong support for federal subsidies of
                                                                                   A
                  one, would allow researchers to attack                                            _4                            agricultural research in state experiment
                  the large variety of national agricultural                                                                      stations. But there was concern about
                  problems at a more easily managed state                                                                         federal control.
                                                                                                          10"A                       The final version, known as the Hatch
                  level.                                                                        Wlk
                     In  1862, a number of land-grant col-                                                NK                      Act, made state legislative assent a neces-
                  leges had entered into agricultural re-                                                                         sary part of creating a college agricultural
                  search at the same time that they accepted                                                                      experiment station. The act also made
                  their land-grant status, but not under the                                   q                                  clear the autonomy of the stations with
                  aegis of a formally organized experiment                                                                        respect to the U.S.DA The Hatch Act
                  station. During the following years, a                                                                          became law on March 2, 1887. It pro-
                  number of persons began advocating in                    Since the ear4yjwars of the E)periment Station,        vided for the establishment of land-grant
                  the press, in national magazines and at                  researcbers bave run field trials on various crops.    college agricultural experiment stations,
                  various agricultural conventions that the                Th@y use tbeirftndings to make recommendations         and as a consequence, set a new prece-
                                                                           on varieties@ fertilizer and water needs to local
                                                                           J\\                      I

                  federal government should follow the                     farmers In tbispicture, tbescientist notes ibebeigbt   dent for federal-state cooperation in
                  [principle of the Morrill Act that had estab-            of a cover crop in a trial field in h?lton.            agricultural research.

                  20

                         In the state of Delaware, the trustees of
                                                                                                                                           sion system was established in all the
                     Delaware College held a regular meeting                                                                               states.
                     on March 22, 1887, and appointed a                                                                                       Chester also raised an insightful ques-
                     committee consisting ofJ. Alexander Ful-                                                                              tion asking, "Would it not be to the
                     ton, Esq., the Hon. John B. Pennington                                                   J@                           advantage of workers in special lines of
                     and Dr. Hugh Martin to prepare and                                                                                    research to meet at the same time and
                     present to the legislature of Delaware a                                                                              place, whether delegates or not, in sec-
                     bill giving assent to the establishment of                                                                            tions for discussion of matters of purely
                     an experiment station and to the accept-                                                                              technical interest?" Today, agricultural
                     ance of grants of money authorized by                                                                                 scientists meet in annual meetings, or in
                     the Hatch Act. The General Assembly                        P,                                                         regional research projects to discuss
                                                                                  ofessor Frederick D. Chester championed agn-             11
                     assented to the provisions of the act on                   clifturalresearcb at eapeTimentstations and recom-          matters of purely technical interest." It
                     March 28, 1889.                                            mended that the officers of the stations meet with         is now an accepted way of exchanging
                         A special convention of the Associa-                   farmers in differentparts of each state, noting that       knowledge. The foundation of a sound
                     tion of American Agricultural Colleges                     "the uork, present andproVectivee, of the stations         philosophy for the Delaware Agricultural
                     and Experiment Stations was held at the                    could in this tvay, be brought directly to ibefarmer.      Experiment Station was thus established.
                     Department of Agriculture in Washing-                                                                                    As noted before, the trustees of Dela-
                     ton, D.C., in October 1887. Professor F. D.                                                                           ware College favored the establishment
                     Chester represented Delaware. At the                                                                                  of an experiment station and obtained
                     convention, various representatives                                                                                   legislative approval. But action was de-
                     voiced opinions on the proper role of                                                                                 layed until the federal Congress, by spe-
                     experiment stations in the different                                                                                  cial act in February 1888, appropriated
                     states. Chester voiced the opinion that                                                                               funds for the various stations. When that
                       the work of the stations should be spe-                                                                             was done, the trustees proceeded at once
                     cialized as far as possible, each station                                                                             to specifically establish the Delaware
                     having in view the dominant agricultural                                                                              College Agricultural Experiment Station
                     interest of the state in which it is located.                                                                         on February 21, 1888. At the same time,
                     if any station can choose any one ques-                                                                               they notified the federal Secretary of the
                     tion, or limited number of questions, it                                                                                reasury in Washington that Delaware
                     will accomplish more than by frittering                                                                               College at Newark was the recipient of
                     its energies over the whole field of                                                                                  the benefits of the land-grant bill, was the
                     experimental agriculture."                                                                                            only agricultural college in the state, and
                         Chester suggested that the subject of                                                                             was entitled to the benefits provided by
                     plant pathology should be a special fea-                                                                              the Hatch Act. Dr. George D. Purington of
                     ture of work in Delaware since the prob-                                                                              Missouri was appointed director of the
                     lern of peach yellows was threatening the                                                                             station and professor of agriculture in the
                     decline of an important peach industry.                                                                               college on May 8, 1888.
                     Delaware College scientists were among                                                                                   ByJune 30, 1888, the trustees of Dela-
                     the first to show that "yellows" was an                    Extension has long been involved tvith encouraging         ware College had a specially designed,
                     insect transmitted pathogen thought to                     farmers to spray orchards for disease and insect           two-story, brick building erected to house
                     be a virus. The absence of effective insec-                control.                                                   the research of the experiment station.
                     ticides to prevent disease transmission                                                                               The first annual report of the Delaware
                     allowed yellows to decimate Delaware's                                                                                College Agricultural Experiment Station
                     peach orchards,                                                                                                       notes that building construction cost
                         In addition to each station focusing on                                                                           $2,980. This building still stands on the
                     specialized areas of agricultural research,                                                                           University of Delaware campus and is
                     Chester recommended that the officers                                                                                 known as Recitation Annex. The first
                     of the stations meet with farmers in dif-                                                                             annual report also listed laboratory
                     ferent parts of each state noting that "the                                                                           equipment costs at $4,92 1. Books for the
                     work, present and prospective, ofthe sta-                                                                             library were $1,428; furniture cost $887,
                     tions could, in this way, be brought                                                                                  and salaries amounted to $650. These
                     directly to the farmer." By 1911, Dela-                                                                               items plus supplies, tools, postage, travel
                     ware supported an extension effort, but it                                                                            and other expenses totaled $14,438.84 of
                     Iwas not until 1914 that a formal exten-                                                                              the $15,000 appropriation

                                                                                                                                                                                                21

                                                                                             A
                                                                                                                                    The 1888 annual report notes that in
                                                                                                                                    eping with the intent of the Hatch Act,
                                                                                                                         Sq
                                                                                                                                 the chemist at the station would devote
                                                                                                                                 time to soil analyses, the chemical corn-
                                                                                                                                 position of plants, and many other analyt-
                                                                                                                                 ical tasks. The report further noted that
                                                                                                              "ilk               others besides the chemist must devote
                                                                                                                                 time to studies of crop rotation and sug-
                                                                                                                                 gested that the evaluation of grasses and
                                                                                                                     . . ....    forages be done in many sections of the
                                                                                                                                 state.
                                                                                                                                    Purington remained less than a year as
                                                                                                                                 director of the experiment station. He
                                                                                       V'@
                                                                                                                                 was replaced in 1889 by Arthur T. Neale
                                                                                                                                 who served until 1906. Neale helped
                                                                                                                                 eradicate cattle anthrax in Delaware by
                                                                                                                                 showing that imported cattle hides car-
                                                                                                                                 ried the bacillus that was spread through
                                                                                                                                 wash water to fields and streams. He also
                                                                                                                                 led a program of testing cattle for tuber-
                                                                                                                                 culosis that led to the reduction of that
                                                                                                      31
                                                                                                                                 problem to minor status.
                                                                                                                                    From its earliest years, the experiment
                                                                                                                                 station made strides in solving state agri-
                                                                                                                                 cultural problems. In 1891, Delaware's
                                                                                                                                 governor praised the experiment station
                                                                         In the ear@vpart of this centur                         for its valuable work on insects and dis-
                                                                                                         y, uhole fisb was a
                                                                         common@v used fertilizer Altbough we nou, bave          eases of fruit crops. The 1892 annual
                                                                         more modern tecimityiies to ensure cropfertdi@v, the    report notes experiments with red clover
                                                                         peacb tree pictured below is testimo?g that old-        for soil improvement, sprays with copper
                                                                         fasbioned metbods did indeed do tbejob                  to try to control peach brown rot and
                                                                                                                                 potato late blight, and testing of milk and
                                                                                                                                 c
                                                                                                                                  ream separation, among other items of
                                                                                                                                 interest. The 1903 report noted that in six
                                                                                                                                 years o
                                                                                                                                          ut of 10, the annual total of precip-
                                                                                                                   W             itation was adequate, but the distribution
                                                                                                                                 was such that it wasn't available at the
                                                                                                                                 critical times for plant growth. The report
                                                                                                                                 also noted 10 years of experimental
                                                                                                                                 results on light, sandy land that used
                                                                                                                                 crimson clover as a winter cover crop
                                                                                                                                 with corn as the summer crop. in those
                                                                                                                                 tests, by the tenth year, corn was not
                                                                                                                                 affected by mid-season drought corn-
                                                                                                                                 pared to similar fields without the clover.
                                                                                                                                 The average yields in 1903 were reported
                                                                                                                                 as 37.8 bushels per acre for New Castle
                                                                                                                                 County, 28.3 for Kent County, and 17.5
                                                              A                                                                  for Sussex County.
                                                                                                                                    By 1906 Harry Hayward had replaced
                                                                                                                                 Neale as director. In 1908 Hayward was
                                                                                                                                 referred to as a dean in Delaware Col-
                                                                                                                                 lege, the first in the college's history. He
                                                             Ist                                                                 I served as dean of agriculture and director
                 22

                  of the experiment station until 1919.
                  During his tenure, the General Assembly
                  voted $20,000 (1907) for the college to
                  acquire the 220 acre Pie farm just south of
                  the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks and
                  voted additional funds in 1909 to build a
                  barn and other farm buildings. Under                                                                                                  T   7r
                  Hayward's direction, enrollment of stu-
                  dents in agriculture began to grow. And
                                                                                                                                                          us
                  by this time, the Hatch Act with amend-
                  ments was providing $30,000 to support
                  the agricultural research which grew in                                                                     110T7
                                                                                                                                    @ 7,777777
                  scope under Hayward.
                     In 1919 Charles McCue became dean
                                                                                         V
                  and director and served in those posts                                                         A0,
                                                                                                                             44N,     , -   ,     71
                                                                                                                                  CA      U
                                                                                                                                                       V
                  until 1939. During his tenure, the need to
                  increase efforts to disseminate the results
                                                                                                     do
                                                                                                                     A''
                  of the experiment station research be-
                  came evident. In 1911 the General
                  Assembly appropriated $4,500 for agri
                  cultural extension work, specifically to
                  carry out field demonstrations with fertil-           The Experiment Station farn; in Newark aflou's
                  izers, crops and tillage systems, and to              researchers to uork u,ith livestock as ueff as vege-
                  interest youth in agriculture. This pre-              table andgrain crops, The buildingspictured above
                  dated the national system of a federally              are stia in use.
                  supported state extension system by
                  three years. In 1914, a state cooperative
                  extension system was established at each
                  of the land-grant colleges. During the
                  1920s and 1930s research focused on
                  extensive investigations into the use of                                  0
                  fertilizers, varietal testing of agronomic
                  and horticultural crops, plant disease and
                  insect control experiments, dairy cattle
                                                                                                    "R,
                  improvement, the beginning of experi
                  mentation on poultry (particularly the
                  rearing of chicks in confinement), buf-
                  fering action of soils and marketing of                                                                   I
                  farm products, as well as studies on farm
                  taxation and farm tenure.
                     In 192 1, Delaware College was merged
                  with the Women's College to become
                  the University of Delaware. The school of
                  agriculture continued to contain the ex-              Duringibe 1930s, the university's chicken flocks
                  periment station and the extension Sys-               were housed in the structures pictured. University
                  tem as part of its organizational structure.          flocks are nou, raised indoors in a controUed
                     In 1939, George Schuster became dean               environment.
                  and director, serving both roles until
                  1943, when he continued as dean of the
                  school of agriculture and George M.
                  Worrilow became director of the exper-
                  iment station. Worrilow became dean
                  upon Schuster's retirement and served
                  W-N
              4@@k@

                  ,until 1965 when he was replEs!i@

                                                                                                                                                                              23

                                                                                                                                                      (@ V_'o@o

                                                                                                                             liam E. McDaniel who served as dean and
                                                                                                                             director of the experiment station until
                                                                                                                             his retirement in 1977. Those positions
                                                                                                                             were then assumed by Donald F. Cros-
                                                                                                                             san, the first native Delawarean and
                                                                                                                     I J
                                                                                                                             graduate of the University of Delaware to
                                                                                                                             hold the two posts.
                                                                                                                               During the fall of 1938 efforts were
                                                                                                                             begun to obtain state support for in-
                                                                                                                             creased agricultural research facilities.
                                                                                                                             Governor W W Bacon appointed a com-
                                                                                                                             mission to look for a suitable farm site in
                                                                                                                             Sussex County. On August 30, 1941, the
                                                                                                                             John A. Tyndall farm of 310 acres was
                                                                                                                             purchased at public auction for $7,555.
                                                                                                                             Research on apple orchard soil man-
                                                                                                                             agement studies, strawberry fertilization
                                                                                                                             and watermelon and peach variety trials
                                                                                                                             were among the first experimentations.
                                                                                                                             Plans for a broiler house were also
                  Tomatoes were once an important crop in Delatvare. In 1911, the site near Paper Mill Road in Newark,       initiated that year. in the decades of the
                  pictured above, was bome to a bm@v tomato canning factory. Below, a       1915 pbotograpb depicts the      1940s and 1950s, research in the experi-
                  bandpacking of peacbes                                                                                     ment station continued to be largely ap-
                                                                                                                             plied to solving problems of a current
                                                                                                                    fll@'    nature, with continued emphasis on grain
                                                                                                                             crops, vegetable crops, crop fertilization,
                                                                                                     E.,
                                                                                       4
                                                                                                                             soil testing and dairy herd improvement.
                                                   N
                                                   N
                                                   N
                                                   N                                                                         The beginning poultry industry stimu-
                                                                                                                             lated research in poultry nutrition and
                                                                 ALI, -Q @%l,
                                                                                                                             broiler management and early studies on
                          Al                                       "o
                                                                    Al                                                       the control of avian leucosis and cocci-
                                                                                                                             diosis diseases. In addition, studies on
                                                                                                                             the economics of broiler production
                                                                                                                             were initiated.
                                                                                                                               The Delaware station also helped dis-
                                                                          q lT
                                                                                                                             cover and develop an important group of
                                 MIN,                                            .;A;     1h,
                                                                                                                             fungicides known as the Dithiocarbam-
                                                                            -I M, Z
                                                                                                                             ates. This chemical group dominated the
                                                                                     FAA
                                                                                                                             field of commercial fungicides for sev-
                                                                                                                             eral decades. The station carried out sig-
                                                                                                                             nificant research on pectins and pectin
                                                                                                                             chemistry, and the first efforts were begun
                                                                                                                             on efforts to control mosquitoes. They
                                                                                                                             were a major pest due to the prevalence
                                                                                                                             of tidal streams and marshes throughout
                                                                                                                             the state.
                                                                                                                               By the 1960s, the Delaware station was
                                                                                                                             well-known for its leadership in the
                                                                                                                             development of the least-cost-diet con-
                                                                                                                             cept of feeding broiler chickens. This
                                                                                                                             required an integration of the knowl-
                                                                                                                             edge of the poultry nutritionist, the statis-
                                                                                                                             tician and the economist to develop
                                                                                                                             lalternative nutrition and e@@@

                  24

                  to produce efficient growth rates at the
                  least possible cost. Experiment station
                  scientists worked closely with broiler
                  industry personnel for a number of years
                  until the industry was trained in the con-
                  cept and could take over the calculations
                  for themselves. Computer data-handling
                  spurred this development to the highly
                                                                                                                                            A
                  refined procedure it is today.
                    The 1960s also saw the beginning of
                  intensified research on poultry diseases,
                  particularly those involving viruses, and
                  continued research on the control of                                                                                      SP
                                                                                                                                            POW
                  leucosis, coccidiosis and Gumboro dis-
                  ease. Poultry housing and management
                  research along with nutrition research
                  was increased. Research on poultry mar-
                  keting and food distribution gained na-
                  tional recognition. Similarly, the                                                     0 W'74-@17'77 7%'
                                                             h
                                                     researc
                                                marsh man
                                                                                  S
                  on mosquito control through
                  agement practices and the assistance in
                  the discovery of an environmentally safe      TuD Delawareyoutb take aim at a State I-Wr display. 7heportablesprayerVeuedpesticideson afflicted
                  mosquito larvacide brought national rec-      plants, trees and sbrubs.
                  ognition to those efforts. in the decade of   Below, an experiment station entomologist works on a 4-H project with _wutb, circa 1934.
                  the 1960s, a slow evolution toward a bal-
                  ance of basic and applied research began.
                                                                                                                    A
                  The increasing sophistication of agri-
                  business, including production agricul-
                  ture, demanded more detailed research
                  that often had objectives that were not of
                  the short-range, immediate-problem-                          %
                  solving mode. Rather, the research pro-
                  grams often had at least an objective of
                  digging deeper into the basic cause of
                  current problems. This evolution con-
                  tinued to mature through the 1970s and
                  into the 1980s.
                    Currently, the University of Delaware
                  Agricultural Experiment Station leads the
                  Mid-Atlantic states in a number of areas

                                                                                                       4
                  and is contributing significantly to solv                          @; Maoli,
                  ing some of the more important agri-
                                                                             0-
                  industry challenges. Faculty researchers             W,
                                                                           W@ "@I@
                  in the college are nationally recognized
                  leaders in avian disease investigations,
                  viral vaccine development, efficient poul-
                  try housing, and poultry growth and
                  management. The college has established
                  an exceptionally close relationship with
                  the poultry industry. The benefits to the
                  poultry industry in all of its aspects can
                  be measured in the millions of dollars.
                    Delaware faculty lead the studies on
                 [dairy cattle management in urban prox-

                                                                                                                                                       25

                                                                                       n

                                                                                                                                                         k

                                                                                                                                                      4

                                                   777'-   _1

                                                                 Imity and are     among the     first to  use    survey-based, input-output model was
                                                                 computer-assisted    feeding   programs to       developed for Sussex County which as-
                                                                 reduce costs without reducing produc-            sisted in identifying the significant impact
                                                                             dition, a team of soil scientists    of the broiler industry on the economy
                                                                 tivity. In ad
                                                 N@
                                                  V              and plant    nutritionists has evolved to        and contributed to several policy deci-
                                                                 bring their area of agricultural research to     sions in that county. More recently,
                                                                 regional recognition. Delaware farmers           departmental research has identified the
                                                                 have access to an excellent soil testing         role and characteristics of small farm
                                                                 service backed by in-depth research that         operators in the state. in addition, further
                                                 _J   . . . . . . .
                                                                 results in sound, unbiased fertility recom-      research in input-output analysis has
                                                                 mendations.                                      identified economic interrelationships
                                      'Wit                         Closely linked to the soils area is that       in the entire state economy. Most re-
                                     .15                         of investigations into agricultural impacts      cently, department faculty cooperating
                                                                 on water quality. Again, Delaware re-            with extension personnel and Delaware's
                                                                 searchers lead the way in understanding          Department of Natural Resources and
                                                                 nitrate and other chemical movement in           Environmental Control contributed ex-
                                                         Y
                                                                 the soil water. This knowledge makes             tensive information on residents views
                                                                 possible intelligent recommendations             about growth and environmental quality
                                                                 on the proper application of manures             to the Governor's Task Force         on the
                                                                 and commercial fertilizers in irrigated          Inland Bays. These examples         demon-
                                                                 and non-irrigated field situations.              strate the department's focus on and suc-
                                                                   Additionally, a strong research pro-           cess in applied research in rural and agri-
                                                                 gram in biological insect control coupled        cultural economics.
                                                                 with a major integrated pest manage-               The Hatch Act of 1887, and its amended
                h'arm toursbelp acquaintbotb thefarming and the  ment program has resulted in significant         1955 version, was very clear about the
                non -farming public ulth agricultural researcb.  savings to those farmers using insecti-          goals of the act, specifically "to aid in
                                                                 cides. As a consequence the program has          inquiring and diffusing among the peo-
                                                                 enhanced the quality of the environment          ple of the United States useful and practi-
                                                                 by reducing potential surface and ground-        cal information on subjects connected to
                                                                 water contamination. Faculty are also            agriculture, and to promote scientific
                                                                 providing meaningful economic impact             investigation and experience respecting
                                                                 assessments to the state of Delaware as it       the principles and applications of agri-
                                                                 grapples with challenges of resource             cultural science."
                                                                 considerations such as land use.                   The Delaware Agricultural Experiment
                                                                   Faculty in the department of food and          Station continues to work toward those
                                                                 resource economics (formerly agricul-            goals. in many areas it has succeeded and
                                                                 tural and food economics) have contrib-          excelled. The decade ahead will see
                                                                 uted significantly to understanding Del-         even more sophisticated areas of science
                                                                 aware's rural and agriculturul economies.        evolve, and University of Delaware Agri-
                                                                 information generated via research in            cultural Experiment Station scientists will
                                                                 the department is frequently sought and          be at the forefront of more than    a few of
                                                                 used by state planners, policy makers            them. A mission accepted 100 years ago
                                                                 and government agencies. A particular            is reaffirmed today.
                                                                 interest since the late 1960s has been the
                                                                 nature and impact of the tourism indus-
                                                                 try in the state. In the early 1970s, a,

               26

                                                                                                                          -H
                                                                                                                       14

                                                                    Vlv,%@'!
                                                                                                                          three-fourths of the schools have
                                                                                                                          VCRs," Snider says. "The electronics
                                                                                                                          industry predicts another 121/2 million
                                                                                                                          will be sold next year."
                                                                                                                            Sparks and Snider also discovered
                        WIt',   A 1                                                                                       that volunteer leaders like using video-
                                                                                           -v
                                                                                                                          tapes. "Many leaders have a VCR in
                                                                                                                          their home, so they feel comfortable
                          N                                                                                               having their club watch the videotape
                                                                                                                          and then move into the kitchen to
                                                                                                                          practice and develop the skills
                                                                                k1i A;                                    observed," Sparks says.
                                                                                                                            The leaders prefer videotapes over
                                                                                 TIA,                                     slides that get bent or movie film that
                                                                                                                          gets stuck in the projector. "Plus a tape
                                                                                                                     11   can easily be rewound so you can look
                                                                                                                          at a segment over and over," Snider
                                                                                            U,
                                                                                                                          adds.
                                                                                                          @A                In the fall of 1985 Sparks and Snider
                                                                                                                          trained 21 adult and teen volunteers
                                                                                                                   t'@    from nine clubs in the use of the
                                                                                  IMIII -0
                                                                                                                                  and in their actual preparation
                                                                                                                          vi eos
                                                                                                                          of breads from different flours. Train-
                                                                                                            _3
                                                                                                                          ees learned to shape different rolls
                                                                                             JQ                           from one type of dough. They were
                   . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                                                          also introduced to a range of yeast
                  h@dension food and nutrition Vecialist Dr. Sue Snider and area 4-H agent./qv Sparks collaborating       bread and quick bread recipes includ-
                  on a iddeotape that teaches 4-Hers baking skiUs and nutritional guidelines.                             ing whole wheat bread and sweet
                                                                                                                          potato biscuits.
                  Videos teach 4-Hers the                             that fascination to create interest in                When the leaders returned to their
                                                                      baking breads."                                     clubs, the response to the new project
                  science of bread maldng                               The video demonstrations she and                  was overwhelming. During the first six
                                                                      Snider produced include such topics                 months after the project was intro-
                     Delaware 4-H leaders are taking                  as the functions and measurement of                 duced, at least 250 4-H'ers participated
                  today's video technology into the kitch-            ingredients, making muffins, making                 in breads evaluation as part of county
                  en to teach youngsters how to bake                  biscuits, making yeast breads and shap-             and state food judging contests.
                  bread, and the programs they're using               ing yeast breads. The tapes are in Beta,              Club members demonstrated their
                  may soon be available to other youth                VHS and 3/4-inch format and are avail-              new expertise in several other ways as
                  nationwide through Cooperative                      able from the extension office in each              well. The Hollymount Club (Lewes)
                  Extension.                                          county.                                             made 50 small loaves of bread for
                     Last year, with a $2,000 grant from                 In addition to the five tapes, Sparks            their local Meals on Wheels Christmas
                  Nabisco Brands, Delaware area 4-H                   and Snider developed a nine-page                    dinner. While practicing their yeast
                  agent joy Sparks and extension food                 leader's guide which outlines the key               bread shaping skills, the Westville 4-H
                  specialist Dr. Sue Snider developed,                points made in each video lesson and                Club (Camden-Wyoming) went even
                  videotaped and demonstrated five                    provides questions to ask 4-H'ers to                further and created a dough basket to
                  educational programs on the science                 make sure they understand the con-                  hold the many different shapes of rolls
                  of bread making. As a result, more                  cepts presented. The training also                  they made. Newark's Fantastics 4-H
                  than 140 young people in 10 4-H clubs               stresses the nutritional value of bread             Club decorated a Christmas tree with
                  are participating in breads projects this           in the diet.                                        dough ornaments.
                  year.                                                 Videotapes were chosen as the                       In October 1986, Snider presented a
                     "Youth today seem entranced by the               medium for the breads message                       portion of the breads training program
                  television set," says Sparks. "We                   because of their portability and avail-             at the Northeast Regional 4-H Leader
                  decided to see if we could build on                 ability. "More than one-third of Amer-              Forum, which was hosted by Delaware
                                                                      ica's 86 million households and over                Extension.

                                                                                                                                                                         27

                                                    NX  7',
                                                       jo@

                                                       FA                                                      To educate the teachers, Manno uses
                                                                                                             lecture, a film of hatching chicks, and
                                        I'dif"
                                                                                                             a set of jars containing chicken
                                                                H                                            embryos that document the develop-
                                                                                                             ment of a red dot of tissue on an egg
                                                                                                        v8
                                                                                                             yolk to a yellow chick folded upon
                                                                                                             itself waiting to be born. He also
                                                                                                             opens the floor to a question-and-
                                                                                                             answer session.
                                                                                                               "The project is really quite easy, but
                                                                                                             inevitably some of the chicks won't
                                                                                                             hatch," he says. "However the class
                                                                                           40?
                                                                                      0                      can still learn about development by
                                                                                        P14 @_4              opening an unhatched egg and deter-
                                                                                                             m
                                                                                                               ining at what stage the embryo
                                                                                                             stopped growing." Manno gets a lot of
                                              I%                                      i"M
                                                                                                                          mers for the embryology
                                            JVN@,N_@                                                         repeat custo
                                         T
                                                                                                             project. "Schools that use this project
                                                                                                             for successive years seem to get more
                                                                                                             and more innovative," he says.
                                                                                                               For example, advanced science stu-
                                                                                                             dents often make a window in an egg-
                Teachers raise 4-H                            During the county's 1985-86 school             shell to observe a growing embryo.
                               P                                                                             They carefully remove a small portion
                                                              year, 203 classes with a total of 4,994        of the shell, taking care not to destroy
                embryology project                            students participated in the project.          the underlying membrane. A clear pro-
                                                                 "The project has tremendous flexi-          tective cover is placed over the win-
                  Take five incubators, five dozen            bility," says Manno. "It's been used by        dow and carefully sealed with wax.
                eggs, one 4-H agent, plenty of willing        kids of all ages, by teachers in all           The embryo can then be observed
                teachers, and what do you get? An             grade levels, and in all kinds of classes      with its heart beating and limbs
                embryology project that teaches stu-          from science to religion and math to           moving.
                dents reading, writing and 'rithmetic         English. The project is limited only by          The 4-H embryology project grows
                skills, in addition to enhancing their        the imagination of the teachers and            bigger every year as more teachers
                understanding of biology. The most            their students."                               learn of its many applications and want
                remarkable aspect of the project-                4-H, the youth education branch of          to share the experience with their
                aside from the fluffy yellow chicks-is        Cooperative Extension, supplies plenty         students.
                the impact that just one 4-H agent            of supporting materials. In addition to
                using one project, can have on so             the incubators and eggs from the Uni-
                many youngsters. This project illus-          versity of Delaware farm, teachers
                trates Cooperative Extension's out-           receive a comprehensive folder that
                reach. An agent gives information to          includes information on fowl anatomy,
                members of the community-in this              embryological development, egg incu-
                case, teachers-who in turn give it to         bation, and even a trouble-shooting
                others-their students.                        chart for eggs gone awry.
                  The embryology project has been                Throughout the year, Manno gives
                used by 4-H agents in all three of Dela-      numerous presentations on the project
                ware's counties since the early 70s.          at both public and private schools in
                Mark Manno is the energetic 4-H agent         the county. Typically, he conducts a
                who coordinates the embryology pro-           meeting with teachers several days
                ject in New Castle County's public and        before he brings incubators and eggs
                private schools. Armed with incubators        to the classrooms.
                and fertile eggs, he's been visiting
                schools since 1980 to help students
                witness the miracle of life firsthand.

                28

                                                                                            Xa
                                                                                              6
                                                                                              "O"t, @7_
                 Field crops

                                                                                                                   abundance survey. During September,
                 Breeding and screening
                                                                                                                   designated cornfields throughout the
                 corn for disease resistance
                                                                                                                   state are scouted as part of a plant pest
                                                                                                                   survey and detection program. The
                    A major objective of the Delaware                                                              survey provides valuable information
                 Agricultural Experiment Station's corn                                                            for researchers and also helps farmers
                 breeding program is the identification                     -A&U,                                  control this pest.
                 and development of disease resistance.                         Es                                   The program began in 1936 when
                 In 1984, plant geneticist Dr. James A.                                                            30 sites were selected, 10 in each
                                                                                                                   county, to be examined for borer
                 Hawk, plant pathologist Dr. Robert B.
                 Carroll and master's degree candidate                                                             infestation. Each year since then corn-
                 Jose Ureta evaluated 770 plant intro-                                                             fields nearest the original sites are
                 ductions and 573 inbreds for their                                                                examined. A mean number of borers
                 resistance to the fungus that causes                                                              per plant is used to anticipate relative
                 gray leaf spot, a leaf blight on corn.              _J4, f,                                       pest abundance the following year.
                 This disease has been associated pri-                                                             ECB infestations are counted on 20
                 marily with no-till and, depending on           A graduate student pollinates a corn plant as     consecutive plants at five spots in each
                 field conditions, can cause severe yield        part of an eVeriment station researcbprqect       field. Two cornstalks in each spot are
                 losses.                                         designed to develop corn hybrids tailored to      sliced open and borers are counted
                    Based on the 1984 results, 41                Delmarva needs@                                   and collected.
                 inbreds, and 10 plant introductions             panies could use to produce the                     Insect ecologist Dr. Charles E.
                 were re-evaluated the next year in                                                                Mason then rears the borers in the
                 replicated trials for resistance to the         hybrids planted in Delmarva corn-                 laboratory to determine how many are
                 fungus. All the plant introductions that        fields. He routinely develops and                 parasitized by the insects and diseases
                 were grown rated resistant. And highly          screens over 100 new corn lines each              that provide natural population control
                 resistant inbreds were also identified.         year.                                             for this pest. if any borers die, he tries
                                                                    The plant geneticist, who holds a              to determine the cause of death. The
                 Low moisture conditions due to the              joint research/extension appointment,             surviving borers are then added to
                 1986 drought did not favor gray leaf            also supervises the university's annual           those in the department of entomol-
                 spot development last summer, but               commercial corn hybrid trials. in the             ogy's ECB research colony to refresh
                 Hawk and two graduate students plan             1986 trials, he and extension assistant
                 to conduct extensive screenings for the                                                           its gene pool.
                 disease during the 1987 growing                 Robert Uniatowski evaluated 137                     Delaware usually has two broods of
                 season.                                         hybrids from 22 companies at three                corn borers each year. The second
                    Under Hawk's direction master's              locations throughout Delaware. The                brood, which is surveyed in Sep-
                 degree candidate James F. Ulrich,               hybrids were grown under irrigated                tember, gives rise to a partial third
                 using tissue culture techniques, is             and non-irrigated conditions, using               brood. But it is the second one which
                 attempting to develop a laboratory              both no-till and conventional tillage.            overwinters in cornstalks, becoming
                 method for identifying corn hybrids             Eac .h entry was rated for yield and              the first brood to damage plants the
                 with gray leaf spot resistance. Ulrich          grain moisture, as well as standability,          following year.
                 obtained embryos of several resistant           stay green and other desirable agro-                By comparing the estimated over-
                 and susceptible corn inbreds last               nomic traits. Results of each year's trial        wintering ECB population with data
                 summer and used them to produce                 are shared with area farmers for use in           from past years, Mason can determine
                 corn tissue (callus) in artificial culture.     making cropping decisions.                        changes in population trends in var-
                 He is using this callus to see if he can                                                          ious parts of the state; and extension
                 detect resistance to the fungus. if the                                                           pest management specialist Joanne
                 idea works, he may be able to develop                                                             Whalen can advise growers on crop-
                 a rapid laboratory screening procedure          Corn borer survey passes                          ping activitits that will minimize corn
                 which plant breeders could use to               haff century mark                                 borer injury the following year. Results
                 develop resistant corn lines.                                                                     of each fall abundance survey are
                    Resistance to gray leaf spot is only                                                           available to farmers via Delaware
                 one of the traits Hawk looks for in his            For the past 50 years entomologists            Extension's crop pest telephone
                 yearly search for promising genetic             with the Delaware Agricultural Exper-             hotline as well as through College of
                 material which commercial seed corn-            iment Station have conducted an                   Agricultural Sciences progress reports,
                                                                 annual European corn borer (ECB) fall             USDA releases and local newspapers.

                                                                                                                                                                29

                                                                                                                    Poult
                              Y

                           @,ff -   Olf
                                           7
                           A

                                                                             rj

                                                                                                    17              Broiler house misting
                                                                                                                    systems

                                                                                                                       Broiler producers on the Delmarva
                                                                                                    N
                                                                                                                    peninsula use overhead misting sys-
                                                                                                                    tems for evaporative cooling in broiler
                Bursal disease variant                            Experimental vaccine for                          houses on hot days. The standard noz-
                                                                                                                    zle size and operating pressure (100
                vaccine developed                                 infectious bronchitis                             psi or less) used by most growers pro-
                                                                                                                    vide adequate emergency cooling but
                                                                                                                    leave an unacceptable amount of water
                   Abnormally high losses in Delmarva                infectious bronchitis is an acute and          in the litter. This water contributes to
                broiler flocks from respiratory diseases          highly contagious respiratory viral is-           the formation of a crust on litter,
                prompted a massive cooperative effort             ease of chickens. It exists in nearly all         increased ammonia release and other
                two years ago among University of                 areas where chickens are raised.                  problems, and precludes routine use
                Delaware and University of Maryland               Coughing, sneezing and nasal and eye              of misting for dust, humidity and
                research and extension personnel and              discharges are common signs. Broiler              temperature control. A recent Univer-
                representatives of Delmarva Poultry               chickens suffer from slowed develop-              sity of Delaware study indicates that
                Industry, Inc. (DPI) to uncover the               ment, increased mortality (especially             switching to high pressure spray noz-
                causes and possible solutions to this             in young chicks) and increased carcass            zles can minimize this problem.
                problem. As part of the effort, in May            condemnations at the processing plant                Extension agricultural engineer Dr.
                1985 University of Delaware virologist            due to virus damage to respiratory                James N. Scarborough tested various
                Dr. John K Rosenberger began a mod-               tissues and internal organs. Laying               nozzle and pressure combinations in
                ified sentinel bird survey involving              flocks stricken by this virus-caused dis-         the laboratory and an empty broiler
                eight commercial flocks belonging to              ease experience a sharp decline 'in egg           house to determine the amount of
                three integrated broiler companies.               production. The disease costs the U.S.            water deposited on the litter by var-
                   The survey showed that the vaccine             poultry industry millions of dollars              ious nozzle/pressure combinations. He
                currently being used to protect chicks            annually, despite routine vaccination.            then developed equations relating the
                against infectious bursal disease (IBD)              Live respiratory virus vaccines, when          wetting rate to operating pressure and
                was not providing protection against              given by the spray method, often cause            relative humidity. The procedure he
                four virus isolates. infectious bursal            severe reactions and mortality in                 used also provided an indirect method
                disease (also known as Gumboro dis-               commercial chickens. With partial                 of measuring misting-system cooling
                ease) destroy's the chicken's immune              assistance from a three-year U.S.                 capacity.
                system, leaving the bird more suscept-            Department of Agriculture competitive                Scarborough found that high pres-
                ible to respiratory diseases that pro-            animal health research grant, Dr. Jack            sure systems (250 to 600 psi) with rel-
                duce high mortality rates in Delmarva             Gelb Jr., a virologist in the department          atively smaller nozzles deposited sig-
                flocks.                                           of animal science and agricultural bio-           nificantly less water on the floor than
                   Rosenberger, who was involved in               chemistry, is developing a less virulent          the systems currently in use. This
                much of the original research leading             temperature-sensitive (ts) experimental           Improves litter quality and bird com-
                to the characterization and control of            vaccine to control infectious bronchitis          fort, and can reduce condemnation
                bursal disease, immediately set out to            virus (IBV).                                      rates at processing. A higher cooling
                develop a new vaccine that would pro                 Laboratory experiments indicate the            rate per unit of water was also
                tect broilers against the variant isolates        ts II3V virus grows poorly at tempera-            achieved.
                as well as standard IBD viruses. By               tures approximating internal body                    An integrated broiler company on
                December 1985 he and his coworkers                temperatures of poultry. Results of pre-          the peninsula is now testing the
                were field testing an experimental vac-           liminary laboratory trials in chickens            system.
                cine, with good results. When flocks              are encouraging and show the ts vac-
                were immunized with the new vac-                  cine to be less virulent than the con-
                cine, mortality on problem farms was              ventional vaccine.
                decreased by 60 to 70 percent as com-                Gelb hopes to have his experimen-
                pared to controls. By February 1986               tal new ts vaccine ready for field test-
                the vaccine was in commercial use on              ing within a year.
                Delmarva.

                30

              Water resources

                                                                                                        I      Al

                                                                                                               A well-managed irrigation program
                                                                                                            can also benefit producers in other
                                                                                       J
                                                                                                            parts of the state. Irrigation allows
                                                       ilot-4f
                                                                                                            farmers to diversify into vegetable pro-
                                                                                                            duction, making them less dependent
                                                                                                            on declining grain prices for their
                                                                                                            income.
                                                                                                               Using data on crop water use col-
                                          ;4",
                                                                                                            lected at the Delaware Agricultural
                                                                                                            Experiment Station, extension agricul-
                                                                                                            rural engineer Tom Williams has
                                                                                                            helped develop irrigation schedules
                               @47
                                                                                                            which make it possible for growers to
                                                                                                            irrigate according to crop needs and
                 4                                                                                          soil water-holding capacity, rather than
                                                                                                            by some fixed timetable or rule-of-
                                                                                                            thumb approach. Proper irrigation
                                                                                                            scheduling can save a minimum of $5
                                                                                                            an acre in pumping costs while
              Protecting Delaware water                      mented with manure storage and han-            improving yields.
              resources                                      dling methods, evaluated the impact of            With today's low corn prices farmers
                                                             agricultural drainage on water quality,        who irrigate this crop also need to
                                                             and designed irrigation schedules to           know how much nitrogen they should
                 Clean water is important for Dela-          maximize yields of various crops while         apply during the growing season to
              ware's recreation, manufacturing and           minimizing nutrient lea   Iching and           produce an economic bushel.
              agricultural industries. Residents of          runoff.                                           Based on long-term research on
              Kent and Sussex counties depend on                Extension and experiment station
              groundwater for their water supply.            engineers have also played a leading           corn nutrient needs, the University of
              Research has shown that septic tanks,          role in developing the no-tillage pro-         Delaware soil testing laboratory
              poultry manure and fertilizer are caus-        duction systems now used extensively           recommends applying between 180
              ing high nitrate concentrations in the         in Delaware to grow corn and soy-              and 220 pounds of nitrogen per acre.
              groundwater in certain parts of Sussex         beans. Besides their economic advan-           The lower rate can be used if the ni-
              County. There has also been a gradual          tages, these cropping systems are con-         trogen is put on in multiple applica-
              degradation of water quality in the            sidered BMPs (best management                  tions. Generally, farmers are advised to
                                                                                                            apply no more than one-fourth of the
              inland Bays.                                   practices) because they reduce soil            nitrogen at planting, with the balance
                 Since the early 1970s researchers           erosion and in some cases may reduce           applied by sidedressing, fertigation or
              and extension specialists in the Col-          nutrient loss.                                 a combination of the two.
              lege of Agricultural Sciences have been                                                          Research at the Experiment Station
              working to protect and improve the                                                            has also shown how much the nitro-
              quality of Delaware water resources.                                                          gen fertilizer rate can be reduced if
              This effort involves people with a wide        Irrigation management                          leguminous cover crops or animal
              range of expertise-engineers, poultry                                                         manures are used. As economic pres-
              and livestock scientists, agronomists            Delaware's irrigated cropland                sures increase, more Delaware farmers
              and soil scientists, economists, and           acreage has more than doubled over             are contacting their extension agricul-
              entomologists.                                 the past decade, thanks in large part to       tural agents for information on adjust-
                 To help state residents develop bet-        extension and research efforts. Studies        ing the rate to account for these
              ter water management practices, agri-          at the College of Agricultural Sciences        organic nitrogen sources.
              cultural engineers have gathered               have shown that irrigation can more               Farmers who design and manage
              information on the movement of                                                                their irrigation systems properly not
                                                             than double corn yields on the sandy
              potential pollutants from agricultural         soils of southern Delaware. Because of         only reap a more economic harvest,
              sources through the soil, surveyed             the likelihood of drought during the           they also help protect groundwater
              groundwater supplies for the presence          growing season, irrigation is a valuable       supplies by reducing runoff and leach-
              of nitrates and other chemicals, stud-         form of yield insurance on these soils.        'ng from their fields.
              ied crop water uptake rates, experi-

                                                                                                                                                      31

                                                     @ATIOV'ITZFZW                                                      program to evaluate the costs of alter-
                                                                                                                        native waste and water management
                                                                                                                        proposals, as well as possible returns
                                                                                                                        or savings which might result. This
                                                                                                                        made it possible for Draper-King Cole
                                                                                                                        m
                                                                                                                           anagement to determine which
                                                                                                                        options were economically feasible
                                                                                                                        and which were likely to have the best
                              2                                                                                              -term impact on company opera-
                                                                                                                        long
                                                                                                                        tions. In some instances, Tilmon's
                                                                                                                        analysis showed that feedlot carrying
                                                             T
                                                                                                                        capacity could actually be increased by
                                                                                                                        making certain modifications, thus
                                                                                                                        increasing potential profitability.
                                                                                                                           Since extensive changes and a size-
                                                                                                                        able investment are involved, the over-
                                                                                                                        all project is expected to take a
                                                                                                                        number of years to complete. How-
                                                                                                                        ever, after two seasons, grass filter
                                                                                                                        channels, water diversion terraces with
                                                                                               a
                                                                                                                        water control outlets, grass filter areas,
                                                                                                                        ditches and grass waterways have been
                                                                                                                        implemented on three farms to control
                                                                                                                        water flow and to reduce runoff. Pro-
                                                                                                                        gress is evident and impressive,
                                                                                                                        though some problems remain to be
                                                                                                                        solved. Plans for the other four feed-
                                                                                                                        lots are still being developed.
                                                                                                                           At the same time that Draper-King
                                                                                                                        Cole initiated the feedlot management
                   Top pboto sbows tjpical erosion problem facing feedlot managers. The bottom pboto sbous bou, soil    project through SCD, the company
                   management practices can solve sucb problems.                                                        approached extension specialist Harris
                                                                                                                        directly for help on another problem-
                   Managing feedlot and                              of Natural Resources and Environmen-               handling of waste water from their
                   cannery waste                                     tal Control (divisions of environmental            vegetable cannery. Working with con-
                                                                     control, fish and wildlife, and soil and           sulting engineers and processing plant
                                                                     water conservation), the Delaware                  managers, Harris designed a spray irri-
                      In the spring of 1984, the president           Department of Agriculture (division of             gation plan that applies this waste
                   of the Draper-King Cole company in                forestry), Cooperative Extension and               water to cropland used to grow feed
                   Milton met with the chairman of the               the Agricultural Stabilization and Con-            for the cattle operation.
                   Sussex Conservation District (SCD) to             servation Service, plus Draper-King                   Following that plan, 18 center pivot
                   request help in solving waste man-                Cole representatives.                              irrigation systems capable of delivering
                   agement problems associated with the                 Soil Conservation Service personnel             1.5 million gallons of water per day
                   company's beef feedlot operation. This            developed alternative structural and               have been installed on eight spray
                   operation uses potato pulp and other              vegetative plans for each site to control          fields totalling 541 acres. Using the
                   cannery by-products to finish cattle              water flow and reduce runoff and                   water this way makes it possible to
                   housed on five farms. Water and                   presented these plans to the task force.           bypass the cannery's waste water
                   manure runoff from the lots was caus-             University of Delaware extension                   treatment plant, thus reducing treat-
                   ing erosion and other environmental               environmental quality specialist J. Ross           ment costs. Irrigation with the nutrient-
                   problems.                                         Harris submitted a manure manage-                  rich water has significantly reduced fer-
                      In response, SCD developed a task              ment plan.                                         tilizer costs while increasing crop
                   force involving experts from the U.S.               At the request of the committee,
                   Department of Agriculture Soil Conser-            extension farm management specialist
                   vation Service, Delaware Department               Dr. Don Tilmon developed a computer

                   32

                                                                                                                      IF,

                yields on the acreage involved. The            and alternatives to the system written          Tracking nitrogen release
                irrigation equipment and related               into the new state regulations.
                underground piping represents a size-             one alternative low pressure pipe            from poultry manure
                able capital investment that will even-        (LPP) system has been studied exten-
                tually be offset by the savings realized.      sively by agricultural researchers in             Poultry manure contains valuable
                   One problem which had to be                 North Carolina and seemed appro-                plant nutrients-especially nitrogen-
                solved before implementing this                priate for Delaware. With DNREC                 but it varies considerably in nutrient
                innovative system was the presence of          approval, in 1986 one of these systems          content due to animal diet, bedding,
                high levels of salt in the water. Harris       was installed for a house on the                storage practices, moisture content and
                suggested and Draper-King Cole engi-           grounds of the College of Agricultural          handling. Determining the optimum
                neers developed an in-plant modifica-          Sciences' Research and Education Cen-           manure rate for a crop is thus more
                tion which makes it possible to recycle        ter near Georgetown. Even before the            complex than determining how much
                some of the salt water. In the process,        first year's evaluation was complete,           inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to apply.
                the amount of salt needed by the               DNREC accepted the LPP for regular              To further complicate matters, most of
                cannery was reduced by 500 tons per            use in Delaware. According to Lomax,            the nitrogen in poultry manure is in
                year, for an estimated annual savings          the characteristics of this system, which       organic forms which must be micro-
                of $25,000, The change also improved           has a pump to uniformly distribute              bially broken down to become plant
                quality of the water for spray irrigation      effluent, make it useful for the high           available.
                purposes.                                      water table conditions in Sussex                  Applying too much manure wastes
                                                               County. Specifically, DNREC regula-             valuable crop nutrients, costs farmers
                                                               tions permit the LPP system for sites           money and contributes to groundwater
                                                               where the seasonal water table is 24            contamination-particularly in areas of
                On-site sewage systems                         inches or deeper from the ground                intensive poultry production such as
                                                               surface.                                        the Delmarva peninsula, where
                                                                  The agricultural engineers are also          roughly one-tenth of the nation's
                   In some parts of southern Delaware          studying an experimental waste man-             broilers are produced.
                on-site residential sewage treatment           agement system which uses evapo-                  Soil scientist Dr. J. Thomas Sims is
                systems have been identified as a              transpiration technology new to the             studying the rate of nitrogen release
                major source of nitrate contamination          on-site treatment of domestic sewage.           from various poultry manures for corn
                of groundwater. As a result, two years         The idea for this system was suggested          production in an effort to help farmers
                ago the Delaware Department of Natu-           to DNREC by William Pleasants, a civil          use this valuable resource more effi-
                ral Resources and Environmental Con-           engineer who lives in Bethel, Del.              ciently while protecting the
                trol (DNREC) developed new sewage              Pleasants proposed this approach be             environment.
                regulations which include significant          considered because he felt it might be            With partial support from a Del-
                changes involving residential on-site          less expensive than any of the systems          marva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI)
                systems. Kent and Sussex County resi-          that currently meet DNREC require-              grant, Sims has developed a model for
                dents are most affected by the                 ments, and it would still be environ-           estimating available and residual nitro-
                regulations-particularly people who            mentally sound. DNREC gave Lomax                gen in poultry manure. The model is
                own property on the sandy soils sur-           and Ritter a second grant to test the           based on a three-year field study using
                rounding the inland Bays.                      idea, which Lomax has developed into            laboratory and field measurements of
                   Sussex lot owners and developers            a prototype system that is now being            nitrogen release from the manure and
                have expressed concern that they               studied.                                        subsequent corn uptake.
                might have to install more expensive                                                             Sims' research shows that by adopt-
                systems than anticipated. in some                                                              ing the management practices he used,
                cases, certain undeveloped lots are                                                            farmers should be able to optimize
                now ineligible for either a traditional                                                        yields and minimize nitrogen losses
                septic system or an even more expen-                                                           when using poultry manure and so
                sive type.                                                                                     increase returns without sacrificing
                   With the partial assistance of DNREC                                                        yields or polluting groundwater.
                and Sea Grant funds,University of Del-                                                           The soil scientist compared the
                aware agricultural engineers Dr. Ken-                                                          effects of poultry manure and fertilizer
                neth M. Lomax and Dr. William F. Rit-                                                          nitrogen applied at four rates in the
                ter have been studying the technical                                                           production of irrigated corn, using
                aspects of improved sewage disposal

                                                                                                                                                           33

                  both conventional and no-tillage              could also mean that farmers will need         New high-tech equipment
                  methods. His findings suggest that it is      to change their management schemes
                  possible to attain equivalent yields          for using manure.                              speeds soil test procedures
                  with poultry manure while reducing               In a related field study of nitrogen
                  nitrate leaching.                             release, Bitzer compared plant                   Computerized equipment purchased
                     Since Delaware farmers no-till much        response to three very different poultry       with the aid of a special appropriation
                  of their corn acreage, Sims looked            manures in conventional corn grown             of $29,000 from the state of Delaware
                  closely at the effect of poultry manure       under irrigation on two soil types at          is now being used in the college's soil
                  versus commercial fertilizer (ammo-           the College of Agricultural Science's          test laboratory to analyze soil samples
                  nium nitrate) on no-till yields. Based        Research and Education Center near             from growers, home gardeners and
                  on three years of data, he found that         Georgetown.                                    researchers. This equipment is helping
                  when poultry manure was used in a                Using the nitrogen availability for-        expedite routine analyses of the more
                  no-tillage system, yields approximated        mula developed by Sims, she achieved           than 10,000 samples submitted each
                  those from ammonium nitrate. The              corn yields comparable to those of             year.
                  same was true for conventional tillage.       ammonium nitrate-fertilized controls.            The new instrumentation allows
                  This suggests that corn farmers should        (Sims bases his availability formula on        laboratory personnel to take advantage
                  encounter no major problems from              both the amount of immediately avail-          of recent technological advances when
                  surface applications of poultry manure.       able nitrogen and the potentially min-         testing samples for soil pH and extract-
                     Tillage method had no effect on soil       eralizable organic nitrogen in the             able phosphorus, potassium, magne-
                  nitrogen when poultry manure was              manure.)                                       sium and calcium. Many of these
                  used, but no-till treatments which               At the highest rate of nitrogen ap-         procedures depend on microproces-
                  received ammonium nitrate had                 plied (240 pounds per acre), yields at         sors built into the equipment.
                  greater levels of inorganic nitrogen in       one site ranged from 216 to 1228                 The upgrading includes a powerful
                  the soil at the June and July sampling        bushels per acre with poultry manure,          microcomputer able to interface with
                  dates. Sims suspects that nitrogen            versus 212 bushels with ammonium               these microprocessors through the
                  leached below 24 inches by June 4             nitrate, At the second site, yields at the     university's main frame computer. The
                  may be unavailable to corn plants later       same nitrogen rate ranged from 153 to          interfacing computer will eventually be
                  in the season, a fact which could             191 bushels per acre with manure, ver-         able to take data from several instru-
                  reduce yields. He found no excessive          sus 182 bushels with ammonium                  ments and transfer it electronically to
                  levels of inorganic nitrogen in plots         nitrate.                                       the software used to computerize fer-
                  receiving poultry manure at any of the           During the 1986 growing season,             tilizer recommendations.
                  application rates used.                       Bitzer and Sims grew unfertilized corn           By eliminating most of the time-
                     In a related research project one of       on the same plots in order to measure          consuming paperwork involved in
                  Sims'advisees, Carolyn C. Bitzer, con-        the amount of residual nitrogen pro-           graphing, reading charts and transfer-
                  ducted a laboratory study aimed at            vided by the manure which was ap-              ring numbers to report forms, the new
                  determining how fast soil micro-              plied in 1985. Results of this work are        equipment speeds the reporting pro-
                  organisms release nitrogen from 20            still being analyzed.                          cess and reduces the chance of human
                  different poultry manures. Bitzer, who                                                       error. Some test results are also more
                  received her master's degree in August                                                       precise. The new technology also
                  1986, looked at both broiler and roast-                                                      makes lab procedures more flexible
                  er manures-some direct from poultry                                                          and should facilitate adoption of future
                  houses and some stockpiled under var-                                                        analytical equipment as this becomes
                  ious storage conditions.                                                                     available.
                     She found that when mixed with
                  soil in the laboratory, a major portion
                  of the organic nitrogen fraction in
                  poultry manure became mineralized to
                  a plant available form within two
                  weeks. Mineralization occurred at a
                  similar rate regardless of manure type.
                     These findings challenge the com-
                  monly held view of poultry manure as
                  a slow-release source of nitrogen. They

                  34

                 Looking ahead -
                 Biotechnology at the
                 Delaware Experiment
                 Station

                 Donald F. Crossan

                   Biotechnology, the "in" word for the         been possible from normal genetic                  Similarly, it is possible through this
                 1980s, means the use of living organ-          approaches.                                     type of biotechnology to place genes
                 isms or their components in industrial            Dr. Sherry Kitto, a specialist in            that influence growth or feed effi-
                 processes. The concept is not new to           ornamental horticulture at the Dela-            ciency into bacterial cells and subse-
                 agricultural scientists, who have used         ware Agricultural Experiment Station,           quently produce quantities of the
                 many biotechniques to improve anim-            has developed the technology for pro-           growth-regulating substances. These
                 als and plants. But today's emerging           ducing synthetic seeds, using carrots to        can then be injected into animals or
                 techniques allow manipulation of liv-          develop her model system. The proce-            fed to them to increase growth and
                 ing cells in ways that were either             dure involves initiating asexual plant          feed conversion efficiency.
                 impossible or very difficult a few years       embryos from callus tissue taken from              Experiment station molecular biolo-
                 ago.                                           seedling carrot stem tissue. The                gist Dr. Robin Morgan is using recom-
                   The new techniques include plant             embryos (tiny plants) thus generated            binant DNA techniques to identify key
                 cell and protoplast (the basic cellular        are given a protective synthetic coating        genes and gene products of Marek's
                 material minus a cell wall) culture,           that quickly dissolves when the                 disease virus. Such genes and gene
                 animal embryo splitting and transfer,          11 seeds" are watered, allowing healthy         products may supply the tools for con-
                 and the recombining of basic genetic           plants to emerge. Synthetic seeds               structing recombinant vaccine strains
                 material by direct action on the heredi-       would be very useful for establishing           for use in the control of this disease.
                 tary units (genes) of all cells.               uniform stands of high-value commer-            Genetically engineered vaccines may
                   These approaches to biotechnical re-         cial crops such as hybrid celery.               be more effective than those devel-
                 search have resulted in modification of           Plant pathologist Dr. Allen Morehart         oped using conventional techniques.
                 microbial and plant cells to an extent         has an experiment station project,                 Avian physiologist Dr. Larry A. Cog-
                 not possible before. For example,              using funds from the federal McIntire-          burn, another experiment station scien-
                 nearly 50 difficult-to-propagate plant         Stennis Forestry Research Act, designed         tist, is experimenting with thyrotropin-
                 species have been regenerated from             to identify variants of hardwood tree           releasing hormone (TRH) secreted by
                 protoplasts-single, naked cells origi-         tissue cultures which resist invasion by        the chicken's hypothalamus. Unlike
                 nating from the tissue of a mother             Nect?1a galligena, a canker-producing           pituitary growth hormone, which must
                 plant. A single cell can be manipulated        fungus. This laboratory approach                be injected, this hormone can be
                 to produce sister cells and, finally,       a  allows the screening of much more               administered in the feed. Preliminary
                 whole plant.                                   material than would be possible in the          tests showed that chickens fed this
                   This opens up the possibility of fus-        field and may greatly shorten the               natural hormone grew to market
                 ing naked protoplasts from different           search for resistance to this disease.          weight 14 percent faster on 10 percent
                 plants and creating shared genetic                In animals, embryo transfer and              less feed. Trials are underway now at
                 backgrounds, a process both difficult          manipulation now permit production              the College of Agricultural Sciences
                 and time-consuming to carry out by             of more offspring of superior genetic           Research and Education Center near
                 normal pollination techniques.                 backgrounds. The use of recombinant             Georgetown to evaluate the effects of
                   it is also possible to detect genetic        DNA techniques with viruses opens up            TRH on a broiler flock under simu-
                 diversity in the protoplasts that might        the potential for producing more effi-          lated field conditions.
                 not be expressed in the whole plant.           cient vaccines against serious viral dis-          if the hormone works as Cogburn
                 Using protoplast culture, scientists           eases afflicting animals. Viral genes           hopes, it would greatly reduce poultry
                 have developed varieties of corn that          that are responsible for development            production costs and radically shorten
                 are resistant to damage by a specific          of immunity to an infection by produc-          growout time. A 10 percent reduction
                 herbicide. This, in turn, allows for a         ing protein antigens may be identified,         in feed costs would mean an annual
                 more efficient spectrum of weed con-           chemically isolated, and introduced             savings to the poultry industry of
                 trol in that crop.                             into a bacterial host that is used to           between $450 and $500 million
                   A common problem in regular pol-             produce commercial quantities of the            nationwide-$45 million on the Del-
                 lination between related species of            antigen.                                        marva peninsula alone.
                 plants is a tendency toward genetic                                                               Biotechnology is a science in transi-
                 incompatibility and the consequent                                                             tion. 'Me opportunity to use this
                 abortion of embryos. Through the                                                               science to improve agricultural produc-
                 technique of tissue culture it has been                                                        tivity and efficiency is evident. The
                 possible to culture the embryo tissue                                                          challenge is to use it wisely for the
                 before abortion. Using this application,                                                       benefit of mankind.
                 new varieties of citrus have been devel-
                 oped that otherwise would not have

                                                                                                                                                            35

                    Active research                          1986

                                                      Project No.   Title                                                                                          Leaders
                    DEPARTMENT OF                     233           INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AND                                                 Ritter, W. F.
                    AGRICULTURAL                                    IRRIGATION PRACTICES ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY
                    ENGINEERING                       242           TRACTION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON PERFORMANCE                                                   Upadhyaya, S. K.
                                                                    (TERMINATED 9/30/86)                                                                           Collins, N. E.

                                                      246           THE EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE HEATING SYSTEMS AND MANAGEMENT                                   Collins, N. E.
                                                                    PRACTICES FOR BROILER HOUSES (TERMINATED 9/30/86)                                              Lomax, K. M.

                                                      263           DELAWARE TRICKLE IRRIGATION FOR MUSHROOM PRODUCTION                                            Lomax, K. M.
                                                                                                                                                                   Collins, N. E.
                                                                                                                                                                   Williams, T. H.
                                                                                                                                                                   Tilmon, H. D.

                                                      267           IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT OF FIELD AND VEGETABLE CROPS                                             Ritter, W. F.
                                                                                                                                                                   Williams, T. H.

                                                      268           COMPARISON OF TILLAGE SYSTEMS FOR CORN AND SOYBEANS                                            Williams, T. H.

                                                      273           LOW TEMPERATURE GRAIN DRYING IN THE DELMARVA REGION                                            Gunasekaran, S.
                                                                                                                                                                   Williams, T. H.
                                                                                                                                                                   Gempsaw, C. M.

                                                      274           DEPOSITION AND DRIFT STUDIES OF AGRICULTURAL SPRAY NOZZLES                                     Krishnan, P.
                                                                                                                                                                   Williams, T. H.
                                                                                                                                                                   Kemble, L.J.

                                                      704(2)        INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN MANAGEMENT AND IRRIGATION ON                                             Ritter, W. F.
                                                                    GROUNDWATER QUALITY
                                                      706(2)        PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION OF THE WATER TABLE AQUIFER                                             Ritter, W. F.
                                                      707(2)        INFLUENCE OF ALTERNATIVE ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT                                          Ritter, W. F.
                                                                    SYSTEMS ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY

                                                      724(2)        AGRICULTURAL-METEOROLOGICAL DATA COLLECTION                                                    Mather, J. R.
                                                                    AND ANALYSIS                                                                                   Collins, N. E.

                                                      728(2)        MODELING OF NUTRIENTS IN THE INLAND BAYS                                                       Ritter, W. F.
                                                                    (TERMINATED 9/30/86)

                                                      731(2)        INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN MANAGEMENT AND IRRIGATION ON                                             Ritter, W. F.
                                                                    GROUNDWATER QUALITY

                                                      740(2)        MEASUREMENT OF COMPOST MOISTURE CONTENT FOR                                                    Balascio, C. C.
                                                                    MUSHROOM IRRIGATION

                                                      743(2)        EVAPOTRANSPIRATION FOR REMOVING NITRATE FROM WASTE WATER                                       Lomax, K. M.

                                                      745(2)        DESIGN AND OPERATION OF INLAND BAYS WEATHER STATION                                            Ritter, W. F.

                                                      780(l)        MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROJECT AGREEMENT FOR THE RURAL                                      Ritter, W. F.
                                                                    CLEAN WATER PROGRAM

                    DEPARTMENT                        229           IMMUNE MECHANISMS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL OF                                              Rosenberger, J. K.
                    OF ANIMAL                                       ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT POULTRY DISEASES
                    SCIENCE AND                                                                                                                                    Dohms, J. E.
                    AGRICULTURAL                                                                                                                                   Gelb, J. G.
                                                                                                                                                                   Metz, A. L.
                    BIOCHEMISTRY                                                                                                                                   Odor, E. M.

                    36

                                                     231           ENVIRONMENT AND MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON REPRODUC71VE                                               Meckley, P. E.
                                                                   EFFICIENCY OF SOWS AND GILTS

                                                     236           DAIRY CATTLE MANAGEMENT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF URBAN                                             Haenlein, G. F. W.
                                                                   PROXIMITY                                                                                        Elterich, J. G.

                                                     248           IMPROVING SENSITIVITY OF METHODS TO ASSESS INTAKE AND TO                                         Rasmussen, A. 1.
                                                                   PREDICT NUTRITIONAL RISK

                                                     252           IONOPHORE TOXICITY IN CHICKENS (TERMINATED 9/30/86)                                              Salsbury, R. L.

                                                     254           A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO THE EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL                                            CogbUrn, L A.
                                                                   CONSTRAINTS AFFECTING POULTRY PRODUCTION

                                                     256           USE OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF DELMARVA PENINSULA
                                                                   CEREALS TO FORMULATE SWINE DIET'S

                                                     264           INTEGRATED UTTER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR LIMITED-AREA                                            Malone, G. W.
                                                                   BROODING BROILER PRODUCTION FACILITIES                                                           Chaloupka, G. W.
                                                                                                                                                                    Odor, E. M.
                                                                                                                                                                    Collins, N. E.
                                                                                                                                                                    Scarborough, J. N.

                                                     265           NUTRITIONAL INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DIETARY ELECTROLYTES,                                     Saylor, W. W.
                                                                   IONOPHORES AND AMINO ACIDS IN BROILER CHICKENS

                                                     275           CLOSED TANK DIGESTION SYSTEMS FOR DEAD POULTRY DISPOSAL                                          Malone, G.W.
                                                                                                                                                                    Scarborough, J. N.
                                                                                                                                                                    Harris, J. R., Jr.
                                                                                                                                                                    Chaloupka, G. W.

                                                     276           DEVELOPMENT OF A WHEY-CHITIN SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING                                                Zikakis, J. P.
                                                                   THE UTILIZATION OF WHEY IN NUTRITION

                                                     673           GENETIC MARKERS IN GUERNSEYS AND HOLSTEINS                                                       Haenlein, G. F. W.

                                                     701(l)        NITROGEN RETENTION AND PLASMA AMINO ACIDS AS INDEXES OF                                          Reitnour, C. M.
                                                                   NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR THE
                                                                   EQUINE SPECIES

                                                     716(2)        DEVELOPMENT OF AVIAN INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VIRUS                                                 Gelb, J. G.
                                                                   TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE MUTANTS

                                                     721(2)        ACID-BASE BALANCE IN IONOPHORE-FED CHICKENS                                                      Saylor, W. W.
                                                                   (TERMINATED 6/30/86)

                                                     730(2)        DEVELOPMENT OF A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MAREK'S DISEASE                                          Rosenberger, J. K.
                                                                   VACCINE FOR USE IN COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED BROILER AND                                             Morgan, R. W.
                                                                   BROILER BREEDER CHICKENS

                                                     735(2)        DEVELOPMENT OF THYROTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE AS AN                                               Cogburn, L. A.
                                                                   ORALLY-ACTIVE GROWITI PROMOTANT FOR POULTRY

                                                     737(2)        MAREK'S DISEASE VIRUS DNA: CLONING OF SEROTYPES 2 AND 3                                          Morgan, R. W.
                                                     742(2)        BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OP hSCHhR1CHL4 COLI INFECTIONS IN CHICKEN                                     Rosenberger, J. K.

                  DEPARTMENT OF                      196           BLACK FLY DAMAGE THRESHOLDS, BIOLOGY AND CONTROL                                                 Weber, R. G.
                  ENTOMOLOGY                                       (TERMINATED 9/3o/86)
                  AND APPLIED                        230           HERBIVORE INDUCED RESISTANCE IN POTATO                                                           Tallamy, D.W.
                  ECOLOGY
                                                     235           MICROBIAL EFFECT'S ON INSECT BEHAVIOR AND POTENTIAL PEST                                         Hough- Goldstein, J.
                                                                   CONTROL APPLICATIONS

                                                                                                                                                                                            37

                                                      258          POPULATION BIOLOGY AND GENETICS OF FLIES ASSOCIATED                                            Keil, C. B.
                                                                   WITH CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS

                                                      259          IMPACT OF NITROGEN BUDGETS ON INSECT L.IFE HISTORIES                                           Wood, T. K.

                                                      269          POLLINATION OF WATERMELON                                                                      Caron, D. M.

                                                      271          IMPACT OF INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT PRAMCES ON                                                Mason, C. E.
                                                                   EUROPEAN CORN BORER AND RELATED STALK BORING INSECTS                                           Keil, C. B.

                                                      278          INTERACTION BETWEEN INDUCIBLE DEFENSES AND INSECT                                              Tallamy, D.W.
                                                                   HERBIVORES IN CUCURBIT'S

                                                      279          MOSQUITO OVIPOSITION BEHAVIOR                                                                  Weber, R. G.

                                                      675          INVESTIGATION ON POLLINATING INSECTS                                                           Mason, C. E.
                                                                                                                                                                  Caron, D. M.

                                                      710(2)       BIOCONIROL OF GYPSY MOTH: BIOLOGY OF GLYPTAPANTTIL'S                                           Burbutis, P. P.
                                                                   I'LAVICOXIS                                                                                    Fuester, R W.

                                                      711(2)       BIOLOGY OF GLYPTAPANTh'LL'S 11AVICOXIS (TERMINATED 9/30/86)                                    Burbutis, P. P.
                                                      723(2)       INSECT PHENOLOGY MEDIATED BY HOSr-PLANT WATER RELATIONS                                        Wood, T. K.
                                                      7250)        EFFECTS OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON WOOD THRUSH                                              Roth, R. R.
                                                                   POPULATIONS

                                                      725(2)       CHROMOSOME IMPRINTING AND RECOGNITION IN DEVELOPMENT                                           Keil, C. B.
                                                                   (TIRMINATED 3/31/86)
                                                      726(1)       PESTICIDE IMPACT ASSESSMENT RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSIS                                         Burbutis, P. P.

                                                      737(l)       DISPERSAL BIOLOGY OF THE EASTERN YELLOV@JACKET, Vh.-SPUL4                                      Roth, R. R.
                                                                   AIWULITRONS (TERMINATED 9/30/86)

                                                      782(l)       USDA PLANT PEST SURVEY                                                                         Caron, D. M.
                                                      796(1)       EVOLUTION OF BROOD PARASITISM IN LACE BUGS                                                     Tallamy, D.W.
                                                                   (HEMIPTERA: TINGIDAE)

                   DEPARTMENT OF                      191          INTERINDUSTRY ANALYSIS OF DELAWARE REGIONAL ECONOMIES                                          Cole, G. L.
                   FOOD AND                                        (TERMINATED 9/30/86)                                                                           Hastings, S. E.
                   RESOURCE                           220          FACTORS AFFECTING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS                                      Hastings, S. E.
                   ECONOMICS                                       OF DELAWARE (TERMINATED 9/3o/86)

                                                      238          CAPITAL USE AND ENERGY GENERATION ON DIFFERENT FARM TYPES                                      Elterich, J. G.
                                                                   IN THE MID-ATLkNTIC REGION                                                                     Haenlein, G. F. W.

                                                      241          STRUCTURAL AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF THE FRUIT AND                                         Toensmeyer, U. C.
                                                                   VEGETABLE PRODUCTION-MARKETING SYSTEM

                                                      245          RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH: NORTHEAST REGIONAL CENTER FOR                                      Hastings, S. E.
                                                                   RURAL DEVELOPMENT

                                                      249          RURAL LAND USE POUCY AND TAXATION IN THE NORTHEAST                                             Cole, G. L.

                                                      255          MARKETING SYSTEM FOR GRAIN AND SOYBEANS                                                        Toensmeyer, U. C.
                                                      261          IMPLICATIONS OF POUCIES TO BALANCE NATIONAL MILK PRODUCTION                                    Elterich, J. G.
                                                                   AND CONSUMPTION FOR THE NORTHEAST DAIRY INDUSTRY

                   38

                                                       266           EVALUATION OF PRESENT AND EMERGING FOOD RETAILING                                                     Shippy, R. D.
                                                                     CONCEPT'S FOR DELAWARE CONSUMERS                                                                      Toensmeyer, U. C.

                                                       277           ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN DELAWARE                                                Mackenzie, J. E-N.
                                                                                                                                                                           Balascio, C. C.

                                                       287           EVALUATING THE COSTS AND BENEFIT'S OF THE CHANGING ECONOMIC                                           Hastings, S. E.
                                                                     STRUCTURE IN RURAL DELAWARE                                                                           Brucker, S. M.

                                                       288           ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF HIGHER MORTALITY                                                    Gempesaw, C. M.
                                                                     RATES ON BROILER FARMS

                                                       714(2)        ROUTE 13 RELIEF ROUTE PLANNING (TERMINATED 9/30/86)                                                   Hastings, S. E.
                                                                                                                                                                           Cole, G. L.

                                                       732(2)        AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE FOREST PRODUCTS PROCESSING                                                Mackenzie, J. E. A.
                                                                     AND MARKETING INDUSTRY IN DELAWARE

                                                       736(2)        REGIONAL SIMULATION ANALYSIS OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY                                                     Gempesaw, C. M.

                  DEPARTMENT OF                        226           IMPROVEMENT OF DROUGHT, DISEASE AND EUROPEAN                                                          Hawk, J. A.
                  PLANT SCIENCE                                      CORN BORER RESISTANCE IN CORN (TERMINATED 9/30/86)

                                                       232           A MOLECULAR BIOLOGY APPROACH TO 511JDYING ION FLUX IN                                                 Frick, H.
                                                                     MAIZE ROOTS (TERMINATED 9/30/86)

                                                       237           THE EFFECT OF NO-TILIAGE AGRICULTURE ON THE SOIL                                                      Sims, J. T.
                                                                     FERTILITY STATUS OF COASTAL PLAIN SOILS (TERMINATED 9/30/86)

                                                       239           IRRIGATION SCHEDULING AS RELATED TO SOIL TEXTURE                                                      Teel, M. R.
                                                                     (TERMINATED 9/3o/86)                                                                                  Ritter, W. F.

                                                       244           FLORET-STELE ANATOMY OF MALE-STERILE CORN, MALE-FERTILE                                               Pizzolato, T. D.
                                                                     CORN AND OTHER GRASSES

                                                       253           EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND CULTURAL PRACTICES ON STALK ROT OF                                              Carroll, R. B.
                                                                     CORN IN DELAWARE                                                                                      Hawk, J. A.

                                                       257           THERMODYNAMICS OF ION EXCHANGE IN DELAWARE SOILS                                                      Sparks, D. L.

                                                       260           BREEDING AND EVALUATION OF NEW POTATO CLONES AND                                                      Kee, W. E., Jr.
                                                                     VARIETIES IN THE NORTHEAST AREA

                                                       262           GAINS, LOSSES, AND MANAGEMENT IN SOIL NITROGEN                                                        Sims, J. T.

                                                       270           FLUID DRILLING AS A DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR ASEXUAL EMBRYOS                                               Pill, W. G.
                                                                                                                                                                           Yjtto, S. L.

                                                       272           TISSUE CULTURE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANT'S AND HERBS                                                        Kitto, S. L.

                                                       280           ACTIVE OXYGEN IN PLANT DISEASE RESISTANCE                                                             Sasser, J. M.

                                                       281           DISTRIBUTION OF LOESS IN DELAWARE AND                                                                 RebertLls, R. A@
                                                                     INFLUENCE ON SOIL PROPERTIES

                                                       282           ASSESSMENT OF TTiE IMPACT OF NUTRIENT AND HERBICIDE                                                   Sims, J. T.
                                                                     LEACHING ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN DELAWARE

                                                       283           FATE OF METALS AND NUTRIENTS FROM LAND APPLICATION OF                                                 Sparks, D.L.
                                                                     WASTES AND MANURE                                                                                     Sims, J. T.

                                                       285           SCLEROTIA PRODUCTION BY ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI                                                         janerette, C. A.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    39

                                          286       IMPROVEMENT OF DISEASE AND EUROPEAN CORN BORER AND                      Hawk, J. A.
                                                    DROUGHT RESISTANCE IN CORN                                              Carroll, R. B.

                                          289       IMPROVEMENT OF GRAIN SORGHUM AND THE MILLET'S WITH                      Frick, H.
                                                    RESPECT TO DROUGHT AND CHILLING TOLERANCE
                                          715(2)    STUT)Y OF DECIDUOUS FOREST TREE TISSUE CULTURES FOR                     Morehan, A. L
                                                    RESISTANCE TO NECTARM CvILLIGINA BRES.                                  Kitto, S. L.
                                          718(2)    EFFICIENCY OF BROADCAST VERSUS BANDED POTASSIUM                         Sparks, D. L.
                                                    APPUCATIONS, FOR INTENSIVELY MANAGED CORN PRODUCTION
                                                    IN DELAWARE

                                          719(2)    COMPUTER ASSISTED BACTERIAL IDENTIFICATION THROUGH                      Sasser, J. M.
                                                    FATTY ACID PROFILING (TERMINATED 6/30/86)

                                          720(2)    PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR INCREASED SURVIVAL OF PREHARDENED               Kitto, S. L.
                                                    CARROT EMBRYOS DURING ENCAPSULATION (TERMINATED 6/30/86)

                                          726(2)    EVALUATION OF SOYBEAN VARIETIES FOR NO-TILL                             Wisk, E. L
                                                    DOUBLE CROPPING

                                          727(2)    DELAWARE SOYBEAN VARIETY PERFORMANCE TESTS                              Wisk, E. L.

                                          729(2)    DETERMINATION OF THE CAUSE OF A NEW DISEASE                             Carroll, R. B.
                                                    AFFECTING DELAWARE SOYBEANS (TERMINATED 5/30/86)                        Morehan, A. L.
                                          730(2)    BACTERIAL IDENTIFICATION STUDY (TERMINATED 6/30/86)                     Sasser, J. M.

                                          738       DEVELOPMENT OF A MYCORRHIZAL INOCULUM SUITABLE                          janerette, C. A.
                                                    FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATION

                                          741(2)    REDUCING PHOSPHOROUS POLLUTION OF SURFACE AND                           Sims, J. T.
                                                    GROUNDWATERS ASSOCIATED WITH AGRICULTURAL
                                                    USE OF MANURES AND FERTILIZERS

                                          744(2)    NITRATE RETENTION AS IT AFFECTS GROUNDWATER                             Sparks, D. L.
                                                    POLLUTION IN MID-ATLANTIC STATES

                                          747(2)    EFFECT OF IRRIGATION WITH BRACKISH AND SEWAGE                           Sparks, D. L.
                                                    EFFLUENT WATERS ON POTASSIUM REACTIONS IN SOILS

                                          778(l)    AN AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF POULTRY MANURE AS A                          Sims, J. T.
                                                    NITROGEN SOURCE

                RESEARCH AND              836       THE EVALUATION OF POULTRY MANAGEMENT FACTORS                            Malone, G.W.
                EDUCATION                 837       THE EVALUATION OF SWINE MANAGEMENT FACTORS                              Lowe, R. V.
                CENTER
                                          838       EFFECT'S OF VARIETIES AND PRODUCTION FACTORS UPON                       Wisk, E. L.
                                                    CROP YIELDS

                COLLEGE OF                791(l)    FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SOYBEAN YIELDS                                  Task Force
                AGRICULTURAL                        ON DELAWARE FARMS                                                       Coordinated By
                SCIENCES                                                                                                    Til mon, D. H.
                                                                                                                            and Taylor, R.W.

                40

                     Administration,
                     faculty and
                     professional staff

                     ADMINISTRATION                          AGRICULTURAL                            AGRICULTURAL                           Joseph M. Haines, DY.M.
                                                               ENGINEERING                           LIBRARY & REFERENCE                    Adjunct Associate Professor
                     Donald F. Crossan, Ph.D.                                                        DEPARTMENT                             Veterinarian
                     Dean, College of Agricultural           Norman E, Collins, Ph.D.                                                       Linda J. Hnatow, M.S.
                     Sciences                                Associate Professor &                   Frederick B. Getze, M.S.               Research Associate 11
                     Director, Agricultural                  Chairperson of Department,              Associate librarian                    Physiology
                     Experiment Station                      Power & Mach.
                     William J. Benton, Ph.D.                Energy Management                       ANIMAL SCIENCE            &            Jacqueline Jaeger, B.S.
                     Associate Dean &                        Carmine C, Balascio, Ph.D.              AGRICULTURAL                           Research Associate 11
                     Associate Director                      Assistant Professor                     BIOCHEMISTRY                           immunology
                     Richard E. Fowler, Ph.D.                Soil & Water                            John K. Rosenberger, Ph.D.             Ki Poong Lee, DY.M., Ph.D.
                     Director                                Anastasia E. M. Chirnside, M.S.         Professor & Chairperson of             Adjunct Professor
                     Cooperative Extension System            Research Associate 11                   Department                             Pathology
                     R. Dean Shippy, D.Ed.                   Water Quality                           Microbiology                           Paul E. Meckley, V.M.D., Ph.D.
                     Assistant Dean                          Sundaram Gunasekaran, Ph.D.             Abdiel J. Adames, Ph.D.                Associate Professor
                                                             Assistant Professor                     Adjunct Professor                      Director, Lab. Animal Care &
                     Anthony M. Thomas, Jr., M.B.A.          Elec. Power & Processing                Biochemistry/Parasitology              Physiology
                     Assistant to Dean & Director            Lutherj. Kemble, B.S.                   William J. Benton, Ph.D.               Alan L Metz, Ph.D.
                     Kristy L Flathmann, M.S.                Research Associate 11                   Associate Dean & Associate             Assistant Professor
                     Sr. Programmer/Analyst                  Power & Mach., Solar Energy             Director                               Veterinary Pathology
                                                                                                     Experiment Station
                     Carolyn Golt, B.S.                      Palaniappa Krishnan, Ph.D.              Professor, Avian Pathology             Robin W. Morgan, Ph.D.
                     Research Associate II                   Assistant Professor                                                            Assistant Professor
                                                             Power & Machinery                       Timothy M. Block                       Molecular Biology
                     James Hicks, AAS.                                                               Adjunct Assistant Professor
                     Accountant                              Kenneth M. Lomax, Ph.D.                 Molecular Biology                      Lisa Ann Parente
                                                             Associate Professor                                                            Research Associate Il
                     Kathryn M. Hutton                       Elec. Power & Processing                Sandra S. Cloud, M.S,                  Molecular Biology
                     Accountant                                                                      Research Associate III
                                                             William L. Nichol, M.Ed.                Microbiology                           Arlette 1. Rasmussen, Ph.D.
                     Arlene K. Miller, AA.                   Assistant Professor                                                            Associate Professor
                     Assistant to Dean & Director            Agricultural Mechanics                  Larry A. Cogburn, Ph.D.                Nutrition Research
                                                                                                     Assistant Professor
                     Maria 1. Lenz, B.S.                     William F. Ritter, Ph.D.                Avian Physiology                       C. Melvin Reitnour, Ph.D.
                     Research Associate I                    Professor                                                                      Professor
                                                             Soil & Water, Waste                     John E. Dohms, Ph.D.                   Equine Nutrition
                     AGRICULTURAL                            Management                              Associate Professor
                     SCIENCES                                                                        immunology                             Michael D. Ruff, Ph.D.
                                                                                                                                            Adjunct Professor
                     COMMUNICATIONS                          James N. Scarborough, Ph.D.             Patricia A. Fries, M.S.                Parasitology
                                                             Assistant Professor &                   Research Associate 11
                     Jerry L. Webb, M.S.                     Extension Specialist                    Virology                               Paul H. Sammetwitz, Ph.D.
                     Coordinator                             Buildings                                                                      Associate Professor
                                                             Robert W. Scarborough, B.S.             Jack Gelb, Jr., Ph.D.                  Reproductive Physiology
                     Doris Crowley, M.A.                     Research Associate I                    Associate Professor and
                     Communications Specialist,              Irrigation & Waste Management           Assistant Chairperson                  Linda D. Santomenna, M.S.
                     News                                                                            Virology                               Research Associate 11
                     Colleen C. McCabe, M.A.                 Thomas H. Williams, M.S.                George F. W. Haenlein, D.Ag.,          Bacteriology
                     Communications Specialist,              Extension Specialist                    Ph.D.                                  William W. Saylor, Ph.D.
                     Publications                            Power & Mach., Irrigation               Professor & Extension Dairy            Assistant Professor
                                                                                                     Specialist                             Monogastric Nutrition

                                                                                                                                                                             41

                                                                                            if"@ Mx r, @_'_ n"
                                                                                            i;'Ei

                    Judith A. Hough-Goldstein, Ph.D.        FOOD AND RESOURCE                       Gerald F. Vaughn, M.S.                  JohnJ. Frett, Ph.D.
                    Assistant Professor                     ECONOMICS                               Extension Specialist                    Assistant Professor
                    Applied Insect Ecology                                                          Agricultural & Natural                  Ornamental Horticulture
                                                            Gerald L. Cole, Ph.D.                   Resources Policy
                    Clifford B. Keil, Ph.D.                 Professor & Chairperson of                                                      David R. Frey, Ph.D.
                    Assistant Professor                     Department                              LONGWOOD                                Associate Professor
                    Genetics of Insect Resistance           Resource Economics                      GRADUATE PROGRAM                        Ornamental Horticulture
                    Mary K. Kruluts                         J. Richard Bacon, M.S.                  James E. Swasey, Ph.D.                  Hugh Frick, Ph.D.
                    Research Associate I                    Research Associate I                    Coordinator, Professor                  Associate Professor
                    Insect Parasitology                     Sharon M. Brucker, M.A.                 Plant Science                           Plant Physiology
                    Charles E. Mason, Ph.D.                 Research Associate III                  Darrel A. Apps, Ph.D.                   JeffryJ. Fuhrmann, Ph.D.
                    Associate Professor                                                             Head, Education Department,             Assistant Professor
                    Economic Entomology                     Joachim G. Elterich, Ph.D.              Longwood Gardens                        Soil Microbiology
                                                            Professor, Production Economics         Adjunct Professor, Plant Science        James A- Hawk, Ph.D.
                    Narayan G. Patel, Ph.D.                 Farm Management                         Robert J. Armstrong, Ph.D               Associate Professor
                    Adjunct Associate Professor             Conrado M. Gempesaw, Ph.D.              Geneticist, Longwood Gardens            Plant Breeding
                    Insect Physiology                       Assistant Professor,                    Adjunct Assistant Professor
                                                            Production Economics                    Plant Science                           Steven E. Heckendorn, M.S.
                    Roland R. Roth, Ph.D.                   Farm Management                                                                 Research Associate 11
                    Associate Professor                                                             Donald G. Huttleston, Ph.D.             Soil Testing
                    Ecology                                 Carl L German, M.S.                     Taxonomist, Longwood Gardens
                                                            Extension Specialist                    Adjunct Associate Professor             Gerald Hendricks, B.S.
                    Paul Schaefer, Ph.D.                    Crops Marketing                         Plant Science                           Research Associate I
                    Adjunct Associate Professor                                                                                             Turf Management
                    USDA Beneficial Insects                 Steven E. Hastings, Ph.D.               PLANT SCIENCE                           KirkJ. Himelick, M.L.A_
                    Research Lab.                           Associate Professor
                    Biological Control                      Resource Economics and                  Allen L Morehart, Ph.D.                 Assistant Professor
                                                            Rural Development                       Professor & Chairperson of              Landscape Design and
                    Douglas W Tallarny, Ph.D.                                                       Department                              Construction
                    Assistant Professor                     Mark G. Kooker, M.S.                    Plant Pathology
                    Insect Ecology                          Assistant Extension Specialist                                                  Carol A. Janerette, Ph.D.
                                                            Farm Management                         Susan S. Barton, M.S.                   Associate Professor
                    Robin L. Vannote, Ph.D.                                                         Extension Specialist                    Plant Physiology
                    Adjunct Associate Professor             John E. A. Mackenzie, Ph.D.             Horticulture                            Sandra M. King, M.S.
                    Limnology                               Assistant Professor                                                             Research Associate I
                                                            Resource Economics                      Robert B. Carroll, Ph.D.
                                                                                                    Associate Professor                     Plant Disease, Plant Tissue Culture
                    Richard G. Weber, Ph.D.                 John D. Pesek, Ph.D.                    Plant Pathology
                    Associate Scientist                     Senior Programmer/Analyst                                                       Sherry L. Kitto, Ph.D.
                    Mosquito Research                                                               Donald F. Crossan, Ph.D.                Assistant Professor
                                                            R. Dean Shippy, D.Ed.                   Dean, College of Agricultural           Ornamental Horticulture
                    Joanne M. Whalen,     M.S.              Associate Professor                     Sciences
                    Extension Specialist                    Agricultural Economics &                Director, Agricultural                  Robert P. Mulrooney, M.S.
                    Pest Management                         Head Teacher Educator                   Experiment Station                      Extension Specialist
                                                                                                    Professor, Plant Pathology              Plant Pathology
                    Thomas K. Wood, Ph.D.                   H. Don Tilmon, Ph.D.
                    Professor                               Extension Specialist                    Debra Burbage Dempsey, B.S.             Wallace G. Pill, Ph.D.
                    Insect Ecology                          Farm Management                         Research Associate 11                   Associate Professor
                                                                                                    Seed Technology                         Horticulture
                                                            U. Carl Toensmeyer, Ph.D.                                                       Thompson D. Pizzolato, Ph.D.
                                                            Professor                               Thomas A. Evans, Ph.D.
                                                            Agricultural Marketing                  Scientist I                             Associate Professor
                                                                                                    Plant Pathology                         Anatomy & Taxonomy

                    42

                   Thomas J. Schnitzer, M.D., Ph.D.      Walter E. Kee, Jr., M.S.               EXTENSION AGENTS:                     John T. Andaloro, Ph.D.
                   Adjunct Professor                     Vegetables                             NEW CASTLE COUNTY                     Adjunct Assistant Professor
                   Molecular Virology                    Mark G. Kooker, M.S.                   Deborah H. Amsden, M.S.               Agricultural Entomology
                   Lesa G. Sterling, Ph.D.               Assistant Extension Specialist         Home Economics                        Dewey M. Caron, Ph.D.
                   Assistant Professor                   Farm Management                                                              Professor
                   livestock Specialist and                                                     Dean C. Belt, M.S.                    Apiology
                   Swine Nutrition                       Daniel S. Kuennen, M.S.                Agriculture
                                                         Community Resource                                                           Violette Choperena, B.S.
                   William H. Wright, V.M.D.             Development                            joy G. Sparks, B.S.                   Research Associate I
                   Adjunct Professor                                                            4-H Youth Development
                   Veterinarian                          Robert P. Mulrooney,    M.S.                                                 Induced Resistance
                   John P. Zi"s, Ph.D.                   Plant Pathology                        Mark Manno, M.S.                      Lena B. Brattsten, Ph.D.
                   Professor                             Patricia T. Nelson, Ed.D.              4-H Youth Development                 Adjunct Associate Professor
                   Biochemistry                          Family and Child Development           David V. Tatnall, M.S.                Ecological Toxicologist
                                                                                                Horticulture
                   COOPERATIVE                           Daniel H. Palmer, M.S.                                                       William H. Day, Ph.D.
                   EXTENSION SYSTEM                      Poultry                                KENT COUNTY                           Adjunct Professor
                                                                                                                                      USDA Beneficial Insects
                   ADMINISTRATION                        James N. Scarborough, Ph.D.            Richard Barczewski, M.S.              Research Lab.
                   Richard E. Fowler, Ph.D.              Agricultural Engineering               Agriculture                           Biological Control
                   Director                              Sue Snider, Ph.D.                      Robert C. Hochmuth, M.S.              Richard J. Dysart, Ph.D.
                   M. R. Butterfield, M.S.               Food and Nutrition                     Agriculture                           Adjunct Professor
                   State Leader                          Richard W. Taylor, Ph.D.               Claudia H. Holden, B.S.               USDA Beneficial Insects
                   4-H Youth Development                 Agronomy                               Home Economics, Nutrition             Research Lab.
                                                                                                                                      Biological Control
                   Mary Ann Finch, M.S.                  H. Don Tilmon, Ph.D.                   James R. Moore, B.S.                  Roger W. Fuester, Ph.D.
                   State Leader, Home Economics          Farm Management                        4-H Youth Development                 Adjunct Assistant Professor
                   David H. Woodward, B.S.               Gerald F. Vaughn, M.S.                 Roxane Wbittaker, M.S.                USDA Beneficial Insects
                   State Leader, Agriculture,            Agricultural & Natural                 Home Economics, Nutrition             Research Lab.
                   Natural Resources, Community          Resources Policy                                                             Biological Control
                   Resource Development                                                         SUSSEX COUNTY
                                                         Francis J. Webb, M.S.                                                        Mark R. Graustein, M.S.
                   EXTENSION SPECIALISTS                 Weed Science                           Sarah R. Foulke, M.S.                 Extension Specialist
                   Susan S. Barton, M.S.                 Joanne M. Whalen, M.S.                 Home Economics                        Entomology
                   Horticulture                          Pest Management                        Lloycllee Heite, B.S.                 Mark R. Hardin, B,S.
                                                                                                4-H Youth Development                 Research Associate I
                   Carl L German, M.S.                   Thomas H. Williams, M.S.                                                     Insect/Plant Interaction
                   Marketing                             Agricultural Engineering               S. Derby Walker, Jr., M.S.
                   Mark R. Graustein, M.S.               EXTENSION ASSISTANTS                   Agriculture                           Robert M. Hendrickson, Ph.D.
                   Entomology                                                                   James C. Windsor, B.S.                Adjunct Assistant Professor
                                                         Mark A. Isaacs, M.S.                   Agriculture                           USDA Beneficial Insects
                   George F. W. Haenlein, DAg.,          Environmental Quality                                                        Research Ub.
                   Ph.D.                                                                        ENTOMOLOGY &                          Biological Control
                   Dairy                                 Quintin R. Johnson, B.S.               APPLIED ECOLOGY
                                                         Agronomic Crops                                                              Caleb Holyoke, Ph.D.
                   John R. Harris, B.S.                                                         Paul P. Burbutis, Ph.D.               Adjunct Assistant Professor
                   Environmental Quality                 Robert Uniatowski, B.S.                                                      Insect Biochemistry
                                                         Agronomy                               Professor & Chairperson of
                   Ronald C. jester, M.S.                                                       Department                            lisa A. Horton, B.S.
                   Farm Safety                                                                  Biological Control                    Research Associate I
                                                                                                Economic Entomology                   Insect/Plant Interaction

                                                                                                                                                                       43

                     Russell A Rebertus, Ph.D.              AGRICULTURAL
                     Assistant Professor                    EXPERIMENT STATION
                     Soils                                  FARM-NEWARK
                     J. Myron Sasser, Ph.D.                 James L. Wolfer, B.S.
                     Professor                              Superintendent
                     Plant Pathology
                     J. Thomas Sims, Ph.D.                  Robert L Alphin, Jr., M.S.
                     Assistant Professor                    Research Associate Il
                     Crops                                  Poultry
                     Donald L. Sparks, Ph.D.                Paul H. Dennison, B.S.
                     Associate Professor                    Research Associate I
                     Soils                                  Greenhouse
                     Richard W. Taylor, Ph.D.               James F. Insinga
                     Extension Specialist                   Research Associate I
                     Agronomy                               Uvestock & Gen, Maintenance
                     Robert Uniatowski, B.S.                Richard E. Morris, B.S.
                     Extension Assistant                    Research Associate 11
                     Crops                                  Dairy
                     GEORGETOWN                             Anthony A. Timko
                                                            Research Associate I
                     RESEARCH AND                           Agriculture
                     EDUCATION CENTER

                     George W. Chaloupka, B.S.
                     Director

                     Jennings C. Foskey, A.A.S.
                     Research Associate I
                     Swine

                     Kenneth M. Hastings, B.S.
                     Farm Superintendent

                     Ralph V. I-owe, Jr., B.S.
                     Research Associate II
                     Swine

                     George W Malone, M.S.
                     Associate Scientist
                     Poultry

                     Edwin M. Odor, D.V.M.
                     Poultry Pathologist &
                     Senior Scientist

                     Edward L. Wisk, M.S.
                     Associate Scientist
                     Crops

          A. PROJECT TITLE:

                       Evaluation of Upright Dry Edible Beans Cul@ivars in Delaware
                       To Assist Market Development

          B. PERSONNEL:

                       Richard W. Taylor
                       Extension Specialist--Soil Fertility and Crop Management
                       -Delaware Cooperative Extension System

                       Robert Uniatowski
                       Extension Assistant
                       Delaware Cooperative Extension System

           C. OBJECTIVES:

                       1.  To evaluate at several locations in Delaware the yield
                           potential of dry edible bean cultivars currently avail-
                           able.

                       2.  To describe the agronomic characteristics of available dry
                           edible bean cultivars.

                       3.  As appropriate identify insect and disease problems as
                           related to varietal responses.

           D. PROJECT DURATION:

                       April 1, 19e7 to March 31, 1988

           E. JUSTIFICATION:

                       Diversification of farm cropping systems is needed to boost
                       farm income in Delaware. Current cropping systems rely on
                       corn, soybeans and small grains although there are current
                       surpluses of each of these crops. Additionally, on a large
                       proportion of Delaware's arable acreage corn must be grown
                       under irrigation in order to reduce risk.

                       Edible dry beans were successfully grown at several locations
                       in Delaware during the 1986 growing seasons.      Farmer success
                       and acceptance of black turtle beans indicates potential for
                       dry edible bean production in Delaware.      New upright bush or
                       semi-bush types, of beans mean that this new crop can be h@@r-
                       vested with equipment presently in the inventory of most @arm-
                       ers.

                       Dry edible beans when properly produced currently offer a mar-
                       ketable product.    Information describing available culti-
                       vars' adaptability to Delaware conditions is not available.
                       To successfully develop a viable production system for dry
                       edible beans will require evaluation of available cultivars'
                       yield potential and their important agronomic characteristics*.
                       Since gross return for dry edible beans'and potential profits

                                                                                        1-2

                        are based on a price per pound basiss high yielding cultivars
                        adapted for Delaware conditions must be identified for the
                        major sail types in the state.

             F. PREVIOUS WORK:

                        During the 1986 growing season several growers were successful
                        in growing black turtle beans in Delaware. Yields although
                      'below the level which could be expected were encouraging when
                        considered in the light of the drought situation in Delaware
                        during a large portion of the growing season for dry edible
                        bean@. Information is availabl6-from other dry bean producing
                        regions but must be successfully transferred to Delaware con-
                        ditions.

             G. PROCEDURE:

                        Available cultivars of black turtle beans, red beans, and pink
                        beans which have either an upright bush growth habit or a
                        short vine upright habit will be solicited from all identifi-
                        able sources. These growth habits have been selected because
                        they offer the possibility of using currently available com-
                        bines for harvesting dry edible beans. Adjustments must be
                        made on the combines but harvest of these beans should not
                        interfere with soybean harvest so as to allow combines to be
                        readjusted for soybean harvest. This will be important since
                        the dry edible bean cultivars will be incorporated as a sepa-
                        rate group in the testing program for public soybean culti-
                        vars. Incorporation into an existing program should facili-
                        tate the testing procedure as well as conveniently allow test-
                        ing in a number of locations across the state.

                        Dry edible beans will be seeded about 1.5 inches deep in a
                        well prepared seedbed on 30 inch or narrower rows. Narrow
                        rows between 12 and 20 inches wide are best for bean produc-
                        tion. Seeding rate will be about 60 lbs/A or 6 seeds per row
                        foot on 30 inch rows. Fertility will be 50 lbs N/A. Phospho-
                        rus and potassium fertilizer will be added where soil test
                        results indicate a shortage of these nutrients. A separate
                        herbicide program may be needed since herbicide tolerances are
                        narrow for dry edible.beans as compared to soybeans. The
                        studies will use a randomized, complete block design and have
                        a minimum of four replications.

                        All cultivars will be carefully observed throughout the grow-
                        ing season to identify desirable and undesirable agronomic
                        characteristics and to identify insect and disease problems
                        which may be important. For insect and disease problems which
                        are severe enough, varieties will be evaluated for their
                        resistance or tolerance.

           H. Budget:

                      1.  Funds Requested
                          a. Travel (seeding, fertilization) collect data) --- $2,500
                          b. Supplies (seed, fertilizer,, chemicalss etc.)----$19000
                          C. Contracted student hourly services   -------------- $3,500

                      2. Total Amount Requested  ------------------------------ $7,000

              WHY HAVE WE SELECTED DRIED EDIBLE BEANS AS AN ALTERNATIVE CROP?

              WE MUST ALL RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO DO THINGS IN THE
              FUTURE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST IN ORDER TO
              SURVIVE ON THE FARM,
              RIPPLES ARE STARTING TO APPEAR ON THE SURFACE OF THE WASHINGTON
              POND. iF ANY OF YOU SAW THE CBS NEWS BROADCAST LAST THURSDAY
              NIGHTj YOU HEARD DAN RATHER REPORT THAT CERTAIN FACTIONS OF THE
              GOVERNMENT ARE BEGINNING TO CALL FOR AN END TO FARM SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
              THIS PAST YEAR (1986), THE SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR ALL OF AGRICULTURE
              COST THE COUNTRY MORE THAN THE TOTAL NET FARM INCOME OF ALL U.S.
              FARMERS. THIS IS A SHOCKING REVEALATION WHEN WE STOP TO THINK
              ABOUT IT!

              FARM PROGRAMS ARE PROJECTED TO COST IN THE RANGE OF 28 BILLION
              DOLLARS FOR 1986/87 OR ABOUT $140.00 FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD
              IN THE UNITED STATES.

              SUPPORT PROGRAMS, ON THE SCALE THAT WE HAVE SEEN THEM ARE NOT AT
              ALL LIKELY TO CONTINUE.

              THE GRAMM-RUDMAN ACT IS ALREADY FORCING MANY BUDGET CUTS AND WE
              HAVE NOT EVEN GOTTEN INTO THE SECOND YEAR OF THE FIVE YEAR PLAN.
              WE MUST PLAN NOW TO LIVE WITHOUT THESE PROGRAMS.
              THIS FACT, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT THE CURRENT OUTLOOK FOR CORN
              AND SOYBEANS IN 1987 IS NO BETTER THAN 1986 (OR 1985 FOR THAT MATTER)i
              HAS PROMPTED A NEW WAVE IN AGRICULTURE.

              DIVERSIFICATION HAS BECOME THE NEW BUZZ WORD,
              IT IS DIFFICULT FOR US, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO COME TO YOU,
              i'HE GRAIN FARMER AND SAYJ#"YOU NEED TO CHANGE AND GROW VEGETABLESJ
              OR YOU NEED TO CHANGE AND GROW FRUIT     THAT IS ALMOST LIKE TRYING
              TO CONVERT AN AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC TO AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC- .
              ASSUMING THAT YOU HAD THE DESIRE, (WHICH YOU PROBABLY WOULD NOT)i
              FIRST OF ALL YOU WOULD NEED A COMPLETE NEW SET OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT.

              AND SOj YOU HAVE IMMEDIATELY REACHED THE FIRST MAJOR OBSTACLE - A
              CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR NEW EQUIPMENT.

              BY BRINGING DRIED EDIBLE BEANS TO YOUR ATTENTION, WE ARE TRYING TO
              PROVIDE YOU WITH AN ALTERNATIVE CROP WHICH CAN BE GROWN AND HARVESTED
              WITH MUCH THE SAME EQUIPMENT THAT YOU HAVE NOW.
              WE ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE GROWING INFORMATIONj CONTACTSi MARKETING
              INFORMATIONj AND ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE THAT WE CAN IN ORDER TO HELP
              INTERESTED FARMERS IN MAKING THE DECISION TO GROW OR NOT TO GROW,
              BLACK TURTLE BEANS ARE NOT THE ONLY ANSWER AND WE CERTAINLY ARE NOT
              TRYING TO TURN YOU AWAY (100%) FROM CORN AND SOYBEANS FOR WHICH WE
              HAVE A GOOD LOCAL MARKET.

                                                                                 1-3

            2.   CURRENT AREAS OF PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
                 PLEASE OPEN YOUR INFORMATION PACKET AND LOOK FOR THE APPENDIX B
                 AND C PAGES THAT I HAVE COPIED.
                 BLACK TURTLE BEANS ARE CURRENTLY PRODUCED IN NEW YORK STATE AND
                 MICHIGAN. MICHIGAN PRODUCES ABOUT 70% OF ALL BLACK TURTLES AND
                 NEW YORK STATE PRODUCES ABOUT 30% OR THE REMAINDER.
                 TOTAL UNITED STATES PRODUCTION FOR 1985 WAS 237,000 CWT OR
                 23,700,000 POUNDS.

            3.   THE MARKET - WHERE DO WE SELL AND WHEN?

                 FOR OUR LIMITED PRODUCTION LAST YEAR THE ANSWER WAS SIMPLE.
                 OUR FARMERS, RICK AND MARK, TRUCKED THEIR BEANS To FRED FRYER'S
                 OPERATION AT HANEY GRAIN NEAR HANOVER.

                 IF WE WERE TO GET INTO SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL IN THE WAY OF
                 PRODUCTION WE MAY WANT TO STORE THE BEANS HERE ON THE SHORE
                 AND TRUCK THEM UP LATER AT A TIME MUTUALLY CONVENIENT FOR
                 FRED AND THE FARMER.

                 BEANS CAN BE STORED IN BINS WITH NO PROBLEMS IF THE MOISTURE
                 IS DOWN IN THE 16-18% RANGE. FRED FRYER WILL EXPLAIN MORE ON
                 THIS LATER.

             4.  WHAT ADVANTAGES MIGHT WE HAVE IN THE MARKET?

                 WE HAVE TWO DISTINCT ADVANTAGES HERE IN DELAWARE.

                 ONE IS THAT WE COULD COME ON THE MARKET WITH OUR BEANS SOMEWHAT
                 AHEAD OF MICHIGAN AND NEW YORK.

                  THE EDIBLE BEAN MARKET IS OF SUCH A NATURE THAT THE BUYERS
                 ALWAYS WANT THE FRESHEST BEANS AVAILABLE OVER BEANS THAT HAVE
                 BEEN IN STORAGE.

                 THE SECOND ADVANTAGE IS OUR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. BEAN BROKERS
                 AND BUYERS KNOW HOW TO TURN THIS INTO PROFIT DOLLARS FOR THEMSELVES.

                 HAVING THESE TWO ADVANTAGES THOUGH IS NOT ALL         , WE MUST
                 NOT LOSE SIGHT OF QUALITY AND TO MAKE A REAL NICHE IN THE MARKET
                 FOR OURSELVES WE NEED TO PRODUCE A QUALITY BEAN LIKE THOSE TWO
                 GENTLEMEN PRODUCED LAST YEAR,

             5.  WHAT IS A REASONABLE PRICE TO EXPECT FOR EDIBLE BEANS GROWN IN
                 DELAWARE?

                 LAST YEAR BLACK BEANS GROWN IN DELAWARE BROUGHT 17@ AND 19@
                 RESPECTF4rLY FOR TWO LOTS. THE DIFFERENCE BEING THAT RICK
                 CLENDANIEL CLEANED AND BAGGED HIS CROP AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET
                 A PREMIUM FOR THIS EFFORT.

                 As MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE "BEAN MARKET NEWS BULLETIN"
                 (THAT,WE HAVE BEEN MAILING TO THOSE PERSONS WHO CAME TO LAST
                 YEARS EDIBLE.BEAN MEETING) BLACK TURTLE GROWER PRICES HAVE
                 FALLEN SLI'GHTLY TO ABOUT $14.00 CWT CURRENTLY.
                .THIS IS A SEASON NORM AND PRICES WILL FIRM AND RISE AGAIN NOW
                 THRU JUNE.

            6.   HOW DOES THIS COMPARE WITH CORN AND SOYBEANS?

                 TRIALS RUN IN 1984 IN DELAWARE BY A LARGE SEED COMPANY SHOW
                 RESULTS OF 2,712 POUNDS OF TURTLE BEANS PER ACRE,
                 ASSUMING WE COULD GET A CONSISTANT YIELD OF 2 500 POUNDS PER
                 ACRE AT .17, THE GROSS WOULD BE $425.00 PER AJCRE.
                 OUR AVERAGE YIELD OF SOYBEANS AT 30 BUSHELS PER ACRE (1985 CROP)
                 AND A $5.00 PRICE PRODUCES AN INCOME OF $150.00 PER ACRE,
                 IF WE DROP THE TURTLES To 2,000 POUNDS PER ACRE THE GROSS WOULD
                 BE $340.00 PER ACRE.

                 I DON'T THINK I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT SOYBEAN PRICES HAVEN'T
                 BEEN QUITE THAT GOOD

                 CORN PRICES AT THE CURRENT LEVELS OF 1.70 TO 1.75 PRODUCE
                 SIMILAR COMPARISONS.
                 ONE WORD OF CAUTION HOWEVER, THE PRICES WE ARE DISCUSSING HERE
                 LOOK ENTICING - - - BUT, EACH OF YOU SHOULD LOOK AND LISTEN
                 CAREFULLY TONIGHT.

                 WE HAVE BROUGHT TO OUR MEETINGj SOME GOOD MEN TO GIVE US THEIR
                 VIEWSj BOTH PRO AND CON.

                                   COMMODITY DEVELOPMENT SECTION
                                            ANNUAL REPORT

                                             FISCAL 1987

                     The Commodity Develo pment Section is -harged with improving
                the market position of Delaware agricultu al and food products.
                This is done through programs of Market Development; Market and
                Product Research; Product Promotion; and Agricultural Statistics
                Collection and Dissemination.
                     The section consists of 2 marketing specialists, 1
                secretary, and a program manager.

                     Major activities undertaken in FY 1987 in each of the above-
                mentioned program areas include:

                MARKET DEVELOPMENT
                     --- BUYER VISITS. Marketing specialists visited terminal
                markets, chainstore warehouses, and other major produce buyers in
                Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Portland, Washington,
                Baltimore and Norristown. 37 major buyers were met personally
                and given crop and marketing information, plus a sample of
                merchandising materials available from the department.
                     Approximately 50 in-state buyer visits were made to
                supermarkets, large -farm markets, and other retail food.outlets.
                It-is impossible to:measure the effectiVene-ss of 'these- visits.-
                however we have had many shippers tell us they made sales as a
                result of our contacts.
                     ---TRADE SHOWS. The Delaware Agricultural Products exhibit
                and marketing specialists traveled to 6 major trade shows, and 5
                small shows. Samples, literature, merchandising materials, and
                general information was distributed at these shows again
                resulting in definite sales by Delaware'farms and companies.
                Major shows include: Produce Marketing Association, San Antonio;
                Philadelphia-Delaware Valley Restaurant and Food Show,
                Philadelphia; United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Show, Orlando;
                Puerto Rico Food Exposition, San Juan, PR; Mid-Atlantic Food
                Processors, Baltimore; and Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Assoc.
                Show, Wilmington, DE.
                     --- EXPORT SERVICES. The section provided 250 foreign trade
                leads to about 12 companies mainly through arrangement with
                Foreign Agricultural'Service. At least 4 shipments of Delaware
                product was moved through trade leads provided by this
                department. Section also published first-ever Delaware Food and
                Agriculture Export Director for distribution to over 300 buyers
                Worldwide and all U.S. Agricultural Trade Offices overseas. In
                addition, free use of the Section's Telex equipment was made
                available to small exporters. International Trade Specialist
                also coordinated several visits by potential foreign buyers.
                     --- LOGO. The Delaware Agricultural Products Logo program
                was expanded with an increase in consumer advertising, mainly

                                                                                  1-4

                targeted at 18-65 year old Delaware area consumers. DELAWARE
                TODAYr NEWS JOURNAL, and the DELAWARE STATE NEWS were used.
                National trade publications were also targeted. They included
                THE PACKER, and the PRODUCE NEWS. Mailings encouraging the use
                of the logo were sent to over 400 packers, processors, and
                shippers. The potato industry is the highest percentage user
                with almost 100% of the growers using the logo on their bags.
                other uses include: waxed vegetable boxes, plastic bags, bread
                bags, certified seed, apple boxes and bags, stickers on melons
                and other produce, and numerous point of sale items such as
                posters, price cards, and shelf strips. A Delaware Household
                Survey revealed that approximately 20% of adult Delawareans are
                familiar with the Logo. 93% say they would show preference to a
                product bearing the logo if it were of similar quality to product
                not bearing logo. Informal tests have proven this.
                     --- CHECK-OFF MANAGEMENT. This Section coordinated the
                check-off for the Delaware Soybean Board and the Delaware Potato
                Board. In addition, we coordinated market development and
                promotion projects for these Boards using their funds with
                matching state funds. Election for these Board members were also
                handled by our section. Although not an official state-
                legislated check-off Board, the Delaware Fruit Growers assessment
                and market development programs are also coordinated by Commodity
                Development.
                     --- SPECIAL ASSISTANCE. These programs were handled by
                various marketing staff on an as-needed, basis. They included
                working with the Legislature and Campbell Soup Co. officials to
                encourage Cam
                             pbell officials not to sell the Wheatle- Processing
                                                                    T
             -.1acility-in Clayton; working-with-the-Laurel Auction"Market to
                develop a national advertising program, to increase the number of
                buyers at the Market; and the coordination of the Emergency Hay
                Allocation Program. 145 Delaware farmers received over 60,0-00
                bales of hay during the drought from 11 states. Our marketing
                specialists helped locate the hay and arranged transportation,
                allocation and unloading.

                MARKET AND PRODUCT RESEARCH
                     --- NEW CROPS. Commodity Development is responsible for
                researching the production and marketing potential of several new
                commodities. Funding for University research and actual on-farm
                research of 8 new commodities was provided. The crops include
                navy beans, pink beans, kidney beans, small red Mexican beans,
                yellow-flesh potatoes, size b potatoes (Small Wonders), and
                seedless watermelon. On farm research support included locating
                and paying for seed, packaging design and development, and
                promotion.
                     --- AG MARKET SEARCH. A major survey of bulk food buyers in
                the Coastal Sussex County area revealed an immediate market
                potential of $4.5 million for local vegetables, dairy products,
                meats, poultry and fruit. Names of bulk food buyers willing to
                @uy direct were distributed to growers who expressed an interest
                in selling to them. 81% of the bulk food buyers returning the
                survey indicated a willingness to purchase products locally.

                       --- DIRECT MARKETING PRICE SURVEY. We began what we hope
                 will be a yearly survey of prices received by direct marketers of
                 fruits and vegetables in Delaware. Season high, low, and average
                 prices for most of the top produce items were reported. This
                 information was made available to all survey respondents.
                 Tracking of the prices on a year to year basis should be helpful
                 to the industry in determining competitive prices.

                 PRODUCT PROMOTION
                       --- PUBLICATIONS. Commodity Development compiled and printed
                 6 different product brochures (produce, apples, pork, Christmas
                 tree, strawberries, and sheep & wool). A total of approximately
                 45,000 copies were distributed. 25,000 copies of the Delaware
                 Farm Markets Director were distributed.       About 5000 Delaware
                 Dairy bookcovers were given to school children, and a coloring
                 book for school childien was intiated for distribution in the
                 fall of 1987. A 4-color wall poster featuring Delaware grown
                 foods was printed and about 2000 copies were distributed.
                 Finally, the Delaware AGenda, a monthly newspaper style
                 publication was compiled and mailed to 1200 people each month and
                 an additional 3800 copies were placed at various locations around
                 the state.
                       --- PROMOTIONAL EVENTS. These included the Delaware Food
                 Festival, Laurel Melon Festival, Rehoboth Beach Watermelon Day,
                 Harrington Raceway Apple Night, Middletown Strawberry Festival,
                 Delmarva Chicken Festival, Milford Harvest Festival, Harrington
                -.Heritage Days, Farm-and Home Field Day, Delaware-State Fair, Ag
               .'Week- at.-Dover Mall, Delaware -Agricultural Industry --Dinner'and
                 more. In excess of 275,000 people were exposed to Delaware
                 agriculture through these promotions. Over 51,000 promotional
                 handouts were distributed at these events. They included custom
                 imprinted corn butterers, hand fans, rulers, pencil caddies,
                 bumper stickers, jar openers, caps, book covers, shirts, and
                 aprons.
                       --- TRI-STATE PROMOTION. Commodity Development coordinated
                 the Delmarva Produce Promotion program involving the departments
                 of agriculture of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Using a
                 shared budget of about $9000. Delmarva produce was promoted using
                 TV ads, radio ads, newspaper, billboards, and in-store materials.
                 Approximately 120 stores representing 8 major chains participated
                 in the three state region.

                 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION
                       --- DELAWARE AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SUMMARY. This Summary
                 is funded by Commodity Development with actual collection of data
                 being conducted by the Delaware Agricultural Statistics Service,
                 USDA. We are responsible for overseeing the data collection and
                 publishing an annual Summary. Data includes crop and livestock
                 production, prices received, marketing channels, weather
                 summaries, crop conditions, production expenditures, and meat
                 inventory and slaughter. A weekly summary on crop conditions
                 and weather is mailed to the media, agricultural leaders, and

               other subscribers.
                    ---MARKET NEWS. Daily prices, movement, and other marketing
               information is provided to the public daily through our Market
               News Line, 302-697-2345. FOB prices on potatoes leaving
               Delaware and prices from Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore are
               updated daily at 4 p.m. during the potato season. In addition,
               prices and quantities for produce sold at the Laurel Auction
               Market is reported.
                    --- INFORMATION SERVICES. The section maintains
               communication services including PRONET, AGNET and DIALCOM for
               use by the public. Instant market information, weather, prices,
               etc. is available using a PC and modem. Growers and brokers
               call daily for this vital information. Membership is also
               maintained in the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
               and the Produce Marketing Association. Membership gives us
               discounts when exhibiting at trade shows and also allows us
               instant access to both organization's huge library of marketing
               and merchandising resources.

          Delaware Cooperative Extension                                       I @
                                                                       1 3
          University ot Delaware - Delaware State College

          Richard E. Fowler, Director
          Townsend Hall                                        COMMODITY DEVELLOPi"IENT
          Newark, DE 19717-1303
          302-451-2504,
                                                             January 12, 1987

                   MEMORANDUM

                           TO:    Senator Thurman G. Adams
                                  Representative G. Wallace Caulk, Jr.
                                  Mr.  Roland Derrickson
                                  Mr.  Bill Sammons
                                  Mr.  Grover Biddle
                                  Dr.  Jerry Cole
                                  Mr.  Carl German
                                  Mr.  Ed Kee
                                  Mr.  Jerry Vaughn
                                  Mr.  Dave Woodward

                         FROM:    R. E. Fowler

                           RE:    Agricultural Producer Processing

                        Cooperative Extension, the Small Business Development
                   Center at the University of Delaware, and the Delaware
                   Department of Agriculture are working to explore opportunities
                   for agricultural producer processing and marketing in Delaware.

                        David Park has gathered the attached information about
                   the Texas program.   I would like to have a meeting to discuss
                   the subject further  and to discuss a study tour to Texas to
                   see how the program  can be applied to Delaware.

                        I propose that  we meet for breakfast at Anthony's
                   Restaurant, in Wyoming, at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, January 16.

                        If you cannot  make it, would you please call me at
                   451-2504? The meeting will take about one hour.

                        Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

                   REF/ma
                   Att.

                   cc: Dr. D. F. Crossan

           Department of Agriculture cooperating. It is the policy of tne Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to
                                                                 L

           discrimination on the QrOunds of race. color. sex. handican, aaa nr natinnao origin.

                                                                                     J-1

                                   Delaware
                   Small Business Development Center
                        Suite 005 Purnell Hall. University of Delaware.
                        Newark, Delaware 19716 (302) 451-2747

                                          MEMORANDUM

                                                                   January 6, 1987

              TO:     R. E. Fowler

              FROM:   David Park

              SUBJECT: producer Processing

              I am sorry for the delay in relaying this information. I did not
              speak with the Texas people until December 19th, and left for a
              vacation before I could bring you up to date.

              I was able to speak at some length with Sal Valdez, Director of
              Agricultural Development in Texas.

              As their program was described to me, they have integrated the
              "Producer   Processing     Assistance"     (PPA)  with two other
              developmental programs that are targeted at promoting Texas
              products to international markets and domestic markets.

              The nature of services provided to PPA clients is quite varied.
              In some cases they may simply provide information, using an
              automated data base or an established list of contacts with
              market information. At the opposite end of the spectrum, they
              will perform feasibility studies for clients. As one would
              expect, the extent of the services are, more or less, determined
              by the needs and capabilities of the clients. As you can see
              from the enclosed sample studies, his work is quite extensive.
              (The samples represent the extremes of report complexity).     In
              fact, Mr. Valdez estimates that the average project requires 300
              man hours to complete, and often requires a team effort.

              To deliver these services, they have assembled a field staff of
              approximately 30 people of varied backgrounds. The variety of
              skills was intended to provide the broad capability and
              facilitate a team approach. Industries or products have not been
              targeted for service. Instead, they prioritize projects as they
              receive requests based on philosophical guidelines and apparent
              feasibility of project. The field personnel are charged with
              performing outreach in order to promote the service.  The annual
              direct appropriation for the for the Texas program is approximatelv $2
              million.

    																		J-2

                                            -2-

            Clearly the scope of the Texas program is larger   'than we could
            expect to develop in Delaware.    Nevertheless, the nature of the
            work- does suggest that the PPA function could be introduced to
            the State.

            The studies tend to be organized with an agricultural component
            and a business component.  It is obvious that the Extension could
            provide the agricultural   element and the SBOC could provide the
            business element.      However,   it is equally obvious that
            development of the program would require that both parties be
            abl'e to commit substantial personnel and monies dedicated solely
            to this program.   For our part, this would mean the addition of
            staff and securinq additional federal and/or matching funding.

            My feeling is that the development of a similar, scaled down
            program for Delaware warrants -additional study.     I think this
            means that we need to have more detailed discussions with Texas
            so that we can develop concrete ideas regarding the program
            elements, delivery mechanism, organizational structure, cost of
            the project and potential funding sources.    I believe that this
            will likely require an on-site visitation of the Texas program by
            interested parties.

            cc: Jerry Vaughn
                Dave 70loodward

                          Proceedings - Producer Processing Committee

                                  January 16, 1987 - 7:30 a.m.
                                       Anthony's Restaurant

                Those present:         Grover Biddle
                                       Jerry Cole
                                       Roland Derrickson
                                       Dick Fowler
                                       Carl German
                                       Ed Kee
                                       Dave Park
                                       Bill Sammons
                                       John Smolko,
                                       Jerry Vaughn
                                       Jay Windsor
                                       Dave Woodward

                (Please note: See attached list for title, address and telenhane.)

                The following are comments and observations shared at the meeting.

                      There is about a nine- to one-dollar return in processing.

                      There is a need to provide strong marketing support of
                Delaware agriculture.

                      There may not be sufficient crops for export in Delaware.

                      We need this type of group discussion. The input of agri-
                culture is import

                      Insufficient production may be a problem for certain commodities
                so far as export potential is concerned.

                      Processing is the focus of this group's effort:
                            a) producer processing
                            b) sales to existing processors

                      Current processors are looking for new products.

                      How can this effort mesh with current processing and possi-
                bilities for expansion.

                      Limitations:

                            a) labor
                            b) environmental impacts (regulations)

                      Labor situation will become more critical.

                      Vermont has started production processing:
                            a) cheese
                            b) honey

                      A restructuring of the family farm may turn up some labor
                 that is now not fully utilized.

                                              2

                    The Delaware Development Office is committed to the food
               processing industry.

                    Is this producer processing?

                    Governor Castle has a Commission on High Technology and Bio-
               technology. Some of this relates to the food industry.

                    This group needs to make linkages with representatives of
               these high technology study groups.

                    Cooperation is important.

                    Should we involve processors such as Vlasic and San-Del?

                    Target of this group is to increase profitability.

                    We want to make a Value Added Enterprises list for Delaware
               that will.include vegetables, fruits, and meats.

                    The Laurel Block Auction, with the help of the Delaware
               Department of Agriculture, is conducting a survey of vegetable
               growers to see if growers would participate in a cooperative
               packing effort.

                    A bulk food buyer survey is being conducted of Delaware food
               businesses to determine need and possible uses of Delaware grown
               products.

                    An awareness of this group's activities should be shared with
               growers at vegetable growers and direct marketing meetings. Input
               should be encouraged from growers.

                    Currently, many food firms buy out-of-state produce.

                    out of 3,000 farmers, only about 200-300 would be affected
               by a processing initiative.

                    Future mailings will include:

                         a)  Alternative Agricultural Opportunities survey
                             from the National Agricultural Library
                         b)  Feasibility list (opportunities for producer
                             processing)
                         c)  Potential members of this task force
                         d)  Schedule' of agent training workshops - marketing
                         e)  Schedules of training - Alternative Agricultural
                                                     Opportunities

                    Next meeting: Thursday, February 26, 1987, 8:30 a.m.,
               Anthony's Restaurant.

                               Production Processing Task Force

              Grover Biddle                         John Smolko
              Personnel & Administration            Senior Business Developer
              Delaware Development Office           Delaware Development Office
              99 Kings Highway                      99 Kings Highway
              Dover, DE 19901                       Dover, DE 19901
              736-4271                              736-4271

              Dr. Jerry Cole, Chairman              Jerry Vaughn, Coordinator
              Food & Resource Economics             Farm Financial Management Center
              Townsend Hall                         Townsend Hall
              University of Delaware                University of Delaware
              Newark, DE 19717-1303                 Newark, DE 19717-1303
              451-2511                              451-2511

              Roland Derrickson                     Jay Windsor
              Director of Production Promotion      County Agricultural Agent
              Delaware Dept. of Agriculture         Research & Education Center
              2320 S. DuPont Highway                R. D. 2, Box 48
              Dover, DE 19901                       Georgetown, DE 19947
              1-800-282-8685 or 736-4811            856-7303

              Dr. Richard Fowler, Director          Dave Wood ward
              Cooperative Extension                 State Program Leader, Agriculture
              Townsend Hall                         Townsend Hall
              University of Delaware                University of Delaware
              Newark, DE 19717-1303                 Newark, DE 19717-1303
              451-2504                              451-2505

              Carl German
              Extension Spec.,Crops Marketing
              Townsend Hall
              University of Delaware
              Newark, DE 19717-1303
              451-2511

              Ed Kee
              Extension Spec., Vegetable Crops
              Research & Education Center
              R. D. 2, Box 48
              Georgetown, DE 19947
              856-7303

              David Park, Director
              Business & Economics
              5 Purnell Hall
              University of Delaware-
              Newark, DE 19716
              451-2747

              Bill Sammons
              Marketing Manager
              Div. of Production & Promotion
              Delaware Dept. of Agriculture
              2320 S. DuPont Highway
              Dover, De 19901
              1-800-282-8685 or 736-4811

    Delaware Cooperative Extension
    University of Delaware -- Delaware State College\

    Richard E. Fowler, Director
    Townsend Hall
    Newark, DE 19717-1303
    302-451-2504
    											April 6, 1987

    MEMORANDUM

    	TO:  Producer Processing committe
        FROM:  R. E. Fowler
    	RE:  Alternative Opportunities for Farmers

    	The primary purpose of our ad hoc committe is to explore producer processing.

    	Within that context is a braoder mission -- to explore alterntive agricultural opportunities.

    	Since Don Tilmon and I are on the National Extension Task force, I will share pertinent information as it comes.

    	Thank you for your interest and support.

    	REF/ma
    	Encl.

    																		J-3
    	Cooperative extension Edursion in Agriculture and Home Economics, University of Delaware, Delaware State College and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. It is the policy of the Delaware Cooperative Extension system that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, handicap, age or national origin.

                                                                   Dr. Paul F. O'Connell
                                                                   Hatch Act Centennial Speech
                                                                   March 2,1987

                             ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. FARMERS

           Finding new or alternative opportunities for U.S. Farmers is tot a new topic,
           but is even more important today because of intense international competition
           and changing consumption patterns. Despqfte past successes in productivity
           gains, global economic change- of the past five years have resulted in a
           considerable reduction in the export/import trade balance for the U.S.,
           approximately a $22 billion drop from 1981 to 1985 (Figure 1). This
           development has had a reverberating impact on rural america, resulting iqn a
           considerable reduction in land values and financial hardships for many farmers.

               Agricultural and Forestry Products
               (Changing Trade Balance for U.S.)

           To provide a more promising future, U.S. agriculture needs to diversify -- into
           both food and non-food production areas - moving away from ove rconcent ration in a
           few major crop and animal products. American and foreign customers have many and
           changing tastes and preferences.  To meet this volatile market situation* requires
           an opportunistic agro-industry.
           Alternative opportunities fail into two major categories:

                1. Expanded uses for traditional farm products -- especially those in
                    surplus, e.g., corn, wheat, cotton, soybeans, and dairy products.

                2. Alternative enterprises like aquaculture and non-food products for
                    industry, e.g., fats, oils, fibers, adhesives, and natural rubber.

           At the Department of Agriculture, the Agriculture Research Service has expanded
           it's research efforts with surplus crops. Scientists are looking for more efficient
           conversion processes for fats, oils, and starch. In addition, the Cooperative
           Extension Service is implementing a three point education program in alternative
           opportunities.

                                                                                              2

           There are several stctes giving special attention to this topic. A few that
           come to mind are Ohi&, Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, and Oregon.   Essentially all
           states are now looking for ways to diversify their agriculture.

           The main thrust of this speech will be on commercialization, which is provid-
           ing a market for a product. Finding ways to   'commercialize U.S. grown products is a
           'prime responsibility of a small group in the office of Grants and Program
           Systems(OGPS), Cooperative State Research Service. Primary methods used are
           demonstration projects that bridge the gap between research results and
           commercialization. The projects are short-term, usually 2-4 years, with
           public/private partnerships established through USDA Cooperative Agreements. The
           demonstration projects are production size projects with real markets that provide
           plant managers with hands on experience. Capitalizing on millions of dollars and
           decades of research and development, projects are designed to build, within the
           private sector, an infrastructure which will initiate and sustain new emerging
           agro-industries.

           But new ideas do not flow.easily from the research bench to the market place.
           Scientific laboratories and libraries are overflowing with alternative techniques
           for producing, processing., and marketing goods and services. While some of these
           techniques are ready for adoption, others are not, and OGPS uses many sources
           of information, both within and outside of government, to determine which crops are
           commercially viable.

           The private sector has a ke y role in the process. People experienced in buying and
           selling goods must identify the market. The government has tried developing markets
           in the past and have generally not done well. The synfuels project is an example of
           one failed attempt. A product champion should also come from the private sector
           i.e., someone who has faith in the potential success of a particular product. The
           probability of developing new outlets must be high and based on good solid analysis,
           but suc-cess of a project most often depends on an individual who strongly believes in
           the product. The private sector should be a major investor in the demonstration
           project. This is generally not limited to one firm, but a group of firms
           representing processing, marketing, equipment manufacturers, etc.

           The philosophy underlying government involvement in demonstration projects
           recognizes that the processing and market sector cannot be expected to have a
           vested interest in U.S. agriculture. A third party is often needed to develop
           mutual interests. Also, studies at the Commerce Department and elsewhere show
           that long-term investment strategies in new enterprises can be encouraged by
           private/public partnerships. The public sector can fill in the following gaps
           for emerging industries:

                    Provides technical expertise through scientists at universities and in
                    USDA agencies

                    Brings production, processing, and marketing sectors together. There
                    is often not enough incentive present in any one sector to start a new
                    domestic industry, but together the incentives are often sufficient.

                    When necessary, provides seed money to begin the project

                    Reduce regulatory roadblocks. Often, it-is easier for government
                    persoznel to obtain clearance from federal, state, and local regulatory
                    bodies that may have rules governing the establishment of any industry.
                    These rules range from environmental restrictions to shipping plant
                    or animal species across state lines.

                                                                                             3

           To -provide more insight into how demonstration projects function, the status and
           plans of the following project are highlighted - GUAYULE, KENAF, CRAMBE /RAPESEED,
           AND HYBRID STRIPED BASSS.

           A twenty-seven-month JOINT GUAYVLE DOMESTIC RUBBER PROJECT between the Department of
           Defense (DoD) and Department of Agriculture was signed in 1986. Under the agreements
           DoD is providing $11.1 million in funding. From this amount, ;1.3 million is
           targeted for shrub maintenance at the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) in Arizona.
           Ground will be broken in 1987 on an $8.3 million prototype plant in Arizona operated
           by The F'irestone Tire & Rubber Company. The goal is to produce about 50 tons of
           rubber for test and evaluation to see if the rubber meet's DoD's standards of
           heat-resistance and durability. A significant point is that DoD has agreed to
           purchase up to 20 percent of its annual tire-rubber requirements if the process
           works.

           USDA will utilize an additional $1.5 million of DoD funds for technical assistance
           and cooperative agreements with universities and others to strengthen R&D efforts and
           explore alternative market opportunities. Within the same time period, the USDA, in
           partnership with the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, will provide an
           additional $5 million for guayule research.

           The KENAF Demonstration Project was initiated in 1986 with a Cooperative Agreement
           between CSRS and Kenaf International. The objective is to demonstrate the economic
           viability of keuaf as a fiber of choice for use in manufacturing newsprint-a
           commodity that we currently import at a cost of $3.0 billion annually. The use of
           this crop will not replace wood chips as the major. raw material source, but in some
           markets there are price and quality advantages, e.g., uses less ink, results in
           whiter paper, and requires less energy for processing. The growing area for kenaf is
           across the southern tier of the U.S.

           Work in 1987 includes commercial paper machine and pressroom runs and
           evaluations which will affirm*acceptance of the kenaf newsprint system from seed
           production to daily newspaper. Large-scale kenaf farming, for newsprint manufacturing
           is not expected until the 1989 or 1990 growing seasons. Until this time, work will
           focus on conversion at existing mills, evaluating a second noncompeting market in the
           felt industry, planting more acreages in selected states, improvement of harvest and
           fiber handling methods, and development of public/private partnerships towards the
           commercialization of kenaf.

           HIGH ERUCIC ACID FROM CRAMBE/WINTER RAPESEED INDUSTRIAL OILS. A planning
           conference was recently held as a cooperative effort sponsored by the USDA,
           Iowa State University, Kansas State University, and the University of Missouri.
           Conclusions provide evidence that current erucic acid oil markets rely on
           foreign sources but that production technology is sufficiently promising that a
           domestic production system can be established.

           Uses of high erucic acid include selected nylon products used in gears, fasteners,
           tubing, and lubricants. For 1987, a strategic plan is being developed for directing
           efforts, with private industry providing input on the most promising markets- to
           explore.

           THE U.S. AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY is growing rapidly. Production in 1985 reached
           535 million pounds and generated over $500 million to producers. The U.S.
           trade deficit in fish and shellfish continues to climb while per capita
           consumption of aquatic foods also continues to climb. In 1985, the net deficit
           for edible fish products was $3 billion. The total U.S. trade deficit in fish
           products, including those used for both edible and industrial needs, was $8.6
           billion.

                                                                                            4

           By the acts passed in 1980 and 1985, Congress encouraged the development of the
           iquaculture industry by authorizing. the establishment of four aquaculture
           research, development, and demonstration centers in*the U.S. in association
           with colleges and universities, State, Departments of Agriculture, Federal
           facilities, and non-profit private research institutions. The Centers are
           located in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Washington. Funding for   FY
           87 is $3.0 million.

           THE HYBRID/STRIPED BASS (HSB) DEMONSTRATION PROJECT is intended to demonstrate'
           the economic viability of HSB farming as a crop alternative for east coast
           farmers and watermen. Midwest production is also a possiblity.

           East coast populations of striped bass have declined and most coastal states
           have prohibited fishing. The seafood industry is seeking alternative sources
           and farmers are seeking production alternatives. Production is intended to
           fill a market'void at a premium price. A small, ongoing research project on the
           eastern shore of Maryland is being expanded to a production level demonstration farm
           for HSB using the expertise.of federal, state, university and private' interests.
           Approximately 30 acres will be involved initially and will produce at. least 60, 000
           pounds of fish on 24 water acres. Production costs are estimated at about
           $1.00-$1.50/lb and gross sales at about $2.25-$2.75/lb. with the current New York
           price for larger striped bass about $4.00. Market areas will be identified, and a
           private marketing firm selected to handle marketing and contribute to market tests.

           In addition to alternative crops USDA is exploring the potential of alternative
           farming methods. One is LOW-INPUT AGRICULTURE. This approach represents a
           counterpoint to technologies that emphasize yield enhancing. The key to this
           approach is the use of technologies that encourage internal generation of nutrients,
           e.g., use of nitrogen fixing species; and pest control that depends more on using
           rotation, spacial diversity, and cover crops. Purchased fertilizers and pesticides
           are still required, but at a reduced level. With lower commodity prices, farmers
           must find ways to reduce input costs and hopefully enhance net returns.

           Some of these approaches are similar to practices more common several decades ago.
           What makes them more feasible now is improved understanding of how the various
           components of a cropping system operate 'and interact. In cooperation with in-house
           USDA agencies, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, the Cooperative Extension
           Service, and several non-profit ins t itutions -such as, Rodale Institute, American
           Farmland Trust, and Rockefeller Brothers' Fund--a program is being developed to
           explore the potential of low-input systems and to monitor the performance of such
           systems in different climatic regions, soil types, and farm sizes.

           Conclusion

           In the overall ctnsideration of the diversity of programs being examined
           from guayule production for natural rubber to exploring the potential of a
           low-input system - A renewed.push on finding alternative opportunities for
           farmers won't solve the current supply/demand imbalance in U.S. agriculture. However,
           it represents a positive, market-oriented response and*the best long-term hope for
           farmers to gain back prosperity.

                                                      jk%.

                                                   STATE OF DELAWARE
                                              DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                      DtVISION OF PRODUCTION AND PROMOTION
                                                        DRAWER 0
         OFFICE OF THE                             DOVER, DEL-AWARE 19903                TELEPHONE: (302) 736 - 4811
           DIRECTOR

                           MEMORANDUM

                           December 16, 1987

                           TO: Dave Woodward r
                           FR: Bill Sammons    r7co
                           RE: Strategies for Tomorrow's Farmer

                           I think we can boil down the Alternatives portion of the
                           program into four areas:
                                .I- Soecialty 2.r New crQos
                                  A. dry beans, sorghum, sunflowers, popcorn, certified
                           seed,   blueberries,     yellow    potatoes,    ethnic vegetables,
                           forestry
                                   Specialty 2r New livestock ventures
                                  A .     crayfish,    catfish,    bass,   buffalo,     rabbits,
                           broilers/roasters,
                                3. Producer processinQ
                                  A .    mushrooms,   potato   chips,   herbs,   jellies, honey
                           blends, pork, beef, lamb, veal, winery, apple sauce, cheeses,
                           butter,
                                4.  Alternative opportunities
                                   A .  custom field work,        grass mowing for highway
                           department,     schools,   industry;    hunting -rights; vacation
                           farms; bed and breakfast;

                           We could easily fill an entire day with these topics.              But
                           since we only have an hour and a half, we'll have to limit
                           the speakers to about 10 minutes each.

                           Please consider these topics just a place to begin discussion
                           on actual topics for the conference .         Input from the county
                           agents, the committee, and others is needed.

                           Let me know how we should proceed with the program.

                                                                                                                                                   .......... ...

                                                                                                                .............
                    Extension Circular 148
                                                                                                                  ............
                                                                        ..............
                    April   1987
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                                                                                                  Delaware Cooperative Extension
                                                                                                  University of Delaware - Delaware State College

                                                                                                  Townsend Hall
                                                                                                  Newark, DE 19717-1303

                                            1987 SUMMARY OF DELAWARE
                                            FARM FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

                                                 Gerald F. Vaughn
                                                    Coordinator
                                        Farm Financial Management Center

                  Annual surveys of Delaware farm operators and farm lenders were conducted to
             determine farm financial conditions as of January 1987. The surveys were funded
             by the State Department of Agriculture. The Delaware Agricultural Statistics
             Service conducted the surveys, and Cooperative Extension is reporting the
             findings.

             * 223 farm operators responded, out of 443 who were sent questionnaires. The
               sample was generally representative of Delaware farmers, except for possible
               under-representation of the largest commercial farm businesses. The following
               findings are based on this sample.

             * Nearly half (47.1 percent) of Delaware farmers have debt outstanding.

             * 30.6 percent of Delaware farm operators with debt have debt/asset ratios
               greater than 40 percent. This is an increase from 20.4 percent in 1986.
               Debt/asset ratio measures farm debt as a percentage of the value of farm
               assets.

                                        Percent of Farmers with Debt by
                                                 Debt/Asset   Ratio

                                                                       Year
                                   Debt/Asset                 1986          1987
                                     Ratio                    Percent of farmers

                                   0-40 %                     79.6          69.4

                                   41-70%                      6.81         24.81
                                   71-100%                     8.5] 20.4     4.81 30.6
                                   Above 100%                  5.1]          1.0]

                  Fewer farmers now have debt/asset ratios      of over 70 percent, suggesting that
             those most highly leveraged have taken steps to reduce debt, either voluntarily
             or as required by their lenders . . .     in some cases leaving farming.

                  However, the sizeable increase in the share of farmers with debt/asset
             ratios of 41-70 percent suggests that financial adjustments are ahead for many
             farmers moving into this position, especially those who have lost equity due to
             falling farm real estate values.

                                           Summary of Farmers'    Actions
                                      to Improve Their Financial Situation

                   Delaware farmers are taking various actions to improve their financial
             situations. The following table shows, based upon the 1986 and 1987 surveys,
             actions that survey respondents reported taking'during the past three years.

                                                                                  1986    1987
                                                                                     Percent

                   Kept Debt to a Minimum                                         63.1    47.1
                   Used Older Equipment as Opposed to Replacing                   58.2    39.5
                   Tightened Management                                           43.4    38.6
                   Adopted Minimum Tillage Methods                                37.7    19.7
                   Reduced Expenses for Repairs/Supplies                          27.0    26.0
                   Reduced Fertilizer Use                                         23.0    27.4
                   Reduced Hired Labor                                            18.9    17.9
                   Reduced Insecticide/Herbicide Use                              18.0    18.8
                   Switched to Different Crops                                    14.8    10.8
                   Taken Off-Farm Employment.(Operator or      Family Member)     13.9    15.7
                   Reduced Crop Acreage                                           12.3    13.5
                   Liquidated Livestock                                            4.1      8.5
                   Sold Land                                                       4.1      4.9
                   Sold Equipment                                                  1.6      6.3
                   Switched to Different Livestock                                 0        3.1
                   Other                                                           5.7      2.2

                More farmers liquidated livestock,     sold land, and/or   sold  equipment  by 1987.
                These actions are taken most reluctantly, since they       reduce a farmer's
                production capacity.

                There was a rise in off-farm employment by farm operators and/or their family
                members.

                In the 1987 survey, only 28.7 percent of the respondents said they haven't
                taken any action. Therefore nearly three-fourths of Delaware farmers are
                feeling the financial squeeze and taking action to cope.

                From the 1987 survey, 34.6 percent of Delaware farmers did not make a profit
                (net cash farm income) in 1986. Even 25 percent of the largest commercial
                farms (sales of $100,000 or more) did     not make a profit. Net cash farm income
                was determined by subtracting the farmer's 1986 estimated cash operating
                expenses from his or her 1986 total gross farm income (including CCC
                forfeitures and government payments). This does not include the costs of
                depreciation, unpaid labor, and interest on farm equity (return on investment),
                which also should be subtracted if return to operator's management and risk is
                to be determined.

                                                                             Other Findings

                    � The state's farm lenders also were surveyed. A few of the smaller lenders who
                       responded in 1986 did not do so in 1987.

                    �  The survey of Delaware's farm lenders revealed 9.65 percent of farm borrowers
                       are expected to be unable to qualify for financing in 1987 . . . up from 6.2
                       percent in 1986.

                       Of those borrowers who do not qualify for continued financing, 38.0 percent
                       lack sufficient equity to borrow money compared to 18.4 percent in 1986.

                       In the 1987 survey, 71.9 percent of those who had increased debt did so to
                       refinance long-term debt or cover operating losses . . . possible signs of
                       financial stress. This compared to 52.3 percent a year earlier.

                       24.6 percent of farm borrowers had decreased their debt, compared to 17.6
                       percent a year earlier.

                       29.0 percent of farm borrowers used off-farm income to decrease debt, compared
                       to 6.8 percent a year earlier.

                       The causes and effects of farm financial difficulties, and state government
                       policy alternatives, were discussed in an in-depth report titled DELAWARE FARM
                       FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND PUBLIC POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE GOVERNMENT,
                       Extension Bulletin 144, April 1986, by Gerald F. Vaughn. Copies can be
                       obtained from county Extension offices or the State Department of Agriculture.

                                                                          ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

                            Much appreciation is expressed to farmers and lenders who responded to the
                    surveys and to those personnel of the State Department of Agriculture, Delaware
                    Agricultural Statistics Service, and University of Delaware, and others who
                    contributed to the surveys and this report in any way. Without your help, the
                    report would not have been possible.

                    Cooperative Extension Education in Agriculture and Home Economics, University of Delaware, Delaware State College and the United States
                    Department of Agriculture cooperating. Richard E. Fowler, Director. Distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of March 8 and June 30,
                    1914. It isthe policy of the Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race,
                    color, sex, handicap, age or national origin.

                  PROPOSAL:

                  To establish a Center for Alternative Agriculture within
                  the Commodity Development Section, Delaware Department
                  of Agriculture.

                  OBJECTIVE:

                  To explore options for innovativ-e farm enterprise develo pment
                  in Delaware. To direct targen-W-.financial assistance for
                  alternative agricultural ventto6a.."

                  PRECEDURES:

                  Professional staff would-assist in research and implementation
                  of new approaches to marketing, input-reducing production
                  systems, production of new or non-traditional crops, livestock,
                  food and forest products.

                  Staff would consist of professionals in agricultural, forest
                  and food business areas. Services would range from feasibility
                  studies to detailed market analysis and assistance in product
                  development.

                  Special target areas of assistance would include:

                       1. Diversification. Assisting producers in finding new
                  or non-traditional crops or livestock opportunities.

                       2. Producer Processing. Exploring options for adding
                  value to raw farm products at the producer level. Also
                  includes finding new uses for existing commodities.

                       3.. Exports. Expanding current program to encourage
                  exploitation of the International marketplace by Delaware
                  producers and processors.

                       4. Young farmers. Providing research, financial backing
                  and other resources for young farmers wishing to begin farming
                  in Delaware.

                       S. Irrigation. Provide a sum of money to be used for
                  low interest financing of irrigation systems, well drilling,
                  etc.

                                                                                  3

                                  PART III - Certifications

                   3 DEL C.,'Section 1216 requires that any person purchasing
              or using a restricted use pesticide must be certified by the
              Department. Upon passing a written examination and payment of a
              $10.00/year fee (for commercial applicators only), the Department
              will issue a pesticide applicator certification card. Revenues
              from certification fees were $8,124 in FY87. There are
              currently 891 commercial and 1,782 private applicators certified
              in Delaware.

                   New procedures for the examination of applicators have been
              proposed in a draft regulation. These changes have been
              recommended to utilize our manpower more efficiently.

                   Recertification training credits have been awarded to 71
              workshops, seminars and classes. The Pesticide Section has
              attended many of these seminars and has presented regulatory
              updates for the audiences. .

                   A National certification program review by EPA has
              identified Delaware as one of the states needing major changes to
              its program. With our limited resources it may be difficult to
              completely satisfy EPA's expectations, but every effort will be
              made to do so.

                                 PART III - Use Enforcement

                   The objective of the Pesticide Enforcement program is to
              encourage the proper and safe use of pesticides and to minimize
              the adverse effects of these products on humans and the
              environment. While the primary goal continues toward voluntary
              compliance, the importance of effective enforcement is understood
              and continues to be an integral part of the entire program.

                   A priority setting process is in place which helps in.
              identifying problem areas of pesticide use/misuse within the
              State. From this process, the Section has been able to target
              its limited resources and activities to those areas which pose
              significant risk to health and/or the environment. The process
              has disclosed that 52% of the documented incidents are home/yard
              related and 48% are related to agricultural use.

                   The Section has met or exceeded all of its projected
              commitments for inspections and sampling under the EPA
              Cooperative Enforcement Agreement. These accomplishments were as
              follows:

                     Activity                                   FY87 Accomplishments

                     Producer Est.                                         3
                          Samples                                          2
                     Ag Use/Misuse                                        30
                          Samples                                         20
                     Non-Ag Use/Misuse                                    40
                          Samples                                         30
                     Marketplace*                                         120
                          Samples                                         10
                     Experimental  Use Permits                             2
                     Applicator Licensing                                 60
                     Dealer/Applicator Records                            50

                     *Includes only EPA Market  place Inspections

                     The following actions were taken in connection with the
               enforcement of the statute and represent a 376% increase      over
               FY86:

                     Administrative Hearings                               3
                     Field Notices                                        25
                     Notices of Warning                                   12
                     Suspension                                            1
                     Stop Sale Orders                                     31
                     Civil Fines                                           3
                     Criminal Penalties                                    2
                     FORWARDED TO REGION                                   2

                                                     Total                79

                     The.Section has established guidelines for penalty
               assessments and also has an enforcement response policy to help
               insure that actions taken are consistent and unbiased. The
               Attorney GeneraPs Office has reviewed and supports our policy.

                     Laboratory support for the program has improved
               tremendously. There is a concern that with the resignation of
               the residue chemist we may have difficulty in getting residue
               analyses completed. Efficient and accurate laboratory analyses
               are critical to the success and credibility of the program.

                                             Statistics

               Registrations

               Products Registered                                     7,162
               Registrants                                               743
               Special Local Need Registrations                           46
               Emergency Exemptions                                       I
               Revenues                                              107,425

                Licenses

                Companies Licensed                                         248
                     .Ag-Plant                                              47
                     Structural Pest                                       125
                     Ornamental and Turf                                    86
                     Other                                                  63
                Revenues                                                 61435

                Certification

                Total Commercial                                           891
                     Ag-Plant                                              222
                     Ag-Animal                                                6
                     Forest                                                 45
                     Ornamental and Turf                                   366
                     Seed Treatment                                         16
                     Aquatic                                                27
                     Right-of-Way                                           99
                     Structural/Termite                                    322
                     Fumigation                                             63
                     Public Health                                          46
                     Regulatory                                             10
                     Demonstration and Research                             95
                     Other                                                  77
                Private Applicators                                      1,782
                Training Courses Approved                                   71
                Revenues                                                 8,142

                                Total Revenues (approx.)

                                                                                                                                    NOAA COASTAL SERIICES CTR U.11ARY

                                                                                                                                    3 6668 14111431 6