Murderkill River corridor report : Phase II

[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

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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.

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

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

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.

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,

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.

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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

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.

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

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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.

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

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.

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

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.

------- 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

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.

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-

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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

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

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.

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

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
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reference concerning thi
Plot is
Vo
1L 4 Pja a
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

140,

oil
0
J, 0,

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-

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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-

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.

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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STOP14 AND
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ing Stre,
W. -XXS Manag 00
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DEIAWAX,
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'A 1-11 P,-

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.

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.

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-

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.

'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.

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,

@;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

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.

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

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@

(@ 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@@@

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-

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,

-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.

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.

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.

Poult
Y

@,ff - Olf
7
A

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.

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-

@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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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