The Delmarva Farmer

12/17/2025

🌱 Despite recent price pressure and planting challenges, Randy Everett of Old Hickory Farms in Sussex County, Va., remains optimistic about cotton’s future. A sixth-generation farmer, Everett says strong crop rotation, cooperative marketing and trade policy improvements could help the cotton market rebound.

“Cotton is probably my favorite crop to grow,” he said.

STONY CREEK, Va. — Along State Road 619 that divides land at Old Hickory Farms, the soil splits as well. Farms to the east of 619 grow cotton and peanuts. Farms to the west of are better suited for to***co, soybeans, corn and wheat, according to six-generation farmer, Randy Everett. “The soil d...

12/17/2025

📣 Kevin Anderson has been appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 38A on the Lower Eastern Shore. Governor Wes Moore tapped the Somerset County farmer and seed business owner to fill the seat left vacant by the late Charles J. Otto. Anderson brings deep agricultural roots and leadership experience from running Wimberly Farms, Inc. and serving on statewide farm boards.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A farmer will continue to represent the Lower Eastern Shore in the Maryland House of Delegates. Gov. Wes Moore announced on Nov. 25 the appointment of Howard “Kevin” Anderson to fill the Maryland District 38A House of Delegates seat previously held by the late Charles J. Otto,...

12/16/2025

🌱 The Trump administration has announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program aimed at helping farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity.

Administered by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the program combines EQIP and CSP funding into a single, streamlined application designed to reduce red tape and support both beginning and experienced producers interested in whole-farm regenerative practices.

WASHINGTON — The Trump Administration announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply. “In order to continue to...

12/16/2025

🐂 More than an auction, Hokie Harvest is a hands-on classroom. Virginia Tech students raised a record $328,500 at this year’s student-run livestock sale, with proceeds reinvested in the School of Animal Sciences for teaching, research and herd improvements.

Now in its 31st year, the course gives students real-world experience in marketing, logistics and the business of animal agriculture.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — The auctioneer’s chant filled the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena as more than 100 buyers packed the stands, eyes fixed on video screens showing cattle up for bid. Students scanned the crowd, signaling offers and recording sales. Behind the scenes, classmates tracked online bids ...

12/15/2025

🌾 Maryland Farm Bureau delegates updated policy on land use, solar development, transmission lines and property rights during the organization’s annual convention in Cambridge.

Among the changes: opposition to transmission lines crossing agritourism operations, a proposed cap on utility-scale solar in Priority Preservation Areas, and expanded policy addressing artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and food systems.

CAMBRIDGE, Md. — Keeping with current events in the state affecting landowners, Maryland Farm Bureau revised its stance related to solar energy production, transmission lines and property rights among several other policy areas during its annual convention last week. In separate resolutions, deleg...

12/15/2025

Join us for a day filled with exploration into the technologies transforming the agriculture sector. Gain insights into upcoming innovations and their real-world applications in enhancing productivity and profitability. Learn more and register to participate in the 2026 Precision Agriculture Technology Conference on February 26 in Annapolis, Md. at https://extension.umd.edu/programs/agriculture-food-systems/program-areas/row-crop-forage-production/maryland-grain/precision-agriculture/2026-precision-agriculture-technology-conference/.

12/15/2025

🐑 What happens to internal parasites when winter sets in? In her latest Shepherd’s Notebook column, University of Maryland Extension sheep and goat specialist Susan Schoenian explains how worms survive cold weather through hypobiosis — and why those “sleeping” larvae can still create major parasite pressure when spring arrives.

It’s a timely reminder that winter doesn’t mean worms are gone — just waiting.

(Editor’s notebook: By Susan Schoenian is a sheep and goat specialist, Emeritus, with the University of Maryland.) Ever wonder what happens to worms in the winter? Depending on the climate, most of them undergo a period of hypobiosis or arrested development, as environmental conditions are not con...

12/14/2025

🤖 From science fiction to the farm field, artificial intelligence is already reshaping agriculture. In his latest The Vegetable Grower column, retired UD Cooperative Extension specialist Gordon Johnson revisits AI’s role in the produce industry — from automation and robotics to the ethical and economic questions growers will have to face.

“Produce growers will need to learn how to use AI on the farm,” Johnson writes. “Most food will be produced and marketed using AI.”

(Editor’s note: Gordon Johnson is a retired vegetable and fruit specialist with the University of Delaware.) I have been a fan of science fiction my whole life. In science fiction, the future is predicted using what we know of current advances in science as well as theories of what might be. Those...

12/14/2025

🌾 Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed Katie K. Frazier as Virginia’s next Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Frazier, a Rockingham County native, brings more than 20 years of experience advocating for agriculture, forestry and rural communities and will begin the role Jan. 17.

RICHMOND, Va. — Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3, the appointment of Katie K. Frazier to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “Agriculture is the number-one private industry in Virginia. Our Commonwealth deserves dedicated leadership that ...

12/08/2025

🥕 At the Historic Lewes Farmers Market in Lewes, Del., local farmers are helping feed neighbors in need through two programs: a gleaning effort that donates fresh produce to Casa San Francisco, and a Food Pantry Purchase Program that buys food directly from market vendors for the Epworth Food Pantry.

“We want to help feed people,” executive director Ellie Shue said. “And we want to support our farmers by purchasing food through our FPPP.”

LEWES, Del. — Local farmers and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market work together to provide produce and other food products to help feed people in need in Delaware. “We have two programs where we help provide food to local organizations,” said Ellie Shue, executive director of the Historic Lewe...

12/08/2025

We’re always looking for your best photos to submit for what is now the 2025 Photo Contest. Show everyone what is going on this time of the year in your neck of the woods.

Send in a favorite that show farm life — YOUR farm’s life — whether it’s still life, with kids or grandkids, equipment, produce and livestock or pets.

Hurry and squeeze in your entry now so we can share it with our readers! Just e-mail a favorite to [email protected] with “2025 PHOTO CONTEST” in the subject line.

12/06/2025

🥘 Thanksgiving may be over, but the fun’s just begun. In her latest Food for Thought column, Ocean City food writer Deborah Walker shares creative — and delicious — ways to turn leftover turkey, cranberries, sweet potatoes, pies and more into brand-new dishes your family will love.

(Editor’s note: Deborah Walker is the author of “An Eastern Shore Special: Recipes from the Heart.” She has written about food and recipes for 15 years. She resides in Ocean City, Md.) Thanksgiving is notorious for its fantastic feast. Heirloom recipes are pasted down to keep tradition alive. ...