Delaware Farmers Tell Lawmakers About Financial Struggles at County Meetings

Agricultural producers met with state legislators in New Castle and Kent counties to discuss mounting challenges including dramatic property tax increases and shrinking profit margins. Many farmers expressed uncertainty about their ability to continue operations in Delaware due to financial pressures.

Agricultural producers gathered with state lawmakers on February 27 and March 9 during legislative breakfast meetings hosted by the New Castle County and Kent County Farm Bureaus. At these sessions, farming community members discussed their experiences with recent property tax reassessments, declining profit margins, and growing development pressure.

The legislative breakfast meetings provide a platform for Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) members and elected officials to have direct discussions about agricultural challenges while also recognizing lawmakers for their ongoing support of farming interests.

A recurring topic during both gatherings centered on farmers’ financial difficulties in supporting their families. While they remain passionate about agriculture and want to continue their operations, many expressed uncertainty about the long-term viability of farming in Delaware.

DEFB President Bill Powers discussed the recent property reassessment’s complicated impact. While some property owners received tax reductions, others faced such severe increases that they’re contemplating selling their farms. Powers stressed the importance of supporting agriculture, Delaware’s leading industry, and voiced DEFB’s backing for Senate Bill 35, which would establish fair taxation for farm production structures instead of treating them like residential properties.

Multiple farmers provided personal testimonies about dramatic tax hikes. At the New Castle County Farm Bureau breakfast, Matt Linton from Highland Orchards in Wilmington described how his small farm parcel’s tax obligation jumped to almost $35,000. He explained they had to retain legal counsel to challenge the unaffordable assessment, creating additional expenses while operating with narrow profit margins.

Tom Puglisi from Puglisi Egg Farms in Middletown reported his property’s reassessed value exceeded the previous amount by more than twelve times. After following the official appeal procedures, he stated that Tyler Technologies and New Castle County repeatedly dismissed their concerns. Puglisi mentioned that he, along with many others, devoted substantial resources to fighting the reassessment and continues awaiting resolution.

Jay Baxter and fellow farmers discussed the challenges of staying profitable while input costs keep climbing. They described how agricultural producers typically buy supplies at retail prices but sell products at wholesale rates, making family support difficult. Baxter urged other farmers to tell their stories and communicate with neighbors and legislators about agricultural life.

Direct-to-consumer agricultural producers also addressed regulatory challenges. One local intensive agriculture farm operator explained being subject to the same requirements as much larger operations. This situation creates substantial obstacles when hiring assistance, especially H-2A workers.