Rep. McBride Holds First-Ever Delaware Agriculture Summit in Harrington

Congresswoman Sarah McBride brought together 75 Delaware agricultural leaders in Harrington on February 19 to discuss the overdue Farm Bill and mounting challenges facing local farmers. The roundtable discussion covered rising input costs, labor shortages, and financial pressures that have led to a 45% increase in farm bankruptcies nationwide.

HARRINGTON, Del. — Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride organized her first-ever Agriculture Summit on February 19, gathering 75 of the state’s farming community members, industry experts, researchers, policymakers and community partners in Harrington for discussions about Farm Bill renewal, agricultural economics and supporting Delaware’s next generation of farmers.

Delaware Agriculture Secretary Donald Clifton delivered opening remarks, painting a concerning picture of the industry’s current state: “The state of agriculture nationally is tenuous. Bankruptcies are up 45 percent. Chronic overproduction is a problem. The cost-price squeeze and effect of tariffs has disrupted the grain market. USDA has a $12 billion assistance package for farmers to mitigate that disruption, but it’s always too little too late. Farmers must adjust or go out of business.”

Kent County Farm Bureau President Jim Minner referenced the December announcement of bridge funding designed to assist farmers until benefits from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act become available, expressing frustration about implementation delays.

“There’s still no plan on how to implement or distribute the money. If you’ve got $12 billion sitting out there, you ought to have a plan,” he said.

USDA Farm Service Agency representative Maryann Reed assured attendees that bridge program details are “coming fast and furious,” adding, “We anticipate money will be in farmers’ accounts in less than One month.”

Secretary Clifton warned about discussions of a “Farm Bill lite” instead of comprehensive legislation. “Renewal of the 2018 Farm Bill is three years late,” Clifton said. “It requires a bipartisan approach. If it becomes partisan, nothing gets done,” he warned.

McBride expressed cautious optimism about bipartisan Farm Bill progress and asked participants directly: “As we work on reauthorizing a Farm Bill, what should I be fighting for, and what makes the biggest difference to Delaware?”

Delaware Farm Bureau President Bill Powers explained the bill’s structure: “The Farm Bill is 80-percent nutrition; 20-percent major crops. Of the 80 percent, 19 percent goes to farmers. If you cut that, you cut specialty crops and protein.”

Powers drew historical parallels, stating, “Things are as bad now as 100 years ago when high tariffs pushed us into depression.”

When McBride inquired about E15 ethanol provisions, Powers responded affirmatively: “Yes, we need your help. E15 eats up a lot of corn. There’s a worldwide glut of corn and wheat. Soon we’ll be trading soy meal, not beans, and we’ll have to use them domestically.”

Staffing shortages emerged as another critical issue. Former Delaware Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee highlighted inspection delays at the Port of Wilmington and within the poultry sector.

“Product can’t move until it is inspected,” he said.

New Castle County Conservation District Coordinator Kevin Donnelly described personnel turnover challenges that hinder relationship-building with farmers. He noted the age gap between typically older farmers and younger staff members, along with widespread competition for qualified employees.

Rising input costs dominated much of the discussion. When McBride asked about primary financial challenges, Minner explained the cost squeeze facing producers.

“When we have a good year, input prices go up. When income falls, prices stay up. Input costs are the single largest factor that we have no control over, especially smaller operators. It’s a matter of scale and leverage. Prices need to fluctuate with the markets.”

Sheep farmer Steve Breeding suggested regulatory changes to reduce costs, while FSA’s Reed identified fertilizer, seed and insurance as immediate profitability threats.

Multigenerational farmer Dave Marvel highlighted farmers’ lack of price control: “Suppliers set prices on inputs; buyers set prices on grains — not farmers in either case. We need to address that.”

Powers shared a revealing exchange from a fertilizer industry meeting where he asked when prices would decrease, receiving the response: “When you can’t pay for it.”

Secretary Clifton addressed market concentration concerns: “Fertilizer is a $64 billion market in the United States, and there are five major players. It’s easier to collude with five than 20.” He noted reduced antitrust enforcement efforts.

McBride characterized the situation bluntly: “My colleagues are frustrated the Farm Bill does not address monopolies. The reality is, monopolization means that they can essentially extort small farmers.”

Insurance challenges particularly affect poultry operations. Delmarva Chicken Association Agricultural Conservation Specialist Liz Warren explained coverage difficulties for older facilities.

“Some companies are no longer covering houses more than 20 years old, and if you can find one that will, the cost is through the roof. Here on Delmarva, about half of our farms have houses over 21 years old. We know all input costs have gone up, but then to have that insurance piece go up or the threat of not being able to continue production without insurance is really hitting our heart.”

Horizon Farm Credit Agricultural Relationship Manager Ben Somers raised avian influenza concerns, noting that neighboring farms suffer economically without receiving disaster assistance when nearby operations are affected.

“Having resources for all those affected is important,” he explained.

Labor issues featured prominently, with particular focus on H2A and H2B worker programs. Breeding estimated significant illegal participation rates and enforcement concerns.

Fourth-generation farmer Jay Baxter described paying employees more than his own income “because they are worth it. They are supporting families.”

Marvel reflected on changing workforce dynamics: “Farming is a tough job. You’ve got to love it to do it. Many family members work off the farm to support the farm. Most people don’t have an appetite for this hard work. Ag-related jobs pay more than actual farming. We’re telling our kids to look elsewhere.”

Minner advocated for expanded vocational training: “There needs to be a federal push on trades. Years ago, a lot of kids could take a tractor apart and put it back together at age 12. That’s gone now, unless they’ve learned at home.”

Smyrna farmer Andrea Haritos, who operates 70 acres, described barriers facing new farmers: “The barrier to entry has never been higher. You can spend a million dollars on a farm and earn the equivalent of a part-time income.” She emphasized the need for consumer behavior changes to support smaller operations.

Kee mentioned a young farmer lending program offering $500,000 at zero percent interest for 30 years, which has assisted 25 to 30 farmers since 2012. Clifton noted the program’s connection to farmland preservation efforts and suggested potential expansion.

Mental health concerns were raised by Breeding, who urged McBride: “Without the farmer, there is no farm. A healthy farmer means a better farm and that brings more profit.”

Technology discussions revealed mixed perspectives. Marvel questioned whether all technological advances increase per-acre productivity, while Baxter expressed concerns about data ownership and cloud storage requirements.

Carvel Research and Education Center Director James Adkins in Georgetown identified information processing challenges: “We’ve made unprecedented gains in information, but there’s a bottleneck in how to turn that information into a decision that turns a profit. The problem is that information gets out before it’s been peer-reviewed.”

He cited drones and biologicals as examples of technologies outpacing proper evaluation and regulation.

Baxter concluded with an inflation perspective, sharing a personal example: “Inflation. It is destroying all industries large and small and crippling agriculture.” He described recently selling corn at $5.05 per bushel while paying $23 for a Dairy Queen meal that cost $7.50 twenty years ago when corn also sold for $5.

University of Delaware Extension Specialist Mark VanGessel emphasized agriculture’s national security importance: “It’s a matter of national security, and we totally take it for granted,” referring to USDA goals of maintaining an efficient, safe and affordable food supply.