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GOP weekly message puts focus on future of First State agriculture

Republicans are touting the value of Delaware’s agricultural industry in their weekly message.

 

Farming is the First State’s top moneymaker, with $1.3 billion in annual sales, but those plowing the fields are getting older.

 

Rep. Dave Wilson, a member of the capital budget committee, says more money needs to be invested in the state’s Young Farmer program to keep the industry upright.

 

That initiative allows those under 41-years-old to get long-term, no interest loans to buy their own farmland – something that was set to be cut this year before Republicans threatened to torpedo the budget.

 

“Farming is essential to our state and it needs fresh recruits. More needs to be done convince our youths that farming is a viable career path," said Wilson. "Fully funding the Young Farmers Program is a step in the right direction.”

 

Lawmakers eventually earmarked $600,000 for the program, down from $1.8 million two years ago.

 

http://youtu.be/8rdW0OKzOU0

 

Full text of GOP weekly message:

 

I’m State Representative Dave Wilson speaking to you from the Delaware State Fairgrounds.

Farming is our state’s top industry, generating 1.3 billion dollars in annual sales and employing tens-of-thousands of Delawareans.

But agriculture is changing.

A hundred years ago, about 27 percent of Americans lived on 6.4 million farms.

Today, the number of farms in the U.S. has fallen by more than two-thirds and the farm population continues to shrink. Currently, only about one-percent of Americans are actively engaged in farming and those farmers are quickly getting older.

Over the last 30 years, the average age of American farmers rose from 51-years-old in 1985 to more than 58 today.   According to the most recent federal data, the average Delaware farmer exceeds that age.

We are not without kids interested in farming.  Hundreds competed at the state fair in livestock and other contests, but most of these kids will not become farmers.

A state program started three years ago can help turn the tide.  The Young Farmers Program helps people under the age of 41 to acquire farmland through long-term, no-interest loans, while also preserving the acreage.

However, this program has been repeatedly shortchanged because its dedicated funds have often been taken for other uses.  In fact, budget writers were not going to provide any money for the program this year. House and Senate Republicans successfully fought to get partial funding restored.

To prevent future raiding of the Young Farmer funds, I am sponsoring legislation to protect the money.

Farming is essential to our state and it needs fresh recruits.  More needs to be done convince our youths that farming is a viable career path.  Fully funding the Young Farmers Program is a step in the right direction.