The Delmarva Poultry Industry partnered with Jenell Eck of Maryland Grain Producers to tell this story of how #chickensteppedup.

Commerce on much of the Delmarva Peninsula shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic this March. Yet farmers kept working as the busiest time of their year drew closer. Grain farmers continued to prepare the fields for spring planting and poultry farmers continued to raise broilers as cookout season loomed.

As the pandemic’s effects hit store shelves, consumers began to be concerned about where their food was coming from and whether it would still be supplied. Reassuringly, family farmers here on Delmarva grow the grain that feeds our family-raised broilers, which are processed at 10 plants in Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Those plans represent more than 20,000 jobs for our area, and the same birds fed Delmarva-raised grain on Delmarva farms which are sold right here in your local grocery store.

In the poultry industry, biosecurity has always been a top priority to protect chicken flocks from avian diseases present in geese, ducks, and other wild birds. To prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers were cautious about visitors on the farm, purchased extra supplies to keep their operations moving, and limited outside travel. Georgie Cartanza, a University of Delaware Cooperative Extension agent helping poultry growers, and a chicken grower herself, purchased extra fuel for the farm generator and supplies for the warm weather that would soon approach.

Through Georgie’s Extension role, she was available to growers by call, email, and video chat. Unable to visit farms, FaceTime and other video calls allowed Georgie to help a farmer diagnose flock illnesses and demonstrate key skills. Furthermore, Georgie has worked with the University of Maryland Extension agents Jon Moyle and Jenny Rhodes to host “Chicken Chat” for growers across the peninsula. This weekly Zoom call allowed growers a space for discussion and resources during the pandemic, even though in-person meetings weren’t possible. If you are interested in participating, register here; the series will continue for a few more weeks.

To keep people’s spirits high and keep her mind occupied, Georgie shared lighthearted home videos on Facebook with her ag-centric audience. These videos reached more than 10,000 people and are a joy to watch. A few must watches are “Poopology,” “Eggs,” and “Chicken King.”

The Delmarva Poultry Industry partnered with Jenell Eck of Maryland Grain Producers to tell this story of how #chickensteppedup.

Scott Kirk delivers organic poultry feed across Delmarva to farmers raising chickens for Coleman Natural Foods every day. The Kirk family also raises roaster broiler chickens in two houses that Scott’s wife, Sarah, takes care of, but Scott hauls feed to have additional income. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Scott had been busier than normal ensuring broilers — chickens raised for meat, as opposed to the layer chickens raised for their eggs — had an uninterrupted supply of feed.

In the middle of April, Scott began feeling run down; he assumed he was suffering from seasonal allergies. He continued to work hauling feed to Delmarva’s chickens, and with such an isolated job, alone in the cab of his truck, Scott felt comfortable continuing to work every day.

On April 12, Scott came down with what he thought were sinus infection symptoms, and he began to run a high fever. Days later, Sarah dropped him off at the hospital doors to be tested for COVID-19. She waited anxiously in the parking lot as visitors were not permitted. The news they hoped not to hear came back: Scott had tested positive for COVID-19.

Sarah and the family’s four children began to quarantine themselves. Scott spent five days in the hospital on oxygen; he was also diagnosed with pneumonia. Upon leaving the hospital, Scott self-quarantined for nearly two weeks. He enjoyed his family, outdoor sunshine, and relaxation to heal while keeping others safe.

And what about the feed truck route? A neighbor and family friend, Harlan Good, offered to haul feed for him. Harlan, also a poultry grower, expressed interest earlier this year about hauling feed, and he was able to obtain the needed license to do so. The Kirk family feels beyond blessed for Harlan stepping up and helping during Scott’s recovery.

The Kirk kids would check on their dad through video calls while he was at the hospital to keep everyone’s spirits up and helped their mom out on the farm. When Scott was quarantined at home after being discharged, the family took advantage of his presence for extra quality time. Everyone practiced social distancing, wore masks, and washed their hands regularly. Scott would sit away from his family inside and outside and enjoy quality time with his loved ones. Keeping the four children upbeat during this time was important, especially while continuing school from home.

Since being diagnosed, Scott has felt like a celebrity for having survived a coronavirus infection. Scott and his family thanked everyone who reached out to check and pray for them. They were offered more help than they could have ever imagined and feel appreciated and loved by many. After 19 years of marriage and a COVID-19 scare behind them, this family – one of the thousands in Delmarva’s chicken community – is ready for all life continues to have in store.

Queenstown, Maryland (June 17, 2020) – The 2020 Maryland Commodity Classic, held annually on the fourth Thursday of July, will be streamed online via zoom. We invite members, agribusinesses, researchers, farmers, stakeholders, and others to join our annual event on July 23rd.

We plan to have pesticide research presentations, updates from our national partners, and a question and answer session with Drew Haines. From Middletown, Maryland Drew has been recognized nationally for the Corn Yield Contest, particularly in the no-till, non-irrigated division. We will be featuring our 2020 Scholarship Recipients and Dr. Miller Awardee. Information on the finalized schedule with registration will be available soon. If you do not currently receive email automated messages from the Maryland Grain Producers, please email jenell.mdag@gmail.com, to be added and updated on our virtual event.

Evan Miles, President of Maryland Grain Producers Association said, “keeping the farmers who produce the food, fuel, and fiber for the country safe and healthy during this time is critical.”

We look forward to having you join our event from the comfort of your home, tractor, or office.

Queenstown, Maryland (June 9, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addresses a key order to provide farmers clarify following the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ June 3rd vacatur of three dicamba registrations. This order address sale, distribution, and use of existing stocks of the three products (XtendiMax with vapor grip technology, Engenia, and FeXapan).

1. Distribution or sale by any person is generally prohibited except for ensuring proper disposal or return to the registrant.
2. Growers and commercial applicators may use existing stocks that were in their possession on June 3, 2020. Such use must be consistent with the product’s previously-approved label, and may not continue after July 31, 2020.

Background Information

On June 3rd, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order vacating EPA’s pesticide registrations containing the active ingredient dicamba.

• Xtendimax with Vaporgrip Technology (EPA Reg. No. 524-617)
• Engenia (EPA Reg. No. 7969-345)
• FeXapan (EPA Reg. No. 352-913)

Information gathered from EPA’s most recent press release, can be found here.
To stay up-to-date with this ongoing order, click here.
Read EPA’ order here.

Queenstown, Maryland (May 20, 2020) – The Maryland Grain Producers is inviting visitors to explore their new website. The updated website allows consumers and farmers to learn more about Maryland’s grain industry and stay up-to-date on current issues.

The website is compatible with all devices including your computer, tablet, and smartphone, and can be accessed here. Spotlighted features include:

• Strong Menu Bar to find specific resources and topics.
• Topic Information important to Maryland Grain Farmers.
• Farmer Resources including grain bids and membership benefits.
• Updated News from our latest newsletter and press releases.
• Policy Updates to keep members and visitors informed during legislative session.
• Grower Investments showcasing grants for market development, research, and education.

“The goal of the association is to educate legislators and consumers and keep our farmers up-to-date. With this new website, we can do just that,” said Maryland Grain Producers Association President, Evan Miles.

We hope you enjoy!

Queenstown, Maryland (May 8, 2020) – Yesterday, Governor Hogan vetoed Senate Bill 300 which would have legislatively banned the use of Chlorpyrifos in Maryland. This would have been the first agricultural pesticide banned by the Maryland General Assembly. The Maryland Department of Agriculture filed regulations in February to phase out the use of Chlorpyrifos. This was a request from agricultural organizations including DE-MD Agribusiness Association, Delmarva Poultry Industry, Maryland Farm Bureau and Maryland Grain Producers, in order to avoid setting a precedent of the Maryland legislature banning pesticides.

Maryland’s agricultural coalition joined together requesting that Governor Hogan veto this legislation in order to maintain the statutory, science based, framework in place for pesticide regulation. In his veto letter, Hogan states, “Following discussions earlier this year with agricultural leaders, farmers, and legislators, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) crafted reasonable and responsible regulations to phase out all use of Chlorpyrifos by 2021. This regulatory action is in the best interest of the agriculture industry and the environment…Because of this regulatory action which has already occurred, Senate Bill 300 has been rendered moot.”

Governor Hogan joins other Governors across the country in vetoing legislative bans on Chlorpyrifos. Most recently, Washington state’s Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Governor Cuomo (D-NY) of New York also vetoed pesticide ban legislation. Governor Cuomo (D-NY) summed up the reasoning well in his veto letter stating, “legislatively banning pesticides substitutes the legislature’s judgment for the expertise of chemists, health experts, and other subject matter experts in this field.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviews hundreds, if not thousands, of scientific studies when considering approval of pesticide products. This is not a process that is feasible in a 90-day legislative session. While advocates of Senate Bill 300 argue that the regulatory route puts MDA in charge of banning chlorpyrifos and they’re not equipped to do so; the fact is that MDA would be responsible for promulgating regulations to implement and enforce Senate Bill 300 and are more than equipped to do so through delegated regulatory authority from EPA.

Maryland agriculture would like thank Governor Hogan for vetoing this legislation in order to maintain the robust regulatory process in place to safely and effectively govern pesticides.

###

• Maryland Grain Producers
• Delaware Maryland Agribusiness Association
• Maryland Farm Bureau
• Delmarva Poultry Industry