Maryland (December 17, 2020) – The Maryland Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) Advisory Committee met Monday, December 14, 2020, to discuss the possibility of a one-year delay in full implementation scheduled for July of 2021. Ultimately, the committee voted 11-3 not to recommend a one-year delay before full-implementation of the PMT. Although Delmarva Chicken Association (DCA), Maryland Farm Bureau (MFB), and Maryland Grain Producers (MGPA) may have been on different sides of the issue as members of the PMT Advisory Committee; we are very much united in continuing to work towards solutions to ensure a smooth transition to the PMT for our members.

Maryland Farm Bureau has policy supporting the delay of full implementation of the PMT until the science behind the tool is validated. The PMT Advisory Committee was informed that the University of Maryland is conducting this field-level PMT research to be completed over 5 years. Understanding that the regulations do not allow for a delay of that tenure, DCA, MFB, and MGPA are committed to working with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to ensure that programs and resources are in place to assist farmers with efficiently and effectively implementing the PMT.

Each organization has communicated with the PMT Advisory Committee and MDA about programs and resources needed. We collectively request that MDA implement and report out the following working toward full implementation of the PMT in July:

• Allow manure storage structures on non-poultry producing farms to be eligible for the Maryland Agricultural Cost Share (MACS). These structures would allow end-users to receive and store litter throughout the year to avoid the logjam of transport need in the spring.
• Maintain funding for the Manure Transport Program and increase the mileage cap to allow farmers in central and southern Maryland to utilize the program.
• Expand the Income Tax Subtraction Modification for Conservation Equipment to manure hauling (trucks and trailers) and spreading equipment.
• Move forward with regional aggregation sites for poultry litter including Maryland Environmental Service sites and others. Ensure farmers will not be charged a tipping fee to send litter.
• Continue to work closely with the University of Maryland and commodity groups to identify farmers throughout the state who can utilize and are interested in purchasing poultry litter as fertilizer.
• Work to collect 2021 soils data as required by the PMT as soon as possible to validate acres available for manure application.
• Validate that fertilizer distributors on the lower eastern shore have adequate storage, delivery, and application capacity to accommodate the increase in the commercial Nitrogen need as farmers transition from poultry litter as their nutrient source.
• Continue efforts to explore transporting litter by railroad.
• Convene the PMT advisory committee at-least bi-annually to offer updates and receive feedback on implementation.

Maryland farms and agribusinesses are leaders in conservation and environmental stewardship, consistently adopting new methods, inputs, and equipment to aid in those efforts. However, being ahead of the curve in this manner means that as our members are being asked to think outside the box and alter their farming practices according to new rules and regulations, so too should our state agency partners like MDA and the Maryland Department of the Environment. Swift and persistent action on the recommendations above and continued dialogue as the PMT is fully implemented will be critical to ensure minimal economic disruptions to Maryland’s farm families as they continue their leadership in conservation. 

###

Delmarva Chicken Association is the Delmarva chicken industry’s voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education, and member relations. For more information, visit dcachicken.com.

Maryland Farm Bureau is the voice of Maryland’s rural and agricultural communities. We promote and protect Maryland agriculture and rural life with the support of our passionate membership, ensuring the future of our natural resources, food supply, and rural heritage that are all part of what makes Maryland our home. Learn more about the organization here.

Maryland Grain Producers Association is a membership organization of grain producers across the state. The organization’s major role is to act as a vote for grain farmers, mostly through its legislative activities both at the state and federal level. Members stay informed through a bi-weekly newsletter, social media, and the Maryland Commodity Classic. Learn more about the organization here.

Queenstown, Maryland (November 4, 2020) – This spring threw a number of curveballs to all! The stay-at-home order in Maryland as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic took effect on March 30th. Marylanders stocked their homes with toilet paper, canned goods, protein, and many other essential items unsure what the future looked like. Grain producers across Maryland, quarantined in equipment preparing seed beds and planting their annual crop without knowing what market prices may look like in the coming months.

Today combines travel across Maryland’s country-side and harvest corn and sorghum row-by-row. Grain in Maryland is primarily used to feed our local chickens, but also has a number of other uses to benefit our consumers directly. One half of one percent of the value of each bushel of corn and other grains produced and sol in Maryland is remitted to the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board’s statutory Check-Off Program. The Utilization Board uses these farmer’s dollars to fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain farming through market development, education, and research.

Each year, organizations, universities, and others submit proposals for the board to review. In 2020, 33 proposals were approved to complete research on corn hybrids and fusarium head blight, educational programs such as MAEF, Farm and Harvest, and LEAD Maryland were funded lastly, building markets through ethanol and national grain organizations. Furthermore, check-off dollars are shared with the Maryland Grain Producers Association, who keeps grain members updated, organize the Maryland Commodity classic, provide student scholarships, share valuable information on social media and the website, and many more tasks to support producers across the state.

Every check-off dollar provided to the Maryland Grain Producers is used to improve our grain industry and markets for years to come.

XXX

The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program. Grain Producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research.

Queenstown, Maryland (October 27, 2020) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) participated in the United States Grain Council’s Virtual Grain Exchange this October. Over 1,200 registrants, from 54 countries tuned in online to hear from agriculture industry professionals and farmers during the two-day event. Attendees included International buyers, end-users of coarse grains and co-products, and members of the U.S. grain export value chain.

MGPUB Executive Director Lindsay Thompson, alongside Jenell Eck (MGPUB Public Relations and Program Director), Jason Scott (MGPUB Board Member and Farmer), and Chad Nagel with Nagel Farm Service, met with buyers from the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. Lindsay and the team were able to showcase Jason’s family operation during corn harvest through a virtual tour. Jason talked about Maryland’s cover crop program, his nutrient management plan, pesticide application, and much more. Once the grain leaves Jason’s operation, it travels to a nearby mill, similar to Nagel’s. Chad Nagel showed participants how they test each farmer’s harvest, store grain, and sell grain through the port of Baltimore and other avenues. The virtual attendees were interested in the combine’s technology and how much of Maryland’s corn is exported. According to the U.S. Grains Council, Maryland corn exports total $46.3 million and $100,000 for barley. You can view our recorded tour here.

“Although Maryland Grain farmers are fortunate to have the poultry industry as our #1 customer, trade is important for all farmers’ bottom line. We are thankful to be able to make these overseas connections virtually,” said Jason Scott, farmer.

During the two-day conference, attendees were able to take part in a virtual exhibit hall where they could learn about new advances in technology, crop production, and the various businesses that make up the farm-to-freight chain. MGPUB had a booth allowing participants to interact with staff online and learn more about our organization.

Maryland Grain looks forward to building connections with out international buyers in-person and online in the coming future, thank you to the U.S. Grains Council for this experience.

###

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program. Grain Producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research.

Queenstown, Maryland (September 24, 2020) – Fall harvest season has officially begun across Maryland. USDA reports that 7% of Maryland Corn has been harvested for grain, 14% less than 2019 harvest progress this same time last year.

During harvest season, it is important to raise awareness about a number of safety topics; road safety, grain bin safety, and equipment safety. In 1944, President Roosevelt proclaimed the third week of September to be National farm Safety and Health Week. According to the 2018 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, working in agriculture is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Keeping the people who produce our food, fuel, and fiber safe is important!

For those traveling in Maryland, please keep an eye out for our farmers on the road. Slow moving equipment will have an orange reflective sign, also known as a slow moving vehicle sign. Prepare to slow down and pass with care when safe to do so. It only takes 8 seconds to close a gap the length of a football field when traveling 30 mph more than slow moving vehicle in front of you. We understand some of these vehicles are large and hard to see around, we ask that you wait for a safe passing zone before passing farm equipment. If you smile and wave, we’re sure they’ll wave back if safe to do so!

For our farmers, please be sure your slow moving signs are on all pieces of equipment traveling 25 mph or under and that signs are properly positioned. When traveling on the road ensure your four-way flashers are on and use blinkers as appropriate, especially when making a left turn. When traveling at night, be sure to have running lights on.

It is also important to recognize grain bin safety for those filling bins this fall. Before adding a new crop, ensure the previous crop is loaded out and the floor, ducts, and fans are cleaned. As the new crop is augered in, please make sure all employees are aware of the lock out/tag out system. Furthermore, with colder weather ensure all clothes fit snug to your body and we ask that you stay a safe distance from the Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft. It only takes one second for one to be entangled.

Lastly, to keep you safe in the field be sure to look over your equipment to check for dust build-up, bird nests, and other fire hazards. We encourage you take the extra step to look over ad blow off your equipment. Finally, ensure all pieces of equipment have proper fire extinguishers for emergencies as well. It is recommended to have a 10 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher in tractors and a 2.5 gallon pressurized water extinguisher in combines. 2020 has already thrown a handful of curveballs, the last thing any farmer needs right now is to be caught in a dangerous situation.

We care about you, your family, and your farming operation and know that farming isn’t always easy, especially right now. In case you ever need someone to talk to please use the Farm Aid Hotline at 800-327-6243 or the Farm Crisis Hotline at 866-586-6746.

Happy Harvest Season! As you travel row by row, share a photo on Social Media and be sure to tag one of our pages or post with #MDGrain and #Harvest20. You can stay up-to-date with us on Facebook, follow along on Instagram, or like our Twitter account.

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

To produce food, fuel, and fiber for all, farmers have a number of expenses, including land, equipment, labor, seed, and other inputs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers are concerned, like many others, about paying these bills. Thankfully, in Delmarva’s agricultural community, lenders stepped up to help.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit works hand in glove with customers in order to tailor any changes and ensure the best possible outcomes. Committed to keeping food production humming once the pandemic’s effects began to be felt, Farm Credit began suspending any new foreclosure actions and waiving wire fees. Borrowers could pay interest-only or defer payments all together through an easy, streamlined three-month deferral program (with an option for an additional three months). On MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s website, members could stay up-to-date on COVID-19 resources, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a forgivable government loan to keep employees on the payroll full-time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Farm Credit administered over 300 loans, totaling over $16 million, through PPP. Lastly, Farm Credit distributed over $17 million in patronage, or dividends, back to its members in April.

One of Delmarva’s large broiler growers took advantage of the PPP loans to keep his full-time employee paid. Since 2015, Brian Kunkowski has raised chickens in four houses, producing six million pounds of meat each year. In 2016, Brian and M&T Bank began a strong relationship with a great fixed-rate loan. With M&T’s customer service, Brian and his wife had an easy PPP application process and were able to ensure all bills were paid while his birds were in the houses 10 days longer than normal, requiring more energy, feed, and water and pushing back his settlement paycheck.

“Being proactive is important when it comes to finances,” said Brian. When the pandemic began, Brian was unsure if he would get paid or when because of all the unknowns. Through M&T’s business, Brian was able to receive the appropriate resources to keep his stress comfortable. “Today, we still don’t know how things will be in 6 months,” Brian said, but he has also taken advantage of M&T’s line of credit to keep the farm operating, as well as M&T’s customized reward business credit card. Brian summed up: “Without institutions like M&T, we wouldn’t have the farms to produce the food. It all works together.”

Queenstown, Maryland (August 5, 2020) – Past U.S. Grains Council (USGC) chairman and local 10th generation farmer, Chip Councell (Cordova, MD) assumes the president role of MAIZALL the international maize alliance. Chip has served on the Maryland Grain Producers board as a regional and USGC representative for over a decade.

MAIZALL was established in 2013 by leaders from USGC, the National Corn Growers Association, ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers), and MAIZER (the Argentine corn and sorghum federation). The coalition of maize associations from the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina work together to share expertise and information to address trade barriers to agricultural innovation. Growers from the three countries work together to resolve shared problems with non-tariff barriers in global markets, primarily related to agricultural biotechnology, plant breeding innovation, and crop protection. In today’s global economy and with quickly changing agricultural technology, the work of MAIZALL is more important than ever.

Councell said, “We are operating in a changing world, but MAIZALL is at the forefront of discussions surrounding agricultural innovation. I am especially excited to work with MAIZALL directors from the United States, Brazil, and Argentina to deliver our shared message through both new platforms and traditional messaging.”

Chip’s history of farming in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with strict environmental regulations, allows him to provide personal experiences on using biotechnology and crop protection to help meet environmental standards.

Chip began work with the Council in 2008 as the Maryland delegate. Since then, Chip has served on the Trade Policy Advisory Team, corn sector chair, and USGC officer.

The Maryland Grain Producers is honored to have Chip on their team!

###

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program. Grain Producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research.

Queenstown, Maryland (July 30, 2020) – The Maryland Grain Producers teamed up with Maryland Farm Bureau and Delmarva Poultry Industry to remind our members, consumers, legislators, and all others how “local” the chicken in your grocery store is.

Maryland farm families produce local, safe, and affordable food for Marylanders. Grain producers across the state work hard to grow the 427,000 bushels of wheat and 89 million bushels of corn used annually to feed chickens on the Delmarva peninsula. The family farmers, poultry companies, and allied businesses that make up DPI’s 1,700 members work tirelessly to provide a high quality protein source to consumers.

Annually, Delmarva’s $3.5 billion poultry industry produces 4.3 billion pounds of chicken on the Delmarva. Chicken is a strong source of protein, providing all nine essential amino acids, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A, D, E, and C. You can buy local chicken at any grocery store in Delaware, Maryland, or Virginia.

When the coronavirus pandemic began, farmers across the Delmarva and the nation were #StillFarming to ensure that you would be able to eat, not only during the pandemic but for years to come. The corn planted in May 2020, during the stay-at-home order, will be used for chicken feed in 2021.

If you would be interested in sharing our Local Campaign through a 18″ by 24″ sign or a 3″ by 4″ window cling, complete this online form!

XXX

Maryland Grain Producers Association is a membership organization of grain producers across the state. The organization’s major role is to act as a voice for grain farmers, mostly through its legislative activities both at the state, and federal level. Members stay informed through a bi-weekly newsletter, social media, and the Maryland Commodity Classic. Learn more about the organization here.

Maryland Farm Bureau is the voice of Maryland’s rural and agricultural communities. We promote and protect Maryland agriculture and rural life with the support of our passionate membership, ensuring the future of our natural resources, food supply, and rural heritage that are all part of what makes Maryland our home. Learn more about the organization here.

Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. is the Delmarva chicken industry’s voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education, and member relations. For more information, visit dpichicken.org; like DPI on Facebook; and follow us on Twitter.

Press release respectively submitted by Jenell Eck, Programs and Public Relations Director for the Maryland Grain Producers.

Queenstown, Maryland (July 27, 2020) – Last Thursday, the Maryland Grain Producers Association, Maryland Soybean Board, and the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board co-sponsored the 22nd annual Commodity Classic via Zoom! There were over 125 attendees who joined the program online. Maryland Grain Producers would like to thank the generous sponsors for making this event possible, you can view our 2020 sponsors here.

The event began with updates from the Maryland Grain Producers Association (MGPA) and Maryland Soybean Board. MGPA President, Evan Miles reminded viewers that “representation in Annapolis cannot be paid with checkoff dollars. Membership is important to ensure we have a strong representation. I encourage you to sign-up today.”

Four outstanding students were recognized as Grain Producer scholarship recipients. Each student was awarded $2,500 to pursue their education in agriculture. The 2020 recipients are – Mitchell Debnam, Jordan Wilmer, Jennifer Gannon, and Austin Nickerson. Biographies for the deserving students can be found below, you can also view a video here. Congratulations and thank you to all those who applied!

The 2020 Dr. James R. Miller Award winner was featured. Jason Scott, of Easton, Maryland was recognized for his outstanding service to the Maryland grain industry. Since 1998, a number of farmers, elected officials, as well as, research and agency representatives have been recognized for their accomplishments. Most notable, Jason Scott served as the first and only Chairman of the U.S. Wheat Associates from Maryland. Learn more about Jason here. Thank you for your time and dedication to our industry, Jason!

The annual event had updates from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and U.S. Grains Council. Brooke Appleton, Vice President of Public Policy with NCGA gave timely updates on what is going on in Washington, DC including Congressional budget and Corona Virus aid packages, ethanol policy, and trade agreements. Melissa Kessler and Reece Cannady with the U.S. Grains Council gave an overview of the current grain export market conditions and emphasized the importance of relationships with our trade partners to weather these uncertain times.

Attendees had the pleasure of hearing from keynote speaker Drew Haines, three-time National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) Winner from Middletown, Maryland against the backdrop of his picturesque farm. Drew farms alongside his brother Dale and his son Dustin. Drew expressed that being a part of NCYC provides a network of farmers to help you better your farm and your yields. The driving force behind his desire to seek higher yields is seeing what the potential of today’s corn seed is and watching it fulfill that potential. One thing Drew has learned through his experiments is that corn that is driven over after the V6 stage can decrease yields by up to 50 bushels per acre on his operation due to downed corn and compaction. Therefore, he applied as many inputs as possible via aerial application. Another interesting fact is that by improving his soil and nutrient program, Drew has been able to cut his fungicide application in half and has not used any insecticides on his corn in five years. Lastly, Drew could not emphasize enough, split applying your nutrients allows today’s growers to producer more with less by feeding the crop when needed.

Thank you to all those who took the time to tune in, if you were unable to attend and would like to watch the classic, you can view the recorded event on our website or YouTube Channel here.

---

Dr. Miller Award Bio

Jason Scott

Jason, along with his family, own and operate Walnut Hill Farms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat, malt barley, and peas. For the past 30 years, the family has independently sold Pioneer Hi-Bred seed.

Jason graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors in Agriculture and Resource Economics and later earned his Masters of Business Administration from the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University. Since 2004, Jason became involved with the Maryland Grain Producers. During the last 16 years, Jason served as the youngest President of MGPA and continues to represent Maryland on the U.S. Wheat Associates. Jason served as U.S. Wheat Chairman in 2016. With U.S. Wheat, Jason traveled to 20 countries to seek wheat utilization. All while also being involved with Dorchester County Young Farmers and LEAD Maryland.

Jason looks forward to continuing his involvement but will lay low to enjoy time with his wife and two children.

---

Scholarship Bios

Mitchell Debnam

Currently attending the University of Northwestern Ohio, Mitchell Debnam is working toward a dual major in Agriculture Equipment Technology and Diesel Technician. Mitchell was raised in Kennedyville, Maryland on his families multi-generational grain and swine operation. At a young age, Mitchell began helping his family with daily activities and was an active member of the Kent Clover Calf 4-H Club where he exhibited dairy and livestock at local, regional, and state shows. In 2018, Mitchell traveled as Maryland’s representative to National 4-H Congress and was awarded Kent 4-H I Dare You Award. Last year, Mitchell graduated from Kent County High School where he was involved in FFA and Baseball. After graduating as a diesel technician, Mitchell would like to return to the family farm after working full-time for a local dealership as an agriculture equipment technician to improve his skill and gain experience.

Jordan Wilmer

From Centreville, Maryland Jordan Wilmer graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School in 2017. During High School, Jordan was active as a Food Bank and Family Affair Farms Volunteer, Vacation Bible School Leader, Football Player, and FFA Member. Jordan recently got accepted into Penn-State World College working towards a degree in Agribusiness Management after two successful years at Chesapeake College graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Agriculture with a production concentration. While attending college, Jordan has worked Full-Time as a Poultry House Manager for Black Dog Farms while helping Chestnut Manor Farms with crop production. He began an internship with them in 2016 learning about grain and poultry production. After graduation, Jordan plans to raise broilers of his own with a grain production farm.

Jennifer Gannon

Raised on a grain and livestock farm in Centreville, Maryland, Jennifer Gannon works alongside her family while also working at Southern States and Talbot Extension part-time. Jennifer graduated from Chesapeake College with an associate’s degree in allied health in the Spring of 2020. This fall, Jennifer will be attending Delaware State University enrolled in their agriculture business program and plans to be apart of their Equestrian Team. Jennifer plans to work for a fertilizer or seed company after graduation while continuing to work on her family’s operation. At Queen Anne’s County High School, Jennifer was an active FFA member serving as the Chapter President and participating in a variety of competitions. Today, Jennifer serves as their Horse Judging Coach and has judged their regional Public Speaking contest. For 15 years, Jennifer was a member of the Pony Express 4-H Club and served a variety of office positions including Chapter President. She showed horses and sheep for her 4-H project.

Austin Dutch Nickerson

Graduating from The Gunston School in 2018, Austin Nickerson of Worton, Maryland is attending The University of Delaware to major in Agriculture and Natural Resources. Austin was raised on a grain farm where his mother, Kristen works full-time. He has been a part of the operation for as long as he can remember. Growing up, Austin was active in 4-H and later attended National 4-H Congress. He was named National Tractor Operator Champion in 2017 with Perdue University. Austin has spent time volunteering for the Kent County Fair and Still Pond Church. After graduating High School, Austin attended Chesapeake College before transferring to a four-year university. With his degree from Delaware, Austin would like to continue to grow his already established seedling tree planting business while attending college full-time.

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.