Thursday, August 23, 2018 9:00 am–2:30 pm
University of Delaware
Carvel Research & Education Center
16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown
2018 has been a season threatening a “perfect storm” of risks for Delmarva farmers. Weeks of flooded fields, followed by weeks of excessive heat and dry conditions causing soil to look like talcum powder, delayed planting, and crashing commodity prices have created income uncertainty for producers. Combine these natural risks with questions about tariffs affecting global commodity trade and how a new Farm Bill may shape up (or not) and you have a situation with more questions than answers.
An Agriculture Horizon Conference is being held on August 23, 2018 at the Carvel Research & Education Center 16483 County Seat Highway Georgetown, Delaware 9:00 am – 2:30 pm. Lunch will be served. The conference will include the perspectives of Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse and FSA State Executive Director Sean McKeon on 2018 Farm Bill possibilities, US trade policy, and recently announced USDA plans to address falling commodity prices with a $12 billion package.
In addition, there will be updates on how crop insurance, revenue protection, and whole farm coverage can be used individually or in combination to protect farm income and address many of the risks which have become a reality in 2018. Some producer frustrations with some aspects of crop insurance will be addressed along with potentials solutions. Also discussed will be how program choices made by producers at their FSA office within the next Farm Bill may impact other risk management choices like crop insurance.
This will be a two-part program, with the first part centered on the ag community and farmers and the second focusing on Non-producer stakeholders, with a lunch in between. Registration is not required, but is encouraged to allow conference organizers to provide enough materials and meals. Please register by emailing DECropHelp@gmail.com or calling 302-831-2538.