News & Updates

December 2022

Important Dates

Dec. 20 Caffeine & Cover Crops

Dec. 23 SCD Closed @ 2 p.m.

Dec. 26 SCD Closed

Jan. 2 SCD Closed

Jan. 18 Soil Health Series feat. Jeremiah Durbin

Caffeine & Cover Crops

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Vanderwende-Evans Conservation Center to talk about cover crops, no-till, soil health, or anything related to agriculture. Tomorrow's focus will be on seeding rates and cover crop management with subject matter experts in attendance to answer your questions. We will provide coffee and light “continental style” breakfast for those attending.

Registration is encouraged for the headcount for food and coffee.

2023 Soil Health Series

All events will be held at the Bridgeville Fire Hall from 9 a.m. to noon.

Preregistration is encouraged, lunch will be provided and CEUs are pending.

Jan 18

Scaling Up Soil Health to Reduce Risk with Jeremiah Durbin.

Farmer Panel Discussion: Troubleshooting and Identifying the Next Step.

Feb. 8

Conservation Drainage & Soil Health Initiatives on Delmarva with Tim Rosen.

Extension & NRCS Updates.

Expert Panel Discussion: Weighing the Tradeoffs in Soil Health.

Feb. 22

A Deep Dive into Soil Testing for Soil Health with Liz Haney.

Discussion- Interpreting Sussex County Soil Test Results.

Regenerative Certification and the Future of Ag.

Conservation Stewardship Awards

SCD received almost 30 entries, which will be reviewed by a panel of judges in early 2023.

SCD would like to thank every organization that submitted an entry and for their dedication to preserving sensitive natural resources in Sussex County.

We 💚 Cover Crops

This year we set a goal of 75,000 acres of cover crops in Sussex County. We're thrilled to announce that 84,873 acres were planted!

While it might not look like much, this field of cover crops will combat soil erosion, increase organic matter, reduce compaction and suppress weeds all while holding nutrients in place for the next cash crop. In addition, cover crops provide food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

Ditch the heavy work. We'll do it for you.

From restoration work, tax ditch maintenance, private land management, and other services SCDs equipment program can help you solve simple or complex problems that require heavy equipment and environmentally friendly practices.

We serve Kent and Sussex County!

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Delaware’s winter ban on the application of manure and fertilizer begins on December 7, 2022, and will continue through February 15, 2023.

Application outside of those dates is prohibited on frozen or snow-covered ground.

Learn More

Delaware Ag Week

Jan 9 - 12, 2023

Industry experts will lead sessions exploring the latest and most valuable innovations in agronomy, fruits and vegetables, woodland management, animal science, and more.

Vendors will return this year, creating exciting opportunities to network with local and national organizations, agricultural businesses and allied partners.

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USDA NRCS Offers Landowners Assistance to Restore Wetlands

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Delaware is now accepting applications from landowners interested in restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetlands through the Wetland Reserve Easement component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP-WRE).

Wetland Reserve Easements compensate private landowners for restoring the hydrology of previously-drained farmland. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, the deadline to apply in order to be considered for fiscal year 2023 funding is February 17, 2023.

Learn More