Senators Coons, Carper highlight conservation accomplishments in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

SEAFORD, Del. – On Monday, Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper were joined by state officials and Seaford cattle farm owners Carlton and Jody Jones to highlight conservation accomplishments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, working with farmers and other local stakeholders, has achieved historic levels of conservation implementation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed during the past two years, leading to water quality improvements, wildlife habitat enhancement and support of rural economies. 

NRCS helped Chesapeake Bay farmers and forest landowners voluntarily install conservation practices or actions on a total of 650,000 acres of working lands. Since 2004, NRCS has provided more than $500 million to help farmers install or apply conservation practices. Through the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI), and other Farm Bill programs, NRCS staff helped landowners to voluntarily implement over 60,000 new conservation practices in the watershed in 2011. 

"Voluntary conservation practices make a tremendous difference as we work to support our local farmers while protecting and sustaining our precious natural resources for generations to come," Senator Coons said. "Delaware farmers continue to raise the bar when it comes to committing themselves to best management practices that protect and preserve the land they farm, as well as the natural resources that surround them. What has been accomplished in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed should not only be celebrated, but should also serve as a model for other areas in the state, region and the nation."

NRCS staff has helped landowners voluntarily apply or construct nearly 300 waste storage facilities, over 150,000 acres of nutrient management to regulate nutrient application, and nearly 70,000 feet of terraces to prevent soil erosion.

Senator Coons recognizes 150 years of USDA

On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to create the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which he called “The People’s Department.”  At the time, nearly half of all Americans lived on farms, compared with only about 2 percent today.  However, agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of our American heritage and a major driving force in our economy, with more than 2.2 billion acres of farmland across the United States and one in twelve jobs linked to agriculture or forestry.

One hundred and fifty years later, the USDA remains a department of the people.  The department’s work on a broad range of issues – from international trade and economic development, next generation energy development and technological innovation, natural resource conservation and recreation, food safety and nutrition, to research and science – touches nearly every aspect of American life.

Agriculture is a vital force in Delaware’s economy and remains an integral part of our community.  In 2008, agriculture in Delaware contributed nearly $8 billion to the economy and supported roughly 30,000 jobs.  Sussex County, the birthplace of the modern poultry industry, produces more chickens than any other county in the United States.  Delaware also has the highest percentage of preserved, productive farmland of any state in the nation.  In addition, the University of Delaware, which was designated as one of the nation’s historic Land Grant colleges in 1867, is conducting cutting edge research, providing critical services, and participating in vital partnerships with Delaware’s agriculture sector.

Senator Coons congratulates the USDA on a fantastic first 150 years and looks forward to continuing to work together to address our nation’s agricultural challenges.

Video: Senator Coons on the nomination of Michael Scuse

Senator Coons introduced Delawarean Michael Scuse at a hearing for his nomination to be the Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and his nomination to serve on the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation at the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry earlier today.