Matt Meyer is the 76th governor of Delaware.
Farming isn’t something to endure; it’s something we are proud of and something to bolster our economy, to protect our environment and to feed our communities.
Agriculture is not just Delaware’s leading industry — it’s a rich tapestry woven into our history, culture and everyday lives. Like many of you, my earliest memories of summer involve slices of watermelon, with juices running down my arm. We all may not have visited a farm or a farmers market growing up, but Delaware agriculture is all around us. From the fields of corn lining Del. 1 on the way to the beach to the basket of red, ripe tomatoes at a roadside farmstand, these formative moments instilled in me a profound appreciation for where our food comes from and the farmers who grow it. Agriculture is foundational to our state’s economy, health and future.
As the 76th governor of Delaware, I’m committed to investing in this foundation, ensuring that our farms are viable, and our food systems are resilient far into the future. My vision is not just about economic prosperity, environmental resilience, food and nutritional security, cultivating the next generation of leaders and thoughtful land use planning — it’s about how these pillars are interconnected, each supporting and strengthening the others, to build a sustainable and thriving future for Delaware. And I know that many of these issues are critical to our producers, too. Adding more affordable housing units also means supporting the needs of our dedicated and skilled farmworkers, and it means a place to live for seasonal agritourism and hospitality staff. Our commitment to energy security means partnering with farmers not only to make sure that the more than 2,300 family farms and over 500,000 acres of ag land stay in production but also to make them viable options for the next generation. In my administration, a prosperous agricultural sector measures its success not just economically but also by community health and wellness. Our statewide Farm to Family Strategy, finalized in 2025, charts clear steps toward ensuring that no Delaware family goes without fresh, nutritious meals. Moreover, addressing emerging food security issues, including avian flu and the impact of federal decisions on labor and operations on farms and in our critical poultry sector, remains a top priority. Our administration, alongside the attorney general and congressional delegation, continues to advocate vigorously to make sure the workforce can safely make it to Delaware.
The majority of farms in Delaware are family-owned and -operated. As a large portion of Delaware’s small-business community, our commitment to economic resilience starts with empowering Delaware’s farmers, helping them connect directly with families in every community. By simplifying local food procurement processes, we are making sure more of what grows here is also sold and consumed right here. Supporting small, midsize and large-scale farms that raise animals and shellfish, grow flowers and cultivate produce from peaches, broccoli and beets to carrots and leafy greens means supporting student meals in each of our 19 school districts that participate in the Farm to School program. Farms that have an opportunity to sell directly to farmers markets and restaurants make it easier for fresh foods to be available to more Delawareans. And, with more than 30 farmers partnering in the Delaware Farm to Community Pilot Program, we are making sure families in need don’t go hungry and also have access to wholesome foods. Through other pilot programs like Farm-to-Pharmacy and the new Delaware Food Is Medicine Committee, independent pharmacists, providers and other health professionals are joining forces with farmers to integrate locally grown products directly into medical settings, emphasizing food as a vital component of preventive health care and boosting the local economy. We are focused on expanding direct-to-consumer opportunities and providing certainty to farmers at the beginning of the growing season.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of life in Delaware, and it’s important not to overlook the inherent and varied challenges, including extreme temperatures, precipitation, development encroachment and depressed markets. With sea levels rising, inland floods and hotter, wetter summers, our farmers bear the burden. I witnessed this firsthand during a recent visit to a vegetable-packing farm on a 100-degree day. This year, we implemented the Delaware Agricultural Production Insurance Assistance Program to help farmers manage risks effectively. We also reinvested in the First State Food System Program, offering microgrants to build the capacity of farms, restaurants, retailers, processors, community pantries and other outlets that reinforce our food systems. Projects that expand aggregation, food transportation and processing support the entire food structure.
Protecting clean water and air means continuing our public investments to preserve over 150,000 acres of farmland and supporting forest landowners, so that Delaware’s true conservationists can continue to protect our ecosystems. Preserving land is one step; another is ensuring that agricultural practices are also understood and protected. This summer, I reinstated the Governor’s Council on Agriculture. Members of this group will advise me on critical topics like thoughtful land use planning, which underpins our agriculture vision. While we’ve preserved substantial farmland and conserved forested lands, development pressures remain significant. We are focused on strategies that do more to incentivize development in areas that have suitable infrastructure to accommodate growth and balance essential agricultural lands with our other priorities.
With more than 150 multigenerational farms established over 100 years ago, investing in agriculture also means nurturing the next generation and the industries that support it. Young people must see the excitement and economic sustainability of farming and a broader agriculture industry. I’ve been inspired by the enthusiasm shown by Delaware students at the National FFA Organization state convention, at Delaware State University’s Innovation Venture, through the University of Delaware’s 4-H programs and in Delaware Technical Community College’s hands-on ag production, processing and retail curriculum. My administration is revitalizing agricultural education, partnering with these organizations and MANRRS to expand youth apprenticeships. These initiatives expose students and create clear career pathways into ag tech innovation and lasting farming practices. We are also supporting initiatives for new and beginning farmers to gain field experience and connect with established farmers to lease land and learn best practices.
To close, I want to thank our farmers, farm families, farmworkers and food system partners for all that you do to keep our state healthy and fed. In a state that is just 200 miles long, what we do with our land matters. Keeping agriculture a part of the plan ensures that our communities thrive, our neighbors are healthy, and our economy is strong. My administration is committed to supporting farmers, enhancing local food systems and preparing Delaware for a thriving agricultural future. But we can’t do this alone. Throughout the year, particularly during spring and summer, visit local farmers markets and farmstands, meet your local farmers and engage with the vibrant agricultural community around you. Together, we can fortify the foundation of Delaware agriculture, guaranteeing that our farms continue nourishing communities, protecting our environment and strengthening our economy for generations to come.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
