Agriculture in delaware remains strong today, with the delmarva broiler industry being the largest agriculture commodity

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Delaware $2,365,282 under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act (CFDA 10.203) on October 1, 2025, for a period of performance through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in Delaware.

The award funds research and education addressing four critical issue areas: sustainable production systems for agricultural and urban landscapes, nutrition and wellness, environmental challenges and natural resource sustainability, and support for rural and urban youth, families, and communities. The University of Delaware develops and promotes management practices that maximize agricultural yield, maintain profitability, and utilize nutrients, water, and pesticides efficiently and effectively. Research is conducted jointly with Delaware State University to provide research-based solutions to complex, global challenges facing Delaware agriculture, particularly the state's Delmarva broiler industry and fruit and vegetable production sectors.

The Hatch Act formula grant program assists state agricultural experiment stations in conducting broad agricultural research programs spanning farming and food production, natural resources, forests and land management, aquaculture, family life, nutrition, rural development, and biotechnology. At least 25 percent of funding must support multistate collaborative projects addressing regional or national agricultural challenges.

The state has 490,000 acres of cropland (45% irrigated) that provide the grain crops needed for a thriving poultry industry, an innovative and profitable fruit and vegetable production industry, and a 'green industry' that supports the horticultural and natural resource interests of its citizens. A 2010 report led by the university of delaware college of agriculture & natural resources ('the impact of agriculture on delaware's economy') found that the total economic contribution of all categories of agriculture in delaware was $7.95 billion in industry output and that the agricultural industry contributed $2.5 billion in value-added activity, and $1.6 billion in labor income, supporting 30,000 jobs. Our plan of work is created and reported jointly with the university of delaware and delaware state university and our intention is to provide research-based solutions to the complex, global challenges facing delaware today. Our work is defined in four broad critical issues with several subheadings within some categories to further define the issues. IT has been designed to help delaware agriculture remain competitive, to meet its environmental challenges, sustain the state's natural resources and support our rural and urban youth, families, and communities. We focus on the following critical issue areas. 1. Sustainable production systems for agricultural and urban landscapes. We are continually challenged to feed the world's growing populationand develop our growing urban areas in sustainable ways. Through research and education, we develop and promote management practices that maximize yield, maintain profitability, and utilize nutrients, water, and pesticides efficiently and effectively. 2. Nutrition and wellness. We continue to work together with partners across the food system to provide additional ways to provide food access to limited resource audiences and to align our well-being work to include mental health for all, including our agricultural producers as a specific audience. 3. Personal and economic development. The economic and financial wellbeing of individuals, famil IES, business, and our communities throughout delaware are inter-related and are connected to the broader economic context of our state and national economy. The well-being of individuals, families, and especially minorities are determined by their access to jobs, health care, educational opportunities, and training. In an ERA when delaware is losing its manufacturing base, the agriculture industry can be a sector targeted to expand economic growth. 4. Environmental stewardship in a changing landscape. 'ensuring the availability of clean water' was 'veryimportant' and was the highest-ranked issue among the state-level issues that were considered in a recent survey. Delaware has a long tradition of forest management, which is important to the local culture. Forest product related expenditures also contribute to the significantly to the economy. These forests also support populations of wildlife, which are important game species, forest health indicator species, and species of special concern. We are working with individuals, farms and the agricultural industry to promote environmental stewardship in the state