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2 Year Modification

Delaware PYs 2018-2019

Wagner-Peyser Act

Located in:

e. 1. A. An Assessment of the Agricultural Activity in the State Means: 1) Identifying the Top Five Labor-intensive Crops, the Months of Heavy Activity, and the Geographic Area of Prime Activity; 2) Summarize the Agricultural Employers’ Needs in the State (i.e. Are They Predominantly Hiring Local or Foreign Workers, Are They Expressing That There is a Scarcity in the Agricultural Workforce); and 3) Identifying Any Economic, Natural, or Other Factors That Are Affecting Agriculture in the State or Any Projected Factors That Will Affect Agriculture in the State.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2016-2017

Current Narrative:

Agriculture is Delaware’s largest single land use, with 41 percent of Delaware’s land in farming. Delaware has about 2,450 farms. More than 115,000 acres of Delaware farmland are permanently preserved for agriculture. Delaware’s agricultural production is valued at $1.3 billion. In 2012, Delaware was just ahead of California in the market value of agricultural products sold per acre, at $2,505 to California’s $1,667. It was No. 2 in the value of agricultural products sold per farm, at $519,794 to California’s $547,510 according to the latest Census of Agriculture. The Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware says 45,000 to 55,000 acres are planted each year in fruits and vegetables, with a third sold fresh and two-thirds intended for freezing, canning or pickling. Plants in Delaware and nearby states – such as Hanover, Seabrook, Pictsweet, Friels and J.G. Townsend – freeze and can peas, lima beans, snap beans and sweet corn. Delaware cucumbers and peppers are pickled by B&G and Vlasic. These vegetables, plus melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes grown on 221 farms generated $61 million in 2012, for the No. 3 position on the USDA’s most-valuable farm product list. Delaware has more acreage for lima beans – 22,564 in 2012 – than any other place in the world. Watermelon, Delaware farmers’ most popular fruit covers 2,800 acres, generating $10 million in sales. Principal Farm Operators by Age Group, 2007 Age of Operator % of Operations The average farm age in Delaware is as follows: 60 to 64 years 12.8 70 years & over 13.0 35 to 44 years 13.9 55 to 59 years 15.1 45 to 54 years 28.2 Source: Delaware Department of Agriculture

The top five labor intensive core crops in Delaware that use migrant workers are: Watermelon, cabbage, asparagus, apples, cabbage and pumpkins. Some farms are reverting to the use of H2-A worker designation to harvest their crops as well, and consider them migrant workers. Watermelon farms to date access personnel through licensed brokers during the peak season. The peak seasons annually for harvesting and related labor are from June through October. While there is some local employment interest, most farmers are utilizing migrant workers to manage their farms. These farms are located in the Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware. Delaware does have two mushroom farms currently. These farms operate all year long and use migrant workers throughout consistently to harvest mushrooms.