2024 Farm Bill Updates

Many of you already know that the 2018 Farm Bill will expire on September 30, 2024. Currently, Congress is considering delaying action even further -- until after the Presidential election -- despite the bill historically being extremely bipartisan. 

House Republicans are pushing for a version of the bill that would cut resources for low-income food assistance, including SNAP, and allocate more funds for large-scale commodity farmers. Meanwhile, Democratic Senators are mulling a proposal that would do the opposite. 

Lawmakers believe the most likely outcome of this is a stalemate, which would force another extension of the 2018 bill's policies. While that may work for the time being, there is a reason the Farm Bill is revised and renewed every 5 years -- a lot has changed since 2018, including a global pandemic, historic inflation, broken supply chains, and several wars.

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) said at a House Agriculture Committee meeting in late May, “A lot of people forget why we need a five-year farm bill, why it’s so necessary to balance fiscal responsibility reform with anticipatory policy and why the legislation we pass today ought to reflect the needs of agriculture producers and consumers. It’s because farm bills are felt in every corner of America, in every field and pasture, in every grocery story and agribusiness. The legislation we pass today will have ripple effects for years to come.” 

Littr.'s New Look

The Delaware Chicken Association (DCA) is excited to announce that they have completed the changes to Littr. Please be sure to reregister and share with fellow growers, service providers or farmers!

Littr. has a new look, and new functionality! Littr. has been updated to make it even easier for you to sell, buy, move or apply poultry litter by moving it to a browser-based platform that you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone without needing to download any app! Since we launched Littr. in 2021, many users have asked for us to make it available on platforms beyond smartphones, and we heard you loud and clear. If you are already registered to the current app, you will need to re-register as a user, but it only takes seconds.

• Visit littr.io from your computer, tablet or smartphone

• Click “Sign up” in the top right corner

• Add your email address, first and last name and a password (you can even use the same one you used for the app)

• Accept the Terms

• Click Sign Up

If you had listings on the original Littr. app, within 48 hours of signing up, you will have access to all of those listings and your profile. Some of the new features that you will find with Littr. include:

• No need to complete updates from the Apple App Store or Google’s Android Store

• You choose the type of listing you need – looking for litter, litter available, services needed, and more

• Updating your listings is simple

• Easier filters to find what you are looking for

• Easier movement between the tabs

Published in part courtesy of the Delmarva Chicken Association.

Delaware Grown Road Trip

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is launching a new program called Delaware Grown Road Trip, which encourages residents and visitors alike to get outside and experience Delaware's expansive agricultural heritage. This is a self-guided "tour", which will allow you to find the best fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables. The hope is that by encouraging agritourism, farmers will have the opportunity to educate patrons as well as sell more produce.

Adventurers can grab a Delaware Grown Passport from the DDA, participating sites, and visitor centers, or download one online here. Click the button below to explore the interactive map with the locations and descriptions of local farmer's markets, farm stands, CSAs, Christmas tree growers, creameries, and more!

Virginia Farm Vehicles Require DMV-Issued Placard

Beginning July 1, 2024, unregistered farm use panel trucks, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles in Virginia must display a DMV-issued permanent farm use placard. Previously, an unofficial farm use tag, not issued by DMV, was sufficient.

A DMV-issued farm placard will be required for unregistered farm use panel trucks, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles:

1. Used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural purposes on lands owned or leased by the vehicle's owner, and not operated on or over any public highway 

2. Used by the farm owner or lessee on a seasonal basis in transporting farm produce and livestock along public highways for a distance of no more than 75 miles or to a storage house, packing plant or market.

3. Owned by a farm owner when the vehicle is operated or moved along a highway for no more than 75 miles between a sawmill or sawmill site and their farm to transport sawdust, wood shavings, slab wood and other wood wastes.

4. Or fertilizer spreader drawn by a farm tractor, used by a farmer, their tenant, agent or employee or a cotton ginner, peanut buyer, or fertilizer distributor to transport unginned cotton, peanuts or fertilizer owned by the farmer, cotton ginner, peanut buyer or fertilizer distributor from one farm to another, from farm to gin, from farm to dryer, from farm to market, or from fertilizer distributor to farm and on return to the distributor.

5. Making a return trip from any marketplace, transporting back to a farm ordinary and essential food, including procuring a meal for a farmer or his employees, and other products for home and farm use while engaged in activities stated above, or transporting supplies to the farm.

The DMV-issued permanent farm use placard is nontransferable and is valid for as long as the owner or lessee uses the vehicle exclusively for one of the farm use purposes listed above. It must be returned to the DMV within 30 days of the vehicle being sold or if the vehicle is no longer being used exclusively for one of the purposes listed above. Please visit virginia.gov for more complete information about the new rules, cost, conditions, and insurance. 

Farm Spotlight
Holly Lane Farms - Church Creek, MD

Jason Spicer with his father getting to work in the background

In the quaint small town of Church Creek, there is a farm that has been run for 5 generations by the Spicer family. Jason currently works Holly Lane Farms with the help of his father, Lin. It all began while Lin's great grandfather was still working at a sawmill. He began growing crops to feed his animals, and as time went on (and most sawmills in the area closed), his sons joined him on the farm for work. They currently have 1,100 acres and grow row crops such as corn, beans, milo, and wheat. As farming, other industries, and Dorchester County itself continues to change over the years, the Spicer family is focused on adaptation.

Tractor working on Holly Lane Farm

While struggles are many --wildlife, weather, and politics, to name a few -- Jason still enjoys farming for the ability to (mostly) set his own schedule and work outside. One concern the family has is the rapid development of the Eastern Shore. With many people moving away from the hustle and bustle of D.C. or Baltimore, land has become a very hot commodity in Dorchester County and beyond. Jason hopes to see local farm land continue to provide and thrive, instead of being developed into large scale housing. Now more than ever, local family farms like the Spicers' are crucial to keeping us healthy and fed -- so if you see a farmer today, be sure to thank them!

Jason and the Spicer Family, thank you for taking the time to connect with us. We are grateful you have allowed us to learn and share the history of your family farm.

Thank you for being a loyal PepUp customer!

KEEP UP WITH THE TRI GAS FAMILY OF COMPANIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA!