Agriculture & Rural Delaware

Supporting Farmers. Preserving Farmland. Respecting Rural Delaware.

IPoD's policy platform is focused on family farms, responsible land use, rural infrastructure, clean water and air, and making sure Kent and Sussex are not ignored.

Agriculture is not just part of Delaware's economy - it is part of Delaware's identity. From family farms and poultry producers to grain, vegetable, fruit, nursery, and specialty crop operations, Delaware's farmers feed our communities, support local jobs, and preserve the rural character that makes Kent and Sussex County unique.

But too often, rural Delaware is treated as an afterthought. Decisions made in Dover or Wilmington can have major consequences for farmers, small towns, and rural families who already face rising costs, infrastructure gaps, development pressure, environmental concerns, and limited access to services.

The Independent Party of Delaware believes agriculture and rural communities deserve a serious seat at the table. We support policies that protect farmland, strengthen rural infrastructure, improve water and air quality, support family farms, and ensure Kent and Sussex are not ignored.

Protect Delaware Farmers and Family Farms

Delaware's farmers are facing rising costs for fuel, labor, equipment, feed, land, insurance, and compliance. Many small and family-owned farms are operating on thin margins while being asked to navigate increasingly complex regulations and market pressures.

We support a practical, farmer-first approach that:

• Reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens on farmers while maintaining reasonable health, safety, and
  environmental standards.
• Ensures farmers have a real voice before new agricultural regulations are adopted.
• Supports local food production, farmers markets, farm stands, and farm-to-school opportunities.
• Expands workforce development and technical training for agricultural careers.
• Protects the ability of family farms to pass land and operations to the next generation.
• Encourages innovation in irrigation, nutrient management, precision agriculture, soil health, and
  sustainable farming practices.

Delaware should not make it harder for responsible farmers to survive. We should help them compete, modernize, and continue producing food here at home.

Preserve Farmland and Rural Character

Development pressure is one of the greatest threats facing rural Delaware. As farmland is converted into housing developments, warehouses, and commercial projects, Delaware risks losing not only productive agricultural land, but also the open space, drainage capacity, wildlife habitat, and rural character that define much of Kent and Sussex County.

We support stronger farmland preservation efforts that:

• Expand voluntary farmland preservation programs.
• Prioritize preservation of high-quality agricultural land.
• Encourage growth in areas with existing infrastructure instead of unchecked sprawl.
• Respect private property rights while creating incentives to keep farmland in farming.
• Improve coordination between state, county, and local land-use planning.
• Ensure rural residents have a meaningful voice in major development decisions.

Preserving farmland is not anti-growth. It is responsible growth. Delaware can support housing and economic development without paving over the farmland that feeds us and defines our communities.

Invest in Rural Infrastructure

Rural Delaware needs infrastructure that matches its growth and importance. Too many communities in Kent and Sussex face road congestion, drainage problems, broadband gaps, water and sewer limitations, and emergency service challenges.

We support targeted investment in rural infrastructure, including:

• Safer rural roads, intersections, and farm equipment access routes.
• Better drainage systems and flood mitigation.
• Reliable broadband access for farms, homes, and small businesses.
• Water and sewer planning that protects public health without forcing reckless overdevelopment.
• Stronger support for volunteer fire companies, EMS, and rural public safety.
• Infrastructure planning that accounts for agricultural operations, seasonal traffic, and rural land use.

Rural taxpayers should not be expected to accept second-class infrastructure while their communities carry a major share of Delaware's growth, food production, and economic activity.

Improve Water and Air Quality Through Practical Solutions

Clean water and clean air matter to every Delawarean - including farmers. Agriculture, development, wastewater systems, stormwater runoff, and industrial activity all affect environmental quality. The solution should not be to blame one group while ignoring others. Delaware needs practical, science-based solutions that improve environmental outcomes without crushing farmers and rural communities.

We support:

• Fair, evidence-based water quality standards.
• Expanded support for nutrient management, cover crops, buffers, and conservation practices.
• Better stormwater and drainage enforcement for new development.
• Protection of wells, waterways, wetlands, and drinking water sources.
• Assistance for farmers who voluntarily adopt best practices that improve soil and water quality.
• Air quality monitoring and enforcement that applies fairly across agriculture, industry, transportation, and
  development.

Environmental policy should be practical, measurable, and fair. Delaware should work with farmers as partners in conservation - not treat them as the enemy.

Make Sure Kent and Sussex Are Not Ignored

Too often, state policy is shaped by the priorities of Delaware's most populated and politically connected areas, while Kent and Sussex are left to deal with the consequences of growth, infrastructure strain, limited healthcare access, fewer transportation options, and rural economic challenges. The Independent Party of Delaware believes every county deserves respect, investment, and representation.

We support:

• Greater attention to the needs of Kent and Sussex in state budgeting.
• Rural economic development that supports small businesses, agriculture, trades, and local employers.
• Better access to healthcare, emergency services, and transportation in rural communities.
• Protecting the voice of rural residents in land-use and environmental policy.
• Ensuring state agencies understand the practical realities of farming, poultry production, small towns, and
  rural life.

Delaware cannot afford to govern as though rural communities are secondary. Kent and Sussex are essential to Delaware's economy, food supply, culture, and future.

Support Poultry, Agribusiness, and Local Food Systems Responsibly

Delaware's poultry industry and broader agricultural economy support thousands of jobs and play a major role in the state's economy. At the same time, these industries must operate responsibly, respect surrounding communities, and work toward continued improvements in environmental stewardship, worker safety, and public health.

We support a balanced approach that:

• Protects agricultural jobs and local farm families.
• Encourages responsible poultry and agribusiness operations.
• Supports transparency and accountability where public health or environmental concerns exist.
• Promotes innovation in waste management, nutrient recycling, and clean technology.
• Strengthens local supply chains and Delaware-grown food markets.

Delaware should not demonize agriculture, but it also should not ignore legitimate concerns. The right approach is accountability, innovation, and partnership.

Our Commitment

The Independent Party of Delaware supports an agriculture and rural policy built on common sense: protect farmers, preserve farmland, invest in rural infrastructure, improve environmental quality, and make sure Kent and Sussex are treated with the respect they deserve. Delaware's rural communities should not be spoken about only during election season. They should be listened to, invested in, and included in the decisions that shape their future.

Agriculture is Delaware's heritage. Rural communities are Delaware's backbone. Protecting both is not just
good policy - it is essential to preserving the character, independence, and prosperity of our state.