Due to the health and safety restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, UD Extension staff adapted the courses into a virtual format. The new online courses focused on pests, beneficial insects and the signs and symptoms used to identify plant pests and diseases.

The face of agriculture is changing, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Urban agriculture is one of the latest movements to challenge the traditional view of farming. From cultivating rooftop gardens and aquaponics centers in old warehouses to growing crops on abandoned properties, urban agriculture benefits communities: by creating closer neighborhood ties, reducing crime, providing education and job training opportunities and increasing the availability of healthy food for low-income residents.

Green industry professionals seek professional development opportunities from the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension to provide career advancement opportunities and to provide their clientele with greater assurance that the professionals they hire are knowledgeable and qualified to perform specific tasks.

In 2020, the Plant Diagnostic Clinic diagnosed 335 plant disease, insect, arachnid, plant and weed identification samples. The majority of samples submitted, 293, were for disease diagnostics. Clientele included growers, crop consultants, landscape and nursery professionals, extension professionals, homeowners, master gardeners and federal and state officials.

Cooperative Extension is the outreach tool of land grant universities and typically follows a traditional face-to-face education and outreach model. In 2020, however, the global pandemic halted these efforts entirely, inspiring University of Delaware Cooperative Extension to evolve its methods and reach Delaware’s citizens.

Some Delaware Nutrient Management Program certified turfgrass managers find it difficult to maintain nutrient management and pesticide certifications, though 66 DE nutrient management continuing education credits (CEUs) were available in turfgrass or ornamentals in 2016 and 57 in 2017. 

Childhood obesity and its health impacts are well known. The national childhood obesity rate is 18.5% with one-third of children being overweight or obese. The rates vary among age groups, but rise as children get older. Teens who are obese have a 70 to 80% chance of becoming obese adults. In addition, significant environmental changes have decreased physical activity and increased food intake. 

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted many low-income, rural, and underserved communities. However, these populations still face barriers to vaccine education and access. The University of Delaware and the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Systems partnered to research this issue in 2022 and 2023. 

Agricultural production in the Mid-Atlantic Region is integral to local, regional, national and even international food systems. Maintaining and improving the productivity and competitiveness of this industry is critical for both producers and consumers. 

Mindfulness decreases perceived stress levels, medical and anxiety symptoms and blood pressure and also increases awareness, acceptance, emotion processing and coping skills in individuals. 

According to the 2018 Kids Count Fact book, more than 16.6 percent of children under the age of 18 in Delaware are living in poverty. Statewide, this alarming statistic equates to more than 35,300 youth. Many of these disadvantaged youth have early exposure to risky behaviors that include substance abuse, poor diet practices, and lack a safe environment to build relationships with other youth and adults.

Both commercial and residential developments are designed with stormwater management in mind, particularly focused on water quantity and less on water quality. There are opportunities to manage open spaces and stormwater management areas to help recreate some of the ecosystem services lost by the destruction of Delaware's forested lands. 

Life can get hard when our routines are forced to change due to unexpected circumstances. Recently, most individuals have experienced a significant change in their everyday customs and must stay at home as much as possible. This change has most likely caused some sort of stress to you, your family, or your friends. 

Foodborne illnesses are a common and costly – yet preventable – public health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in six Americans (nearly 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die of foodborne illnesses each year (CDC, 2017).

In 2020, the University of Delaware and University of Maryland Cooperative Extension services collaborated on the Health Insurance Literacy Initiative (HILI) to offer free Smart Choice and Smart Use programs in Delaware and Maryland.

During the summer of 2021, Delaware 4-H offered the Soccer for Success program: an all-levels, inclusive youth development program that incorporates health, wellness and soccer. 

Retrofitting watermelon busses with rubber and vinyl (instead of traditional carpeting) offers a durable, affordable and easily-sanitized way of reducing watermelon damage during harvest.

Redheaded flea beetles have become a critical nursery pest over the past eight years. Adults cause substantial chewing damage to foliage, leading to unsalable crops. The Mid-Atlantic area sees at least two generations of the beetles per year with activity occurring from May until mid-November.

Small grains are an essential crop in Delaware, with over 105,000 acres planted in the state in 2016, with a value of $24 million. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is considered the most damaging pathogen of small grains worldwide. This disease reduces yields of wheat and barley and also contaminates grain with the carcinogenic mycotoxin DON. 

For the past five years, bad weather, volatile markets, declining commodity prices, tariffs and regulations have contributed pressure on farming enterprises and on the health and vitality of farmers, ranchers and farm families. Those pressures are also felt by professionals who provide education and services for the farming population.

The Delmarva Peninsula is home to 1,350 broiler growers that produce approximately 525 million broiler chickens each year. Poultry growers are challenged to manage bird comfort during seasonal temperature changes.

During the 2018 Poultry Grower Basics Series, total attendance was 152 for all five programs. A total of 140 participants completed the program evaluation (92%). Respondents reported that a total poultry farm capacity of more than 9.3 million birds.

In recent years, the Delaware Nutrient Management Program has experienced a surge in the number of new poultry growers seeking education to comply with state law. This trend was echoed in recent local media coverage of Delmarva’s expanding poultry production.

There are several key insect pests of various Delaware commodities. Insect pests reproduce quickly. Some of them are migratory or are transient. Others are susceptible to management for only a very short period of time. Without an intensive monitoring effort, producers would be at great risk of either losing yield or wasting money applying pesticides at inappropriate times. 

Without proper identification, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools are futile and could potentially lead to the misuse of various pesticides or the rise of more tolerant pests. Agronomic consultants also need continuing education credits to maintain a pesticide license and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credentials.

Pest Walks June 6, 2018 and June 20, 2018 – Brian Kunkel, Nancy Gregory, Tracy Wootten and Carrie Murphy Stakeholders in gardens, agribusinesses, or landscapes observe plants in decline. Diseases and pests can impact income due to low quality plants, loss of plants and expenses for management.

It is essential that obesity prevention efforts focus on the socio-ecological model of change and are rooted in behavior change theory.

Nutrient impairments are common in Delaware waters, resulting from non-point sources of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from agricultural and urban areas. Agricultural nutrient losses are linked to the use of manures and inorganic fertilizers to supply nutrients to growing crops. 

Foodborne illnesses are a common, costly, yet preventable public health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in six Americans (nearly 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne illnesses each year (CDC, 2017). The actual incidences of hospitalization and death are probably higher, but many foodborne illnesses go undiagnosed.

The Mind Body Whole Wellness Tracker focuses on helping youth manage stress, mood and well-being through reflection and behavioral tracking. Developed in 2022 by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension in collaboration with the National 4-H Council, the tracker offers an innovative platform for individuals to monitor their overall well-being.

Despite the change to a new virtual environment, Delaware 4-H was committed to ensuring teen leaders still had opportunities to build valuable leadership skills.

Each irrigation system is designed to operate at a specific pressure. The water flow through each sprinkler depends heavily on this pressure, and larger nozzles are more sensitive to pressure changes. If the well yield or pump efficiency changes, it can significantly affect the pressure, which in turn impacts the water application rate and uniformity.

Herbicide-resistant weeds were first reported in the mid-Atlantic region in the 1970s. For the next thirty years, new herbicides were discovered and marketed to provide alternative options to farmers and prevent yield loss. However, weeds have continued to evolve resistance to new herbicides and new herbicide mechanisms of action.

Soybean and small grains (wheat and barley) production are vital to Delaware’s agricultural economy, with annual revenues estimated at $74,773,000 and $35,052,333 respectively. Farmers are challenged with managing emerging and re-emerging pests that threaten the profitability of these important commodities. 

Of Delaware’s three counties, Kent County ranks last in both overall health outcomes, such as poor mental health days and overall health factors, such as physical inactivity. In Dover, there are disjointed efforts to make changes to improve the health of the youth.

 University of Delaware Cooperative Extension brought together 81 individuals representing 45 organizations to partner on projects to improve the health of Dover youth in the areas of mental health, education, and food access/physical health. Members of the Dover Youth Committee (DYC) planned and implemented three community dinners in 2024.

Workplace health promotion programs can save companies money by reducing healthcare and absenteeism costs and improving worker productivity. People are encouraged to act on their knowledge and awareness when certain conditions are created, using a three-tiered approach...

To increase producers’ chances of success and profitability of their livestock operation, the Delaware Cooperative Extension Small Ruminant Team recognized the need for additional education. 

Profit margins related to the production of commodity crops, such as corn and soybeans, have decreased significantly compared to previous years. This financial strain stems from a multitude of factors, including a surge in input prices, commodity market volatility, and high-interest operating loans. Evaluating production costs and commodity price trends has a crucial function in ensuring the short-term and long-term sustainability of a grain operation

Many Delawareans suffer from food insecurity and hunger and the cheapest food is often the unhealthiest. Find out how UD Cooperative Extension addressed this issue in 2019.

According to Delaware academic standards, students in grades 5 through 8 must receive 35 to 60 hours of comprehensive health and family life education. This education is essential to improve both healthy behaviors and long-term health outcomes for students.

To educate farmers, the UD’s extension specialist in entomology discussed common insect pests and management options.

With development pressures, lack of forest product markets in the area and other management challenges around climate and pests, small forest parcels are particularly at risk of being lost. Find out how UD Cooperative Extension addressed this issue in 2019.

4-H Embryology in the Classroom provides a hands-on learning experience that helps youth build their problem-solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.

Throughout the past year, wholesale and direct-marketing produce growers were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Wholesale growers needed information on keeping their employees safe. Direct marketers needed advice about adjusting sales methods to protect both the patrons and employees of farm stands, farmer's markets and pick-your-own operations.

For many fresh market vegetable crops, a large number of varieties are available, but not all are suitable for production in Delaware. Growers need research-based information on yield, quality traits and disease resistance of varieties in order to choose varieties that are likely to perform well on their farms.

For many fresh market vegetable crops, a large number of varieties are available, but not all are suitable for production in Delaware. Growers need research-based information on yield, quality traits and disease resistance of varieties in order to choose varieties that are likely to perform well on their farms.

The Extension Collaborative on Immunization and Teaching Engagement initiative (EXCITE) addresses vaccination disparities in underserved communities.

he Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Rule went into effect in 2016. Under the rule, growers of fresh consumed produce must attend an approved training. 

Foodborne illnesses are a common and costly—yet preventable—public health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 6 Americans (approximately 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die of foodborne illnesses each year. 

UD Extension's Nutrient Management program released 12 new self-paced online modules to accommodate this growing need, increasing the total from 11 (6.5 total credits) to 23 modules (16.25 total credits).

The poultry industry has a tremendous impact on the financial stability of Delmarva. Over the past five years, poultry companies had such a need for capacity that they accepted poor performance on farms and continued to place birds. In 2018, we had the perfect storm of circumstances. A company planning a major expansion had an issue. 

Delaware Cooperative Extensions' unique volunteer programs increase our ability to engage with the citizens of our state with a personal, community-oriented approach.

 UD Cooperative Extension is in its second year of offering several group-style programs to support the development of mental health coping skills. These programs provide opportunities for competitive group play, storytelling, communication and empathy-building activities, and social-emotional-directed activities.

The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension developed and implemented  training to improve communication and promote vaccine education. This program was offered internally to the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) team as well as externally to Community Health Workers (CHWs) through the Community Health Workers Association of Delaware. The training program uses a combination of didactic and practice-based learning for both CHWs and EFNEP paraprofessionals.

Phytophthora fruit rot caused by the oomycete *Phytophthora capsici* is a major challenge to cucurbit production within the Mid-Atlantic region. Sandy soils in the Mid-Atlantic also favor the accumulation of root-knot nematode, *Meloidogyne incognita*, which significantly reduces yields across numerous cucurbit hosts and rotation partners. In recent years, the sporadic losses to Phytophthora fruit rot have increased in frequency and nematode populations are well above high economic threshold levels.

Identifying new processing vegetable crops helps Delaware growers vary their field management and diversify their farm business and provides end consumers with more and better varieties of food.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that the United States, between 2017 and 2018, has experienced an almost 100% increase in the number of high school aged students who report using vape products within the past month—an increase from 11% to 21%. Many adults are still not aware of the e-cigarette industry, products and problem of youth access.

U.S. agriculture census data confirms that women are increasingly involved in managing farm operations.

The University of Delaware’s Cooperative Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides a minimum of 6 hours of interactive, hands-on education. The program focuses on developing participants’ skills to make healthy food choices based on their budget, use their resources wisely, handle food safely, and participate in physical activity each day.

UD Cooperative Extension offers the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), an educational opportunity that boasts a minimum of 6 hours of interactive, hands-on education.

In Delaware, the most prevalent water quality impairments are from nutrients, due to their nature as a non-point source pollutant and an abundance of agriculture and urban lands where they are applied as fertilizers. For decades, nutrients have been the focus of status and trends research, regulatory efforts, implementation of best management practices, and funding programs.

Delaware demonstrates a need for more diabetes education, as only 51 percent of those diagnosed have taken a class on managing their condition, according to the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. 

Small ruminant production has been increasing in the United States due to the niche market for small ruminant meat by ethnic communities and its recognition as a healthier red meat alternative. 

Delaware's 4-H Afterschool Program prioritizes these STEAM experiences and offers hands-on opportunities to members in 12 schools and organizations across all three counties. 

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension offers initial nutrient management certification training to urban horticulture professionals as required by law.

The Delaware Master Naturalist core training creates and strengthens the knowledge foundation for Delaware natural history and conservation efforts. The Delaware Master Naturalist Jamboree gathers certified Delaware Master Naturalists from across the state for a day of learning and networking. Each year, Jamboree speakers provide training on topics including interpretation, nature photography, invasive plant management, and wildlife rehabilitation.

Master Gardeners provide on-site technical assistance to homeowners who request advice and guidance through GAP. From April through October each year, small teams of Master Gardeners conduct site visits to these homeowners’ properties. In the homeowners’ applications to the program, they identify their site characteristics, problems, and issues, and rank their landscape priorities

4-H, America’s largest youth organization, has a history of providing youth with hands-on learning experiences and cultivating leadership qualities in young people. Leadership development is essential in nurturing the next generation of leaders to impact their communities, country, and world. Helping youth develop leadership skills is crucial for their personal and societal development, enabling them to navigate challenges and contribute to positive social change.

Childhood obesity and its health impacts are well known. The national childhood obesity rate is 18.5% with one-third of children being overweight or obese. The rates vary among age groups, but rise as children get older. 

The leadership skills that Delaware 4-H teaches open up a multitude of opportunities as participants move on to college, start their first jobs and enter the next stages of life.

School field trips are an important part of a child’s education for many reasons.  They provide students the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone and be exposed to a variety of things they may not otherwise be able to explore. Field trips offer the opportunity for hands-on learning and critical thinking skills. They can also help students meet new people and learn about new skills and careers.

Guidelines created to assist producers in converting their chicken houses to indoor growing facilities have been adopted as the regional standard, creating new opportunities for producers and mitigating the risk of foodborne illness.

Green roof systems are roofs that have incorporated plant material to reduce energy costs. Management options for plants grown in these locations are extremely limited; therefore root-feeding insects are often very difficult to control with insecticides.

The Healthy Retail Project supports the local economy by supporting local farmers and retailers and promotes public health by improving access to healthy foods that can decrease the risk of chronic disease. Improving food access is essential, especially in disadvantaged communities with higher health risks.

The Botvin LifeSkills Training, a research-validated substance abuse prevention program, was implemented to prevent cigarette use among Delaware youth, which is a potential gateway drug and can lead to the use of alcohol, marijuana and other harmful drugs.

The UD Extension Vegetable and Fruit Research Program collaborated with blueberry grower Hail Bennett to conduct research to determine which varieties perform well in Delaware, test low-cost or free mulch materials and soil amendments, develop recommended practices for establishing and maintaining blueberries and clarify nitrogen fertilization recommendations.

Livestock producers are continually looking for ways to ensure the sale of a quality product. And in a society where food products rapidly move across the nation, consumers must be able to trace that food back to its origin. The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is an excellent opportunity to improve on both of these measures.

Individuals desiring to develop a small-scale farm business need training. UD Extension's Beginning Farmers Training Program helps these new farmers achieve the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently begin their small farm business. This creates more local food options and sustainable agriculture in communities in Delaware.

U.S. census data confirms that women are increasingly involved in managing farm operations. Delaware itself has seen an increase in the number of farms operated by women, and those in the equine industry are predominantly women. 

In Selbyville, many youth are living in poverty and need safe, quality, affordable afterschool programs, including 50% of students attending Phillip C. Showell Elementary (per the Department of Education). Two recent incidents in Selbyville underscore the need for 4-H afterschool programing

Walk With Ease addresses chronic disease in Delaware by providing individuals with the knowledge and support they need to begin and maintain a cost-effective, basic introductory fitness program. It is also a low-cost, effective program for employers to offer their employees.

The Walk With Ease program is an evidence-based fitness program sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, proven to reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis, increase balance, strength and walking pace, build confidence in one's ability to be physically active, and improve overall health.

A survey was developed and sent to current or former Delaware 4-H members who were 18- to 29-years-old. The survey requested anyone in this group who currently or previously attended college to respond on how their 4-H membership assisted them in being prepared for their college experience. 

According to the 2018 Kids Count Fact book, more than 16.6 percent of children under the age of 18 in Delaware are living in poverty. Statewide, this alarming statistic equates to more than 35,300 youth. Many of these disadvantaged youth have early exposure to risky behaviors that include substance abuse, poor diet practices, and lack a safe environment to build relationships with other youth and adults.