DELAWARE – The Delaware Department of Agriculture is announcing a milestone of 150,000 acres preserved for agriculture in the first state.

The Department says land purchases started in 1995, to help private farmers with leasing options if and when they need to expand their operations.
Without these purchases, Department Director Jimmy Kroon tells 47ABC farmers would lose the bidding war to housing developments and commercial use for the land.

Kroon says with more young farmers needed now more than ever,  it’s important that land stays affordable for newer farmers.

“We need to keep it affordable for young people looking to get in we have many farmers looking at retirement, in the 60s and up,” he said adding “Delaware’s economy largely depends on agriculture, it brings several billion Dollars in economic activity to the state, and a lot of that depends on.”

While the land is zoned for agriculture, agritourism uses are also allowed according to Kroon, including uses such as wineries, breweries, and farmers markets using repurposed existing sites on the same plots as the farmland.