This morning, President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on February 19, 2018 as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence in Florida. In concurrence with the President’s order and as an expression of Delaware’s sympathy […]

With the passing of Reverend Billy Graham on Wednesday, February 21 2018, President Trump has ordered American flags at all government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff the day of his interment, this Friday March 2. In concurrence with the President’s order, Governor Carney has ordered the American and Delaware flags at state buildings […]

With the passing of former State Representative Howard Clendaniel on March 19, Governor Carney has ordered the United States and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff on Friday, March 23, as a mark of respect for Mr. Clendaniel and his service to Delaware. Mr. Clendaniel was elected to the State […]

With the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 President Trump has ordered United States flags at all government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning immediately as a mark of respect for the memory of Mrs. Bush. In concurrence with the President’s order and in remembrance of Mrs. […]

Tuesday, May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day.  On this day we pay tribute to peace officers across our country who have died, or who have been disabled in the line of duty.  In accordance with federal law (36 U.S.C. 175), Governor Carney requests that the Delaware and United States flags be lowered to half-staff […]

This afternoon President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on May 22, as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the shootings at Santa Fe High School in Texas. In concurrence with the President’s order and as an expression of […]

This morning President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset today , as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis MD. In concurrence with the President’s order and as […]

Governor Carney has ordered the United States and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning today, July 19 to mark the passing of former Delaware Representative Katharine Jester. Representative Jester served the residents of the Middletown area  and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1980 and served until […]

Senator John McCain proudly served his country as a Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and as a statesman representing the State of Arizona in the U.S. House and Senate for over thirty years. In remembrance of the life and service of Senator McCain, Governor Carney has ordered the U.S. and Delaware flags to half […]

By a joint resolution approved 12/18/2001, (Public Law 107-89) September 11th of each year has been designated as “Patriot Day”. This law also directs the flags be lowered to half-staff for the entire day on September 11th. In concurrence with this directive, Governor Carney has ordered the U. S. and Delaware flags be flown at […]

Late last evening, President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on October 31, 2018 as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. In concurrence with the President’s order […]

This morning President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on November 10, 2018 as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated in Thousand Oaks, California, on November 7, 2018. In concurrence with the President’s order […]

With the passing of former President George H. W. Bush on November 30, 2018 President Trump has ordered United States flags at all government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning immediately in honor and tribute to the memory of President George H.W. Bush, and as an expression of public sorrow. In concurrence with […]

With the passing of former State Senator Steven Amick on Wednesday, January 23 Governor Carney has ordered the United States and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning Friday morning, February 1 as a mark of respect for Mr. Amick and his service to Delaware. Mr. Amick’s legislative career began […]

Wednesday, May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day. On this day we pay tribute to peace officers across our country who have died, or who have been disabled in the line of duty. In accordance with federal law (36 U.S.C. 175) and a proclamation issued by President Trump, Governor Carney requests that the Delaware and […]

On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have died in service upholding the freedoms that all Americans enjoy today. To honor the dedication and service of all of our service members Governor Carney requests that the proper protocol for the U.S. Flag Code be followed this Memorial Day. Flags are to be lowered […]

This afternoon President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, June 4 as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated in Virginia Beach, Virginia on May 31, 2019. In concurrence with the President’s order […]

Governor Carney has ordered the U.S. and Delaware flags lowered to half staff beginning the morning of Friday June 7 through Monday morning June 10 in remembrance of former State Representative Robert Powell and former Delaware State University President Dr. William DeLauder. Mr. Powell was first elected to the Delaware General Assembly in November 1972 […]

With the passing of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, President Trump has ordered U.S. flags at all government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff the day of his interment, Tuesday, July 23rd as a mark of respect for the memory of Justice Stevens and to honor his service to our country. […]

Today President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on August 8, 2019 as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible acts of violence perpetrated in El Paso, Texas on August 3, 2019 and in Dayton, Ohio on August 4, […]

By a joint resolution approved 12/18/2001, (Public Law 107-89) September 11th of each year has been designated as “Patriot Day”. This law also directs the flags be lowered to half-staff for the entire day on September 11th. In concurrence with this directive, Governor Carney has ordered the U. S. and Delaware flags be flown at […]

Mr. Sullivan was appointed as the Chief Public Defender in 1970, serving 39 years when he retired in 2009. Under his direction, the Office of the Public Defender grew from 10 employees to a full-service law firm employing nearly 150 people and 70 attorneys.

Previous guidance issued this morning provided for the U.S. and Delaware flags to be flown at half staff Friday, September 20 to mark the passing of former Public Defender Larry Sullivan. Title 29, Section 408 of the Delaware Code requires Delaware State agencies, including all public schools, to display a POW/MIA flag on National POW/MIA […]

Everyday across Delaware, thousands of firefighters serve their communities and protect the public by responding to not only fires but almost any emergency situation. Sunday, October 6 has been recognized by Congress as the day US and State flags are to be flown at half-staff in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Gov. Carney ordered the United States and Delaware flags at state buildings be flown at half-staff. Flags are to be returned to full staff at the close of business on Friday, October 18.

Each year, on December 7 we honor the over 2,400 men and women who lost their lives for our country on this day in 1941.

Airforce Act 1950

Delaware residents should ask pesticide contractors for their state pesticide business license information before hiring them, state agricultural officials advise. "Spring and summer are a busy season for pesticide applicators, as many people get their lawns spruced up," said Dave Pyne, pesticides administrator for the Department of Agriculture. "We want homeowners to know that all pesticide applicators in Delaware should be licensed and certified, which ensures everyone is working by approved standards."

With hurricane season about to begin, Delaware agricultural authorities are urging farmers and pet owners to plan ahead and prepare for weather emergencies. Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from May 26 to June 1, with hurricane season beginning June 1. The Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Animal Response Program works with state emergency officials and animal welfare organizations to assist animal owners with preparation, sheltering in place and evacuation. “Preparing and acting early can save animals’ lives,” said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “The time to take action is now, before storms create disaster conditions.”

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a native tree that can be affected by a fungal disease known as anthracnose. Several factors such as wet weather and lower average temperatures have combined to make this a more severe year for this condition. While many of the trees in the sycamore family are showing signs of stress, experts at the Delaware Forest Service believe that the majority of these will recover and leaf out normally as temperatures warm toward summer.

The long-term battle to restore the Chesapeake Bay is quietly being waged on the Deep Creek Tract of Redden State Forest in Georgetown.

UPDATE: This event will take place at Kent County’s Brecknock Park – all other details are the same. For directions: click here   “Forestry for the future” – Students to test forestry skills at Brecknock Park on June 25. Contact: Ashley Peebles, 302-698-4551 ashley.peebles@delaware.gov Who:     – Delaware school chapters of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and […]

PolyTech High School in Woodside placed first among six Delaware high school FFA chapters in the annual “Forestry Career Development Event (CDE)," a challenging test of tree identification skills, forestry tools and knowledge, and math-related abilities held at Brecknock County Park in Camden this week. Led by instructor Susan Wujtewicz, PolyTech also fielded the event's individual overall winner, Jacob Dickey. The event was held in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Owners of farm markets, produce stands, garden centers, agritourism businesses, riding stables, farms offering hay sales, and other agricultural retail operations are being sought to be featured in the latest edition of the Delaware Agricultural Directory.

A team of Delaware volunteer firefighters who have been battling a blaze in Utah for the past week are now headed to a new assignment in the Payette National Forest near McCall, Idaho. According to Delaware state forester Michael Valenti of Dover, who is traveling with the team, Delaware's crew will be traveling over 500 miles from Utah to Idaho on August 20, and then begin its first operational period on August 21.

A crew of 19 wildland firefighters trained by the Delaware Forest Service are on the front lines of the Howard Fire in Idaho's Payette National Forest, a blaze ignited by lightning in the rugged terrain east of Riggins, Idaho.

A horse from Sussex County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, the Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today.

As part of National Fire Prevention Month in October, Smokey Bear will be visiting classrooms with the Delaware Forest Service's yearly fire prevention education programs targeted to first-grade students in the state's private, public, and charter schools. Ashley Peebles coordinates the successful effort that reaches around 9,000 students annually.

The Delaware Forest Service funded a streetscape project in Georgetown, highlighted by the planting of 18 new cherry and lilac trees along East Market Street near the Sussex County Courthouse. Total cost was estimated at $37,000.

The Delaware Forest Service is seeking qualified and interested individuals for its upcoming series of wildfire training classes at the Delaware State Fire School. Ideal candidates should be: at least 18 years of age, physically and mentally fit, motivated to learn, and willing to travel for two weeks or more for out-of-state assignments.

Tickets are now available for the 43rd annual Agricultural Industry Dinner on Jan. 23 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. An early-bird discount is available for registrations received by Dec. 31.

A Beekeeping 101 workshop will be held Jan. 18 for anyone interested in the art and science of beekeeping. The event will take place 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Delaware State University Research & Outreach Center, 844 Smyrna-Leipsic Road, Smyrna.

Forty-four new farms totaling more than 4,300 acres have been selected for permanent easements to add to the Delaware Farmland Preservation Program, the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation has announced.

The Delaware Forest Service's 2014 Arbor Day Poster Contest is now open to all Delaware students in grades K to 5. Public, private and home schools are encouraged to participate as well as after-school groups and youth organizations. Posters are due by April 4th, 2013. This year's poster contest theme - "Trees are Terrific…In Cities and Towns!" - is dedicated to the important role that trees play in our communities and schoolyards.

With farm stands opening their doors and farmers' market seasons kicking off this month, it's now easier than ever for Delawareans to buy their farm-fresh items directly from growers.

The Delaware Forest Service will hold its 19th annual Fire Camp at Redden State Forest near Georgetown on Saturday, April 26 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The intensive one-day seminar provides hands-on training to volunteer wildland firefighters and, weather permitting, will feature a "live burn" exercise in which crew members battle an actual wildfire.

More than $336,000 in federal grant funding is now available for projects to help produce, market or access Delaware-grown fruit, vegetables and certain other crops.

Middletown High School FFA students won the 2014 “Forestry Career Development Event (CDE),” a challenging test of tree identification skills, forestry tools and knowledge, and math-related abilities. Sussex Central High School's FFA team placed second. Each team consisted of four students who answered both individual and team-based questions. Middletown will now represent Delaware at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Kentucky that begins on October 29, 2014.

The Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program is accepting applications for its 2014 grant program from municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profit groups in Delaware. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 for either tree planting or tree management projects and require a 50-50 cost-share match in cash or in-kind services. Projects must be performed on public land and only one project in one category by each applicant is permitted. Applications will be judged on a competitive basis by a committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Deadline for submission is September 15, 2014.

The Delaware Forest Service plans to conduct a prescribed fire on 74 acres west of U.S. Route 113 near the Town of Frankford, Sussex County. The burning could begin as early as Monday, October 27, though officials estimate the date might be closer to mid-week. The actual date of ignition will depend on local weather and fuel conditions.