EPA and Delaware Department of Agriculture Renew Partnership

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 14, 2026, to continue their joint efforts in promoting sustainable farming and environmental health within the state.

The agreement focuses on the shared objective of maintaining well-managed sustainable farms that provide food for local communities while ensuring a clean environment. The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation across several key areas, including environmental stewardship, communication, education, funding opportunities, and the management of regulatory programs.

A primary goal of the renewed partnership is to engage the broader agricultural community in the adoption of regenerative practices and environmental protection. The agencies aim to demonstrate that agricultural profitability and conservation efforts can coexist.

Focus on Water Quality and Soil Health

The collaboration specifically prioritizes the improvement of water quality, with a particular emphasis on critical areas such as the Chesapeake Bay. To support these goals, the EPA and DDA will provide joint training for the agricultural community to ensure that federal and state regulatory programs are implemented effectively.

EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey stated that the agreement is intended to accelerate the ability of producers to access resources and implement growing practices that build soil health, reduce operational costs, safeguard water quality, and support prosperity in rural areas.

Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton noted that the partnership coordinates state and federal efforts to address various agriculture priorities, ranging from conservation efforts to water quality, which he stated enhances the livelihood of the farming community in the First State.

Partnership History and Evolution

This renewal follows a previous five-year Memorandum of Understanding originally signed on January 15, 2020. That initial pact was described as a first-of-its-kind agreement between the EPA and a state agriculture department, signed by then-EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio and Delaware Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse.

The 2020 agreement was designed to formalize the partnership between the two agencies and expand activities to prioritize funding and coordinate on regulatory issues. It also sought to recognize farmers for their environmental stewardship and provide educational opportunities for producers.

During the establishment of the initial MOU, the agencies utilized tools such as EPA Farmer Roundtables to open lines of communication and identify the specific needs of the agriculture industry.

Scope of the Current Agreement

The renewed MOU on April 14, 2026, continues to address a wide range of topics aimed at balancing agricultural production with environmental protection. The scope of the agreement includes:

• Improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and other critical regions.
• Implementing joint training for the agricultural community regarding regulatory programs.
• Increasing producer access to resources for soil health and regenerative practices.
• Coordinating communication and education between state and federal agencies.
• Identifying and facilitating funding opportunities for sustainable farming.

The agencies intend for these efforts to span from the Brandywine to the Inland Bays, supporting producers across the state in maintaining a balance between prosperity and clean water.