New Castle Conservation District

05/25/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, the NCCD Office will be closed today, Monday, May 25th. We will reopen for normal business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26th at 8 AM.

05/22/2026

🌱Celebrating Delaware Grown Week, one seedling at a time.

Participants in the New Ground Growers Series got hands-on at WPHS Penn Farm, learning the art of transplanting seedlings and growing skills that will nourish our communities for seasons to come.

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05/21/2026

🌱 Cover crops are an investment in healthy soil.

Last week, Rep. Kendra Johnson, Toby Hagerott of WPHS Penn Farm, and the NCCD team discussed the value of cover crops.

Delaware’s cover crop program is already one of the strongest in the nation—second in total acres planted—and that success didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of consistent, long-term investment that farmers can count on year after year.

Committed funds build on that foundation. It allows the District to expand participation, reach more acres, and keep Delaware at the forefront of environmental conservation and preservation of open space.

Cover crops are also an investment in the soil that:
🌎 Reduce fertilizer needs, which is especially critical right now as global instability has driven input costs sharply higher
🌱 Improve soil health and water retention, leading to more resilient landscapes, including those downstream during extreme rain events
💲 And ultimately put dollars back into farmers’ bottom lines at a time when commodity prices are at extremes, helping to prevent farmland from being sold

Investment in cover crops is investing in a proven system that delivers both economic and environmental returns for New Castle County and Delaware.

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05/20/2026

📰 Get the inside scoop for all things NCCD - sign up for our digital newsletter today!

Filled with the latest announcements, exciting news, opportunities, project highlights, and so much more, you will want to be one of the first to receive the upcoming edition! 🌱

Sign up via our website:
https://www.newcastlecd.org/news

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Celebrate the flavors of the First State during Delaware Grown Week, May 17–23!

From fresh strawberries and sweet corn to locally raised meats, seafood, flowers, and more, there’s no better time to support Delaware farmers, growers, and producers.

Visit your local farmers market or farm stand and discover what’s in season right here in Delaware. In 2025, Delaware farmers markets surpassed $5 million in sales for the first time - showing just how much Delawareans value fresh, local food.

Find farm stands, farmers markets, recipes, and seasonal availability at Delaware Grown: https://delawaregrown.com/



https://news.delaware.gov/2026/05/18/enjoy-first-state-favorites-during-delaware-grown-week-may-17-23/

05/06/2026

Busy two weeks for NCCD Outreach!

We kicked off at the Delaware Envirothon - congratulations to Odessa FFA & Agriscience for a back-to-back win! 🏆

From there, we met 500+ people at UD Ag Day with University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, teaching about soil health (yes, with the giant foam burger 🍔), shared local soil insights during National Association of Conservation Districts Stewardship Week, and celebrated conservation leaders at the Governor’s Conservation Awards.

We wrapped it all up at the White Clay Creek Festival with White Clay Creek State Park, engaging with hundreds more - burger in hand!

Thanks to everyone who engaged with us! Want to learn more? Visit http://newcastlecd.org 🔗

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05/04/2026

🌎 Celebrate World Environment Day on June 4 from 10 AM-2 PM!

Join Delaware River and Bay Authority and us at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, DE, as we celebrate the environment with other organizations, partners, and vendors. You'll be able to celebrate the environment through interactive activities, exhibits, educational displays, and so much more! There will also be good food and giveaways.

Be sure to visit our table where we'll have a hands-on activity focused on soils and soil health!

Mark your calendars to join us Thursday, June 4, from 10 AM until 2 PM - we can't wait to see you there!

05/02/2026

Thank you for celebrating with us! 🌱

Healthy soil is essential to everything we do here in New Castle County, from supporting local farms to protecting our natural resources.

We appreciate the farmers, landowners, educators, and community members who work every day to conserve Delaware’s soil and water along with us.

Together, we can continue protecting the land where it all begins. Soil.

Don’t forget to explore the free educational materials from at bit.ly/nacd-sw26 and keep learning beyond Stewardship Week.

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05/01/2026

Soil forms slowly, but its impact is immediate. 🌱📅

It can take over 100 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil, depending on climate, vegetation, and land use. Because of this, protecting soil through conservation practices is critical in Delaware.

The New Castle Conservation District supports soil health through education and community outreach across the county. Each year, we participate in local events such as:
🌿 White Clay Creek Fest
🍂 Blackbird Creek Fall Festival
🚜 University of Delaware Ag Day
🌎 Delaware Envirothon

These events provide hands-on learning opportunities for students, families, and landowners to better understand soil, water, and conservation.

You can also explore free educational materials from at bit.ly/nacd-sw26 to continue learning beyond Stewardship Week.

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04/30/2026

Soil is one of our best natural tools for protecting water quality. 💧

As water moves through soil in New Castle County, it slows down and is naturally filtered before reaching waterways, including the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Conservation practices supported by NCCD and NRCS, like cover crops, buffers, and reduced tillage, help:
- Reduce runoff
- Prevent erosion
- Keep nutrients out of waterways

Delaware’s coastal location makes this work especially important. Healthy soils don’t just support land; they protect entire ecosystems downstream. 🌊

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