DOVER, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer and Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay have appointed four new members to Delaware’s Governor’s Council on Agriculture, aiming to broaden geographic and sector representation within the council. The announcement was made during the Delaware State Fair as part of ongoing efforts to align agricultural policies with the evolving needs of the state’s farming communities.
The new appointees include Jackie King of Sussex County, a retired crop insurance consultant who will represent risk management; Kristy Baxter Malin, also from Sussex County and co-owner of Baxter Farms, representing poultry and crop production; Elizabeth Patrick from New Castle County, co-owner of B&B Farms, focusing on small farms, livestock, and agritourism; and Gwendolyn Pierce of New Castle County, who co-owns Union Ridge Farms and will represent small-scale livestock interests.
They join returning members from Kent County: council chair Robert “Bobby” Fifer representing produce and direct sales; Benjamin Wilson, focusing on grains and soybeans; and Paul Cartanza Sr., overseeing processing of grains and vegetables. Agriculture Secretary Don Clifton described the expanded council as the most diverse and engaged he has observed, highlighting that the new appointments mirror current trends in Delaware farming toward innovation and inclusiveness rooted in community values. Simultaneously, officials provided updates on Delaware’s Food is Medicine initiative, a state-led strategy that links local agriculture with healthcare services to improve nutrition and wellness, especially for residents facing food insecurity. The Governor’s Council on Agriculture and its workgroups are scheduled to convene later this year to address key topics including climate resilience, rural development, and expanding access to nutritious food throughout Delaware.
