11:11 a.m., Jan. 9, 2009----Governor-elect Jack Markell announced Friday, Jan. 9, that he will nominate Ed Kee, retired University of Delaware Cooperative Extension specialist and University alumnus, as his Secretary of Agriculture.

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Markell made the announcement at the Friends of Agriculture breakfast in Harrington, Del., marking the end of Delaware Agriculture Week.

“From the beginning, I wanted someone who feels ag in their bones and who has walked where farmers have walked. I wanted someone who is committed to agriculture here in Delaware,” Markell said. “We had absolutely wonderful candidates. In Ed, I've found one who has come highly recommended and who really knows the face of Delaware agriculture.”

“It is a privilege and a pleasure to have Gov. Markell join us this morning as the capstone to a week's worth of celebrating agriculture,” said Jan Seitz, associate dean of the University of Delaware's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and director of UD Cooperative Extension.

“This nomination is a personal moment of pride for Ed and Cooperative Extension,” Seitz said. “When Jack spoke of what he was looking for in a secretary (of agriculture), I can attest that Ed truly has all of the attributes that it takes to fulfill this new role to its fullest, having served as our ag program leader for four years prior to his retirement with 30 years of service to Cooperative Extension.”

Kee received his bachelor's and master's degrees in agriculture from the University of Delaware in 1973 and 1975, respectively.

He joined University of Delaware Cooperative Extension as the Kent County Agricultural Agent in 1978, after serving as a farm manager for Nassau Orchards.

Throughout his time at UD, Kee became well known throughout the state as a vegetable expert.

Kee, now a Hanover Foods executive, retired from the University in 2008.

“I am honored that Governor-elect Markell will be nominating me and I appreciate that opportunity to join the Markell-Denn Administration,” Kee said. “Agriculture is very important to Delaware and our economic future. I walked in the farmers' shoes and I will use that knowledge to do everything I can to help them through these tough times.”

In his address to the crowd of more than 200, Markell acknowledged the challenges that Delaware has ahead. “We have our work cut out for us. Our strong, vibrant agriculture sector will be more important than ever before. We have a wonderful tradition of ag in the state but we've often taken it for granted,” he said. “The ultimate farmland preservation is to make sure that farmers are profitable as farmers.”

Markell reflected on his campaign and the bike tours he took up and down the state. “I had the joy of riding on Delaware's back roads with my kids, and seeing, and hearing, and smelling the best of Delaware agriculture.”

Markell added, “And, what I want as much as anyone, is that in 50, 75 or even 100 years, some other governor will be able to talk about the strength of Delaware agriculture with lots of farms and farmland, and know that people are making a living as farmers. We can disagree from time to time, but if that is our inspiration together, we will be in good shape.”

Delaware Agriculture Week is a collaboration between the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the Delaware Department of Agriculture designed to provide useful and timely information to people whose livelihoods depend on maintaining the quality and productivity of the Delaware agriculture.

The Friends of Agriculture is a breakfast series, providing monthly guest speakers of interest to farmers and other agriculture industry professionals, state leaders, and the general public.

Article by Katy O'Connell
Photographs by Danielle Quigley