Robin Talley grew up on farm, now helps them survive

Delaware's farmers couldn't have a better advocate than Robin Talley, a 30-year veteran with the United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency.

Earlier this year, Talley received the Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service to Delaware Agriculture, a tribute to her dedication and hard work as a program specialist assisting farmers in the First State with loans, disaster relief and conservation programs.

A fitting tribute, too, for a farmer's daughter.

"Robin has the grass roots touch when she's dealing with farmers; she's on their side," says Delaware Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee, who has worked with Talley since the mid-90s. "She's also incredibly capable and has some fine understanding of the federal programs that benefit farmers. She leads by example and her whole agency is very effective."

As district manager for the state of Delaware, Talley oversees the implementation of those federal programs and as such, has developed long-lasting relationships with many of Delaware's farmers.

"They're really hard-working, sincere, and very independent," she says, adding that her success is easily explained: "I respect them."

Talley started earning that respect as a child growing up with her siblings on a farm in northern Delaware. Her father raised dairy cows and plowed the rolling hills often accompanied by one of his three oldest daughters perched on the tractor with him. Their nonstop work– hauling hay, fixing fences, feeding calves and chickens, and shoveling manure out of the barn – built the foundation for her future.

"When he came in the driveway, you hopped," Talley remembers of her dad. "You ran out to unhook a wagon or whatever so he didn't have to come down off the tractor. I never appreciated it until a neighbor I babysat for used to tell me my dad was the hardest working man in the world."

Despite her background, Talley's career in agriculture wasn't always a given. A high school economics class sparked her interest in the subject, and, though planning to be a teacher, she decided to major in agricultural economics at the University of Delaware.

Upon graduation, she landed a job with the Farm Service Agency's predecessor agency, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, intending to stay for six months. She never left. Once enrolled in a management trainee program, she went on to serve as Kent County executive director from 1985 to 1995, pursuing master's degrees in economics and business administration from UD.

"A big part of how I got here is the University of Delaware," she says of her Blue Hen background. "I've always worked with really great people committed to what they do."

Talley's keen understanding of what it takes to survive in the field of agriculture also gives her insight into its many risks. Adverse weather and low prices rank high among them and Talley's agency offers "safety net" programs to offset declines in price or revenue.

Other programs provide coverage for crops and livestock for which crop insurance is not available. Access to affordable credit allows the FSA to provide loans to purchase land and finance operating expenses like seed, fertilizer, and equipment. The guaranteed loan program is a boon to beginning farmers and those who have difficulty getting credit.

"Throughout my career, there have been periods of sustained low prices or drought that have threatened the ability of some to stay in farming," she says. "I have seen cases where we made a direct loan that enabled the farmer to keep the operation going. In one instance, the farmer had a viable operation but hit a rough period. The bank was unwilling to extend further credit, but thanks to the direct loan, (he was) able to pay creditors and make payroll. Today, the farmer is still under pressure but making progress and the farm continues to provide jobs."

Navigating the many federal programs causes no undue stress for many farmers, and this is where Talley shines.

"She's got a knack with talking to the farmers and explaining programs and giving advice because not all programs are for everybody," says "Hap" Cook, a retired dairy farmer near the Maryland border.

Talley realizes how difficult it is for some to deal with the government.

"It's part of the business now; you have to protect yourself and insurance and conservation programs help," she says.

Denny Wilson, a grain farmer from Smyrna who with his brother raises corn, soybean, and wheat on 6,000 acres, has worked with Talley for years.

"She has helped us out tremendously and is a good go-to person whenever we've had a problem."

Part of Talley's job is to help famers interpret each new federal Farm Bill that comes out approximately every five years, helping them with compliance and new programs.

"With the last farm bill, she did an educational presentation for about a half dozen big farmers explaining what the programs are and how to implement them," Wilson remembers. "She made it the least stressful as possible."

With the risks, Talley has also noted much advancement.

"The biggest changes I've seen are in technology," she says, adding that computers play an increasing role in equipment and crop planning. Because Delaware is a "Free to Farm" state, it is a good place to be involved in agriculture. "The public may not think of them this way, but farms are small businesses and small business is the backbone of Delaware's economy. They contribute to the tax base, jobs, and open space. No matter where you live in Delaware, you get to enjoy and benefit from some aspect of farming—fresh vegetables, fruits, or meat; open space; fresh air; and jobs. I can't imagine Delaware without farms and farmers, we need them," she says.

And for the last 30 years, Delaware farmers have needed Robin Talley, too.

Moira Sheridan is a Wilmington freelance writer and gardener. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware's Master Gardener program. Reach her at masher9@verizon.com.

To do list

• Be patient. It will eventually dry out and we can get out there and plant potatoes, peas, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cabbage and chard. Draw a plan first, siting taller plants at northwest corners of the garden.

• Continue pruning shrubs while dormant.

• Rake out beds that are suffocating under piles of leaves and cut back any dead plant material from perennials.

• Plant flower seeds of larkspur, poppy, bachelor's button and sweet alyssum directly outdoors.

• Remove mulch from vegetable beds to let the soil dry out.

• Replace/amend soil in containers.

• Don't neglect indoor plants – keep misting and watering them and note which will need to be repotted.