Pam Bakerian has retired as Executive Director of the Delaware Farm Bureau, effective July 31, in order to spend more time with family.

“I have set a strong foundation and leave knowing I have prepared Delaware Farm Bureau for success,” Bakerian said.

From 2000 to 2010, Bakerian represented the 29th District in Delaware’s General Assembly. She resigned from her legislative position to take a full-time job as executive director of the Farm Bureau in 2010. She had previously been serving as public relations director.

“I’ve had the opportunity to support and protect agriculture through my legislative experience, as executive director and through the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation,” she said. “We have launched programs that truly have a direct impact on Delaware farm families.”

The DFB Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was launched five years ago to build awareness, understanding and positive public perception about Delaware’s farm operations, promote fresh local food and sponsor the Ag Education Mobile Classroom. Its first project was the annual 5K Milk Run, which has raised $69,000 for the Ministry of Caring and additional funds for the Neighborhood House to provide milk for needy kids.

A trailer donated by the Delaware Department of Agriculture launched the “Ag Education Mobile Lab” program. Bakerian helped raise the funds necessary to purchase a new truck to haul it. To date, more than 10,000 students have participated in the Ag Lab experience.

Bakerian worked on avenues of non-dues income. Delaware Farm Bureau has received two $50,000 grants to promote specialty crops and is in line to receive a third grant this year. Over the past 10 years, she said, “DFB has received a total of more than $240,000 in grants.”

Bakerian helped get Farm Vehicle tags introduced, then personally asked Jennifer Cohen, secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation, to allocate the first 10 tags to be sold at auction by the DFB Foundation.

In the last year, she has initiated stakeholder meetings to discuss damage to crops by deer and the need for a new Deer Management Program. A plan was introduced this month.

Bakerian has been recognized for distinguished service to agriculture by the state Legislature, Kent County Levy Court and New Castle County. During this year’s Delaware State Fair, she was recognized by the Department of Agriculture for her service to agriculture as a state representative and as executive director of the Delaware Farm Bureau.

Gov. John Carney said, “Pam is a delightful person to work with. We work to protect and preserve agriculture and Pam is a big part of that. Thanks, Pam. We appreciate everything you do.”

On her last day in the office, Bakerian said, “I will regret losing touch with so many special people I have had the privilege to work with over the years. There are so many people from American Farm Bureau Foundation, county Farm Bureaus, state Farm Bureaus, Nationwide representatives, government officials, the business community and Delaware Farm Bureau members who have supported and assisted me in achieving goals and objectives I could not have achieved alone. The past ten years have been very rewarding.”

Delaware Farm Bureau is seeking a new executive director. Details on the position and how to apply are posted at www.defb.org.