The Larry Jester family of Townsend and Farm Credit’s Marty Desmond were honored at the New Castle County Farm Bureau’s annual banquet last month.
Jester and his wife of 38 years, Patti, have two daughters, Lisa, who married Steven Porter, and Sara, who married Louis Austin. The Jesters have three grandchildren, including a new granddaughter, Kati, who will be moving with her parents, Sara and Louis, to a new home being built on the farm.
Jester tills 3,200 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and barley. He also runs a grain storage facility on the farm. He recently added solar energy on the home farm, which has contributed significant savings on storing and drying grain.
Jester has been a Delaware Farm Bureau member since 2009 and has served as New Castle County Delegate. He is on the New Castle County Agricultural Advisory Committee where he was appointed Commissioner last year. In 2007, he was awarded the Governor’s Conservation Award. In 2011, he was awarded the Water Resources Association of The Delaware River Basin Government Award.
Jester traveled to Brazil with Ed Kee, former Delaware Secretary of Agriculture, and other area farmers a few years ago. They toured various farming operations there and shared with Brazilian farmers some of the farming practices of Delmarva.Jester also has discussed economic issues farmers face with various foreign officials.
Kee, who has has known Jester since he was just out of high school, said, “Larry was born to farm. One could tell he just plain wanted to farm. That desire and love of his profession is one reason why he has been successful. He also appreciates his farming roots going back to his Mom and Dad and his grandparents on both sides. Larry loves to farm, but he is also a businessman. He makes good business decisions. “
Also honored was Marty Desmond, recipient of the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
After graduation from the University of Delaware, Desmond went to work for the USDA Farmers Home Administration, serving as a county supervisor in several offices throughout Delmarva. In 1987, he began his career with Farm Credit, starting as a loan officer and working up the ladder into management roles. He is now regional lending manager.
A graduate of the first LEAD Delaware class, Desmond was appointed by then Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to a Task Force for Financial Sustainability in Delaware Agriculture. He has served on the board of the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation for five years.
Desmond and his wife, Jan, live in Middletown. They have two. daughters, Annie, a senior at the University of Delaware, and Sara, a sophomore at Immaculata University.
