4-H Hopkins Farm Tours – May 13-15, 2014
Green Acres Dairy Farm is located in Lewes, Delaware and is the largest dairy producing farm in Delaware. This working dairy farm is owned by the Hopkins family who are long-time members and supporters of Sussex County 4-H. Many people know them for their ice cream and the silo with the ice cream cones that you can see while driving down Route 9. Each spring, the University of Delaware and the Hopkins family partner to provide a school enrichment program to local school children grades PreK-3. 4-H members provide animals and join the Master Gardener volunteers and Cooperative Extension Educators on the farm to educate visitors about Delaware Agriculture. On May 13-15, over 950 people visited the farm and toured Calf Lane, Pig Pen Alley, The Barn, Creamery, Wagon Ride, Milking Room, Mr. McGregor’s Garden, Handwashing Tips station, Fruits & Vegetables Station, and Wheat Station. An ice cream cone and enrichment activities were provided for all who visited the farm. Please visit our flickr site to view photos from the event.
We tried a new twist for Tuesday at the 4-H Farm Tour this year. In an effort to present more learning opportunities to the kindergarteners visiting the Hopkins Farm, classes from the Cape Henlopen School District rotated through various stations on a timed schedule. In addition to the popular milking parlor tour, visiting the animals in the barn, and learning about fruits and vegetables at Farmer McGregor’s Garden, the children were treated to stations highlighting safety on ATV’s and bikes, safety around water and at home. Visitors learned about nutrition with 521-Almost None, and enjoyed lessons about fibers, poultry, animal diets, and new uses for dairy milk thanks to Maryland’s Agsploration lessons. And everyone enjoyed the awesome Hopkins Creamery Ice Cream treats. Overall, things went well with the schedule and the kindergarten teachers provided us with many ideas to make the program even better next year. Everyone surely appreciates the hospitality of our hosts–the Hopkins family and staff. A great big round of applause and thanks goes to everyone who helped on the special test day including the Cape Henlopen High School JROTC, April Barczewski of University of Maryland Extension, the Sussex County Master Gardeners and all the other great folks that made this FARMTASTIC event happen.
Special thanks to: The Hopkins Family, Coordinators: Mike Love & Jill Jackson, Registration Coordinator: Tammy Schirmer, Animal Providers: Shawn Mitchell, Michael Hopkins, Jacob Hopkin, Grace Hopkins, Luke Hopkins, Maddy Kibler, Mikayla Ockels, Matthew Rieley, James Rieley, Stephen Collier (chicks), Dairy Princesses: Hayley Bender and Holly Anderson, Volunteers: Brent Marsh, Jessica Clark, Rick Petrecca, Dixie Gildon, Jane Casazza, Carol Kinsley, Linda Peters, Gram Milio, Maureen Ryan, Nancy Schaffer, Pat Sexton, Marjorie Bushong, Gail August, Lana Ward, Peggy Ravida, Janet Strickler, Linda Dunham, Maryann Metz, J. Kennedy, Nancy Kasner, Dorothy Dobbyn, Ron Marshall, Tammy Schirmer, Rita Lofland, Ernie Lopez, Colleen Anderson, Jenni Hopkins, Allison Hopkins, Brindall, Walter Hopkins, Burli Hopkins, Hopkins Farm & Creamery Team, Delaware State Police and Cadets, UD Farm Team, and Cooperative Extension Staff.
Take home bags: Rita Lofland & Jill Jackson, Photographer: Michele Walfred