Sussex County 4-H is pleased to again offer the popular 4-H Spring Farm Tours at the Green Acres Farm, owned and operated by the Hopkins Family on Route 9 near Lewes. Our program objective is to educate children (Kindergarten-Grade 2) about Delaware Agriculture and provide children an opportunity to tour a working farm. The Walter Sr. and Walter Hopkins Jr. Family and University of Delaware Sussex County Cooperative Extension sponsor the tours.
Green Acres is a dairy production operation. Horticulture, entomology, 4-H project animals, foods and nutrition, safety, environmental displays and demonstrations help tell the agriculture story. Participants will visit “Pig Pen Alley, Animal Barn, Milking Room, Calf Lane,” display tents and wagon ride. A picnic area is available for groups that choose to bring a snack or lunch. Portable bathrooms are on site and a hand sanitizing station is provided.
Farm Tours will be held Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10. Kindergarten Days will be Wednesday and Thursday, May 9 and 10. First and Second Grade Day will be Thursday, May 10. Special needs groups will be scheduled for Thursday, May 10. Tours last approximately one and one-half hours, and are self-guided and self-paced, with the exception of the Milking Room which must be scheduled in advance.For everyone's protection, walk-in attendance is not permitted. Registration/Attendance must be arranged through a local school, day care or child care representatives. Attendance is free but registration paperwork is required for admission to the tour.
There will be about 18 learning stations to visit on the tour. An attendant will be available at each station to explain, demonstrate and answer questions. Cooperative Extension will provide to each contact person a copy of the Farm Tour Map of activities and educational booklets. Please share this information with the teachers that will be participating in this tour. See resources below:
If you plan to participate in the Farm Tour, call the 4-H office at 856-2585 Extension 544 and speak with Tammy Schirmer to schedule an arrival time for your group.
Name of school, teacher contact, email, desired date to visit
Number of students/adults (We will ask you to fill out a brief form, this will be your admission ticket)
Time of arrival/departure
Will group be picnicking on grounds?
Information on special needs of any attendees, re: access, dietary needs, allergy, etc.
Milking Room is the only schedule by appointment feature of the Farm Tour.
Due to limited size of Milking Room, groups are accommodated on a first come first served basis. Milking Room exhibit fills up fast. Please organize your group into smaller sub groups of approximately 10 people. This allows us flexibility to get everyone in to see the Milking Room process. If you are flexible, we usually can get everyone in so that they can experience the modern milking process!
In early April, a confirmation letter, information packet and admission paperwork will be sent to participating groups.
Pictures from the 2011 Farm Tour
About Delaware Agriculture
All About Plants
Farm Tour coloring book
Please call Tammy and update your attendance numbers if you need to add classes to your list (even at the last minute). A take-home box (educational materials to re-enforce learning activities) is provided for each participating group.
Registered children will receive a baby scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream from the onsite Hopkins Farm Creamery. Options for children with dietary concerns are: cherry or lemon ice and sugar-free vanilla ice cream. Therefore, it is even more important that the totals for each group be accurate. Adults may purchase items from the creamery.
Attention Educators/Day Care Providers. Sussex County 4-H will take photos for promotional purposes. We require that a photo release is part of your permission slip process. Please contact our office for details.
The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension team and the Hopkins Family look forward to seeing you at the 2012 Spring Farm Tour!
