Hopkins Family Farm is Conservation Role Model

Eric and Judy Hopkins are recognized by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service as Delaware’s first Conservation Security Program (CSP) participants for 2005. CAP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote conservation and improvement of soil, water, air and animal life and other conservation purposes on tribal and private working lands. The 217 acre Farm, located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in New Castle County, is a prime example of why CSP is rewarding landowners for excellence in conservation.

In some respects, the Hopkins’ farm is a typical Delaware grain farm; producing corn, small grain and soybeans using a variety of conservation management practices. But the Hopkins’ farm is anything but typical. The family purchased the farm in 1986. From the time Eric and Judy first set foot on the farm, the family has been creating and resorting wetlands, planting grass and food buffers, building wildlife habitats for waterfowl, and practicing and soil conservation through irrigation water management, filter strips and no-tillage. They practices nutrient and pest management on the farm through and active conservation cropping system, which includes crop rotation and cover crops.

“Creating a working farm that fully implements conservation is one of the many interest of the Hopkins’ family,” said NRCS District Conservationist Jack Lakatosh. “They have used a variety of federal and state programs to help transform the farm into what it is today, but this family’s determination to make their farm the stellar model of ‘on the farm conservations’ is why they will continue to get recognition through programs such as CSP”

The entire Hopkins family takes pride in conserving, maintaining and enhancing natural resources throughout their serene homestead and lands.

“This farm is amazing. The family has implemented all the practices that the NRCS and other federal and state organizations and agencies are trying to educate other farmers and landowners to employee,” said Lakatosh. “Each member of the Hopkins family proves through their daily hard work and determination that conservation on the farm is not only doable, but achievable.”

Hopkins Farm in New Castle County, Delaware; in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

If you have any questions please contact Stuart Lee at 302.678.4179.

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