We are here as stewards to the land and custodians to our historic farm. With the shift of our world-class commercial dairy farm to crop farming, we are faced with an opportunity to create a completely new farming experience. Through the evolution of the 501(c)3 non-profit, American Center for Farming Heritage, we will provide an unforgettable hands-on learning experience for visitors.
Teaching travelers, children, and locals where their food comes from. We will honor all aspects of farming and partner with Agriculture based powerhouse businesses and universities.
The ACFH will support our local community and businesses by preserving our precious farmland and creating a space for local businesses to promote their products and services. We are the transition generation, bridging the gap and combining forces with our growing coastal town. The American Center for Farming Heritage is the olive branch between the 2 most powerful Delaware industries. Agriculture and Tourism.
We are Amy and Ingrid Hopkins. The 5th generation of Hopkins.
Hopkins Sisters
After graduating Cape Henlopen High School, Amy attended and graduated from Old Dominion University with a B.A. in International Relations and the George Washington University with a M.A. in National Security Policy Studies.
She began her civil servant career serving on the staff of Senator Thomas R. Carper, while he held the office of Governor of Delaware and subsequently the staff of the late Senator William V. Roth Jr. She then transitioned to a career with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
While at DIA, she held many positions and deployed across the globe in support of military operations.
Amy has held a variety of other positions in both the Executive and Legislative branches of the U.S. Government. She served as a professional staff member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, as well as the Special Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the second highest-ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces.
Meet Amy
Her major awards as a civil servant include the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award, and the Civilian Combat Support Medal.
After completing her time in the civil service, Ms. Hopkins obtained her Executive business certificate from The Darden School of Business and worked as the Director of long-term
business strategy at both Boeing Defense and Northrop Grumman Corporation. Amy currently serves as the Vice President and General Manager of Capella Space operating a constellation of small satellites providing easy access to earth imaging information.
Amy is a native and current resident of Lewes, Delaware is also an owner and operator of Green Acres Farm, Inc., Lyons, LLC, and Hopkins Henlopen Homestead, LLC, operating a small apiary providing local honey to several shops in Lewes, DE. She has a daughter, Sydney (17) and a son, Mason (16). She and her children are active members and supporters of Delaware 4-H and the National 4-H Foundation.
Ingrid is also a graduate of Cape Henlopen High School and then attended Delaware Valley University with degrees in Animal Science, Equine Science, and Veterinary Technology.
With her unique experience with horses, cows, and other livestock, she pursued a career in large animal Veterinary Nursing, specializing in anesthesia. Simultaneously, she managed a stable of racehorses for 10 years.
Ingrid returned home after 2 decades in the field of Veterinary Nursing and Horse training to restore the family’s 200 year old farmhouse into The Covered Bridge Inn, a charming Bed & Breakfast. She was ready to be in business for herself and take on an epic renovation.
Having no training in Hospitality or business ownership, it was a roller coaster ride experience that she wouldn’t trade for anything, providing the confidence needed that she and sister and I can create our vision of the American Center for Farming Heritage.
Meet Ingrid
Soon after the business opened there was opportunity to shift directions towards the wedding industry.
Rather than trying to operate as separate businesses of B&B and wedding venue, Ingrid combined them into 1 product, the wedding weekend. Soon, Wedding weekends were booking so well that she was driven to create a second venue space on the farm.
Honey Bee, named sentimentally after Amy's apiary operation on the farm, is perfect for the smaller one day weddings. Now having 2 venue spaces, Ingrid tackled re-branding and scaling her business. Hopkins Heartland was born. A Lewes, DE wedding venue with 2 venue spaces and accommodations for 16 guests to meet the needs of any wedding.
AMY
You’ll find me in my garden, planting, harvesting, and growing. Having my hands in the soil and feeding my family the food that we grown is very fulfilling. You’ll also find me tending my bee hives and harvesting honey. In the winter I enjoy canning all of the fruits and vegetables that I grew that year.
And of course, there’s the chickens. I just love these ladies and and eggs they provide my family and friends. Cooking is my love language and you can bet that I am passionate to teach others about where their food comes from.
When I’m Not Being the Vice-President…
"If not me, then who and if not now, then when"
Ingrid
You’ll find me hanging out with my best friend Sports Reporter, my beloved retired racehorse. He and I are like peas and carrots. You can also expect to see me every day at my favorite Yoga studio getting my sweat on, or on my bike exploring all of the bike trails available to me.
My passion in life is renovating the historic homes and barns on my family's farm. I have tackled 4 renovations so far, and I have just started number 5! This time, the final product will be a home of my own.
When I’m not hosting weddings…
“Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
Ever learning and always growing
SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY
A true generational partnership
Family-oWed Business
Our farms are more than a place
a daily display of sustenance
A LIBRARY OF LIFE
Our predecessors worked with dedication and determination to preserve land, provide for their families, and educate the next generation about how to carry on this cherished way of life. We are now faced with the opportunity to plant the seed of farming in an immeasurable amount of people. While making our father proud is a big motivating factor, we want to honor not only his life’s work, but his father's, and his father’s father, and so on. We do this for every single farmer and agriculturist that has worked, sacrificed, and educated others in attempt to slow the progress of the vanishing family farm. We want to inspire and invite other transition generation farmers like us to join us in our calling to create the American Center for Farming Heritage.
