John Mills is a full-time dairy farmer in Sussex County, Delaware, tilling nearly 415 acres on his family farm. John has installed numerous conservation practices, including a waste management system, comprehensive nutrient management plan, a wetland restoration practice, and a shallow water area for wildlife.

The shallow water area for wildlife and wetland restoration were installed through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Delaware Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

John created the 16.7 acre flood plain wetland restoration on a field that was difficult to till due to its wet soil. The wetland consists of small, shallow, open water areas, intermingled with emergent wetlands. Except for the small shallow open water areas, the remaining acres in the hydric soil area were roughed up to create the micro-topography that exists in natural, wooded areas. The area was planted to native hardwood trees which would have been the historic wetland type in the area. The buffer area was planted to native warm season grasses which provide excellent wildlife habitat.

The flood plain wetland was built adjacent to a four-acre shallow area for wildlife. The area is several years old and exhibits many mature habitat characteristics. The emergent wetland vegetation is well established, and John planted islands to trees that are several feet tall and provide diverse structural habitat.

The two wetland complexes provide excellent habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds including black duck, quail, and several grassland nesting birds, the latter being Species of Concern in Delaware. John has also installed nest boxes for wood ducks. As the site matures, habitat quality will continue to improve.

John's CRP story is one of success. Reverting the acres back to a wetland and creating the shallow water area solved his tillage problem in the field while providing income from the land in the absence of a crop. The habitat has proved to be excellent cover for wildlife and the wetland will help protect water quality.

Sussex County dairy farmer John Mills examines wetland restoration practice he installed using CRP cost-share assistance.

The wetland buffer area was planted to native warm season grasses that provide excellent wildlife habitat.