Stand With Us to Protect the Horn Farm Center and Our Community
At the Horn Farm Center, we believe the land is more than soil and fields—it’s a living classroom, a place of healing, and a gathering space for community and connection. For over 20 years, thousands of people have come to the Horn Farm to learn, to reconnect, and to be inspired by the natural world.
Now, that legacy is at risk. A new proposal (Application Z-2025-11) would allow a large warehouse and parking lot to be built directly next to the Horn Farm. We are deeply concerned about what this could mean for the land, for our work, and for the community we serve. More traffic, more noise, more light, and logistics activity would change the character of this place we all cherish—and make it harder for us to provide the immersive, restorative experiences that people come here for.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Horn Farm itself was nearly lost to development. This land was saved because neighbors and residents of Hellam Township came together to say, “This place matters.” That spirit of stewardship is alive today—and we need it now more than ever.
Here’s how you can help protect the Horn Farm and our neighborhood:
Application Z-2025-11 is expected to be on the agenda for the next Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6pm. Attend and let your voice be heard!
Monarch butterflies share a remarkable partnership with a unique plant that is essential for the survival of this iconic species. Monarchs rely on milkweed as the only plant where they can lay their eggs and feed their caterpillars – and milkweed benefits from the pollination provided by adult butterflies!
Watch the video linked above to learn more about this fascinating symbiotic relationship and discover why planting milkweed is a simple yet powerful way to support monarch populations. You can explore more seasonal diversity by joining an upcoming class or workshop at the Horn Farm Center!
Since early spring, the inaugural cohort of the Regenerative Grower Training Program has been hard at work at the Horn Farm, learning how to grow food in ways that support ecological health. From ground preparation and soil management to insect identification and agroforestry, students are immersing themselves in every aspect of regenerative agriculture.
Above all, they are embracing the art of thinking – and growing – like an ecosystem!
In our most we recent blog post, we dug into their journey to explore how they’re cultivating a future where agriculture and nature thrive together. Check out the new article linked below!
Whether we’re learning from the past or discovering the healing properties of wild foods, there are many reasons to “remember our roots” at the Horn Farm Center. But why did we select dandelion, garlic and parsnip to highlight this mantra?
Click the video link above to find out! In this short clip, we share the story behind these beloved plants and how they remind us to stay rooted as we grow.
What better way to celebrate local flavors, crafts, and nature than with a special makers market?
To kick off the 2025 Wild & Uncommon Weekend, The Gardener of the Owl Valley is hosting a pawpaw-themed makers showcase featuring local artists, producers, and crafters—including this one-of-a-kind artwork by Hollie Johns of Virtue Local Art Market!
Stop by John Wright Restaurant from 5:30-8:30pm on Thursday, September 18th for this Wild & Uncommon kickoff event, happening during the Pawpaw Experience at JWR. This festive evening will surely get you into the spirit of Wild & Uncommon Weekend, happening from September 18th-21st.
With over 15 Wild & Uncommon experiences right around the corner, it’s time to plan your weekend in the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands!
Help & Enjoy Pawpaw Fest: Free Admission for Volunteers
Love pawpaws? Volunteers at the 21st annual Pawpaw Festival on Saturday, September 20th enjoy free admission while helping make the festival a success! Join our volunteer crew for a few hours and you can spend the rest of the day with community, food, music, and pawpaw-filled fun. Can you help out?
ADMISSIONS | afternoon shift (12:30-4:30pm)
FLOATERS | afternoon shift (1-5:30pm)
INFO & MERCH BOOTHS | afternoon shifts (12:30-5pm)
PARKING | both shifts (8am-12:30pm / 12-4:30pm)
ROAD BLOCKS | 2nd and 3rd shifts (11am-2:30pm / 2-5pm)
Group volunteering is also an option – if you’re affiliated with a church, business, or club that likes community service – please let us know!
Natural Awakenings is a free, monthly magazine that uplifts stories inspiring healthier living, ecological awareness, and community connection. As an organization rooted in reconnecting people with the land through education and regenerative practices, we are proud to partner with Natural Awakenings to grow a more sustainable future!
A big thanks to Lancaster/Berks and South Central Natural Awakenings for their annual sponsorship of the Horn Farm Center. Together, we’re working toward a more resilient and thriving future for our communities and the natural world.
The word “sumac” can cause some confusion. Poisonous plant? Or mid-summer foraging staple? HFC foraging educator Andrew Leahy explains – click the video link above to learn the difference!
Staghorn sumac’s bright red berry clusters can be collected in late summer and early fall to make a tangy, vitamin C–rich drink often called “sumac lemonade.” This nourishing summer treat can be also crafted into a flavorful spice!
Discover more seasonal abundance by joining an upcoming foraging program at the Horn Farm Center! Fill your basket with new knowledge about local plant foods, herbs, and ways we can give back to the land through foraging.
However you’ve connected with the Horn Farm Center – through classes, volunteering, events, or even online – you know our mission is rooted in building connection with the land. Now you can share that message in style while supporting ecological education and regenerative land stewardship!
Special thanks to York-based artist Steph Holmes for turning parsnip, dandelion, and garlic into stunning wearable art.
A Diversity of Unique Learning Experiences at the Horn Farm
This summer, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting over a dozen community groups for tours of the Horn Farm ecosystem! The photos above captured our latest excursion with the York College of Pennsylvania Alumni Association Hiking Club!
From regenerative growing fields to recovering meadows and forests, hikers explored how the Horn Farm Center brings together community-based agriculture and ecological restoration. Where else can you find three sisters gardens, elderberries, a woodland classroom, and mini forest plots all in one walking loop?
Custom educational outings are a great way to spend quality outdoor time with your group, camp, classroom, or colleagues.
It’s All About Trees & Local Author Talk: In Search of the Old Ones
Horn Farm Center’s Wild & Uncommon Weekend celebrates pawpaws – and the whole landscape it calls home!
On September 20th, visit the Kreutz Creek Library from 10AM–3PM for “It’s All About Trees!”– a family-friendly, all-ages event with activities, tastes, free trees, and more. At 10:30AM, author Anthony Fredericks will share stories from his book, In Search of the Old Ones, revealing the remarkable secrets of some of the world’s oldest trees.
Presented by the Hellam Township Environmental Advisory Council and Kreutz Creek Library, this Wild & Uncommon event isfree and open to the public! Please register to attend the author talk.
Don’t forget: Tickets are now available for the main event—the 21st Annual York County Pawpaw Festival at the Horn Farm Center. Explore the full weekend lineup and start planning your Wild & Uncommon Weekend adventure!
Wild & Uncommon Weekend wouldn’t be possible without our generous sponsors:
New Festival Feature: Pawpaw Beer & Craft Brews by Collusion Tap Works
The 21st annual Pawpaw Festival is almost here—celebrating York County’s favorite wild fruit with food, music, crafts, over 40 vendors, and educational experiences throughout the day!
For the first time this year, we are excited to welcome Collusion Tap Works, who will be serving up their signature craft brews—plus an exclusive pawpaw beer made just for the occasion. That’s right – you can sip on tasty pawpaw beer while enjoying the festivities at the Horn Farm!
You can also stop by Collusion’s downtown location throughout Wild & Uncommon Weekend! Don’t miss your chance to taste this one-of-a-kind seasonal pour!
Advancing Health & Wellness
Just as we work to restore ecosystems, grow healthy food, and build resilient communities, UPMC is dedicated to advancing health and wellness across our region through clinical and technological innovation, research, and education.
Together, we’re growing a healthier future for both people and the planet!
As a sponsor of Horn Farm Center’s Wild & Uncommon Weekend, UPMC is helping us connect more people to the land and to each other. We are grateful for their partnership in our mission and work!
