Express Your Creativity with Plants

This week, students in our Regenerative Grower Training program rolled up their sleeves to plant succession crops—including broccoli, collards, scallions, and beans—for the fall harvest. Successional planting helps to maximize yields, extends the growing season, and make the most of available garden space.In addition to planting, our regenerative growers explored the crucial role of insects in our ecosystem. With 95–99% of insects being beneficial or harmless, students are learning how to manage pests in ways that support rather than disrupt the natural balance—an essential principle of regenerative agriculture.

Wildly Uncommon Outdoor Adventures

There’s no better time than pawpaw season to explore the trails and wild spaces of the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands!

As part of Wild & Uncommon Weekend, taking place September 18–21, 2025, our friends at Lancaster Conservancy are offering a trio of special outdoor learning experiences at their York County preserves—perfect for deepening your connection with nature. An unforgettable weekend adventure awaits:

Friday, September 19 | 5-7pm
Guided Hike: Ecological Restoration Tour at Wizard Ranch Nature Preserve
Saturday, September 20 | 3-5pm
Service Learning: Volunteer Workday at Graham Nature Preserve
Sunday, September 21 | 1-3pm
Guided Hike: Ferns & Falls at Mill Creek Falls Preserve

These events are part of Wild & Uncommon Weekend, your invitation to celebrate the season with local flavors, hands-on experiences, and wild beauty.

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:

• Brenner Accounting Service Ltd.
• Collusion Tap Works
• Klinge Corporation
• Lisa Naples Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty
• Natural Awakenings Lancaster/Berks
• Sides Wealth Advisory Group
• UPMC

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Remembering Our Roots

We are thrilled to share a sneak peek of something special that’s been growing behind the scenes: we’re getting ready to introduce a brand new t-shirt into our merch ecosystem!

This new apparel offering, with a graphic thoughtfully designed by local artist Steph Holmes, features a hand-drawn collage of dandelion, parsnip, and garlic – deep-rooted plants that echo our mission and connection to the land.

Get ready to show your support of the Horn Farm Center in style! Sales go live Tuesday, August 12th at 12PM on Bonfire – link available soon! Stay tuned, help us spread the word, and Remember Your Roots.

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Connecting to Place with the Lisa Naples Team

We’re proud to partner with the Lisa Naples Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty this year! Just as we help people reconnect with land through education, restoration, and regenerative farming, Lisa and her team help people connect with place—guiding individuals and families through one of life’s most important decisions: finding home.

As an annual sponsor of the Horn Farm Center, Lisa Naples and her team are helping to strengthen our mission and make programs like our Regenerative Farmer Training program possible. We’re grateful that they share our commitment to environmental health and community well-being.

Thank you, Lisa Naples Team, for supporting our mission and helping us grow!

Learn More About Lisa Naples & Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

“What do pawpaws taste like?” is a question we hear often. Described as a cross between banana and mango, this native fruit has a surprisingly rich, tropical flavor. But not all pawpaws are alike! Cultivated varieties are often selected for specific flavor notes—like creamy vanilla custard or tangy citrus.

We invite you to discover the unique flavors and ecology of pawpaws the evening before the Horn Farm Center’s 21st annual Pawpaw Festival!

At this special preview event, we’ll take a stroll through the farm to explore pawpaws in both our restored wild spaces and cultivated orchard, where this uniquely delicious native fruit thrives. Discover how pawpaws play a vital role in our local ecosystem—all while enjoying refreshing pawpaw-inspired cocktails. The evening concludes with a curated tasting featuring 6–10 varieties of pawpaw, including foraged wild fruits to hand-selected cultivars.

Don’t wait to reserve your spot – spaces for this casual but exclusive evening at the Horn Farm Center are limited!

Reserve Your Spot: Pawpaw Preview

This week, students in our Regenerative Grower Training program rolled up their sleeves to plant succession crops—including broccoli, collards, scallions, and beans—for the fall harvest. Successional planting helps to maximize yields, extends the growing season, and make the most of available garden space.

In addition to planting, our regenerative growers explored the crucial role of insects in our ecosystem. With 95–99% of insects being beneficial or harmless, students are learning how to manage pests in ways that support rather than disrupt the natural balance—an essential principle of regenerative agriculture.

Savor the Wild: Cooking with Pawpaws

Embark on a flavorful adventure during the Horn Farm Center’s Wild & Uncommon Weekend, coming up September 18–21, 2025!

This 4-day celebration of the pawpaw season features tastings, tours, and unique experiences across the Lower Susquehanna Region—including a sweet finale: Savor the Wild: Cooking with Pawpaws on Sunday, September 21st.

Join Chef Liza from Locally Seasoned for a cooking demonstration and tasting that highlights the culinary versatility of this native fruit, from savory dishes to sweet drinks. You’ll also hear from York County Pawpaw Festival founders Dick and Judy Bono, who will share recipes, growing tips, and the rich history behind this one-of-a-kind fruit.

Reserve your space to Savor the Wild with Locally Seasoned!

Of course, you won’t want to miss the 21st annual Pawpaw Festival on Saturday, September 20th. This crowd-pleasing event sells out, so grab your tickets now!

Wild & Uncommon Weekend wouldn’t be possible without our generous sponsors:

• Brenner Accounting Service Ltd.
• Collusion Tap Works
• Klinge Corporation
• Lisa Naples Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty
• Natural Awakenings Lancaster/Berks
• Sides Wealth Advisory Group
• UPMC

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Building a Sustainable Future with Sides Wealth Advisory Group

At Sides Wealth Advisory Group, building a sustainable future starts at home—with thoughtful financial planning that supports the long-term wellbeing of families and communities. As a proud supporter of the Horn Farm Center, Side Wealth shares our belief that lasting change begins with learning!

The Sides Wealth team aims to make complex topics easier to understand, so you can make financial decisions with confidence. Whether you’re planning for future generations or aligning your investments with your values, Side Wealth helps clients grow and preserve wealth through a holistic, personalized approach. Their team of advisors can help you with investing, insurance, estate planning, college savings, retirement planning, charitable giving, small business support and more.

Sides Wealth Advisory Group’s commitment to sustainability and legacy-building complements our mission to regenerate ecosystems, cultivate community resilience, and foster deeper connections between people and the land. We greatly appreciate their partnership and support!

Learn More About Sides Wealth Advisory Group

Exciting changes are underway at the Horn Farm Center! Construction on the farmhouse is moving full steam ahead, and each week brings new signs of transformation. From structural repairs to the beginning of interior work, we’re thrilled to see this long-envisioned restoration taking shape.Last month, Horn Farm Center Executive Director, Alexis Campbell, spoke with Quarry View Building Group Project Manager, Ron Peters, about the progress on the Horn Farm Center’s new Education Center.

Click the video link above to get a glimpse of the progress so far! 

The revived farmhouse will soon serve as a vibrant hub for learning, collaboration, and community—thank you for being part of the journey!

Learn More About the Building Project

Our 2025 Forager Training Program was a well-balanced meal: beginning in May with the tenderest greens and finishing this June with the sweetest fruits!To top off the experience, students shared their newfound knowledge by contributing a dish to our wild foods potluck. The result was a foraged meal like no other, featuring tastes like:

Our baskets are full of gratitude for this year’s class! Just eight weeks together brought so much curiosity, enthusiasm, and rekindled connection to the local landscape, underlining the value of foraging in building healthy, whole (and delicious!) community.

Interested in joining next year’s Forager Training Program? Learn more at hornfarmcenter.org/forager-training/

And be sure to check out our other foraging programs in the meantime!

Plan Your Wild & Uncommon Weekend

Tickets are selling fast for the signature event of Wild & Uncommon Weekend: the 21st Annual York County Pawpaw Festival at the Horn Farm Center.

But don’t forget: You can enrich your visit to the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands by joining a variety of other events taking place all weekend long!

With the help of local businesses and nonprofits that share our love for the land, we’re highlighting places, people, products, and, of course, the delicious pawpaw that ripens for just a pinch in late September!

Explore our ecosystem with one-of-a-kind tastings, tours, and more – the full calendar of events with links to sign up is now available! Whether you’re a foodie, forager, maker, or explorer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy across the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands.

Wild & Uncommon Weekend wouldn’t be possible without our generous sponsors:

• Brenner Accounting Service Ltd.
• Collusion Tap Works
• Klinge Corporation
• Lisa Naples Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty
• Natural Awakenings Lancaster/Berks
• Sides Wealth Advisory Group
• UPMC

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Celebrate Cindy: 2025 PA Watershed Champion!

We’re thrilled to share that Horn Farm Center Board Member, Master Watershed Steward & Tree Planting Extraordinaire, Cindy Pizziketti has been named the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s PA Watershed Champion for 2025!

This well-deserved recognition honors her deep commitment to protecting our region’s waterways and restoring the health of our shared landscape.

To mark the occasion, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is inviting you to join the celebration at this year’s Taste of the Chesapeake!

Early bird tickets are on sale now for just $90—but only through Wednesday, July 16 at 11:59 PM. Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to raise a glass to Cindy’s incredible impact.

Read More About Cindy’s Award

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2025 Northeast Miniforest Summit

Registration is now open for the 2025 Northeast Miniforest Summit! Don’t miss Horn Farm Center Education & Outreach Coordinator, Andrew Leahy, who will be leading a short presentation during the Thursday panel “Stories from the Field: Mini Forests in Cities, Schools, and Farms in the Northeast U.S” on July 24th!

Andrew will share real-world insights from mini-forests at the Horn Farm—highlighting their power to restore land, build resilience, and engage communities.