Author Archive: Alyson Earl

Many people first come to the farm because they are curious about foraging for wild food.

We’ve repeatedly seen how remembering that food comes from the land rekindles a sacred relationship between human beings and the land they inhabit.

Our programs provide an experience of connection to the land and water on which we depend. Food doesn’t come from a grocery store; it comes via the process of photosynthesis which combines sunlight, air, water, and soil to produce plants. Plants and the other animals that eat plants provide us with food, clothing, and shelter. Many people have forgotten this.

Like Dennis, a participant in this year’s foraging intensive series said, “your class is helping me to change my views and my approach at a rate that exceeds my expectations…Even more importantly for me, the course you are teaching has served as a conduit for increased exploration that had been dormant in me since childhood…Thank you!’

In 2019, over 2500 people visited the farm at least once, whether for a class or workshop, as a community gardener, to volunteer on the farm, or to attend the Pawpaw Festival or Heirloom Plant Sale. We are helping people to remember their connection to the land and to each other. We expect to be of even greater service to our community in 2020! Please join me in supporting this work by making a financial gift to the Horn Farm today! Donate securely online or send your check to: Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Road, York, PA 17406.

With gratitude,

Executive Director

Upcoming events:
December 14 – Foraging: Winter Offerings
January 4 – The Living Landscape
February 1 – The Living Landscape
February 29 – Native Plants for Winter Interest and Wildlife
March 7 – The Living Landscape
March 14 – Green Mulch: Native Plants as Groundcovers
March 28 – Stormwater Management 101 for Homeowners
Custom Classes & Workshops
2020 Regenerative Farming Training Program

See you at the farm!

Things are getting quiet and we are looking forward to a holiday break, but there’s still plenty to see, and there are two more opportunities to join us on the farm in 2019.

Our monthly class, The Living Landscape, takes place on Saturday, December 7. This ecological adventure walk through the woods and the meadows of the Horn Farm Center will spark your sense of wonder! We’ll focus on broad patterns of landscape as well as diving deeply into the details of the worlds under rocks, inside dead trees, beneath the soil, and beyond.  This is an all-ages class. All are welcome!

On Saturday, December 14, we’ll be hunting for wild foods. Many of the summer and fall plants have died back, but there is still plenty for the adventurous forager to add to the dinner table. Come see what we can find and utilize as the months proceed into winter! Find out more and register here: December Foraging.

Upcoming events:

December 7 – The Living Landscape 
December 14 – Foraging: Winter Offerings
Custom Classes & Workshops
2020 Regenerative Farming Training Program
February 29 – Native Plants for Winter Interest and Wildlife
March 14 – Green Mulch: Native Plants as Groundcovers
March 28 – Stormwater Management 101 for Homeowners

See you at the farm!

We are excited about the new classes and workshops we will be offering in 2020! New topics and new instructors will join all of your favorites. Here are three that we already have open for registration; we’ll be sharing more soon.

Design your garden with winter aesthetics and wildlife in mind! On February 29, join us for a workshop about using Native Plants for Winter Interest and Wildlife. Our home gardens are often designed for the warm growing season, overlooking the potential of a stunning winter garden with snow-capped seed heads and hints of green. In this workshop, participants will learn about 20 native plants that are best as a winter highlight in the home garden and get information on how these plants support nesting wild bees, overwintering butterflies, and songbirds throughout the cold winter months.

On March 14, we’ll be exploring how to use Native Plants as Groundcovers. In this interactive workshop, learn how to integrate native groundcovers into your perennial beds to reduce the time and energy spent removing unwanted plants. By mimicking natural landscapes in your home garden, it is possible to reduce the time and money it takes maintain a garden leaving more time to spend enjoying the garden you created! Participants will practice a hands-on plant layering technique that they can use for future planning of their home landscape.

On March 28, join us for Stormwater Management 101 for Homeowners. With increasing storm intensity, do you find that you have more water on your home property than you are able to currently manage? In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to calculate the rain runoff volume of impervious surfaces (roof, driveway, etc.) and how to best design their landscape to capture that stormwater to create a beautiful garden.

All three classes are being taught by Elyse Jurgen. Elyse is a certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional and Ecological/Permaculture Designer, holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Education, and participated in Cornell University’s Civic Ecology certification program. She studied ecological gardening at Mt. Cuba Center and has trained under Claudia West. Elyse works alongside homeowners in a participatory approach to their gardening for wildlife needs, infusing educational opportunities during the design, install, and management process. She invites homeowners to deeply engage with their land to maximize its potential in supporting dwindling bee, butterfly, and bird populations.

Upcoming events:

December 7 – The Living Landscape 
December 14 – Foraging: Winter Offerings
Custom Classes & Workshops
2020 Regenerative Farming Training Program
February 29 – Native Plants for Winter Interest and Wildlife
March 14 – Green Mulch: Native Plants as Groundcovers
March 28 – Stormwater Management 101 for Homeowners

See you at the farm!