Author Archive: Alyson Earl

Cycle the Solstice

bike riders at teh Horn Farm Cycle the Solstice event

On Saturday, June 18, The Cycle Works of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania will be hosting the second annual Cycle the Solstice bicycle ride to benefit The Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education. Cycle the Solstice is a 10-, 20-, 30-, 62-mile fun bike ride through York and Lancaster counties. The ride will offer cycling opportunities for riders of all ages and abilities while providing information about leading healthy lifestyles through supporting sustainable, organic local farming. This healthy, fun family event will benefit Horn Farm Center’s Internship Program that offers hands-on training for future farmers and homesteaders.
The general format of each ride will have riders leaving from the beautiful grounds of The Horn Farm Center in the morning, riding their chosen loop at their own pace, guided by road blazes and cue sheets, and returning to the farm upon completion of their loop. Along the way, riders will stop at local small business farms and markets for refreshments produced at the farms and other local food and agriculture businesses.

New for 2016 – VIP Grower 20 Miler! Based on the responses from last year’s ride, we’re offering a guided, tour-style 20 mile course with lots of extra perks! Registrants for this ride will receive preferential parking, special event swag, a trained bicycle mechanic ride leader, a support vehicle, a meal at the half-way rest stop and more!

Everyone who registers by JUNE 5th will receive an event t-shirt (100% cotton, organic dyes), a canvas drawstring market backpack, as well as information from our sponsors about growing and buying local food and living a healthy lifestyle.

Event Details:

PARKING is available onsite.
REGISTRATION will open at 7:30am. Day-of registration will be available for $5 extra.
FOOD – A light breakfast and coffee from Veloroma Coffee House will be available at registration. We are working on lining up post-ride food.
RAIN OR SHINE – Unless the forcast calls for something epic, the rides will roll wet or dry.
We are making inprovements to the course markings and cue sheets from last year, but we do encourage riders to download the course map to their smart phones or cycling computer ideally close to event date to allow us to update the courses with the rest stops, etc.

Click here for registration and more information.

Many Hands Make Light Work

This morning as I went through the albums of archived photos, flyers, and news clippings (compiled by a volunteer) I was overcome with feelings of gratitude for the amazing people who have volunteered their time, money, and love for the Horn Farm for over 16 years.  In 2000, in response to plans to rezone the property as industrial, citizens circulated a petition that in two weeks received 2300 signatures of people who wanted the farm remain in agriculture. It has, and it will long after we are all gone thanks to the vision of the current County Board of Commissioners who recently voted both to place a conservation easement on the property thus preserving these 186 acres forever as farmland, and also to recognize the successes and viability of the Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education by extending our lease of this land from the County to 99 years.

What prompted me to go through albums of photos this morning was my search for a ‘before’ photo to go with these photos which hint at all of the work being done by people who continue to shower their time, money, and love for the Horn Farm in their work to convert the 1800s summer kitchen into a certified kitchen where we will be able to offer our beginning farmers a place to process fresh produce into sauces, jams, and pickles as well as a place hold classes, workshops, and celebrations as we continue to find ways to connect our community to local food. The celebration of the completion of renovations is scheduled to happen at our Summer Solstice celebration on June 20.

When I accepted this position I hold as Executive Director not quite one year ago, I knew intellectually that an enormous honor had been bestowed upon me. Now I understand with both my head and my heart how many people have made it possible for me to do my work here, today.  I look forward to continuing our work together as we make way for those who have yet to come.

Thank you for all that you do!

Alyson

 

ellenstainsthestairs garyjonessummerkitchen insulation  summerkitchenupstairsfloor wurlizernewtilefloor

Before:
summerkitchen2010

 

April at the Horn Farm

wild edible plants

soil cross section with clover
Introduction to Soil
Saturday, April 9, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
This class will provide a basic understanding of soil – ecology and structure, health and management, nutrients and pH. Register here!


 

wild edible plants
Foraging – April

Saturday, April 16, 10 to noon.
It’s the season for spring greens for soups, salads, and teas – the perfect time to detox from our winter indulgences.
More information and registration here!


 

green and purple sweet peppers
Horn Farm Weekly Produce Share

This season, as part of our new Internship Program, Horn Farm Center will be offering a limited number of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) memberships. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for participants of our Internship Program to learn to about succession planting and timing, growing a wide variety of vegetables, harvesting and prepping produce, and connecting directly with the consumer.
Sign up today!


 

raised garden beds
Raised Bed Gardening
Saturday, April 23, 10 to 1.
We will discuss site selection, styles of beds, and methods of preparation. This will be a working class–come put your hands in the soil! Register here!



Seedlings for Heirloom Plant Sale for Horn Farm Center
Save the date!

Heirloom Plant Sale
Saturday. May 7, 9 to 3.