Happenings

Horn Farm Happenings – July 23, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight: Cindy Pizziketti

Dedicated. Passionate. Joyful. These are the words that best describe Cindy Pizziketti.

Cindy has been volunteering at the Horn Farm Center for about a year, and in this short time, her impact has been significant. Since last September, Cindy has been working on the new riparian buffer on the eastern side of the farm. Along with other volunteers, Cindy has planted hundreds of trees this spring. She also visits the farm regularly to tend to new trees to make sure that they are thriving.

Cindy is a Master Watershed Steward with the Penn State Cooperative Extension. The Horn Farm’s riparian buffer project is one of several projects for which she volunteers. Other projects include rain garden installations, stream cleanups, stream chemical and biological health monitoring, and clean water education. Cindy’s favorite activity is macroinvertebrate surveys in local streams with children. She loves working with young people because they are curious and open to new things.

Cindy’s passion for environmental stewardship runs deep. She says that planting trees has a special place in her heart because of the role they play to protect our waterways by providing shade, helping to filter out pollutants, and preventing erosion. Cindy is so enthusiastic about planting trees, that we often call her the Lorax!

“Sometimes I go out and hunt for new volunteer trees to protect. It is so much fun! It is like an Easter egg hunt, but instead of candy – it is giving trees a chance at life without deer predation,” says Cindy. “I also just enjoy the great conversations I get into with other volunteers. Wilson always has some new bit of information for my brain: Did you know that at one time bison roamed the grasslands of Pennsylvania? I love being able to support the Horn Farm and all the staff are warm, welcoming, and fun to work alongside.”

We are so thankful for Cindy’s passion and dedication to making a difference. Her enthusiasm is inspiring and infectious! When asked what motivates her to volunteer, Cindy replied: “There are a lot of environmental concerns for the earth right now, and much of it seems so vast that I cannot begin to make an impact. But I can help a little piece of the environment at Horn Farm.”

In the News: Horn Farm Community Garden

“What began as just two humble garden plots has evolved to become a bountiful retreat that spans eight garden spaces. Linda and Nedette spend several hours a week tending to their garden and enjoying each other’s company.”

Horn Farm Center’s Community Gardens were recently featured in Natural Awakenings magazine! The article highlights the success of this community mainstay and the personal story of one of our long-time gardeners, Linda Kurzik.

Click here to read the article

Farm Stand Now Open Weekly

The Horn Farm Center Farm Stand, located in the red corn barn, is now open every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, & Thursday from 9:00am to 6:00 pm.

The stand is self-serve and features fresh organically-grown produce and flower arrangements from our partner farmers: Kilgore Family Farm & Betsy’s Flowers. Cash Only. Stop by and enjoy what local, regenerative farming has to offer.

Help Wanted: Can You Pitch In for Pawpaw?

The 17th Annual York County Pawpaw Festival is right around the corner and we could use your help. We are currently seeking sponsors and in-kind donations from local businesses who believe in the Horn Farm Center’s mission. Business support will allow us to continue to provide this wonderful community celebration and will support our educational programs at the farm.

If you are interested in sponsoring or donating to the Pawpaw Festival, please contact our Executive Director at executivedirector@hornfarmcenter.org.

We are also in need of volunteers! We are looking for volunteers to help with many activities during the event including setting up, parking, and helping at the registration table. If you are able to volunteer that weekend, please sign up!

UPDATED: Horn Farm Center Health and Safety Policy

The Horn Farm Center is offering on-site educational programming with some modifications due to COVID-19. Multiple hand sanitizer stations are available. We will adjust as needed as time passes and things change.

In order to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff, participant expectations are as follows:

Participants are required to bring a mask and wear it when indoors, unless you are fully vaccinated.
Do not attend if sick or recovering.

Horn Farm Happenings – July 9, 2021

The Myths & Truths About Eastern Coyotes

Whether you have seen them or not, coyotes are all around us.

Once restricted to the American southwest and parts of Mexico, coyotes can now be found in every US state and territory except Hawaii. Coyotes thrive in deserts, icy northern woodlands, and even the tropical forests of Central America. Perhaps even more impressively, these fascinating animals have found a home in the heart of many of our largest cities, including LA, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.

At the same time, coyotes are the most hunted predator animal in North America. So how did we get here? How did one of the most hated animals in the US become so successful in the face of 100 years of attempted eradication? And how did we as a society come to the conclusion that they should be eradicated in the first place?

To answer these questions, Horn Farm student intern, Tess Wilson, is offering a unique presentation and community conversation on the history and biology of the eastern coyote. Based on her research at the College of the Atlantic, Tess will share the history of human and coyote interaction, starting with Native American mythology and branching out into European stories about wolves. We will discuss how these ancient stories have shaped our modern understanding of the coyote.

Tess will also explore the coyote itself; its biology, its natural history, and its role in the ecosystem. We will also attempt to dispel some common misconceptions regarding coyotes and suggest some ways our two species can better co-exist.

Please join us for the “Myths & Truths About Eastern Coyotes.” We offering 2 different formats for this program:

Virtual Presentation (online): July 21st, 2021 6:00 PM -7:30 PM
In-Person at the Farm: July 24th, 2021 10:00 AM -11:30 AM

Admission is free. However, registration is required for both events.

Click here to register.

Congrats to the Class of 2021!

Last week we wrapped up our inaugural Land Steward Training program. On their last day at the farm, students reflected on what they learned and revisited the projects they completed during their 16 weeks of training. From restoring damaged ecosystems to food production, the graduates of 2021 learned how to reintegrate into the landscape in a way that supports a healthy human lifestyle.

We are so proud of the community of learning and support that this dynamic group of individuals created in such a short time. It was a bittersweet goodbye but we look forward to seeing the impact these new land stewards will make in their own communities. Cheers to the Class of 2021!

Garden Spaces Open – Late Season Discount!

Due to an unexpected vacancy, we now have 4 garden plots available for rent in the Horn Farm Center’s Community Garden. Since we are already halfway though the season, we are offering these plots at a discounted price of 40% off!

1 plot: $33
2 plots: $54
3 plots: $75
4 plots: $96

If you have dreams of planting for the fall and are interested in joining our gardens this year, please contact us as soon as possible at education@hornfarmcenter.org.

Take a Walk on the Farm

Thanks to Horn Farm student intern, Tess Wilson, we have a new and improved visitor map of the Horn Farm. The hand-drawn map denotes significant features in the Horn Farm Center landscape and regenerative farming operations. We hope to expand this map in the future to include a self-guided educational tour.

Looking to get outside this weekend? Stop by and explore what regenerative looks like at the Horn Farm!

Nearly 7,000 trees planted, 3,000 more to go this fall.

Our tree planting marathon ended with a sizzle instead of bang this spring. As temperatures surpassed 90 degrees we put away our tree planting shovels. We are taking a break for the summer months and will finish what we started later this year.

We thank ALL of our volunteers who have come out week after week, rain or shine, to make a huge impact on the health of our local waterways! To date we have had over 100 volunteers help us with planting trees this year. Collectively these hardworking volunteers have planted nearly 7,000 trees!

Help us reach our goal to plant 10,000 trees this year starting in October. We have a few volunteer dates scheduled already. We hope to see you at the farm this fall!

Save the Date: Pawpaw Festival at the Horn Farm Center

Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual York County Pawpaw Festival at the Horn Farm Center! Join us on September 18 & 19, 2021 for an outdoor, family-friendly festival celebrating York County’s beloved pawpaw – the largest edible fruit native to the Eastern United States that grows in abundance in the Susquehanna River region.

Rain or Shine. Free Admission. $5.00 Tasting Fee
Pawpaw fruit and trees available for purchase.
Proceeds support local regenerative agriculture practices and education programs at the Horn Farm Center.

Click here for more information!

UPDATED: Horn Farm Center Health and Safety Policy

In order to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff, participant expectations are as follows:

Participants are required to bring a mask and wear it when indoors, unless you are fully vaccinated.
Do not attend if sick or recovering.

Horn Farm Happenings – June 25, 2021

The Horn Farm Team is Growing this Summer

We are pleased to welcome two college student interns to the Horn Farm Center this summer.

Lee Matthews (pictured left) is a senior Environmental Studies and Public Policy major at Franklin & Marshall College. Raised in Philadelphia, Lee has gained strong interests in agriculture, sustainability, and community development while residing in Lancaster for the past three years. On campus, she is actively involved with the Environmental Action Alliance, Asian American Alliance, and F&M Orchestra.

Lee joined us earlier this month and will be serving as our Research & Development Intern until the end of July. In addition to learning about regenerative agriculture, agroforesty, and the ins and outs of a small non-profit organization, Lee is helping to develop agroforestry products while researching target markets within the Susquehanna bio-region. Lee is interning with the Horn Farm Center as part of F&M’s Public Service Summer Institute (PSSI) program.

Tess Wilson (pictured right) is a senior at College of the Atlantic where she studies Human Ecology. She has an interest in pursuing Environmental Education and recently completed a senior project focused on developing educational materials on the Eastern Coyote. During her time with us at the Horn Farm, Tess will be working with us to (among other things) give a talk about eastern coyotes and their history with humans, create a new visitor map, and assist our Woodland Steward in his research, education, and ongoing restoration projects on the farm.

Early Tomatoes from the Kilgore Family Farm

At the end of last year the Kilgore Family Farm embarked on a new project at the Horn Farm Center. Thanks to a grant from the USDA, the Kilgore Family was able to purchase and install a new high tunnel aimed at extending their growing season this year.

With much hard work and attention the detail, the project has been a success! The hoop house is now bursting with an abundance of early tomatoes, summer squash, and more. We congratulate the Kilgore Family on their accomplishments and we are enjoying the fruits of their labor! Horn Farm CSA members have already received delicious ripe tomatoes in their weekly shares.

Betsy’s Flowers at the Farm: CSA Now Open

Betsy’s Flowers will once again be offered as a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), much the same as a vegetable CSA, but instead of vegetables you will receive beautiful flower bouquets! By purchasing a “share” upfront, Betsy is able to buy seeds and supplies. In return, you will receive 5 weeks of organically grown, fresh cut flower bouquets along with a Victorian “Language of Flowers” interpretation of your bouquet.

A few of the flowers growing this year are: Sunflowers, Zinnias, Lavender, Cosmos, Lisianthus, and Snapdragons, and a variety of herbs. Your bouquet will arrive in a Kraft paper sleeve, all ready for your favorite vase or jar!

There will be two pick-up locations for your flowers: TMC Wellness through Movement in Harrisburg from 3:00 pm until 6:30 pm on Fridays, and The Horn Farm Center in York after 12:00 pm on Wednesdays.

Weather permitting, the first 5-week Flower CSA will run from7/21 – 8/18/21.

After the first 5-week CSA, additional shares will be offered every 5 weeks with sign-ups on her website.

The cost for each 5-week Flower CSA is $100

The Dream Tree Team – Nearly 7,000 trees planted, 3,000 more to go!

You are looking at the Tree Planting Dream Team of 2021 – Alyssa Swartz, Keegan Rahman, Annette Arnold, Cindy Pizziketti, Emily Neideigh, and HFC Woodland Steward, Wilson Alvarez (pictured above)! These six land stewards have planted hundreds of trees since the beginning of April and we can’t thank them enough for their dedication and hard work.

We thank ALL of our volunteers who have come out week after week, rain or shine, to make a huge impact on the health of our local waterways! To date we have had over 100 volunteers help us with planting trees this year. Collectively these hardworking volunteers have planted nearly 7,000 trees!

We are nearing the last leg of our race to plant 10,000 trees – for now anyway. Our goal is to plant all of our remaining seedlings by the end of NEXT WEEK, before the weather gets too hot for planting. We will pick up the project again in the fall once conditions are safe.

Our final spring volunteer days are this coming Sunday, June 27th from 11am-3pm and Wednesday, June 30th from 12pm-4pm. We hope to see you on the farm!

Save the Date: Pawpaw Festival at the Horn Farm Center

Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual York County Pawpaw Festival at the Horn Farm Center! Join us on September 18 & 19, 2021 for an outdoor, family-friendly festival celebrating York County’s beloved pawpaw – the largest edible fruit native to the Eastern United States that grows in abundance in the Susquehanna River region.

Rain or Shine. Free Admission. $5.00 Tasting Fee
Pawpaw fruit and trees available for purchase.
Proceeds support local regenerative agriculture practices and education programs at the Horn Farm Center.

Click here for more information!

UPDATED: Horn Farm Center Health and Safety Policy

In order to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff, participant expectations are as follows:

Participants are required to bring a mask and wear it when indoors, unless you are fully vaccinated.
Do not attend if sick or recovering.