Happenings

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

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 – 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.

Horn Farm Happenings – June 11, 2021

The Heat is On!

Last Wednesday, June 2nd marked the start of the Horn Farm CSA. In our first 2 weeks we shared a bounty of spring greens – asparagus, cilantro, kale, spring lettuce mix, cucumber, spinach, and green garlic- all grown at the Horn Farm by the Kilgore Family and Farm Manager, Andrew Horn.

We were happy to welcome back returning members as well as some new faces this year. We are invigorated and humbled by the support of our members, who truly value our work to grow healthy food while restoring the health of our ecosystems.

As the season heats up, we are continuing to educate and inspire 11 new land stewards in the inaugural Land Steward Training program. On Mondays, future homesteaders and aspiring market gardeners are working and learning with Farm Manager, Andrew Horn. And on Tuesdays, the crew is focused on restoration work and ecological literacy with Woodland Steward, Wilson Alvarez.

So far this integrated learning experience has been a huge success, largely in part thanks to the incredible group of students, each of whom bring their own unique experiences and unbridled enthusiasm for learning to the group.

The new Land Steward Training program is also an exercise in building a more holistic approach to how we steward the land and provide educational programming here at the Horn Farm. Day by day we are slowly growing towards a whole systems approach where all elements of the farm work together in a cooperative ecosystem.

In addition to the CSA and Training Program, our team is hard at work tending to the land, planting trees, organizing programs and events (hint, hint – the 2021 Pawpaw Fest), and having a ton of fun with our friends and dedicated volunteers. We hope that you will join us!

Stop by and visit us at the Horn Farm. We hope to see you soon!

Thank You UNFI!

Thanks to our friends at UNFI, we made great progress building deer fencing, which will help to protect our newly planted trees! These trees are part of a 6 acre riparian buffer that will help to protect our waterways, create wildlife habitat, and produce healthy food. We are so thankful to the hardworking UNFI staff who donated their time to make a huge impact on our work here at the Horn Farm.

UNFI has partnered with the Horn Farm Center over the past several years to offer their generous associates meaningful volunteer experiences.

Over 4000 trees planted, 6000 more to go!

Our marathon to plant 10,000 trees at the Horn Farm this year continues as we near our last leg of the race – for now anyway! Our goal is to plant all of our remaining seedlings by the end of June, before the weather gets too hot for planting We will pick up the project again in the fall once conditions are safe.

Can you help us reach the finish line this month? We have several new volunteer days scheduled, primarily on Sundays and Wednesdays. We really need your help!

We thank our dedicated volunteers (Cindy P. and Keegan are two of them pictured above) who have come out week after week, rain or shine, to make a huge impact on the health of our local waterways!

Click here to help plant trees!

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.