Happenings

Happy New Year! We hope that your holidays were filled with peace and joy and all manner of good things. We have a lot of exciting programs planned for 2020 and are working hard behind the scenes to get them organized and posted to the website. If you are interested in a deep dive, full day of Regenerative Farmscape Design, we will be hosting a PASA Conference intensive here at the Horn Farm on February 5. If you’re interested, sign up as soon as possible as there are only a few spots left!

On the farm, we are still finding plenty to do outside as well as inside. This week marked the start of our first willow harvest!

We chose some varieties for their ornamental qualities: color, scent, or catkins, and others for their ability to be woven into baskets, fences, and other outdoor structures.

And as long as the ground remains unfrozen, we will continue to plant trees that were purchased through a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Stream ReLeaf grant.

2020 marks the fifth season of our Regenerative Farming Training Program! Over the years we’ve tweaked the name and the curriculum, but this eight month program has been valuable to all who’ve participated. Become a skilled steward of the land. Learn to feed yourself and your community using farming practices that restore ecological balance to the land. We teach farming practices that restore damaged ecosystems while producing food for our community. Emphasis is placed on learning to see the farm as a whole, highly integrated, agricultural ecosystem. We have started interviewing for this program which begins March 2. Click here to get the details!

Upcoming events:
January 4 – The Living Landscape
February 1 – The Living Landscape
February 5 to 8 – PASA Conference
February 29 – Native Plants for Winter Interest and Wildlife
March 2 – 2020 Regenerative Farming Training Program
March 7 – The Living Landscape
March 14 – Green Mulch: Native Plants as Groundcovers
March 28 – Stormwater Management 101 for Homeowners
March 28 – Foraging Intensive
March 28 – WIldlands – Primitive Skills: The Art of Seeing and the Art of Observation
April 11 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: Shelter Building and Finding Water
April 25 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: The Ancient Art of Fire by Friction
May 9 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: Foraging, Hunting, Trapping
May 23 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: Advanced Primitive Hunting Techniques
Custom Classes & Workshops

See you at the farm!

In 2009, Ben Dannels of Troop 49 constructed an observation deck as his Eagle Scout project.

Ten years later, Caden McKinney converted the observation deck into an outdoor classroom. In consultation with Horn Farm staff, he created a design for the project. Then he raised the money to pay for the materials. Next, he dismantled the sides and washed the deck.

He applied a paint made specifically for restoring weathered wood.

Next, the structure was built and covered with a metal roof.

This outdoor classroom seats 15 comfortably and gives us a place to hold classes outside that protects people from rain or sun. We are so grateful to have this beautiful structure here at the Horn Farm! Thank you, Caden!

Some favorite classes are back for 2020! Starting March 28 are the 2020 Foraging Intensive and the 2020 Wildlands Series.

photo: Michelle Johnsen

In 2019, over 2500 people visited the farm, 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:
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
March 28 – Foraging Intensive
March 28 – WIldlands – Primitive Skills: The Art of Seeing and the Art of Observation
April 11 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: Shelter Building and Finding Water
April 25 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: The Ancient Art of Fire by Friction
May 9 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: Foraging, Hunting, Trapping
May 23 – Wildlands – Primitive Skills: Advanced Primitive Hunting Techniques
Custom Classes & Workshops
2020 Regenerative Farming Training Program

See you at the farm!

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!