Happenings

Education can send ripples of positive change through the community. When a job trainer at a local high school found out about the Woodland Restoration Project at the Horn Farm Center, he arranged to bring a group of high school students to work in the woods each week as part of their vocational training experiences. When the students first came to the Horn Farm they acted withdrawn and unenthusiastic and were reluctant to participate. As they learned about the ecology of the forest and how to restore it with proper use of simple hand tools, both they and the woodland were transformed. On Wednesday these students got to share the project with their classmates and teachers. Jared explained how to read the landscape and how best to build the next stretch of trail. Michael explained how they built steps and bridges using materials they found in the woods.

By working with the land, they have moved into relationship with this particular place. Their connection to the land has spread into care and concern for other places. One of the teachers shared that more than once she has seen these kids intervene where their peers are needlessly breaking branches of trees or kicking plants. This is why we do the work we do at the Horn Farm Center: to restore the mutually beneficial relationships between human beings and the Earth.Before leaving for the day, everyone got to choose a plant from our table of seedlings. It was delightful to watch teenagers carefully deciding whether to choose a tomato, sweet pepper, hot pepper or herb to take home.

This reconnection to the land is powerful for adults as well. On Wednesday, eight UNFI sales people spent a day volunteering at the Horn Farm Center. Some pulled thistle, some dug sunchokes, and some extended the trail in the woods. This work was very different than the typical sales persons’ tasks. In fact, one man in his mid-50s had his first experience working in the woods. City born and raised, this was a completely new experience for him. To his complete surprise, he loved it! He said working with hand tools to build a trail was satisfying in such a different way than making a sale by making a phone call. Being able to see the tangible results of his efforts meant a lot to him. Volunteering at the Horn Farm Center helps people discover new things about themselves and the land while helping us accomplish our mission. If your group is interested in participating in our work, please contact us at (717) 757-6441 or info@hornfarmcenter.org! No time to volunteer? Please support us financially by donating today!

Upcoming Events:

May 29 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 2 – Introduction to Permaculture
June 5 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 12 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 16 – Monthly Farm Tour – Third Saturday
June 16 – Introduction to Plant Communication
June 19 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 23 – Cycle the Solstice
June 24 – Insect Identification
June 26 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 30 – Monthly Foraging
July 14, 15, 28, 29 – Bowmaking
July 26 – Preserving Herbs
July 31 – Knife Skills for the Home Cook
August 21 – Seasonal Eat & Meet

See you at the farm!

On Saturday, June 23, The Cycle Works of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania will be hosting the fourth annual Cycle the Solstice bicycle ride to benefit the Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education.  Cycle the Solstice is a fun 20, 30, or 62 mile 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 and supporting ecologically sustainable local food production in the region.

Each ride will begin at the beautiful grounds of the Horn Farm Center. Riders will use road blazes and cue sheets to ride their chosen loop at their own pace. Along the way, riders will stop at local small farm businesses and markets for refreshments. Upon completion of their loop, riders will return to the farm to enjoy a lunch made with fresh, local ingredients.

Join us! More information and registration at Cycle the Solstice.

On June 16, join us for a unique experience: Introduction to Plant Communication. Humans have an innate ability to communicate with plants, though we have mostly forgotten how to do this. In this fun and informative workshop, we will begin to remember how to communicate with the plants as we once did intuitively.

Plant communication enhances our well being, offers solutions, guides us on our soul’s path and helps us deepen our relationship with nature.
In addition, our presenter, Jen Frey, will facilitate a Music of the Plants concert. Experience the plants singing and interacting with us through the Music of the Plants device, the technology which turns the electric impulses of plants into music. You will surely have a memorable experience and will look at the plant kingdom in a different way.

Space is limited – Register now!

Coming in July: Bow Making with Wilson Alvarez

Maybe you’re an archer who loves hunting with a bow and arrow. Maybe you’re a woodworker who would love to learn a new skill. Or maybe you’re someone passionate about learning techniques for survival and self reliant living. Whatever the reason, this is your chance to learn how to make hunting-quality, wooden bow and arrows from scratch with your own two hands. You will leave with your own finished bow!
Over the course of two weekends, each student will craft a wooden bow suited to their own height and strength and a handful of arrows. These hunting implements will be fully functional. Materials required for this will be provided by the instructor, however there are several essential tools which the student must supply (see below under Preparedness). Also, due to the fact that potentially dangerous tools will be utilized, safe tool use will be taught and strictly followed for the well-being of all participants.
Topics covered:
1. Stave selection, initial shaping, and curing
2. Crafting arrows
3. Tillering and string construction
4. Advanced tillering
5. Shooting
Classes take place over the course of two weekends: July 14 and 15, and July 28 and 29. Register now!

May 22 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
May 29 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 2 – Introduction to Permaculture
June 5 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 12 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 16 – Monthly Farm Tour – Third Saturday
June 16 – Introduction to Plant Communication
June 19 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 23 – Cycle the Solstice
June 24 – Insect Identification
June 26 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew
June 30 – Monthly Foraging
July 14, 15, 28, 29 – Bowmaking
July 26 – Preserving Herbs
July 31 – Knife Skills for the Home Cook
August 21 – Seasonal Eat & Meet

See you at the farm!

Not sure what a CSA is? Our Field Manager, Andrew Horn, explains:

Anyone who isn’t exactly sure what “CSA” means, Allow me to explain the best I can…CSA = Community Supported Agriculture. A CSA program is more than just exchanging $$$ for produce. When you purchase a “share” you are making an investment in what you believe to be a worthy organization.
The small scale, local farmers benefit from the income the CSA generates early in the season and are able to plan accordingly and adhere to the budget more effectively.
Of course, a planting/harvest plan must be flexible due to the unpredictability of weather, pests (insects/animals), and unexpected (but almost guaranteed) crop loss. There are, however, situations where certain crops flourish and provide more than expected. Shares are then adjusted accordingly. With a share purchased at the Horn Farm you are guaranteed a weekly share that has a $25-$30 value. (Sometimes more if you take advantage of the 2nds and extras!)
A relationship is then built based on your invested interest and the farms commitment to provide fresh, nutritious, chemical free produce. We send a weekly “What’s in your CSA” newsletter to inform members what delicious veggies they can expect and often times recipes or methods of preparation/preservation. As the Field Manager, I will be present on as many pickup days throughout the season as possible. Happy to answer any questions that folks may have.

We have five CSAs at the Horn Farm in 2018. Our Vegetable CSA, Betsy’s Flowers at the Farm Cut Flower CSA., and, new for 2018, we are partnering with Rising Locust Farm to serve as a drop off location for their Egg CSA, Pork CSA, and Mushroom CSA.

After college Andrew worked at various jobs. He was looking for work that felt meaningful and was useful to his community. His search led him to New Zealand where he spent six months working on organic farms. When he returned, he completed the Farming Internship at the Horn Farm Center. Last season Andrew was hired to grow food for our CSA shareholders. This year Andrew is showing this year’s crop of beginning farmers what he knows about growing food in ways which protect the health of the soil. Andrew has found the work for which he’d been searching: regenerative agriculture is both meaningful to him and useful to our community.

When a job trainer at a local high school found out about the Woodland Restoration Project at the Horn Farm Center, he arranged to bring a group of high school seniors to work in the woods each week as part of their vocational training experiences. When the students first came to the Horn Farm they acted withdrawn and unenthusiastic and were reluctant to participate. As they learned about the ecology of the forest and how to restore it with proper use of simple hand tools, both they and the woodland were transformed. For example, one student named Jerry now reads the landscape and decides where the next stretch of trail should go. His confidence in his own abilities has soared and he eagerly welcomes and trains new volunteers. Now when he speaks of his work at the Horn Farm he bubbles with pride. He can hardly wait to bring his family to see the results of his labor.

Food for our community. New farmers.

Meaningful work. Ecological restoration.

Skill building. Confidence building.

Community building.

We need your continued support! More than half of our annual budget of $233,000 comes from donors like you. Please give generously. Thank you!

Upcoming events:
May 13 – MAEscapes Native Plant Sale
May 15 – Tuesday Evening Work Crew (begins)
May 17 – Monthly Foraging
May 19 – Insect Identification and Management
June 2 – Introduction to Permaculture
June 16 – Monthly Farm Tour – Third Saturday
June 16 – Introduction to Plant Communication
June 23 – Cycle the Solstice
June 24 – Insect Identification
June 30 – Monthly Foraging
July 14, 15, 28, 29 – Bowmaking
July 26 – Preserving Herbs
July 31 – Knife Skills for the Home Cook
August 21 – Seasonal Eat & Meet

See you at the farm!