Happenings

Are you ready to take your gardening skills to the next level? The Horn Farm Center’s Farming Internship is a part-time, hands-on training program for people with 0 to 2 years of farm or gardening experience. The program provides foundational knowledge and practical skills for those interested in small-scale, intensive, organic vegetable and permaculture-based production methods. This program will be valuable and suitable for anyone interested in exploring a future in small-scale vegetable production as well as anyone interested in learning growing skills for the purpose of homesteading, gardening, and feeding themselves and their community. Find out more at:  https://hornfarmcenter.org/internship2018/ or by contacting Education Director, Jon Darby, at educationdirector@hornfarmcenter.org or (717) 332-8710.

We first came across this video in 2016. We are sharing it this week to highlight the positive ecological changes that regenerative agriculture creates. Though the examples in this 15 minute film are in South America, the principles and practices can be applied in any climate because they are based on the patterns found in nature. Enjoy Life in Syntropy!

Speaking of regenerative agriculture, Horn Farm Center Executive Director Alyson Earl recently completed a year long study of regenerative agriculture. She was chosen as a 2017 York County Community Foundation York Federal Fellows grant recipient. Her goal was to equip herself with the skills and knowledge needed to lead the Horn Farm Center’s quest to address the problems created by human activity such as deforestation and industrial farming – with its bare and broken soils, vast fields of single crops, and reliance on chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. These practices have killed the web of organisms which keep the soil, and us, alive. Currently, 40% of agricultural soil is classified as ‘degraded’ or ‘seriously degraded’. To solve these problems, we need to identify and create regenerative agricultural systems for present and future generations. So, off she went– to Vermont for a 10-day ecological/permaculture design intensive, to Pottstown for an Agroforestry workshop, to the Rodale Institute for a Soil Biology course, to Spiral Path Farm for a Soil Health Conference, to Massachusetts for a Soil Health & Nutrition Conference. Along the way, she visited several economically successful farms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that implement regenerative agricultural practices. It was a transformative year for Alyson–both personally and professionally, and she is deeply grateful to the YCCF York Federal Fellows program for having given her the opportunity to develop her knowledge and skills in order to better serve the community of which she is a part.

We still have room for you in our Vegetable CSA and Betsy’s Flower CSA. Sign up today for your weekly or biweekly share of vegetables or cut flowers!

Upcoming events:
February 20: Bread Baking 201 (waitlist)
March 24: Bread Baking Full Day Workshop
2018 Foraging Intensive
Bowmaking
Wild Lands Immersion – Primitive Skills

See you at the Farm!

The woodlands and farm fields are part of the same ecosystem which is why we pay attention to the health of both–it’s all interconnected and interrelated. The health of our woodlands and streams directly affects the quality and quantity of the food we grow on the farm. This is why we started our woodland restoration project. Tuesday was a beautiful day to walk in the woods. What a weather roller coaster we had this week! Temperatures were in the 20s and 60s. The rain and melting raised the level of water in the stream enough to allow the water to sing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeanwTzBKSq/?taken-by=hornfarm

Early bird registration discounts end this Wednesday, January 31 for our Vegetable CSA and Betsy’s Flower CSA. Sign up today for your weekly or biweekly share of vegetables or cut flowers!

January 27: Introduction to Permaculture (waitlist)
February 20: Bread Baking 201
March 24: Bread Baking Full Day Workshop
2018 Foraging Intensive
Bowmaking
Wild Lands Immersion – Primitive Skills

See you at the Farm!

Early bird registration discounts end January 31 for our Vegetable CSA and Betsy’s Flower CSA. Sign up today for your weekly or biweekly share of vegetables or cut flowers!
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.

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Also in 2018, we welcome a new farmer to the farm business incubator!

Betsy Dorbian wanted to switch careers and decided to participate in our Farming Internship. Betsy learned enough to launch her own farm business! This year Betsy is offering a weekly or biweekly share of cut flowers delivered to multiple pick up locations. Get more information or sign up here.

Thank you to New Belgium Brewing for selecting our project Being Ecologically and Economically Responsible – Integrated Perennial Agriculture to receive $3500 in funding for Water Conservation and Restoration. This money goes toward our Woodland Restoration Project which involves restoring a six-acre woodland and stream corridor next to the fields used for our Farm Internship and Incubator Farm Project. This strategic integration of farm fields with wildlife habitat will yield improvements in soil health, water retention, water quality, biodiversity, biohabitat, as well as additional crops such as nuts, berries, mushrooms, and medicinals. We’re looking out for people, planet, and profit! You can be part of this, too, by volunteering your time and/or sending us some dollars! https://hornfarmcenter.org/donate Thanks!

Upcoming events:

January 23: Bread Baking Basics (rescheduled)
January 27: Introduction to Permaculture (waitlist)
February 20: Bread Baking 201
March 24: Bread Baking Full Day Workshop
2018 Foraging Intensive
Bowmaking
Wild Lands Immersion – Primitive Skills

See you at the Farm!