So much of our lives are distanced from nature. Our culture, for better or worse, has evolved to keep us indoors. An expanding body of scientific evidence suggests that our nature-deficit lifestyles contribute to a myriad of challenges including: diminished use of senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses.
At the same time, we are facing numerous environmental crises in our lifetimes:
- This past October, World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Index reported sharp drops in animal abundance. They estimate that populations of most major animal groups on our planet have plummeted nearly 70% since 1970.
- Meanwhile, climate change is threatening the stability of life on our planet. Agriculture alone contributes to more than 17 billion metric tons of greenhouse emissions each year.
- And, our land use practices continue to degrade our soils and pollute our waterways.
There is A LOT of work to do. That’s why we’re regenerating the health of 186-acres here in York County, and our programs center around cultivating a love for the earth.
These programs have made me feel more connected to the area where I live, which in turn makes me want to foster a healthy environment and community with my own land.”
– 2023 Program Participant
Education, community, and nature are a powerful combination. With these ingredients, we can make a difference.
We believe that providing positive educational experiences in the outdoors – connecting people to nature – will inspire the passion our world needs to regenerate the health of our environment. We do so in the context of community with nature as our classroom.
So, what does it mean to regenerate the land?
Regenerative means going beyond “doing no harm” by taking an active role in stewarding the land and restoring natural cycles.
Our practices demonstrate how to produce food while prioritizing the health of our ecosystems, paying close attention to soil, water, and biodiversity.
At the Horn Farm Center, our land stewardship practices are focused on:
Building Soil Health
Regenerative agriculture is all about soil. At the Horn Farm Center, practices like composting, no-till, and cover cropping help to build organic matter, infiltrate water, and protect soil life. Healthy, living soils cycle carbon from the atmosphere and support life here on Earth!
Protecting Water
Using low-energy and natural technologies such as check dams, zuni bows, and multifunctional riparian buffers, we are doing our part to prevent soil erosion, support native aquatic species, and reduce mineral and sediment loads in our waterways – from Kreutz Creek, to the Susquehanna River, the Chesapeake Bay, and beyond.
Supporting Biodiversity
In 2018, we conducted a species survey that identified only 32 different species of trees and shrubs on the property, including non-natives. Since then, we have added over 40 native species on about 30 acres of the farm. Bolstering plant diversity builds habitat and increases diversity in soil microorganisms, beneficial insects, and other species of wildlife.
These regenerative practices are making a difference – and so do you when you support our work.
This year, you can double your impact on May 4-5th during Give Local York. Thanks to several generous donors, including 7group and the Horn Farm Center Board of Directors, online contributions on May 4-5th will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000.
The excitement starts online on May 4th at 9:00pm. We will accept donations for 24 hours – until 9:00pm the next day, May 5th, on the Horn Farm Center’s Give Local York page.
We are healing the land and teaching others to do the same. Help us Regenerate & Educate at Horn Farm Center!
Building Soil Match: Mark Silver & Holly Glaser
From 9:00pm, May 4th-5:00am, May 5th EST all donations will be matched 100% to up to $1,000 by our friends, Mark Silver & Holly Glaser.
Mark & Holly own a small farm homestead in northern York and believe that “soil is so central!” As they pursue their dream to transform their land into a food forest, they are humbled and inspired by how building soil health can help plants, bugs, and wildlife thrive.
Protecting Water Match: Board of Directors
From 5:01am-1:00pm EST all donations will be matched 100% to up to $4,000 by the Horn Farm Center’s Board of Directors.
The Horn Farm Center Board of Directors are passionate about protecting water health because water is life! In addition to supporting our work financially, our board members aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, helping to protect water by planting hundreds of trees in our multifunctional riparian buffers.
Supporting Biodiversity Match: 7group
From 1:01pm EST through 9:00pm EST on May 5, 2023 all donations will be matched 100% up to $5000 by 7group!
7group supports biodiversity because “diversity is a fundamental element of any healthy living system. Without diversity life cannot thrive.” Join 7group in supporting biodiversity by donating to our mission to Regenerate & Educate at the Horn Farm Center!
Make a difference by supporting the Horn Farm Center. Click here to learn more about Give Local York.