“…there is nothing more fulfilling than being able to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Knowing that I am part of something that will be around for generations to come, long after I am gone, is so gratifying and fulfilling”
– Shannon Phifer, HFC Volunteer
Trees have always been a part of our story.
Starting with the first community event on March 18, 2008, we celebrated the opening of Horn Farm Center with a sentinel oak tree planting. Still standing watch on the southwest side of the farmhouse, our inaugural tree has blossomed through countless milestones and growing pains.
The sentinel oak was still young when we launched our Incubator Program that provided new farmers with access to land, equipment, and resources for the first time.
In those formative years, there weren’t 102 community garden spaces or an annual CSA program that supplied nutritious food to local families. Nor were there any training programs for aspiring farmers, woodland stewards, beekeepers, land stewards, or ecological gardeners.
We didn’t have a passionate team of paid staff — only volunteers — who dedicated their time, resources, and energy to build the organization and serve our community.
This year at the Horn Farm Center, we are seeing in 20/20 vision.
Looking back over the organization’s transformational 20-year history, we can’t help but look forward to what the next 20 will bring. A few years ago, we shared the details of our new strategic plan.
Since then, we’ve been working hard to Perennialize Horn Farm.
What does that mean? We are building a more mature, refined, and resilient organization — one that is capable of handling turbulence and growth. Similarly on the land, we have embarked on a new kind of farming, where the health of the ecosystem is just as important as the food, products, and learning experiences we produce.
Today, over 20,000 trees have been planted across more than 40 acres of our landscape, and perennial crops have redefined how we practice farming. Over the next two decades, we will:
- Develop new demonstrations focused on home-scale food production, agroforestry & climate-smart growing methods
- Offer an expanding catalog of signature programs
- Transform flagpole events like Wild & Uncommon Weekend into regional attractions
- Cultivate collaborative community partnerships to maximize our impact
- And, lead innovative restoration projects to care for all 186 acres of the farm
Like the sentinel red oak, the Horn Farm Center continues to branch out and grow.
The reason why remains that we will always need a place where we can reconnect with the land, ourselves, and one another – to remember our agricultural roots.
The how depends on you, our community. Together with your support, we can accomplish all of these goals and more.
Help Perennialize Horn Farm by donating this spring.
This year, you can double your impact on May 2-3 during Give Local York with over $18,000 in matching funds – thanks to several generous donors and our annual sponsors, including 7group and the Horn Farm Center Board of Directors.
Contributions will be matched online starting on May 2nd at 9:00pm. We will accept donations for 24 hours – until 9:00pm the next day, May 3rd, on the Horn Farm Center’s Give Local York page.
Join our efforts to Perennialize Horn Farm by contributing financially to the Horn Farm Center:
- by check sent to: Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Rd. York, PA 17406
- or during Give Local York on May 2-3.
We are healing the land and teaching others to do the same. Help us Perennialize Horn Farm for future generations!
Make a difference by supporting the Horn Farm Center. Click here to learn more about Give Local York.