More than five years ago, we embarked on a journey to grow a new kind of agriculture—one  where the way we farm helps to revitalize the health of our landscapes. 

The seeds of that vision have taken root and our ecological farm system is starting to bloom.

With knees on the ground and hands in the soil – 468 community members came together between 2021 and 2023 to plant over 17,000 saplings at the Horn Farm. Today, those trees are growing strong, bearing hazelnuts, elderberries, live stakes, and a world of possibilities for creative collaboration and learning. 

Each tree stands as a living testament of what we can accomplish when people come together to care for the land. These trees are also the foundation of our new agroforestry program.

Agroforestry—what we like to call “Farming Like an Ecosystem”—is a powerful way to grow food while caring for the planet. 

By growing trees and shrubs as crops, we build healthier soil, protect our waterways, create wildlife habitat, and even help to remove carbon from the atmosphere. 

Even with all its benefits, agroforestry is used on just 1% of farms in the United States. At the Horn Farm Center, we’re working to change that by:

• Helping gardeners, farmers, and aspiring growers learn to cultivate food sustainably for themselves and their communities through our signature training programs – like the new Regenerative Grower Training Program, launching this year.
• Creating York County’s first community “Forest Garden” alongside our vegetable beds, transforming our demonstration field into a learning space and farming ecosystem.
• Adding new classes and workshops about agroforestry, like how to grow mushrooms in the woods, the basics of making your own elderberry syrup, and basket-making. 

There are so many fun, hands-on ways to explore how trees and farming can work together. We are just getting started. 

Through practices like agroforestry, we’re helping people rediscover essential skills, understand their role in the natural world, and take part in the regeneration of our local ecosystems — growing stronger, more resilient communities.

Together with your support, we can ensure that everyone in York, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and beyond has the opportunity to get their hands in the soil, learn from the land, and become part of a more hopeful, regenerative future.

Please consider donating to the Horn Farm Center to support our new agroforestry program. 

Let’s continue to grow this vision of regenerative agriculture and create a lasting impact for our community and environment. We are so grateful for your support and belief in our mission.

$4,245 Remaining! Double Your Impact with our Board of Directors match now until the end of May!

This year following Give Local York, you can double your impact now through May 31st with $10,000 in matching funds – thanks to the Horn Farm Center Board of Directors. 

Contributions received between now and the end of May will be applied to the Board’s $10,000 match until the matching funds are expended.

You can donate online or by mailing a check to Horn Farm Center 4945 Horn Road York, PA 17406.

$10,000: Board of Directors Match

Horn Farm Center’s Board of Directors will match all donations dollar for dollar. The Board of Directors are passionate about our mission! From chairing committees and steering the organization to helping us reach our fundraising goals, the Horn Farm Center Board of Directors are dedicated to serving our community!

We are healing the land and teaching others to do the same. Help us Farm like an Ecosystem for future generations!

Make a difference by supporting the Horn Farm Center. Click here to learn more about Give Local York.

We are Rebuilding This Year!

If you’d like to learn more about our progress on the farmhouse and to donate directly to the Education Center Building Fund, please visit hornfarmcenter.org/rebuild/ or note “Building Fund” on your check.