“…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 for Give Local York!
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.
Double Your Impact with $20,000 in Matching Funds on May 2-3!
This year, you can double your impact on May 2-3 during Give Local York with over $20,000 in matching funds – thanks to our annual sponsors 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.
9pm-10pm : $2000 Double Match
From 9pm-10pm on May 2, Tito’s will DOUBLE-match every gift (up to $100) until the Match Pool is depleted!
During the month of August, Tito’s Handmade Vodka worked with York County restaurants to give $1 per Tito’s cocktail to five vetted nonprofits – and Horn Farm Center was one of them!
Cheers to a giving to a great cause for Give Local York!
10pm-midnight : $1000 Match
From 10pm-midnight, Columbia Gas will match all gifts up to $50 until the match pool is depleted!
Columbia Gas is committed to supporting organizations that make a difference in the communities they serve, with focuses on Safety, Economic & Workforce Development, Environmental Stewardship, STEM and Energy Education, and Basic Needs & Hardship Assistance.
Help keep the energy going by donating online!
Midnight-10am : $5000 Match
From midnight through 10am on May 3rd, 7group will match 100% of all donations! Double your impact by donating to the Horn Farm Center.
7group engages built-environment projects that advance how technical innovation and community vitality entangle and co-evolve.
Don’t sleep on this generous $5000 match from 7group!
10am-5pm : $8250 Match
From 10am-4pm on May 3, the Horn Farm Center’s Board of Directors will match all donations dollar for dollar up to $500.
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!
5pm-7pm : $1250 Match
From 5pm-7pm on Friday, May 3, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar until the match pool is depleted thanks to Sides Wealth Advisory Group!
Sides Wealth is one of York’s leading advisory firms, with business roots tracing back more than 20 years. They offer a wide variety of wealth management services and work with clients through all phases of life, including long-term planning, investment management, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and life insurance.
7pm-9pm : $2000 Match
From 7pm-9pm – during the final hours of Give Local York – all donations will be matched 100% thanks to our Annual Sponsors:
- Hively Landscapes
- UPMC
- Lisa Naples Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty.
20/20 Challenge: Board of Directors
If we reach our fundraising goal by 9pm on Friday, May 3rd, the Horn Farm Center Board of Directors will donate an extra $2,020!!
To unlock this challenge, we need to raise $30,000 in online donations during Give Local York – donate from 9pm on May 2 through 9pm on May 3!
NOTE: Matching funds are not included in the total for this challenge
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.