What (or Who) is Miyawaki?
The Miyawaki Method is an incredibly effective technique for quickly transforming degraded landscapes into thriving forest ecosystems. First originated in the 1950s by Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist, this planting method mimics natural forest ecosystems and has many benefits over more traditional approaches.
High biodiversity and density are key components of Miyawaki forests. In addition to intensive soil preparation, the process involves planting a wide variety of native species in close proximity. Trees planted using the Miyawaki Method grow very fast, jump starting the forest creation process and capturing more carbon.
In 2018, the Horn Farm Center began experimenting with the Miyawaki Method in a small demonstration plot on the farm. Using species native to our bio-region, our team established one of the first deciduous Miyawaki plantings in the United States. The project was designed and led by Woodland Steward, Wilson Alvarez.
We discovered that the trees and shrubs planted using the Miyawaki Method grew 8 to 10 times faster than those using traditional methods. Since the success of this first planting, we have utilized the Miyawaki Method for a number of tree plantings, including our multifuntional riparian buffer project.
In the past 4 years, our work has doubled the biodiversity on the farm and created new habitat for a multitude of bird and insect species. And, our original demonstration plot is now beginning to produce seeds that will spread that biodiversity across the entire landscape!
Want to learn more about this cutting-edge technique and tour the Miyawaki demonstration plot at the Horn Farm Center? Join us for “Miyawaki 101” with Woodland Steward, Wilson Alvarez on Sunday, April 10, 2022.
Click here to learn more and register.
Save the Date: May 06, 2022
Mark your calendars for Give Local York. May 6th is York County’s biggest day of giving – and your opportunity to support your favorite non-profits, like the Horn Farm Center!
The real success of Give Local York will not be how much money we raise but the tremendous impact those dollars will have when nonprofits across York County put them to work. Join the movement by supporting the Horn Farm Center on May 6th.
Claim Your Share: Horn Farm CSA
Your weekly box of organically-grown, farm-fresh produce awaits you!
The Horn Farm CSA runs 20 weeks from June through October. Each week offers seasonal, organically-grown produce. Here’s what you can expect:
- Spring: lettuces, spinach, kale, swiss chard, spring onions, beets, herbs
- Summer: kale, swiss chard, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, beets, summer squash, watermelon, cataloupe, onions, herbs, and more!
- Fall: garlic, beets, turnips, winter squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, kale, swiss chard, spinach
Pick-ups are at the Farm Stand located at 4945 Horn Road on Wednesdays from 2:30-6:30pm.
Full Share: $750
Half Share: $400
Click here to register.
A Huge Helping Hand & A Small Step Toward Rebuilding
This past weekend, thanks to The York Water Company, the Rotary Club of York Preserve Planet Earth Committee, and a few hardworking volunteers, we took a few small steps towards rebuilding!
In order to construct an access road for heavy construction equipment at the Lake Williams Dam project site, some mature evergreens needed to be timbered. The York Water Company generously donated some of this timber to help rebuild at the Horn Farm Center. On Saturday, we spent the day milling the donated timbers into dimensional lumber that will be used for our new building and other projects around the farm.
The positivity and excitement in the air was inspiring. Thank you York Water Company, Rotary Club of York, and our dedicated volunteers!
Wanted: Plant Sale Volunteers!
On Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 9:00am-3:00pm we are hosting our 10th Annual Plant Sale at the Horn Farm Center. We need a few helping hands to make sure the event runs smoothly. Volunteer activities include:
- Set-Up Before the Event
- Direct Traffic & Parking
- Restock Plant Tables
- Clean-Up After the Event