Horn Farm Happenings – May 31, 2024

Fascinating Fungi

From their rich medicinal history to their vital roles in ecological cycles, fungi have captivated our curiosity and imagination since the earliest days of our human ancestry.

To embrace and explore this age-old relationship with the fungal world, the Horn Farm Center is partnering with educators from the Eastern Penn Mushroomers Club for a three-part series spotlighting the diversity, versatility, nuance, and significance of nature’s great recyclers.

We’ll enrich our relationships with fungi by exploring their uses and mycology, including cultivation, cooking, biology, land tending, and new frontiers of possibility. In addition, each class will involve a foray in search of fungal specimens at the Horn Farm, conditions permitting.

Join us starting on Saturday, June 8th from 1:30-4:30pm for Fungal Foundations: Spring Mycology Series at the Horn Farm Center!

Learn More about the Fungal Foundations Series


It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…It’s a New Restoration Project at Horn Farm!

We are pleased to announce the start of a new land restoration and watershed stewardship project at the Horn Farm Center!In January, Horn Farm Center was awarded $141,145 in grant funding from the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Program to undertake a large-scale erosion control and restoration project – just north of our recently established 10 acre riparian buffer (funded by DCNR PennVest). The project will address major soil erosion and water runoff issues upstream on the Horn Farm property that impact the Kreutz Creek, Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay.

Our project goals include:

  • Stabilizing and restoring 2,100 linear feet of steam beds and banks of 3 unnamed tributaries to Kreutz Creek that are severely eroded;
  • Restoring and/or establishing 5 acres of forested riparian buffer;
  • Creating 1 acre of riparian forested wetlands;
  • And, installing 300 linear feet of a regenerative stormwater step pool conveyance system upstream to capture and infiltrate a portion of runoff during rain events.

The DEP Growing Greener grant will fund the design and permitting phases of the project, which we expect to complete by the end of 2025. Horn Farm Center has partnered with Skelly & Loy, a civil and environmental engineering firm to lead the design. The initial work of assessing the landscape began in April and will continue this summer.

A big thanks to the PA Department of Environmental Protection for valuing the health of our local watersheds and entrusting the Horn Farm Center to do our part. We are absolutely thrilled to further our efforts to build soil health, cultivate wildlife habitat and protect our waterways while continuing to develop new ways to educate our community at the Horn Farm Center.

Photo: Skelly & Loy capturing drone footage to map the project landscape.


Save the Date: Wild & Uncommon Weekend

Celebrating 20 years in 2024, the York County Pawpaw Festival has seen incredible growth. From its humble beginnings as a “Slow Food Pawpaw Dinner” organized by Dick and Judy Bono in 2004, the Pawpaw Festival now attracts over 2000 visitors from across the mid-Atlantic and beyond.

This year, the York County Pawpaw Festival continues to grow – with a new name and new visitor experiences at over 5 locations!

Say hello to the Horn Farm Center’s Wild & Uncommon Weekend: celebrating local food, art, nature…and pawpaws!

The 2024 Wild & Uncommon Weekend will take place from September 27th to 29th, 2024. This regional celebration will spotlight not just the pawpaw, but the diverse ecosystem of local foods, makers, and experiences that make this region so special.

On Saturday, September 28th from 9am to 5pm, the Horn Farm Center will host the signature event of the weekend: our Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival, featuring all of the family fun, education, and local shopping many have enjoyed over the past 20 years!

Stay tuned over the coming months for announcements about the Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival and our NEW Wild & Uncommon Weekend of events!

Click here to learn more.


Supporting Our Mission & Work

Lemon Street Market is an independent and woman-owned grocery store focused on sustainable and healthy living. With many local, organic, vegan, and gluten-free options, Lemon Street Market is open 7 days a week in downtown Lancaster, including their kitchen, serving coffee, tea, espresso, fresh juices, smoothies, and grab-and-go takeout items.

This spring, Lemon Street Market featured Horn Farm Center as part of their #GiveLocal program. Thanks to their ongoing commitment to our mission and the customers who rounded-up at the register, Lemon Street Market raised $2,760 to support the Horn Farm Center!

We are so thankful to Lemon Street Market for their partnership this year.


Summer Solstice: A Makers Spirit Event

Did you know that the Horn Farm Center has a restored 19th century Squirrel Tail Oven? This functional piece of history was reconstructed and revitalized in 2016 as part of our Summer Kitchen renovations – a 4-year long capital project led entirely by dedicated volunteers!At our Summer Solstice Celebration on June 22nd, we’ll be firing up the oven to share fresh-baked goods and demonstrate how things were made here in the past.

We’ll also be celebrating our 20th Anniversary with food, live music, activities, tours, and a campfire with friends, family, and longtime supporters of the Horn Farm Center! All attendees are invited to participate in a potluck meal – if you are able, please bring something to share.

This event is free to attend but please RSVP by June 19th! Click here to RSVP!

Horn Farm Center’s Summer Solstice Celebration is part of Explore York’s Annual Makers Spirit Event, which runs from June 20-22, 2024.

You can download your Passport to York County’s Makers Spirit Event Today! Behind-the-scenes tours, educational demonstrations, and tasty collaborations…the Makers Spirit Event has it all. Be sure to check in at each location to earn points for prizes!


Wellness Wednesdays at Horn Farm

Horn Farm Center’s new Wellness Workshops are designed for holistic wellbeing. As gardeners, land stewards, and outdoor enthusiasts, bringing more attention to our movement and mind can provide lifelong benefit.

In partnership with Firefly Hollow Wellness Center, we are hosting a special series of yoga classes once a month at the Horn Farm Center – at sunset!  Each class features different yoga styles and will be an opportunity to move, stretch, and unwind in the outdoors.

Join us at the Horn Farm Center for our new Wellness Workshops!

Click here to learn more.