Programming at Horn Farm Center continues, as officials grapple with 2021 farmhouse fire

Though Horn Farm Center’s progress in rebuilding its fire-damaged building has been slow — the nonprofit is continuing its educational work and community programming in spite of the unexpected tragedy.

“It's been a long, unexpectedly, long process. But it's coming along,” said Executive Director Alexis Campbell. “We're still fundraising for the project. That's been one of our challenges, is just the sheer cost of really trying to renovate a historic building that hasn't been upgraded in probably 50 to 100 years.”

Horn Farm Center is an educational nonprofit focused on regenerative agriculture and ecological education. It offers a wide range of classes on everything from composting and gardening to survival skills, such as how to forage for food and create a fire without matches.

The organization’s farmhouse was struck by lightning in 2021, completely wiping out the third-floor attic and destroying its office spaces. Before the incident, the building was insured and the farm was able to secure $400,000 in damages — but additional funding is still needed, officials said.

“This was something that wasn't expected. It's not something we planned for — it was a tragic event,” Campbell said. “But we really wanted to make it an opportunity for the organization.”

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One of the primary goals of rebuilding the historic Horn Farm Building is to include additional classroom and community spaces for more opportunities for educational events.

Since most of the farm’s programs take place in spring and fall, Campbell said indoor classroom space will help expand more events into the summer and winter months, as well.

So far though, more fundraising is needed to accomplish these goals.

“We’re still working on closing a small funding gap,” Campbell added, “and I do hope that we can announce here in the near future the start of the construction.”

Several big events are planned in the coming months — though Campbell said funds raised will not go toward the building repairs. Rather, the funds will go toward educational programs at Horn Farm Center.

The nonprofit’s signature event, the Pawpaw Festival, is slated from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Road. The annual festival — in its 20th year now — aims to celebrate the native fruit that grows along creeks throughout the region.

The pawpaw is a unique, nutritious, and ecologically significant fruit that ripens for a short period of time from mid-September to mid-October, according to Horn Farm Center's website.

The Pawpaw Festival is also part of Horn Farm Center’s Wild and Uncommon Weekend, which will include events hosted by the farm’s various partners throughout the area. 

This includes River Discovery Boat Tours with the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, market shopping at Flinchbaugh’s Orchard, wine tastings at Lavender Acres Winery and much more.

Additional events will celebrate the pawpaw itself, for example, a pawpaw cooking class with the culinary class Locally Seasoned.

Many events part of Wild and Uncommon Weekend will require pre-purchased tickets. Individuals interested in attending an event can learn more and buy tickets by visiting https://hornfarmcenter.org/pawpawfest/.

“It’ll be a whole kind of regional event, and that's kind of our intention is to grow it really beyond the scope of just the Horn Farm,” Campbell said. "We're really excited about the partners that are working with us for the festival. We won't be able to do this type of community event if it weren't for those partnerships."

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