Manheim Township High School students are engaged in our jobs training program, recently exploring cover crops and soil enrichment, finishing the day by planting blueberry bushes.

Volunteers from local food banks gleaned the last of the lettuces, mizuna, bok choy, arugula and tatsoi from the fields. This is after our farmhands decamped for the season but before first frost. It takes networks to provide for those who are food insecure and we are glad to have partners like these to jump in when needed!

Penn Manor is one of the high schools that participates in our agricultural workforce training program, bringing a team of students during the season to gain experience that will serve them in a variety of possible future jobs.

Here are students from Conestoga Valley High School and Manor Township getting real-world experience in the field but, equally importantly, an opportunity to connect in a natural and therapeutic way.

A team from ODC has joined us for many seasons, helping prepare vegetables for CSA pickup and enjoying each other’s company—in the greenhouses, pick-up area or, as you see here, in the coolness of the barn.

CVHS's Transition Center and IMPACT Club students led by Jay Grisafi went to work today digging up sweet potatoes. Assisting Jay and Farmer Andrew were CV IMPACT members Cindy, President, and Nyomi.

Padmini Mongia, an English literature professor at F&M College brought her class to the care farm as part of the curriculum on the social and cultural significance of food. Students harvested sweet potatoes to get the true flavor of farm life.

More than 30 volunteers from HOBY Youth Leadership helped tune up our property in May 2024. When we’re focusing our energy into programs, it’s great to receive this kind of support!

Volunteers from Friendship Community have visited the farm regularly for years and we cherish their dedication and good nature. Here they are cleaning amaranth in the fields.

An early introduction to Prof. Len Litowitz’s “Energy, Sustainability and the Environment” course begins at Homefields Care Farm where a broad breadth of subjects are demonstrated such as: controlling insects with companion plants and diatomaceous earth, fertilizing by planting cover crops, control of water runoff using deep root plants, and how Daikon radishes aerates soil.

During the season, we welcome regular volunteers from Concepts, Lancaster, to Homefields Care Farm. Every Tuesday, Concepts volunteers help with tasks related to that week’s CSA pick-up.

Seventh-grade students visited the Care Farm to plant potatoes, pick blueberries, and harvest Gogiberries. Horizons’ goal is to provide enriching educational experiences and stop summer learning loss. Students enter the Horizons at LCDS’ summer program when in kindergarten and remain through 8th grade.

Homestead Village Retirement Community residents came for a workshop led by Andrew Phillips and Carol Welsh. Everyone left with containers of native plants selected by the participants, plant and planting knowledge, and a journaling self-created painting.

Edward Nase, Director, M.U. Dining Staff; Heather Keck, Retail Technical Service Manager; Toby Myers, Purchasing & Procurement; John Johnson, Executive Chef; and Mary Beth Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs joined us to discuss and plan growing produce to address food insecurity within the student body, to connect students with the people who grow their food and the farm, and to introduce new taste and recognition of a variety of vegetables and fruit.

Taryn Hogeland (Horticultural Instructor), Keke, Javannah, and Abby (agricultural interns) collected poppy seeds, uncovered ground cherries and husk tomatoes, examined broom corn, persimmons, Asian pears, and more during their educational tour.

Volunteers from Keystone Human Services helped plant sunflower seeds in July. That's Elizabeth with Jay, Khalid, Scott, and Anna.

Glenn Weaver worked at Homefields’ CSA its first year and the next 13! The blueberries and pawpaws we’re enjoying now were planted and raised by Glenn and others. He came by with Olivia (left) and Antonia (not shown) to see what’s changed.

Diane Caci and Danielle Figueroa brought a Circle of Friends to Homefields and shared a live tour, sampling food grown at the Care Farm, sharing a picnic lunch, and taking home cut flowers.

Plein air artists find inspiration on Homefields' property from time to time. A group recently visited when flowers were at their peak.

Dennis Steiner (President and CEO) and Sherry Harry (VP of Business Development and Marketing) visited Homefields to brainstorm about future synergies. Dennis was our first treasurer!