PRINTER'S NO. 4229
No. 847 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY GILLESPIE, BENNINGHOFF, BEYER, BOBACK,
CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, COHEN, CREIGHTON, DENLINGER, DePASQUALE,
FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GRELL,
GRUCELA, HELM, HERSHEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, JAMES, KENNEY,
KORTZ, KOTIK, MAJOR, MANTZ, MARSHALL, MILLARD, R. MILLER,
MOUL, MOYER, PAYTON, PERRY, PHILLIPS, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW,
ROCK, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SOLOBAY, R. STEVENSON,
SWANGER AND VULAKOVICH, AUGUST 5, 2008
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
AUGUST 5, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education of
2 Hellam Township, York County, for its efforts in agricultural
3 education.
4 WHEREAS, The Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education is a
5 new nonprofit organization in Hellam Township, York County,
6 dedicated to showcasing and interpreting the rich heritage,
7 viable present and exciting future of York County agriculture;
8 and
9 WHEREAS, The Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education is
10 located on 186 acres of prime farmland in Hellam Township, York
11 County, north of US Route 30 just east of the Hellam
12 Interchange; and
13 WHEREAS, The Horn Farm was donated to York County by the Horn
14 family in honor of David E. Horn in 1981; and
15 WHEREAS, The Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education is a
1 nonprofit organization officially established in 2003 under
2 section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public
3 Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.); and
4 WHEREAS, Its board of directors is made up of members with a
5 range of backgrounds in farming and agriculture, history,
6 science, marketing, finance and law; and
7 WHEREAS, The Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education
8 showcases the past, present and future of York County
9 agriculture; and
10 WHEREAS, By bringing people together to directly experience
11 sustainable local agriculture, the center promotes the rich
12 heritage of our land and the fundamental importance of local
13 agriculture to the health and well-being of our community,
14 economy and environment; and
15 WHEREAS, The Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education:
16 (1) educates children and adults about the importance of
17 local agriculture to their health and well-being by bringing
18 to life our agricultural heritage and connecting it to modern
19 day farming practices; and
20 (2) promotes the development and continuance of small
21 family farms by serving as a resource for current and future
22 farmers to learn sustainable farming practices;
23 and
24 WHEREAS, The center will demonstrate the past of York County
25 agriculture through several historical farms, including a 17th
26 century Indian encampment, an 18th century Settlement Farm with
27 log cabin and typical garden and field crops and a 19th century
28 Innovation Farm, with kitchen garden, orchard, and innovative
29 practices; and
30 WHEREAS, Present-day modern agriculture is demonstrated by
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1 the Flinchbaugh family's use of a large part of the farm for
2 high-production agriculture and best farming practices; and
3 WHEREAS, A unique feature of the center will be the Modern
4 Homestead Farm, a fully operational, self-sustaining farm run by
5 a master farmer and apprentices. This farm will demonstrate
6 sustainable farming practices, innovative marketing and the
7 economic viability of small family farming into the future; and
8 WHEREAS, Both youth and the general public will have
9 opportunities to participate in and experience multiple aspects
10 of the center's educational operations; and
11 WHEREAS, An agricultural history trail, with interpretative
12 signage and pavilions located strategically throughout the farm,
13 will provide the pathway where volunteer docents will guide
14 organized tour groups through York County's agricultural
15 heritage, past to present; and
16 WHEREAS, An orientation center with classroom space will
17 offer programs, workshops and presentations to expand on the
18 mission of the center; therefore be it
19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
20 Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education for its commendable
21 efforts in providing an excellent opportunity for everyone to
22 understand the role that agriculture has played and continues to
23 play in this Commonwealth.
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