Sustainable Landscapes

Who we are Goodwill at Homefields Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture program operated by Goodwill Keystone Area Homefields, a non-profit all volunteer organization, is the owner of the 8.7 acre farm in Millersville

Homefields Homefields is dedicated to creating new life options for persons with developmental disabilities The board volunteers raise funds to support both the vocational and residential programs on the farm property

How it all Works Residential Mission: To create financially secure, long-term homes in safe, family- like settings where there is respect for the individual in a holistic sense, and fun and creativity are revered as basic human needs. Vocational Mission: To provide agricultural facilities for individuals who prosper with supported employment; to nurture integration through community interaction; and to cultivate a spirit of volunteerism within our community.

Goodwill Keystone Area Goodwill’s mission is to support persons with disabilities and other barriers to independence in achieving their fullest potential as workers and as members of the community At the farm, Goodwill provides horticultural job opportunities for people with disabilities in Lancaster County

Farming Program first growing season – 28 shareholders 2008 – 160 shareholders 2009 – tenth anniversary season!

Farming Opportunities Over 100 trainees have participated in paid work per day, five days/week through the growing season Proud of their work and success of the farm Enhanced quality of life

Shareholders Families come to the farm each week Pick-up freshly harvested, organically- grown foods Love the farm experience and supporting the mission

Homefields Farm 13.7 acres owned and leased 5 acres of vegetable production 2 green houses Equipment barn –packing pavilion –Refrigeration –office

Sustainable Farming Cover crops Crop rotation Fallow fields Compost Drip irrigation Crop diversity Native fruits

Cover Crops Extensive use of cover crops –Daikon forage radish reduces compaction bio drilling –Buckwheat weed suppression beneficial insect host

Cover Crops Rye/Hairy Vetch combination –Biomass –Farm-made nitrogen Sorghum/Sudan Grass –Weed smothering Winter cover crops prevent erosion and increase organic matter

Crop Rotation Interrupts the buildup of pests and soil born diseases

Fallow Fields At least one field out of production each year Seeded to soil improving cover crops for a year and a half

Compost We make our own and purchase additional Test soil annually Remineralize –Farming is an extractive process –If nutrients aren’t in the soil, they are not in the vegetables

Drip Irrigation Minimize water use Direct water to the crop…. Not the weeds

Crop Diversity 45 different crops Over 300 varieties

Native Fruits Pawpaw & Persimmon Well adapted to our region Not trying to make water run uphill

Pawpaw North America’s largest native fruit Custardy, banana- vanilla flavor Highly nutritious Disease and pest free

Persimmon Beautiful orange fruit Size of ping-pong ball Native east of the Mississippi Very soft when ripe Like liquid apricot

Thank You