Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO FOSTER ECOLOGICAL LEARNING THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, LAND STEWARDSHIP, AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $618,351
- Spending
- $426,194
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 19.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 270
- Highest pay
- $64,915, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $115,914 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS: HORN FARM CENTER PROVIDES ON-FARM OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN LOCAL AGRICULTURE FOR BOTH CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE CSA (COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE), A DIRECT FARM TO CONSUMER PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES WEEKLY BOXES OF PRODUCE TO PARTICIPANTS FOR 20 WEEKS THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON AND THE COMMUNITY GARDENS, WHERE PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD ON PLOTS LOCATED AT THE HORN FARM GROUNDS. 102 20X20 GARDEN PLOTS ARE OFFERED FOR RENT.
- $115,913 spent. LAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS: SINCE 2018, THE HORN FARM CENTER HAS ENGAGED PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS IN HELPING TO RESTORE THE HEALTH OF THE FARM'S 186 ACRES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE TRAINING PROGRAMS, AGROFORESTRY AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL RIPARIAN BUFFER PROJECTS, WOODLANDS RESTORATION PROJECTS, REWILDING AND SOIL HEALTH PROJECTS, REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, AND WORKING WITH LOCAL FARMERS ON IMPLEMENTING AND IMPROVING BEST PRACTICES.
- $115,913 spent. PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YORK COUNTY RESIDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEMS. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE EFFECTS ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY; THE HEALTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY; AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THESE EVENTS ARE HELD BOTH AT THE FARM OR AT OTHER PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS' LOCATIONS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.