"An education that teaches you to understand something about the world has done only half the assignment. The other half is to teach you to do something about making the world a better place.” – Johnnetta B. Cole
Heritage Creek is an educational initiative dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, fostering environmental stewardship, and modeling socially responsible ways to create lasting, positive change.
Our farm is rooted in Regenerative Agriculture, a farming practice that restores soil health and supports biodiversity. We grow nutritious, sustainably produced food for our community while offering farm-based educational programs that inspire learners of all ages to connect with the land and become thoughtful stewards of the environment.
By teaching a holistic approach to farming, we hope to help people see food production through a new lens and understand that the way food is grown directly affects its quality and nutritional value — ultimately influencing human health, environmental sustainability, and food security.
Our intention is to sow the seeds of a new generation of farmers and conscious consumers — individuals who value how food is grown and understand the profound impact farming practices have on the environment and public health.
The fruits of our labor are visible in the bountiful harvests that nourish not only the body, but also a strong sense of community.
We measure success not just by yields, but by teachable moments — meaningful connections that root people more deeply to the earth and the origins of their food.
Through a variety of hands-on, outdoor programs on the farm, participants gain a deeper understanding of plant and animal science. These immersive experiences help visitors explore the fundamentals of agriculture while cultivating a genuine appreciation for the time, effort, and care involved in growing food.
Inspired by the wonders of nature and the joys of discovery, our learning stations invite children and families to explore the farm, fields, forest, and creek — sparking curiosity and a deeper connection to the natural world
“Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb. Brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to roll, sand, snakes, huckleberries and hornets; and any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived of the best part of education.”
― Luther Burbank
Organic farming dwells deep within my soul. My youthful memories are filled with walking barefoot in warm soil, nurturing crops to ripeness, harvesting produce for daily meals, and preserving food for winter storage. I am a child of the organic movement, inspired locally by the Rodale Institute and Gene Logsdon. From seedling to adulthood, I have been nourished by wholesome food and steeped in the love of caretaking the land.
We live in a fast-paced age of technology where a lifestyle rooted in the simplicity of farm life is like finding a pearl inside an oyster. Children are growing up without experiencing the wonders of nature. The art of growing our own food is becoming a lost tradition, urgently in need of revitalization.
Our farm’s mission is to plant the seeds of learning. By teaching regenerative agricultural practices, we spark meaningful conversations, ignite environmental awareness, and model how individual actions can create positive change in our world.
At Heritage Creek, we hope to cultivate a new generation that values a healthy lifestyle and understands the local and global responsibilities of caring for the environment. Our mission is twofold—raising wholesome food and educating and encouraging people to grow their own.
Heritage Creek Farm offers an authentic farm experience and is a popular destination for school field trips. Our summer camp welcomes children from Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Berks, and Dauphin Counties, as well as visiting children from other parts of the country who are spending the summer with family in South Central Pennsylvania.
Here in Lancaster County, PA, we are blessed with a mild climate, plentiful rainfall, and rich soil. Southeastern Pennsylvania is also rich in values, traditions, culture, and knowledge passed down through generations. Our owner, Cindi Hughes, comes from a long line of ancestors who deeply valued the importance of growing and preserving their own food.
At Heritage Creek, we believe the art of agriculture holds historic and cultural significance worthy of preservation. We are rooted in the legacy and history of farming—drawing from our deep roots while integrating modern knowledge—to embrace a broad and sustainable approach to food production.
The small creek that meanders through our 26+ acre hillside property is a tributary of the Little Chiques Creek. We are a small part of a larger network of waterways that flow into the Susquehanna River and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. This creek and its surrounding riparian buffer create a vibrant wetland ecosystem, offering campers a unique space to explore and a refreshing spot to cool off on hot summer days.
The lower farm pavilion is located by the creek and is used for field trips and summer camp dining, and large group events/presentations.
The Forest Classroom provides an open-air space on the lower farm. This building is use for Art and STEM and medium sized group activities.
The Little Seeds Classroom/Deck is used for large group events, fiber arts activities and Parent/Child Program. It is also a quiet space for reading and playing board games.
Our historic farmhouse was built in the 1882 and is used for a variety of farm related purposes. Inside its cozy walls you will find our Farm Camp Office, the Farm2Farm Telephone Story and the upstairs bedrooms are used for guest speakers to the farm.
The new farmhouse is on the upper farm and was built in 2022. It is the private residence of the owners of the farm - Ed and Cindi Hughes - full year caretakers of the farm and our facility.
The "Market Building" is an open-air outbuilding on the upper farm and used for a variety of agriculturally related purposes.
Our new greenhouse, constructed through the help of our older campers and teens in 2025, is our main production greenhouse. This 30 x 72 greenhouse provide ample growing space for producing farm-fresh food from early spring to early winter.
This 1800 square feet greenhouse has a plant propagation station and serves as a botany lab offering visitors opportunities to explore plants in various stages of growth. It is used for our retail nursery during the spring months.
This greenhouse when not being used to start seedlings or curing vegetables, provides a warm conversation space for visitors during the colder months.
The Production Barn is on the upper farm and is our food distribution hub. It is also the space used for Technology and Mechanical Education.
To reserve/receive information about field trips, submit the Inquiry Form. Spring Programs include: homeschool enrichment program, and Oak & Acorns Parent/Child Program. Summer Camp Lottery will open on January 5 and be open until January 18. Emails to complete camp registrations will be sent by January 20.