Welcome to Trailside Organic Farm at Cornwall Manor!

A unique partnership was announced in March 2021 with the industry experts at the Rodale Institute to establish Trailside Organic Farm at Cornwall Manor! As a leader in the senior living industry, Cornwall Manor strongly supports our wellness philosophy, which is based on the principle that each resident is entitled to enjoy and maintain the highest level of health, dignity, independence and activity. Cornwall Manor is the first retirement community to partner with the Rodale Institute.

Statistics show that residents in retirement communities live two years longer on average than those who live alone, owning to an environment rooted in health, well-being and community. The Cornwall Manor-Rodale Institute Trailside Organic Farm is an opportunity to combine the health benefits of organic food and farming with the improved longevity of community living. Partnering with the Rodale Institute experts guarantees that Cornwall Manor residents receive the best and healthiest product because it meets the strict standards of USDA organics. Trailside Organic Farm will offer freshly harvested farm-to-table offerings for resident meals and residents and visitors will enjoy the beauty of the farm as well as educational and volunteer opportunities.

Video Tour of Trailside Organic Farm at Cornwall Manor

Through our partnership with the Rodale Institute, Trailside Organic Farm is currently a two-and-a-half-acre USDA certified organic vegetable farm located on Cornwall Manor’s Woods Campus. The development and organic farming is led by Rodale Institute’s team of industry experts (Farm Manager bios are below). Cornwall Manor uses the produce grown on the farm to be served in all campus dining areas. Utilizing Rodale Institute’s expertise in organic growing methods, Trailside Organic Farm will provide residents with healthy, hyper-local food choices and a thriving natural environment that supports their health, environment and overall well-being. Both organizations see this project as having the potential to serve as a model for continuing care communities across the country.

Trailside Organic Farm Resident Testimonials

The implementation of Trailside Organic Farm and the partnership between Cornwall Manor and the Rodale Institute benefits Cornwall Manor’s community of residents and staff.

Now entering our fifth growing season (2026), several Cornwall Manor residents shared their feedback on how Trailside Organic Farm, the weekly farm markets, volunteer opportunities and educational sessions impacts them.

Trailside Organic Farm Accomplishments

2026

Tailor scheduling of popular crops to increase growing season
Plant perennial blackberry and rhubarb crops (first blackberry harvest fall 2026, first rhubarb harvest 2028)
First strawberry and raspberry harvests
Experiment with new annual crops: heirloom tomatoes, fennel and birdhouse gourds
Sell flower bouquets and produce in Manor Shoppe to increase resident access
Increase volunteer opportunities by adding more timeslots and activities
Increase seasonal farm help to better manage field production and resident engagement
Continue to supply surplus produce to the Chestnut Street Community Center and Lebanon County Christian Ministries
Speak at local community events to share our mission

2025

offer customized farm tours using John Deere Gator to provide transportation
Incorporated first pick-your-own event
Increase overall popular crops; addition of perennial strawberry and raspberry crops added to the farm (first harvest is 2026)
continue to offer volunteer opportunities, weekly farm markets, educational classes and informational workshops (dried flower bouquet, tea planter workshop) and tours
Hosted environmental science intern from Lebanon Valley College
Hired seasonal farm helper
New hoop house constructed (total of 3 hoop houses)
Permanent raised beds for herb gardening
Added native trees and pollinator plants to landscape around the farm
Continue to supply surplus produce to the Chestnut Street Community Center
Speaking at local community events to share our mission

2024

Greenhouse built
Farming the full 2.5 acres
Continue to build soil health
Key Engagement Opportunities – Pennsylvania Farm Show, LeadingAge PA (May) and LeadingAge National (November).
Production of two new videos
Local outreach and education continue for two local Lebanon Valley Elementary Schools
Trailside propagated a variety of crops that were sold at the annual Blooms & More Festival (May)
Received a John Deere Gator from an anonymous donor that will be used for farm tasks.
75th Anniversary Project – residents imagined, created and implemented a Seasons of Cornwall Barn Quilt.

2023

Hired seasonal farm helper
Expanded the growing capacity of the farm to two acres, which increased the quantity and offerings of items harvested
Incorporated irrigation lines
Constructed second hoop house
Ongoing building of healthy soil structure
Continued to offer workshops, farm tours and Friday Farm Markets for Cornwall Manor residents
Received USDA organic certification
Hosted second annual Fall Harvest Fest to commemorate Trailside’s growing season
Completion of bank barn and ribbon cutting

2022

First growing season spanned .8 acres
Constructed a hoop house (caterpillar tunnel), which is beneficial to extend the growing season and create a controlled growing environment
Hired an assistant farm manager
Implemented a volunteer program
Offered workshops and farm tours
Flowers were planted at Trailside Organic Farm to add beauty to the site and attract pollinators
Hosted first Fall Harvest Fest
Groundbreaking for bank barn
Cornwall Manor received the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal’s Nonprofit Innovation Award for Leadership Excellent for collaborating with the Rodale Institute to create Trailside Organic Farm

2021

Announced partnership with the Rodale Institute
Hired a farm manager
Began site improvements and soil enhancement

Trailside Organic Farm & Barn Virtual Tours

Trailside Organic Farm Barn Production Area

Trailside Organic Farm Barn Upper

Trailside Organic Farm

Trailside Organic Farm NEWS

In the news (July 2026): Cornwall Manor’s farm feeds residents & provides produce to local food pantries

ManorLife (Spring/Summer 2026): Growing Kindness & Rooted in Mission: How Cornwall Manor Nourishes Community Life

In the news (January 2026): Organic Farming Is Boosting Senior Living Wellness

In the news (December 2025): Pennsylvania’s Idyllic Retirement Community For Farm-To-Table Foodies Has Its Own Organic Farm

In the news (September 2025): Cultivating Wellness and Purpose: Rodale Institute and Cornwall Manor Grow Model for Aging and Agriculture

In the news (March 2025): Lifelong Growth – Rodale Institute

In the news (November 2023): New bank barn anchors organic farm

In the news (October 2023): Cornwall Manor collaboration with Rodale Institute blooms newest local bank barn

News Release (October 2023): Cornwall Manor Celebrates Barn Ribbon Cutting & USDA Organic Certification at Trailside Organic Farm

In the news (July 2023): In its second season, Trailside Organic Farm is bustling, Food Management

In the news (May 2023): Trailside Farm weathers challenges, reaps rewards in first season

News Release (May 2023): Cornwall Manor Expands Trailside Organic Farm to Advance Health and Wellbeing

News Release (November 2022): Cornwall Manor Breaks Ground on Barn at Trailside Organic Farm

ManorLife (Summer 2022): Happenings at Trailside Organic Farm

ManorLife (Fall 2021): Introducing Trailside Organic Farm

News Release (March 2021): Cornwall Manor to Partner with The Rodale Institute

What’s Growing on the Farm?

Take a look at what’s growing in May 2026 at Trailside Organic Farm:

Trailside Organic Farm Highlights

Scallions in the greenhouse at Trailside Organic Farm (April 2024).

Variety of lettuces grown in the greenhouse at Trailside Organic Farm (April 2024).

Greenhouse construction (March 2024) at Trailside Organic Farm, awaiting cover.

Trailside Organic Farm received a special Valentine ❤️🐊 gift from an anonymous donor! A John Deere Gator was delivered to assist with farm operations. A Gator is essential for transporting plants and tools, it significantly reduces the manual labor required. Additionally, its ability to navigate through rough terrains makes it ideal for executing general farm maintenance tasks. Our farm managers were very excited about this addition to the farm, and we are very grateful to the donors who made this happen! (February 2024)

Trailside Organic Farm at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg (January 2024)

The 3,840 square foot bank barn at Trailside Organic Farm.

The 3,840 square foot bank barn will assist and expand Trailside Organic Farm operations.

Official ribbon cutting ceremony at Trailside Organic Farm's Bank Barn on October 20, 2023.

Entrance off Ironmaster Road to Trailside Organic Farm.

The annual Fall Harvest Fest is held to celebrate Trailside's growing season. Residents and their families can take their own photos with the tractor used at Trailside Organic Farm.

As part of the annual Fall Harvest Fest, a pumpkin decorating contest is held for residents and staff to participate in. The only rule...incorporate a pumpkin grown at the Trailside Organic Farm. Oscar the Grouch, created by Corson Hall Personal Care, won "2023 Fan Favorite."

Barfing Bob, created by Woods resident Robert Johnson, won "2023 Spookiest" at the 2023 Fall Harvest Fest.

Largest sweet potato of the 2023 Trailside harvest. Can you guess the weight? This sweet potato weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces!

Flower bouquets are a popular Friday Farm Market item. At the 2023 Fall Harvest Fest, attendees could pick-their-own bouquets!

Aerial photograph (September 2023) of Trailside Organic Farm and Barn.

Residents and staff love the convenience of having fresh, organic produce right at Cornwall Manor every Friday. Here, Woods resident Hilde Greenlee, purchases a colorful flower bouquet.

The Palmyra Garden Club visited Trailside Organic Farm in September 2023 for a tour of the barn and farm! They even put together a dried flower arrangement using flowers from Trailside.

The Palmyra Garden Club taking a tour and viewing the tomatoes harvested at the Trailside Organic Farm.

The Palmyra Garden Club tours the lower level of the barn and takes a look at the most recent tomato harvesting.

Cornwall Manor's Trailside Organic Farm met the criteria to become certified organic under USDA standards!

Katherine Gehris, a resident at the Buckingham Campus, volunteering at the Trailside Organic Farm.

Our partnership with the Rodale Institute offers educational as well as volunteer opportunities for our residents. Here, Buckingham Campus resident Katherine Gehris, volunteers on the farm.

Flower arranging workshop held in August 2023.

An arrangement of flowers made during the Trailside flower workshop.

A completed arrangement from the workshop.

Summer squash was a popular item at the Friday Farm Markets.

Fresh herbs, grown at the Farm, are sold at the Friday Farm Markets.

Katie Landis and Dina Thalen working at a Friday Farm Market.

Katie Landis (left), Trailside Assistant Farm Manager and Dina Thalen, Trailside Seasonal Farm Helper, work at a Friday Farm Market.

Aerial photograph (May 2023) of Trailside Organic Farm and Barn.

Construction of the barn at Trailside Organic Farm in December.

Trailside Organic Farm Barn Construction (December 2022).

Groundbreaking for the Trailside Organic Farm Barn (November 2022).

Meet our Trailside Farm Manager

Katie Landis, Farm Manager

Katie joined Ian at Trailside Organic Farm in April 2022 as the Assistant Farm Manager and in 2026 became the Farm Manager.

Living in Quentin, Katie is a “local” and lives right around the corner from Trailside Organic Farm. Katie has been farming for a living since 2012, beginning as an intern growing herbs and cut flowers at Lancaster Farmacy. Her five years there taught her how to use high tunnels and greenhouses to extend the growing season, how to use irrigation to get the appropriate amount of water to the crops and how to manage weeds.

After leaving the Farmacy, she worked at Homefields Care Farm where we grew a large variety of vegetables that were sold to the community through a CSA program. Working at Homefields taught her how to operate tractors and the different implements that could be attached to the front or back to make field work easier.

Kim Ramolt, Farm Technician

Kim joined Trailside Organic Farm as a full-time, year-round Farm Technician in February 2026. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kim lived in Chesapeake City, Maryland, for three years before recently relocating to Lititz with her partner. She is excited to explore the area and become part of the local community.

Kim has been working in horticulture since 2023, beginning her career as a seasonal employee at Longwood Gardens. There, she gained hands-on experience in plant care, irrigation system maintenance and repair, pruning, and a variety of other horticultural practices. After her season at Longwood, she joined North Creek Nurseries, where she learned to sow seeds both by hand and with a vacuum seeding machine. She also developed skills in identifying native plants from seeds and seedlings.

Now, Kim is excited to begin a new chapter at Trailside Organic Farm, where she is expanding her knowledge of organic produce farming and contributing to the farm’s continued success.

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