About Us

Welcome to our website! Thanks for taking time to learn more about us and Airy Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast.

Lancaster County is our home. We were born here, we grew up here, and we’ve lived a good life here. We take joy in sharing our small farm with others. Over the years, we’ve hosted family reunions, holiday tours, supper clubs, canning and freezing parties, and even two outdoor wedding receptions. Now that we are heading into retirement, a bed and breakfast seems a natural addition to our lives.

Farming has been in both our families for generations. It has cultivated in us a deep appreciation for the land, for life, and for our community. When we were first married, we moved to Mark’s family’s farm and lived just over the hill from our current home. Here’s a quick glance at the next forty years:

Hazel—I love children and taught in the public schools for twenty-six years, taking a hiatus while our five daughters were young. Volunteering is an important part of my life, whether for our church, church camp, Heifer International, 4-H, or our school district’s educational foundation. I also love to cook. When Mark and I were first starting out, we grew all kinds of fruits and vegetables and gathered family together to preserve the extra for winter. My favorites are making applesauce and grape pie filling, though these days I’m more likely to shop at a local farm stand than grow something myself. Our eight grandchildren keep me busy enough! I retired from teaching in 2006 and think that running a B&B is a wonderful way to meet new people and make good use of our home.

Mark—I worked alongside my father and over time purchased the farm from him. We slowly changed the farm’s focus from chickens to hogs and sheep. Animal husbandry (breeding) is a particular interest of mine from Penn State and I enjoyed improving the quality of our hogs. In 1991, we sold most of our farm, including the house and barns. We kept some of my favorite land, and Airy Hill Farm makes up twenty of those acres. I began working in financial services with New York Life. Farming continues to be my favorite past-time. As a Christian farmer, I also feel called to help the world’s hungry. For the last thirty years I’ve been active in Heifer International, a wonderful organization that combats hunger through the gift of animals. Hazel and I plan to donate a portion of our B&B profits to Heifer as part of our ongoing commitment to Heifer’s mission.