Olivia St. Clair is Pleasant View’s first farm manager.
Since starting at Hoffer Farm in September of 2024, Olivia has worked with residents and volunteers to create standard operating procedures for hydroponics and for the care of the animals. Olivia and the team developed a green master plan and map for future crops, greenhouses, and more. She created the first grown & grazed newsletter.
Olivia graduated from Penn State University with a degree in plant sciences (genetics and biotechnology). She has a passion for education and teaching others about sustainable agriculture and food systems. Olivia loves to see residents and community members experience vibrancy and joy as they grow something or interact with a farm animal.
Pam Hoffman, resident and hydroponics volunteer, says, “Olivia has made a tremendous impact on the Hoffer Farm and hydroponics production. Her thoughtful preparation, organizational skills, and easy-going collaborative leadership style bring out the best in our team. I have full confidence in her ability to turn the concept for Hoffer Farm into reality!”
Olivia’s most recent accomplishment was an informative and enjoyable Agriculture Day celebration on March 18. The day included in-person and a virtual tour of hydroponics, fruit smoothies (with hydroponic spinach) made on a new bike, a booklet of stories from PV farmers, and many educational displays & activities.
Olivia’s passion for agriculture grew in high school as she worked at a 300-acre orchard and farm market near her home.
At Penn State, she served as the manager of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where she packed and distributed weekly crop shares for CSA members. She also mentored farm interns, served as the pest management manager, and was a research assistant in the Rosa Lab.
Plans for Hoffer Farm's Future
The farm manager position at Pleasant View appealed to Olivia because it is a unique opportunity to work with residents and the community to develop Hoffer Farm.
The plans of Olivia and the farm team include:
- High Tunnels and a Greenhouse (to be located near the animals) to grow seedlings and to extend the growing season
- A demonstration garden (near the tunnels) to grow pollinators, vegetables, native plants, flowers, and herbs
- Mobile garden carts and hydroponic towers for residents in personal care and skilled nursing
- More opportunities for residents to interact with the farm animals (possibly a farm social hour)
- Manheim Central students showing PV lambs at the Farm Show
- Growing additional crops for local food banks to address food insecurity
- A meditation garden and a picnic grove as part of the farm
A new HofferFarm.org website will be “live” by mid-summer. It will feature the working farm and “Events at Hoffer Farm” (where folks can inquire about holding their wedding or event at the new Kreider Farms Cultural Center).
This spring, Life Skills students from Manheim Central will resume their visits with the Hoffer Farm animals. Resident Mark Nestleroth shares that what he enjoys most about Hoffer Farm is “watching the reactions of joy of the students as they work with our farm animals.”
Olivia has met with the Agriculture Department at Manheim Central. This year, students will learn about all aspects of farming and agribusiness as they plant, grow, and harvest popcorn at Hoffer Farm and as they develop a plan for packaging, advertising/marketing, and sales to sell the popcorn as a fundraiser.
Learning from the animals, crops, & one another
Olivia appreciates all she has learned from residents, including about hydroponics from Steve Seitz and about animals from Glenn Brubaker and Mark Nestleroth.
Hoffer Farm is home to a small-scale animal farm with 6 alpacas, 3 goats, 6 sheep, and 23 chickens. The breed of chickens is a cross between Plymouth White Rock and Rhode Island Red chickens. This cross is known to lay plenty of eggs and have a friendly personality.
Hoffer Farm uses hydroponic growing systems. This means crops grow in nutrient-rich water rather than soil, enabling greater yields in smaller spaces. The farm is currently growing spinach, basil, romaine lettuce, and red gem lettuce. Greens are sold to residents, used by our Hearth & Harrow restaurant, and shared with food pantries in the community.
The hydroponics system does not use any non-organic pesticides. All the sprays are food friendly and environmentally safe.
Steve Seitz, resident and volunteer, says, “Olivia has been a much-needed asset to our hydroponics operation. She brings knowledge, skills, and practical experience in greenhouse theory and operations which our volunteer group really appreciates. A very significant aspect of Olivia’s role and experience will be in integrating the in-ground and hydroponic growing portions of the agriculture program which I believe will become a model project for other growers in our area.”
Olivia’s first grown & grazed newsletter reported on the Community Impact of Hoffer Farm for Oct. – Dec. 2024:
- Over 8,100 seeds were planted in hydroponics.
- 215 pounds of produce was harvested from hydroponics.
- The chickens laid 786 eggs.
In the newsletter, Olivia also shared what the Hoffer Farm animals teach her. She writes, “Every day when I come into work, I’m greeted by Rosie and Pearl, our two ewes. No matter how tired I feel, they’re always ready to start the day, eagerly waiting to be fed. It’s a gentle reminder that happiness doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be found in the simplest of moments. They’ve taught me that it’s okay to embrace a simpler outlook on life, something I carry with me as I move through my day. I encourage you to take a moment each day to reconnect with simplicity.”
We’re grateful for Olivia’s experience, creativity, and passion for teaching and sustainability.
We believe that Pleasant View’s founder, Edna Hoffer (who was raised on the Hoffer Farm), would be thrilled about how Olivia is helping residents, staff, and community members to “get dirt under their nails” and explore the joy and therapeutic benefits of farming, gardening, and care of animals.
