The Hoffer Farm may sit on land owned by Pleasant View Communities, but it was created with a much bigger purpose in mind: to be a place where the wider community can gather, explore and connect, said Jonathan E. Hollinger, CEO and president of the retirement community.

"The Hoffer Farm is for everyone! Explore scenic Lancaster County trails; meet our goats, sheep, alpacas and chickens; and discover hands-on farming - from crops to hydroponics," he said. "Browse books at the Manheim Library or celebrate life's milestones in our beautiful event spaces. There's always something new."

To make it easier for people to discover and take part in everything the Hoffer Farm has to offer, the organization launched a new website in the fall of 2025.

Work began on https://hofferfarm.org in November of 2024, said Mindy Fetherman, development director for Pleasant View, as the Kreider Farms Cultural Center at Hoffer Farm was under construction.

"In November 2024, Pleasant View also began to plan all the logistics for how the event spaces in the Cultural Center would be utilized and managed," she shared. "Hoffer Farm is home to the Kreider Farms Cultural Center, the Sunrise Vista event space, a working farm, a walking trail, the Manheim Community Library and a future makerspace - all designed to foster community connection in the heart of Manheim."

As Fetherman explained, each section of the website has a theme focused on "The Heart of ..."

The "Heart of Celebration" section spotlights the event spaces and outdoor courtyard, suitable for weddings, family gatherings, corporate or nonprofit events and more.

To fully leverage the site, Pleasant View hired Theresa Albright as its new events director. In the few months the building has been operational, numerous groups have used the space, Fetherman said, including the Manheim Central boys' volleyball team, which held part of its state championship celebration at the Cultural Center. Local nonprofit Hope Served held its Illumination event at the center in September.

"The Cultural Center includes a test kitchen - with overhead camera - and we look forward to hosting cooking events in that space," Fetherman noted.

The "Heart of Sustainability" section of the website highlights the working farm. Olivia St. Clair was hired in 2024 as the first Hoffer Farm manager, and she oversees all aspects of the site, which include animals that provide therapy, hydroponics that address food insecurity and partnerships with students in both the Manheim Central School District agriculture department and Life Skills classes.

"Hofferfarm.org includes photos of the animals and their names, a video about hydroponics, a link to the master green plan and more," Fetherman stated.

In the "Heart of Discovery" section of the website, visitors can learn more about the Manheim Community Library, which moved to the Cultural Center in April 2025.

"They have 5,000 more square feet of space, a hitching post for Amish patrons and rent of 'one book a year,'" Fetherman said, noting that LaTrobe Barnitz, the new library director, is the grandson of two Pleasant View residents.

"Since the move, 200-plus new people have signed up for library cards," Fetherman said. "With as many as 600 visitors a day, monthly circulation has grown from 8,000 to 12,000."

The website's "Heart of Creativity" section focuses on the future makerspace that will be on-site, with four studios - for pottery, art, textile arts and technology.

Once the makerspace is built, people will be able to register for classes and studio time on the website.

"We hope to have artists in residence," Fetherman shared. "We are working to raise $1.5 million to build the makerspace."

Lastly, the "Heart of Generosity" section of the website tells the history of Hoffer Farm and the legacy of Edna Hoffer.

"Inspired by a profound act of kindness that kept Hoffer Farm her home after her father died when she was 8, Edna Hoffer utilized Hoffer Farm's resources to care for senior neighbors in need as she established what is now Pleasant View Communities," Fetherman explained. "Hoffer Farm embraces Edna Hoffer's legacy of compassionate service while addressing contemporary community needs and fostering community connection in the heart of Manheim."

Numerous donors have contributed to the vision for the future of Hoffer Farm, she said, including Ron Kreider and Kreider Farms, and the site is the result of input from many sources.

"The vision to repurpose our founder Edna Hoffer's farm grew from countless conversations - dreaming together, listening to residents, engaging with community stakeholders and collaborating with our team," Hollinger said. "It was born from a shared desire to create a welcoming space where connection and community can take root."