Hortulus Farm Foundation Announces Search For New Partner

WRIGHTSTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA – The Hortulus Farm Foundation, located in Wrightstown Township, will be seeking the community's input as the organization shifts into the next phase of its long-term redevelopment plan.

Since Jon and Ariel Kontz purchased Hortulus Farm in 2021, the couple has had one mission in mind: to foster community in a beautiful and restorative environment.

They, along with their family members, staff and local partners, have spent the last two years cultivating new life and new vision for the property – from the ground up.

“It’s amazing to see how far Hortulus has come in just two years,” Foundation Director Ariel Kontz said. “To look back at where we started and realize the growth of our team, the community offerings, the relationships that have formed ... even the soil is different. It’s been a really amazing thing to be a part of, and I am excited to see what the next season is going to hold.”

The Hortulus Farm Foundation is announcing a public invitation to submit proposals as they seek a new operating partner who can further the organization’s mission.

Anyone who has visited Hortulus in the last two years has likely seen the Kontz family – including their three children and Jon’s mother – hands in the dirt, introducing their lambs, running the store, engaging with customers. And while the experience has been an incredible opportunity for the family to work together to grow not only the plants but also a sustainable organization, the Kontzes are ready to concentrate their efforts on their family and the foundation as they entrust the operational reins to “someone who will ultimately be good for the community, good for the team and good for nature,” explained Foundation President Jon Kontz.

“Ariel and I love serving our guests, our team, this mission and the space that we have developed together. We plan to continue to lead the operations of the foundation that directly invest in the community through non-profit investment and development, and we look forward to
welcoming a new partner who will bring renewed ideas, resources and energy to the day-to-day operations of the on-farm experience.”

Town Hall

The Foundation will host a virtual Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, January 23 at 10 a.m.; a link can be found on the Hortulus website, https://www.hortulusfarm.com/partnership-opportunity, as well as their social media pages. At that time, Jon will provide an overview of the farm’s progress, their vision for a new partner and outline the requirements for submitting proposals.

Because the community is at the heart of the foundation’s mission, the Kontzes invite the community to be a part of the process.

“We want to know what our local community members and regular visitors want to see here at the farm, and we want them to help us find an ideal partner,” Jon said. “Share our announcements with anyone who would be interested – we are excited to evaluate all of the proposals in order to build something incredible.”

The foundation will assess the proposals over the next month and plan to have a new operating partner lined up for the spring opening. Those interested may review the information on the Partnership Opportunity section of the Hortulus website and participate in the January 23 Town Hall. Participants can submit questions ahead of the meeting by emailing questions@hortulusfarm.com