Launch and Field Update.

 The Situation:

During the Horning Farm Craft Show, we had a chance to discuss the flying fields with Mason Horning. He recently told us they were considering making changes, but we didn’t want to say anything until they solidified their plans.

The Horning 2 field on Bethel Church Road has triticale (a grain) growing on the north half, where we usually fly. Once they harvest that, they will be planting soybeans. That field is probably out of our use until Spring of 2026 because soybeans are often harvested late in the year.

Horning 1 is also changing this summer. Right now, the north half that we fly on is all alfalfa, and the south half is corn. After the alfalfa is cut this week or next week, they will split the alfalfa field in half and plant corn in the north half, so the field will be corn, alfalfa, and corn with the alfalfa strip in the middle.
The reason for the change is that they are finally producing more feed than they can use and can sell the extra. Corn and soybeans are more profitable than alfalfa.

What now? 

We are clear to fly on Horning 1 once the alfalfa is cut. We may be able to get in two launches on consecutive weekends, the 24th and 31st. We know the 24th is Memorial Day weekend, but there are enough BOD members available for both dates to make the field available. Both dates are on the NAR launch calendar, just be aware that if, for some reason, they can’t cut it this week that the 24th launch date will be cancelled.
We can also use the field once the remaining alfalfa field is cut again in late June. The corn won’t be that tall by late June due to how late they will be planting it.

 What About After June?

There are two other alfalfa fields, one near my house and the other is between our two flying fields on Lima Center Road. The Lima Center field has many houses around the edges of the field, so it won’t work. The one by my house will work for low power (G impulse and below), and we can set up at either end depending on the wind. This field will put us a lot closer to the lake and the Consumers Plant as well as houses, which is why we’re restricted to low power on that field.
We will have access to Horning 1 again once the corn is harvested.

To summarize, 

Part of the Horning 1 alfalfa field will be converted to corn in early June. We can use that field for May and June, once the alfalfa is cut.
 After June, we will use the field that is North of Horning 1, which will remain alfalfa. Due to the proximity of the lake, Consumers Plant, and houses, we will be restricted to low power at that field.
If you have any questions, please reply to this message or reach out to any of the board members. 

Thanks,
the BOD