John Shenk began growing strawberries as a 4-H project. After graduating from Warren Wilson College near Asheville, NC in 1977 he returned to Lancaster Co. to establish a vegetable and berry farm. Now with the help of his wife Linda and three children they raise strawberries for retail and pick-your-own. On Saturdays during the summer, the family sells vegetables at a tailgate market in Phila. As a result of experience growing strawberries, Hillside Cultivator Co. LLC was begun as a side business for the manufacturing of cultivators. Through this project, and membership in the North American Strawberry Growers Assoc., they continue to learn from others about growing berries. Other projects include co-operating with David Douds Ph. D, a USDA soil scientist, in a study of Mycorrhizal Fungi in relation to strawberry yield. The ultimate goal of this farm is to be a good steward of the land and produce healthy food.