Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education (HFC) will present a lecture series, "The Land and Peoples of the Lower Susquehanna Valley" in four two-hour sessions. The series will be held at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., Columbia.

The course will explore the geological, archaeological and historical past and the cultural history of the region to help people better understand the land, the legacies of the past and future responsibilities. Participants will be invited to share their own stories, insights and local knowledge. Each session will be led by HFC board member Ed Wilson, who will be accompanied by regional experts with specialized knowledge about topics of interest.

Participants can register for individual sessions or sign up for the full course at a discounted cost. Session 1, "Origins of the Landscape," will take place on Tuesday, March 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. The session will focus on the landforms of the Lower Susquehanna Valley and the influence of plate tectonics and other geological processes that created them. The session will also cover the ancient river at its heart and the influence of the massive ice sheets which approached the region but never quite reached it. Guest presenter will be Jay Parrish, former state geologist of Pennsylvania.

"The Indigenous Peoples and Their Land" will the topic of Session 2 on Tuesday, March 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. The session will focus on the local archaeological record and how prehistoric people adapted to changing environmental conditions. The program will review what is known about the Susquehannocks and other tribes who lived in the region during historic times and the consequences of their contact with Europeans. Finally, the group will consider surviving traces of the indigenous past. Charlie Douts, director of the Blue Rock Heritage Center in Washington Boro, will contribute to the discussion.

Session 3, "European Settlement and the Collision of Worlds," will be offered on Tuesday, April 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. The session will focus on the rapid influx of German-speaking and Scots-Irish immigrants during the 18th century and the environmental changes they wrought as they sought to replicate their agrarian and industry lifeways in the New World. The group will discuss the cultural backgrounds of European settlers and consider how their activities transformed the region. Joining the session will be David Dietz, historian, farmer and former HFC board chair.

Session 4, "The Contemporary Landscape and Its Challenges," will be offered on Tuesday, April 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. In the final session, participants will examine the economic and political processes that underlie the twin problems of suburban growth and urban decline and discuss strategies for protecting land. More information on session content and the contributing speaker will be announced at a later date.

Preregistration is required at http://www.hornfarmcenter.org/land-and-peoples/. For more information, visit the aforementioned website, call Alexis Campbell at 717-757-6441 or email executivedirector@hornfarmcenter.org.