2025 Northeast Luminary Tour at Vermont State University (Randolph Campus)

THE WORKSHOP: 

The New England Grazing Network presents the 2025 Luminary Tour featuring Dale Strickler and Dr. Elizabeth Heilman of Regenerative Wisdom.  Attend this comprehensive full-day workshop, blending hands-on field experiences with classroom learning, to discover how to cultivate more resilient farms, ecosystems, communities, and ourselves as individual farmers. Our presenters will delve into practical strategies for enhancing farm resilience, exploring numerous approaches that have been tested and researched. Dale and Elizabeth will present on the significance and methods of establishing robust pasture systems, and how these systems positively impact farm businesses and local communities. Join us for field and classroom based conversations regarding how to build resilience, cultivate grit, and develop effective self-management for decision-making on your farm.

Additional topics will include: 

• Restoring and revitalizing your local water cycle, and how individual farms contribute to watershed health 
• Innovative approaches to designing effective fencing and water systems
• Enhancing plant diversity in your pasture systems
• Incorporating warm-season grasses in forage systems
• Growing nutrient-dense food through soil health, bacteria, and micro-organisms

Dale Strickler is an internationally recognized agronomist, speaker and consultant with more than 30 years of experience in agronomy, pasture management, and soil and crop advising while working in academia as in private industry. Dale has developed highly effective crop and grazing systems for numerous farms and ranches with a range of often challenging climates and soil types. Dale has consulted in every region of the USA and as far away as Hungary and South Africa. He is the author of the best-selling books, Drought Resilient Farm, Managing Pasture, and The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil, which was named a top ten farming book by Modern Farmer.

Dr. Elizabeth Heilman is a co-founder of Regenerative Wisdom and ecology educator with over three decades of experience. Her work integrates human and ecosystem ecology with social and political contexts, focusing on soil health, water cycle restoration, local food systems, and community-based regenerative practices for sustainable living. Elizabeth is also a professor of ecology and science education at Wichita State University. Elizabeth has authored five books and over 60 articles, and has delivered keynotes at events such as the Soil and Water Conservation Society, NCAT, and Farm to Fork conferences in Missouri and Virginia. She brings a unique perspective that connects environmental health with emotional well-being, offering insights into building resilient communities and ecosystems.

Learn more about our speakers at Regenerative Wisdom.

The Luminary Tour is organized by the and supported by:

• Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment
• Vermont Grass Farmers Association
• UMaine Extension
• Granite State Graziers
• Cornell Cooperative Extension – Capital Area Ag & Hort Program
• Berkshire Agricultural Ventures
• Northeast Pasture Consortium
• Northeast Grass-Fed Beef Initiative

This program is generously supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement NR243A750008C009 and The Cedar Tree Foundation

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Randolph, Workshops in Randolph, Sports events in Randolph.