The Soil Series: Grassroots for the Climate Emergency

Speakers: Tatiana Schreiber, Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Lisa McCrory

A collaboration between Building A Local Economy (BALE) and Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition (VHSC) with sponsorship by Rural Vermont

Calling all land managers, farmers, gardeners, seed savers, citizen scientists, conservationists, town planners,  educators, healers, and advocates, join us for a series of critical conversations about soil health and how we can become response-able to meet the climate emergency we face with confidence. There will be great food provided before and, following powerful panel dialogues guided by VHSC members, audience discussion on topics of food, soil, water, health, climate and hope. Together, we can explore what is possible in rehabilitating Vermont's soil health to hold our landscapes and communities together. This potent – and important – six-part series takes place on Wednesdays starting Feb. 27 at the Bethany Church in Randolph. Suggested donation $5 (donations not necessary). Each program features a social half-hour with great food provided by Black Krim Tavern, Randolph. Registration is not required.

Principles of soil health tell us that the worst thing we can do is have bare ground exposed to the elements, a phenomena rarely found in nature. Multifunctional landscapes that integrate trees, shrubs, plants and animals can rebuild soils, enhance biodiversity, and improve livelihood strategies for our agricultural communities. We will discuss the value of integrating trees, perennial edibles, and animals into our farms and gardens (and surrounding landscapes) and the ways this in turn enhances soil biological health and healthy agroecosystems as a whole.