Violet Stone

I grew up on a 600-acre wildlife preserve tucked away in a rural farming village in Northeast Pennsylvania. I discovered a lot of inspiration and solace during the quiet hours I spent in nature, but I learned how to be in community from our farming neighbors. Our weekly visits to the Delp family's bulk tank to refill our glass milk jugs impressed upon me the sense of connection that comes from sharing food and land in a community.

My work is currently focused on creating retreats and programs for agricultural educators, farmers, earth-workers and change-makers to explore themes of connection, wellness, purpose, integrity and courage.  I see this work as contributing to a more inclusive ‘culture’ of agriculture where all voices are warmly welcomed, honored and celebrated, including the voices of our ‘inner teachers’.  In this highly technological age of automations and artificial intelligence, we have much to learn from the act of offering one another genuine listening, open-hearted attention and wonder.

I am a graduate of Oberlin College and an alumni of the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology program. My facilitation work is inspired by and adapted from the Center for Courage & Renewal, which exists to nurture deep integrity and relational trust, building the foundation for a more loving, equitable, and healthy world. I also serve as the NY NESARE State Coordinator and have been leading NESARE (Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) professional development programs in NY since 2009.