Initially, there were concerns that attendees might be disappointed. They had expected to meet Dale in person, chat with him backstage, and get signed copies of The Manual of Regenerative Agriculture (Walden Press, 2024), which Carboneg helped publish for the event. It was the first official Czech translation of his work. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, and attendees left with smiles and the Manual in hand.
A fortunate twist came in August when Vojtěch Ondráček, a farmer who had read the book, invited Dale to visit his Czech farm. "I'll be in Europe next week, perfect timing!" Dale replied, much to everyone’s surprise.
Thanks to Kordula Farm and Dale’s quick response, some of the Carboneg team were able to meet him and attend his two-day “master class” in the field. Several regenerative farmers and community leaders from the Carboneg program joined as well.
"Dale's work in soil health and drought-tolerant agriculture has helped countless farmers build more resilient farms," said Romana Kremláčková, a project specialist at Carboneg. "Having him demonstrate his knowledge live was an incredible experience. His passion for land stewardship left a lasting impact on me."
Romana’s colleague Marek Pytlík echoed this sentiment, mentioning one of Dale's ideas about planting thermophilic grasses in meadows to boost biomass production during summer, which could be highly beneficial for the local conditions.
And what’s the takeaway? Aside from offering thanks to everyone involved, it’s a reminder—especially for farmers—that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always a silver lining when you stay committed to your passion.
If you missed the meeting, don’t worry! A special episode of podcast about regenerative agriculture, was recorded during Dale’s visit. Watch for its release on Carboneg’s YouTube or Spotify profile in September!
Dale also recommended adding new varieties of lance-leaved ryegrass to pastures, which could help reduce methane emissions in cows while improving forage use. He shared how his approach to managing regenerative pastures now begins with water availability, instead of dividing land into smaller paddocks first.
At Kordula Farm, Dale suggested relocating the watering hole from the bottom of a hill to the top to prevent waterlogging and improve natural fertilization as cattle gather there. The regenerative consultants from Biopratex who attended called it a magical and inspiring afternoon, filled with amazing people and ideas.
An impromptu book-signing session followed, with nearly all attendees bringing their copies of The Manual of Regenerative Agriculture. Dale graciously signed them, sharing in the excitement of the moment.
Czech regenerative farmers and experts in attendance praised Dale’s spiritual yet practical approach to soil and landscape management, making the gathering a truly special experience.
Dale Strickler is a globally recognized agronomist, agroecologist, and consultant with over 30 years of experience. Growing up on a farm in Kansas, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agronomy from Kansas State University. In 1997, he started his own ranch, refining his land management techniques. Today, he focuses on agronomy, rangeland management, and soil consulting, having worked across the U.S., Hungary, and South Africa.
He’s the bestselling author of The Drought Resilient Farm and Managing Pasture, and his Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil was named one of Modern Farmer's top ten agricultural books. At the 2024 Živá krajina conference, Dale shared how regenerative farming methods help farms endure extreme weather, especially drought. You can watch the full recording on Carboneg’s YouTube channel.
