Schumacher Farm Park

Join Ho-Chunk Nation Bear Clan member and horticulturist Lightning New Rider for an exploration of Indigenous food practices and our relationship with the land. The workshop begins with a presentation inside the Center for Rural History, where Lightning will share teachings on harvesting natural fibers, the connection with Mother Earth, and the traditional uses of medicinal herbs. Together, we’ll consider how food, fiber, and plant medicine are woven into Indigenous lifeways and stewardship of the earth. Be prepared to go outdoors for part of the workshop. This workshop is best suited for ages 18 and up. Space is limited, registration is required.

Lightning New Rider is a Ho-Chunk Nation Bear Clan member devoted to caring for his community through traditional foods and land stewardship. A chef, horticulturalist, artist, and cultural educator, he celebrates the ancestral foodways of his Nations — Ho-Chunk, Oneida, Pawnee, Otoe, and Arikara. Raised on the Oneida Reservation and later in the Wisconsin Dells area, Lightning learned by working alongside the women in his family, who passed down teachings rooted in land and tradition. Trained in horticulture, he is widely respected for his expertise in traditional garden management and cultivating Indigenous foods. He demonstrated at our Indigenous Culture Celebration in July 2025 through our partnership with Little Eagle Arts Foundation, and we're pleased to have him back to share more of his knowledge!

We are passionate about making our events accessible to people of all needs and abilities. If you have any questions and/or need special accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Refunds/Cancellations:

Program fees are refundable when:

The acitvity is cancelled by Schumacher Farm Park
The participant cancels for a medical reason (a physician's note is required)
The participant un-enrolls 7 or more days prior to the beginning of the activity

INDIGENOUS PLANT TRADITIONS WORKSHOP