Field Trips

During this farm visit, you will learn the importance of raising conservation breeds and how to keep a 100-year-old breed relevant in 2023. Our hosts will discuss the Romeldale CVM breed's history, raising sheep and lambs, and using their products from wool to milk. You will be hands-on with the new lambs, try working with the fiber (carding and spinning), and learn more about this friendly, productive, and rare sheep.

Gail and Harry Groot have 40+ years of experience in small ruminant and poultry management on their Montgomery County farm, which is dedicated to long-term sustainable stewardship of all its facets. They have been vendors at the Blacksburg Farmers Market for 9 years selling "All Things Sheep."

We’ll walk at Falls Ridge Preserve in the Ellett Valley, to an area of travertine cliffs with a waterfall. At the base of the cliffs, large swaths of trillium grandiflorum and other spring wildflowers grow. Those who wish can take short, steep trails to see additional flowers. A few spring migrant birds may be heard.

John Ogburn has studied and photographed wildflowers all his life. He and Amy Ogburn have traveled widely to observe the native flora.

Travel to Poplar Forest for a unique and inspiring experience. Explore Jefferson’s retreat house, his private sanctuary, considered by some as his most perfectly executed architectural work. Learn about the lives and experiences of those who lived in the plantation’s enslaved community.

Lunch will be at Olde Liberty Station in Bedford, a former railroad station and historic landmark.

Bus transportation and trip coordination is provided by Blacksburg Parks and Recreation. If your registration is confirmed with LLI, you will be sent payment instructions. Your seat is not guaranteed unless and until you make payment to the trip coordinator. Tour minimum is 15.

Robotic-assisted surgeries have become increasingly popular in the field of medicine. They allow surgeons to perform complex and delicate procedures with greater control, precision, and accuracy, leading to more successful surgeries and potentially better outcomes. Patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgeries typically experience shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and less postoperative pain.

Robotic-assisted surgery is now available in the New River Valley at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery. Meet surgeons Bruce Byrd and Jason Fowlkes who regularly perform robotic-assisted surgeries for a variety of conditions and see how they use this amazing new tool for patient care.

Trip coordination is provided by Blacksburg Parks and Recreation. If your registration is confirmed with LLI, you will be sent payment instructions. Your participation is not guaranteed unless and until you make payment to the trip coordinator and complete a waiver form.

Join friends for a 2-3 hour gentle raft float along the beautiful New River in Giles County. Afterward, the group will travel to the Palisades Restaurant for "Southern hospitality and sophisticated cuisine." This trip is not recommended for those with mobility issues.

Connor Russell is the outdoor event supervisor for Blacksburg Parks and Recreation. Connor is a graduate of Radford University with six years’ experience leading outdoor programs.

Director Scott Douglas will discuss the garden’s development over its 39-year history and the long-range vision for its future. After the lecture, Scott will lead a walking tour through the garden highlighting the different garden spaces and interesting plants along the way.

A landscape architect by trade, Scott became the director of the Hahn Horticulture Garden in August of 2017 and has led the design of a long-range vision for the Garden.