In need of inspiration? New ideas? Or the opportunity to learn about some of the latest trends in
the farm business?2018 is full of diverse small-farm conferences happening all over the country.
With its cold and wet weather, January is a popular month for many agricultural-themed conferences
-- and Tend will again be a sponsor later this week at the
EcoFarm
Conference in Monterey, California. If you’re heading to EcoFarm, you can get more
information about Tend Smart Farm by visiting their booth or attending their
presentation
this Friday.
If you’ve missed out on the recent January symposiums or haven’t yet gotten your fix of education
and networking, there are still plenty of opportunities for any interest and local. Check out the
list below for some of this year’s key conferences and symposiums.
Most events listed are geared toward diversified, sustainable, and/or organic growers. They are
organized chronologically and topically, and unless otherwise noted, all conferences take place in
2018:
February 14-17 | Corvallis, OR
This biennial conference is the largest organic seed event in the U.S. and focuses ongrowing
techniques, trade, research, and policy.(Specifically for the next generation of seed growers, the
Student Seed Symposium takes place July 26-29 also in Corvallis, OR)
April 3-5 | St. Louis, MO
You don’t want to miss this special event-- happening only once every decade, Our
Farms Our Future convenes diverse farmers to explore “innovative, sustainable
solutions to agriculture’s most pressing dilemmas.” The conference serves as a platform to examine
the progress of sustainability in agriculture thus far while also looking closely at its future
path.
June 20-22 | Des Moines, IA
This Summit brings together LGBT employees, executives, and allies who are working
toward an “equitable industry environment for LGBT agriculturalists everywhere.” A
global conference that aims to facilitate sharing strategies and best practices for
creating inclusive environments throughout the food, fiber, and natural resource industry.
July 27-29 | Univ. of Hawaii - West O’ahu
The SAEA conference strives to foster national dialogue to advance learning and
teaching within sustainable agriculture programs, primarily focused on University level
and adult education programming. This year’s theme highlights indigenous knowledge,
decolonization, and socio-ecological resilience in food systems education.
November 2018 | Location TBA
Hosted by the Black Urban Growers (BUGS) organization, this national event brings together “Black
farmers, food justice advocates, educators, chefs, and concerned members of Black communities to
share best practices and build a stronger network of Black leadership in the movement for food
justice and food sovereignty.”
November 2019 | Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
The national conference is hosted by a different regional women’s network every few
years. The next national conference isn't until 2019, but there are several regional
gatherings happening this year:
7) Regional Farmers Market Conferences
8) Regional Small/Organic Farm Conferences
Feel free to post additional conferences you might be looking forward to in the comments section
below!
If you liked this article, and want to see more like it, enter your email in the
subscribe box to the top-right of this page and we'll send you new blog articles as we publish them.
Jane works as a Field Production Specialist at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable
Food Systems, where her days are filled with tractor work, irrigation coordination, orchard
care, and educating apprentices and interns. Her favorite way to end a long day's work in
the sun, is running down the hill to Mitchell's Cove and jumping in the Pacific.
D'Lynda Fischer
Apr 23, 2018 at 10:30 PM
I would love to have you add the Soil & Nutrition Conference being held in Southbridge, MA on December 1 and 2, 2018 hosted by the Bionutrient Food Association.
Jack Kittredge
May 20, 2018 at 2:10 AM
You might want to list the NOFA Summer Conference in Amherst, Massachusetts on August 10-12, 2018. Details at www.NOFASummerConference.org