Registration for the 7th Organic Seed Growers Conference is now open!
Join Organic Seed Alliance and conference co-hosts, Oregon State University, Washington State University, and eOrganic, from January 30 – February 1, 2014, in Corvallis, Oregon, for the only conference in the U.S. focused solely on organic seed.
Our biennial conference brings together hundreds of farmers, plant breeders, seed companies, food companies, organic certifiers, policy advocates, and other stakeholders for two days of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. This is a unique opportunity to trade knowledge, techniques, and ideas that strengthen our rapidly growing organic seed community. The agenda includes 70 experts in their fields, two-dozen sessions, a pre-conference tour of organic seed in the Willamette Valley, and a number of social events, including a wine tasting and vegetable tasting of our trials. You can also expect good organic food and live music.
Learn more and register today.
SESSIONS AND SPEAKERS
Conference participants are in for a treat this year. The agenda is packed and includes 70 experts in the fields of organic plant breeding, seed research, enterprise development, seed economics, policy, and more.
Read more about the sessions and speakers here.
Sessions include cutting edge research and timely conversations focused completely on organic seed issues. Titles include:
• Models of Participatory Plant Breeding
• Research Update: Small Grains and Sweet Corn
• Research Update: Vegetable Crops
• Biodynamic Perspectives on Breeding Crops
• Breeding for Nutrient Efficiency
• Breeding New Open-Pollinated Varieties Out of Hybrids
• Fundamentals of Seed Production
• Innovative Methods of Seed Production in Unheated High Tunnels
• Seed Cleaning Equipment
• Making It Work: Integrating Seed Production into the Small Farm Business Plan
• Pollinator Conservation Strategies for Organic Seed Producers
• Developing Regionally Adapted Varieties
• Why Organic Seed Matters and How to Meet the Demand
• GE Contamination Avoidance and Testing Protocols
• Untying the GMO Gordian Knot – Time for Organic to Act
• Unpacking the Cell Fusion Debate
• Free as in Speech, Not as in Beer: Introducing the Open-Source Seed Initiative
• Managing Seed-Borne Diseases in Seed Production
• Finding the Right Scale and Market for Your Seed Production
• Networking and Information Sharing Tools
• International Panel on Developing Seed Networks and Movements
• Germplasm Collection and Conservation: The Core of Community Seed Systems
• Roundtable: Breeders to Eaters Roundtable
• Next Generation Seed Business: New Models of Seed Enterprise
PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR OF ORGANIC SEED IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Join Organic Seed Alliance and Oregon Tilth for this day-long pre-conference tour of organic seed production in the Willamette Valley. Participants will visit multiple sites and learn first-hand about organic seed research and production of varying sizes in the area. Tour details are below. Seats are limited and sell fast! Be sure to register today.
When: Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $120.00 includes day-long bus tour, breakfast, and lunch (NOTE: does not include full conference registration)
Register: Seats are limited — register online today
American Grass Seed Company/Stalford Seed Farm/Greenwillow Grains
We will visit this unique and innovative business collaborative that incorporates the work of three separate companies to produce both conventional and organic grains and seeds in the Willamette Valley. Tour participants will visit both the site of the main operation and seed cleaning facility to learn about what it takes to successfully grow, clean, process, and market organic grains in the Willamette Valley.
Gathering Together Farm
Weather permitting, we will tour overwintering chicory trials at Gathering Together Farm with Joelene Jebbia of Gathering Together Farm and Lane Selman of Oregon State University and the Culinary Breeding Network (CBN). If conditions are not conducive to a field tour, participants will gather in the beautiful Gathering Together Farm Stand for a presentation and discussion of the value of on-farm variety trials and the work of the CBN. The CBN is a new project dedicated to bridging the gap between breeders and eaters to improve agricultural and culinary quality in the Northwest.
Wild Garden Seed — Mary’s River Grange Hall
Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seed will present an overview of the workings and operations of his highly successful seed business, Wild Garden Seed. He will also take tour participants on an oral and visual journey through the production of his main seed crop species, using plants and seeds to describe and demonstrate some key elements to their successful production.
Oregon State University – Organic Vegetable and Grain Production
Tour participants will learn about efforts in breeding barley for organics and some of the finer points of vegetable breeding at Oregon State University (OSU). Pat Hayes, head of the barley breeding program at OSU, will provide an overview of his program and enlighten participants to the many wonders of the mysterious world of barley, some of which we will have the opportunity to taste and sample. Jim Myers, lead vegetable breeder at OSU, will give a demonstration of hand pollination techniques on several different crops and discuss his work breeding vegetables for organic production.
TRADE SHOW
Participating in the 7th Organic Seed Growers Conference Trade show is your business or organization’s best opportunity to showcase your products and work, while networking with conference participants throughout the weekend.
Booth Fees
• $350.00 — 8′ Business Trade Show Booth Register now
• $300.00 — 6′ Business Trade Show Booth Register now
• $160.00 — 6′ Non-profit or Government Organization Register now
• $80.00 — 3′ Non-profit or Government Organization Register now
Trade show booth fees do not include conference registration, lodging, or meals. Conference registration for trade show booth participants is required and must be done separately. Register for the full conference online.
Location
The conference location at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, provides unique networking opportunities for trade show participants. Booths are clustered in high volume areas throughout the main hall, allowing for extensive exposure. Additionally, the conference agenda designates times for participants to visit trade show booths on each day of the main conference.
Availability
Trade show booths are available on a first come, first serve basis. Reserve your place today, as space is limited. Access to power cannot be guaranteed. If you require access to power, please contact Cathleen McCluskey before reserving your space.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We have worked hard to make the 7th Organic Seed Growers Conference affordable and have secured funding to offer a number of partial scholarships to people requesting financial assistance.
Scholarship recipients will receive a reduced conference registration price of $175.00. These scholarships are available to farmers who net less than $50,000 (of farm income) per year, and agricultural interns and students.
Scholarship funds are limited and available on a first come first served basis. Please apply early to increase your chances of receiving assistance. Scholarship funds cover full access to conference events (not including the pre-conference tour) and conference meals. Lodging must be secured separately and is not covered by scholarships.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have questions about the conference location, where to stay, how to get to Corvallis, and more? Visit our Conference FAQ page for all your conference related questions.
We have answers to your conference related questions:
• Conference Center Location
• Hotels
• Driving Directions to Conference Center
• Parking at Conference Center
• Getting to Corvallis from Outside of Oregon
• Conference Registration
• Dietary Restrictions
• Cancellation Policy
