We’ll see you February 14–16 in Portland, Oregon
We’re so excited for next week’s Organicology gathering and hope to see you there! Be sure to register today if you haven’t already. There’s a TON going on throughout the event, including a bunch of terrific seed-focused bits. See below for the Seedhead’s Guide to Organicology and be sure to pack your seeds for the Seed Swap! Swing by the OSA table for a visit – we’ll be in the Plaza Foyer on Friday and in the Ballroom Foyer on Saturday
Seed Production Essentials (Thursday intensive)
Are you interested in learning how to grow seed on your farm? This full day intensive will be taught by seasoned seed growers who live the ins and outs of producing seed, and will give you the tools you need to get started! The intensive will include top-notch training on the basics of growing seed – from production practices, to cleaning techniques, to the economic considerations for a successful crop. Learn more
Seed Swap (Thursday)
The tradition and art of saving seed lives on during our Organicology Seed Swap! New genetic diversity and awesome people await your discovery. Bring seeds to share if you’ve got them, but join the swap even if you don’t have anything to swap. Come mingle with fellow seedheads over delicious appetizers and beverages. Friday registrants are invited to come early and join in the swap. Learn more
The Power of People and Plant Breeding (Friday workshop)
What if you could have crop varieties that were made just for your farm, your processing line, or your restaurant menu? Participatory plant breeding is a powerful tool to leverage the unique strengths of farmers, plant breeders, chefs, processors, and others to develop new plant varieties. In this workshop, panelists will share inspiring stories of crowd-sourced varieties and participants will gain resources and learn the best practices of participatory plant breeding – from expectation setting to intellectual property management. Learn more
Farm Bill and Organic Policy in 2019 (Friday workshop)
This workshop will provide an update on the 2018-19 Farm Bill, and dig into policies ranging from working lands conservation and crop insurance to research, certification cost share, and enhanced enforcement against fraudulent organic imports. Learn about key strategies and opportunities for grassroots outreach to engage and mobilize around critical organic wins. Panelists will provide a primer on new and returning members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, the Organic Caucus, and other policy needs. Learn more
Organic Research for the Non-Researcher (Friday workshop)
This is a roundtable with farmers and researchers to discuss the challenges, benefits, and results of collaborative organic research. Topics will include on-farm research trials, integrating production and research tasks, implementing research results, and needs for successful farmer-research partnerships. Learn more
Closing the Gap in Plant Breeding: Bringing Retailers, Distributors, and Processors Into Seed Conversations (Friday workshop)
A growing movement of plant breeders, farmers, and chefs are building a community approach to breeding in and for organic systems, but the middle of the supply chain is still often absent from the conversation. Workshop speakers will share stories and engage participants in discussions about how to bridge the gap between plant breeders and eaters to include those who handle, move, and sell organic produce. Learn more
How Should the Organic Community Respond to Modern Breeding Techniques? (Friday workshop)
New technologies are changing our ability to develop new plant varieties, challenging the organic community to determine which methods are in line with organic principles and which should be excluded. This workshop explains techniques being discussed in the U.S. and internationally in the context of organic regulations, while panelists lead attendees through diverse viewpoints on modern technologies to present pro and con arguments. Learn more
Private Sector Solutions to Increasing Organic Seed Usage (Friday workshop)
The availability of organic seed and planting stock has dramatically increased, yet further improvement is needed. From improving regulatory frameworks to strengthening and clarifying organic seed requirements to increased investments in research, education, and resources, this interactive workshop explores private sector solutions to expanding organic seed usage. Panelists will focus on how to develop the relationship and commitment between organic food processors, growers, and seed providers. Learn more
2019 Organic Agriculture Research Forum (Saturday)
The forum will feature talks from researchers, farmers, students, and other agriculture specialists chosen for their innovative excellence and relevance to the advancement of organic agriculture, implementation of sustainable practices, and improvement of our food system overall. Research from several organic seed and breeding projects will be presented, including the Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC) and the Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) projects. Learn more
Varietal Tasting and Slow Hot Feast (Friday)
Celebrate the diversity of seed and seed stewards at these two special events taking place on Friday evening. Join us at the Varietal Tasting from 5p-7p to sample and critique unique and mainstay varieties of winter vegetables while enjoying a spread of wines, beers, and spirits. Directly after the tasting, you’ll be treated to a special dinner featuring heritage ingredients from the Slow Food Ark of Taste and new varieties from organic farmers and other plant breeders creating the Heirlooms of Tomorrow. Learn more
