We’re looking forward to seeing you!
Below you will find all the details for this week’s Organic Seed Growers Conference. And if you don’t find what you need here, check out the digital conference program at the link immediately below. Travel safe and we’ll see you soon!
Checking in at the Event
Check-in for the main conference, pre-conference intensives, and Willamette Valley Seed Tour will be held in the foyer of the CH2M Hill Alumni Center located at 725 SW 26th Street in Corvallis. If you’re participating in the Organic Variety Trial & Culinary Evaluation Intensive and not going to be in Corvallis on Thursday morning, you’ll be able to check in at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center where the event will be held. Check in times are:
Wed., 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Seed Ethics Intensive
Thu., 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. – Willamette Valley Seed Tour
Thu., 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. – Organic Plant Breeding Intensive
Thu., 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Main conference
Fri., 7:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. – Main conference
What to Pack
Remember to pack your seeds for the seed swap which will be held on Saturday evening. Don’t have any seeds to swap? Even more reason to join in and find a new variety to steward and share at the 2022 conference!
If you’re going on the Willamette Valley Seed Tour, be sure to pack appropriate clothing. We’ll be out in the field and inside touring seed warehouses. We’ve requested a brilliantly sunny day, but plan for rain.
Leta Fetherolf will be leading morning yoga on Friday and Saturday mornings in the Alumni Center. All are welcome to join her for a half-hour of gentle movement. We aren’t supplying yoga mats and they’re not required, but bring one along if you’d like.
Seed Expo RaffleThe seed world is on display as the conference welcomes 23 exhibitors to our Seed Expo. You’ll find great products, superior services, and expert exhibitors as you visit the tables in both the Alumni Center and LaSells Stewart Center foyers. Our vendors and sponsors have offered an incredible cornucopia of products, gear, gift certificates, and more for the Seed Growers Raffle! To enter: visit each Seed Expo booth, ask the vendor to mark your raffle ticket, and drop it in the basket at the raffle table. The raffle drawing will be held during the banquet dinner on Saturday.
Conference Merchandise
Conference shirts are available by Internet order only! We’re excited to offer these limited-edition Organic Seed Growers Conference shirts featuring the inspiring art of Washington-based Nikki McClure. Shirts will be available for up to two weeks following the conference.
Clipper Auction
Thanks to Strongroots Farm, a used office Clipper will be auctioned during the conference! The highest bidder can take it home for their seed cleaning needs. Check in at the OSA registration table for details.
BIPOC Seed People Meet-up on Thursday Evening
A social gathering where BIPOC-identifying (Black/Indigenous/People of Color) individuals can get to know each other before the conference! Open to conference attendees and local seed lovers who identify as Black/Indigenous/People of Color. This will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13 at Nearly Normal’s restaurant located at 109 NW 15th St. in Corvallis.
BIPOC Closing Gathering on Saturday Evening
A space for BIPOC-identifying (Black, Indigenous/People of Color) attendees to network, reflect, and make connections beyond the conference. The BIPOC Closing Gathering will be held in the room 114 of the Alumni Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
OSGATA Meet & Greet on Thursday Evening
OSGATA invites all conference participants to join them for a meet and greet on Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Catch up with old friends and meet new ones at McMenamins Corvallis Pub located at 420 NW 3rd St.
Conference Proceedings Available Online
The Proceedings from the 10th Organic Seed Growers Conference are available for free download in OSA’s publication library. The conference proceedings include more than 40 papers and abstracts from the more than 80 speakers and poster presenters on a wide array of topics within the tracks of seed growing, plant breeding, policy advocacy, and seed ethics.
Call for Submissions for the Seed Processing Roundtable
We’re asking for participants to send pictures or videos along with a brief description of your favorite seed cleaning equipment to spark conversations at the Seed Processing Roundtable. You’re encouraged to attend the roundtable on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to answer questions about your equipment. Please note that this session will be recorded as an eOrganic webinar, so by contributing photos/videos you are providing your consent to share these photos/videos online as part of this webinar. Submissions can be emailed to Katie Miller katie@seedalliance.org.
#OSGC2020 and Get (Digitally) Social
Sharing updates and stories from the conference with your social networks? Use the conference hashtag #OSGC2020!
Have Photos to Share?
Do you have photos you’d like to share for the slideshow that will run throughout the conference? We’d love to include images you’ve captured with your savvy eye! Upload photos at the button below.
National Organic Research Agenda Listening Session on Friday
Join the Organic Farming Research Foundation and Organic Seed Alliance for an interactive listening session to identify and prioritize the most pressing research needs for organic farmers and ranchers. The conversation will center around the following three areas: (1) organic producers’ production research and information needs, (2) changing environmental and economic conditions, and (3) evolving challenges for organic producers. Attendees will have the opportunity to join different groups to discuss a number of research topics, such as seed and plant breeding, soil health, and economic barriers to organic production. Each group will identify research needs within their topic and then reconvene as a group to prioritize. The session will be held Friday from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Willamette Room in the Alumni Center.
OSSI Community Gathering and Five-Year Anniversary on Sunday
The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) invites farmers, gardeners, seed savers, plant breeders, seed sellers, and anyone with an interest in access to crop genetic resources to join them for a free community gathering and celebration on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Alumni Center. OSSI board members will be present along with a number of seed company partners and OSSI-contributing plant breeders. There is no charge to attend this event. Food and drink will be provided.
Conference Evaluation Available Online
Conference evaluations are an important way to incorporate feedback from participants for future planning. Your voice is important to the planning process! Please complete the paper forms you receive at the event and/or complete the evaluation online.
