As birdsong returns to thawing grounds, we look ahead with joy and gratitude to the Organic Seed Growers Conference — March 24–31, 2027, in Asheville, North Carolina (and online), in collaboration with North Carolina State University.
Since 2000, the Organic Seed Growers Conference (OSGC) has been an extraordinary gathering of seed growers, advocates, academics, and activists united around building a sustainable and equitable seed movement. Now the largest event in North America focused solely on organic seed, we’re thrilled to be exploring in a new region.
From the beginning, OSGC was designed to rotate geographically — reducing travel and financial barriers while spotlighting locally adapted seed systems, community-led initiatives, and cultural seed traditions in each region. We’ve also maintained a virtual offering to ensure access for those who can’t travel.
Moving the conference wasn’t a decision we made lightly. We surveyed participants at the 2025 conference, drew on years of attendee suggestions, issued a Request for Proposals, and met with interested parties throughout the summer of 2025. The Mid-Atlantic and Southeast emerged as top choices. From there, we met with over 30 partners across the East Coast, reviewed regional resources including our 2012 Southeast Stakeholder Survey and 2019 Southeast Seed Summit Proceedings, and worked with partners like Utopian Seed Project, Working Food, North Carolina State, Organic Association of Kentucky, Virginia Free Farm, and others to support grant development for regional workshops leading into the larger conference.
Tentative OSGC 2027 Schedule:
- March 24–25: Pre-Conference Events
- March 26–27: In-Person Conference
- March 30–31: Virtual Conference
We’re thrilled to announce that OSA’s Executive Director, Cat McCluskey, will serve as co-chair alongside Chris Smith from Utopian Seed Project. In addition to our National Planning Committee, we’re adding a Regional Planning Committee to ensure this event remains deeply rooted in – and additive to -Southeastern seed work. More opportunities to get involved are coming soon, and in the meantime, join our Open House Quarterly Call series to stay connected. Request for proposals coming soon!
Cat McCluskey, Conference Co-chair
Organic Seed Alliance
Chris Smith, Regional Conference Co-chair
Utopian Seed Project
We want to send a huge thank you to our early sponsors: Open Source Seed Initiative, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Asheville and Seed Savers Exchange! More info on 2027 Sponsorship.
The 2027 Organic Seed Growers Conference is presented by Organic Seed Alliance in collaboration with North Carolina State University.
We can’t wait to see you in Asheville next year!
Learn more about the conference.
