February 14-17, 2018 | Corvallis, Oregon
The biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference is the largest organic seed event in the U.S. You’ll hear the latest in cutting-edge research and policy advocacy, and trade knowledge, techniques, and ideas with other seedheads from around the world. The conference provides a full agenda of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. The first day includes farm tours and short courses prior to the full conference. More agenda details are coming soon.
The 9th Organic Seed Growers Conference theme is Synergy that Sustains. This year’s theme reflects an emphasis on developing collaborative networks, cooperative production and business models, and a diversity of approaches to advancing organic seed systems.
Who attends this conference?
- Farmers, seed producers, plant breeders, and researchers working in organic seed systems
- Seed companies selling organic seed or looking to enter the organic sector
- Organic and non-organic farmers interested in growing organic seed
- University extension looking to expand organic seed education and outreach
- Farmers interested in on-farm plant breeding
- Organic certifiers interested in learning about organic seed availability and related issues
- Government employees involved in plant breeding or related research and education
- Government employees engaged in food, farm, and rural policy
- Non-government seed advocacy, research, and education organizations
- Food companies, cooperatives, and processors in the organic sector
What are some examples of past panel and presentation topics?
The conference committee will select presenters from a pool of professionals in the organic seed community following a call for proposals in summer of 2017. Presenters are leaders in the organic seed community, ranging from university breeders and seed suppliers to farmers who produce organic seed. Our presenters represent diverse areas of expertise and regions, both in the U.S. and internationally. Past agenda items have included seed production practices and economics; breeding projects focused on organic systems and markets; creative models for regional seed networks; and timely policy topics focused on growing the organic seed trade.
Can I provide suggestions for content for the upcoming conference?
Yes! The call for proposals for the 9th Organic Seed Growers Conference is now open. We invite you to help shape the agenda by providing proposals for content. This is your opportunity to share important research and ask timely questions related to organic seed. The conference is the largest organic seed event in the U.S. and provides a two-day agenda of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. We welcome your proposals for presentations, workshops, posters, panels, and roundtables.
The deadline to submit a proposal is July 24, 2017.
When does registration open?
Registration opens in autumn of 2017.
Can my business/organization sponsor this event?
Yes! Sponsorship is essential to the success of this conference. Find sponsorship benefits here. To discuss sponsorship, contact Cathleen McCluskey.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
UNFI is the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products including nutritional supplements, personal care items and organic produce, in the United States. In addition to excellent distribution services, we provide a range of innovative, value-added services for our customers and suppliers, to foster mutual success and growth. Our services include marketing and promotional tools, merchandising, category management and store support services. At the core of UNFI’s distribution operation are six main units: UNFI, UNFI Canada, Trudeau Distributing Company, Tony’s Fine Foods, Albert’s Organics and Select Nutrition, including Honest Green.
Gold Sponsors
Oregon Tilth is a leading nonprofit certifier, educator and advocate for organic agriculture and products since 1974. Our mission to make our food system and agriculture biologically sound and socially equitable requires us to find practical ways to tackle big challenges. We advance this mission to balance the needs of people and planet with a focus on core areas of certification, conservation, social equity, policy and the marketplace.
Silver Sponsors
Cafe Mam coffee is 100% organic and fair trade certified, shade-grown, and roasted to-order. Cafe Mam coffee is grown in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico by Maya-decent farmers on their own small, family-owned farms, and fresh roasted in Eugene, Oregon.
Fedco Seeds a cooperative garden supply company focused on cold-hardy selections and dedicated to organic/sustainable agriculture, offers untreated vegetable, herb and flower seeds; soil amendments, cover crops, garden supplies, fruit trees, berries, ornamentals, seed potatoes, garlic, flower bulbs and more.
Frontier Co-op, a member-owned cooperative since 1976, offers spices, herbs, seasoning blends, extracts and flavors, and other products. We care deeply about our effect on the world, and we’re sincerely committed to helping the communities where our products are produced.
Johhny’s Selected Seeds is a privately held, employee-owned seed producer and merchant headquartered in Winslo, Maine, USA. Our mission is to help families, friends, and communities feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service.
National Co+op Grocers (NCG) is a business services cooperative for natural food co-ops throughout the U.S. NCG helps unify food co-ops to optimize operational and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power, and ultimately offer more value to natural food co-op owners and shoppers everywhere.
Organically Grown Company Founded in 1978, employee and grower-owned Organically Grown Company (OCG), is the largest organic produce distributor in the Pacific Northwest, working with more than 300 growers and vendors, and serving over 500 retail, wholesale and restaurant customers. OGC has been recognized as a leader in sustainable business practices including sourcing 100% renewable energy in facilities, support for fair trade and charitable giving.
PCC Natural Markets has partnered with Washington growers for more than 40 years to provide shoppers with fresh, organic produce. We’re committed to supporting research for organic seeds that help organic farmers thrive.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange offers 700+ heirloom, organic, and open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower varieties, plus garlic, perennial onions and seed saving supplies. Our mission is to ensure that people retain control of their food supply, conserve genetic resources and offer gardeners the option of saving their own seeds.
Vitalis Organic Seeds Founded in 1994 in The Netherlands, Vitalis Organic Seeds is a global leader in organic seed production and breeding. All Vitalis varieties are certified organic for the EU, US and Canada. We believe in building organic production systems with organically produced seed.
Bronze Sponsors
Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate
Horizon Organic
Hummingbird Wholesale
Kamut International
Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
Mountain Rose Herbs
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
Straus Family Creamery
