About the new conference structure
In 2027, we will have separate In-Person (March 26th & 27th in Asheville, NC) and Virtual (March 30th & 31st on Zoom) components.
The event provides an interactive agenda of workshops, demonstrations, farm tours, lightning talks, art, seed swaps, affinity spaces, keynote presentations, and of course – celebration! We can’t wait to hear from you!
(Preview the Request for Proposals in it’s entirety in PDF form)
2027 RFP Timeline + Process [draft]
- May 22nd – RFP Opens
- July 1st – RFP Closes
- Early Sept – Invitation letters sent to speakers
- Mid Sept – Initial acceptance forms due back from speakers
- Early Oct – Draft Public Program Announced
The Planning Committee typically receives more proposals than we can accommodate and, while we welcome a diversity of proposals, those that speak to the above topics and values will be prioritized.
Conference Tracks:
Acknowledging that seed systems are multi-modal, the 2027 conference sessions will primarily be organized into the following 5 “tracks”.
- SEED PRODUCTION: Seed production nuts & bolts for both beginning and experienced producers Including new and novel models for organic seed production, field practices, seed cleaning, treatments, processing, quality assurance, and packing. Economic topics might also include sales and contracting, enterprise development, and commercializing new varieties (e.g., alternative approaches to intellectual property).
- Beginning (For those who have grown seed at farm scale for 0 – 3 years)
- Advanced (For those who have grown seed at farm scale for 3 or more years)
- PLANT BREEDING: Advancements in plant breeding and variety trials for resilience, biodiversity, organic systems, climate change adaptation, and/or grower-led and participatory breeding projects.
- SEED STORIES: First-person seed storytelling and interactive sessions on emerging topics, culturally significant crops and varieties, and subjects tied to current events.
- ADVOCACY & POLICY: Emerging policy and advocacy topics essential to expanding organic seed systems. Sessions focused on seed equity and justice are encouraged to apply.
Request for Proposals Due July 1st, 2026
PLEASE SUBMIT EACH PROPOSAL INDIVIDUALLY:
- Panel Discussions (Peer Reviewed) (3 speakers max + 1 facilitator, 1.5 hrs long)
- Roundtables (Peer Reviewed) (2 speakers max + 1 facilitator, 1.5 hrs long)
- Presentations of Research (Peer Reviewed) (2 speakers max + 1 facilitator, 1.5 hrs long)
- Lightning Talks (1 speaker, 5 – 10 minutes long + opportunity to discuss)
- Research Posters (1 speaker, opportunity to discuss, Poster printed to fit within 24″ tall x 32″ wide)
We welcome farmers, plant breeders, advocates, government staff, academics, and anyone with practical knowledge of organic seed systems to apply. (Note: Organic certification is not a requirement). We are particularly interested in suggestions that include growers from Black, Indigenous, People of the Global Majority, and LGBTQIA+ seed communities.
Have an idea that does not fit into the above categories? Get in touch with Aba Kiser to talk more.
Peer-Reviewed Proposals
Proposals will be evaluated by a committee of OSA staff, Board, and Planning Committees based on their ability to address the Conference Priorities.
Each session will have a facilitator.* Facilitators organize speakers, establish session goals and flow ahead of the event, submit written proceedings, and facilitate the session day-of. Feel free to suggest a facilitator and, depending on the topic, OSA may work with you to ensure a supportive session.
*Note: Facilitators at our events are often tasked with balancing a wide array of perspectives, experiences, and ways of knowing. Because of this, we expect that they attend at least one virtual facilitator training (hosted by OSA) in advance of the event.
There are 3 Peer-Reviewed Proposal types:
PANEL DISCUSSION
Description: No more than three speakers max (plus one facilitator) give brief presentations on their particular perspective on a topic, then interact with participants to respond to questions and feedback. Audience participation is expected to be more passive compared to a roundtable.
Duration: 1.5 hours
ROUNDTABLE
Description: Begins with ~15 minutes of presentation led by no more than two speakers (plus one facilitator), then followed by a participatory and interactive live discussion with session participants that’s led by pre-determined questions from facilitators. The point of a roundtable is for speakers to learn more about a subject both from and with participants. Audience participation is expected to be more active compared to a panel discussion, and audience sizes may be limited.
Duration: 1.5 hours
PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH
Description: No more than two speakers (plus one facilitator) will share important results and findings from their recent or current research projects with a focus on outcomes. Please reserve at least 20 minutes for questions from the audience.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Research Posters & Lightning Talks
We also invite submission of Research Posters and Lightning Talks.
RESEARCH POSTER
Printed to fit within 24” tall x 36” wide
Description: One presenter will present a succinct overview of current or recent scientific research via a printed research poster to be displayed throughout the conference. Time will be set aside in the agenda for conference participants to interact with the posters.
Duration: 5 minutes, plus the opportunity to discuss.
LIGHTNING TALK
Description: One speaker providing a succinct overview of a wide range of topics related to seed and conference priorities.
Duration: 5-10 minutes presentation, plus the opportunity to share more in a breakout room.
Value Propositions for Speakers
In 2027 we will hold two separate In-Person and Virtual components of the Conference.
If selected to present during the In-Person portion, you will not be eligible to present in the Virtual portion, and vice versa – though we encourage attendance at both.
Speakers may present in a maximum of two sessions total throughout the portion of the Conference to which they are accepted.
Speaker tickets cannot be transferred.
*NOTE: OSA is actively soliciting travel scholarship funds for In-Person Conference participation and, should they become available, speakers will be given priority when applying.
Value Proposition for In-Person Speakers March 26th & 27th, 2027 (Asheville, NC)
There is no hybrid or remote presentation option for the In-Person Conference portion; all speakers must attend in person.
- Peer-Reviewed Proposals (Panel Discussions, Roundtable, Presentation of Research) are eligible for free In-Person Conference tickets, which include all activities and meals on Friday and Saturday, as well as the Virtual Conference.
- Panel Discussion: No more than three speakers (plus one facilitator)
- Roundtable: No more than two speakers (plus one facilitator)
- Presentation of Research: No more than two speakers (plus one facilitator)
- Research Posters and Lightning Talks: One speaker is eligible for a 50% discounted In-Person Conference ticket at $150, which includes all activities and meals on Friday and Saturday, as well as the Virtual Conference.
Value Proposition for Virtual Speakers March 30th & 31st (Zoom)
There is no in-person option for the Virtual portion; all speakers must attend virtually.
- Peer-Reviewed Proposals (Panel Discussions, Roundtable, Presentation of Research): Free virtual conference tickets for everyone in your proposal.
- Panel Discussion: No more than three speakers (plus one facilitator)
- Roundtable: No more than two speakers (plus one facilitator)
- Presentation of Research: No more than two speakers (plus one facilitator)
- Panel Discussion: No more than three speakers (plus one facilitator)
- Research Posters and Lightning Talks: All speakers are eligible for a 50% discounted Virtual Conference ticket at $15.
Conference Proceedings
The Conference Proceedings are a collection of papers written by presenters in advance of the event, serving as a record of the projects and perspectives presented.
Authors of selected peer-reviewed proposals will be required to submit a 1-5 page paper on the proposal topic in advance of the event for the 2027 Conference Proceedings.
Ready to submit a proposal?
The 2027 Organic Seed Growers Conference Request for Proposals closes July 1st, 2026.
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