Conferences & Events

California

 
    • WHO: Ecological Farming Association
    • WHAT: Through its connective events, the Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) facilitates an exchange of knowledge and resources among a diversity of stakeholders and grassroots leadership to advance just and ecological farming and food systems. Founded in 1981, the annual EcoFarm Conference is the oldest and largest organic farming conference West of the Mississippi, supplemented by other events throughout the year. Featuring over 60 skill-building workshops in English and Spanish, keynotes, pre-conference events, farm tours, seed swaps, tastings, networking, and the EcoFarm Expo
    • WHEN: January, annual
    • WHERE: Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds, Monterey, CA
 
    • WHO: Sierra Harvest
    • WHAT: The mission of Sierra Harvest’s Sustainable Food & Farm Conference is to: Stimulate and motivate members in our community to become active in our local food and farm movement; Educate through recognized, dynamic speakers; Foster a sense of community within our local food and farming movement; Bring greater awareness and support to our local food and farming movement.
    • WHEN: January, annual
    • WHERE: Grass Valley, CA
 
California Climate and Agriculture Summit
    • WHO: CalCAN
    • WHAT: CalCAN is a statewide coalition that advances state and federal policy to catalyze the powerful climate solutions offered by sustainable and organic agriculture. They use policy to move California agriculture towards a system that is increasingly resilient and just. Farm tours showcase projects and practices for wildfire and drought resilience, soil health, and farm viability. Speakers include a wide ranch of farmers, technical assistance providers, researchers, and policy experts.
    • WHEN: February/March (odd years only)
    • WHERE: Davis, CA
 
CCOF Annual Meeting
    • WHO: California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
    • WHAT: CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California more than 40 years ago, today CCOF spans the breadth of North America.  CCOF advocates on behalf of their members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible
    • WHEN:
    • WHERE: varies
 
    • WHO: New Hope Network
    • WHAT: The largest natural, organic and healthy products event in the United States. The show brings together innovative products that emphasize sustainability, lifestyle, nutrition and health, transparency and convenience. Everyone from the media to bloggers to ingredient suppliers and retailers attend the event looking for new products, connecting with company owners and discovering new companies looking to shape the future of healthy products
    • WHEN: March, annual
    • WHERE: Anaheim
 
    • WHO: Fresh Ideas
    • WHAT: Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace is a great way to introduce or launch your Organic product. Set up in a farmers' market style where attendees can look for the newest trends and products. Fresh Ideas offers a smaller investment than a full booth and a one-day introduction to exhibiting at the largest natural and organic products tradeshow.
    • WHEN: March, annual
    • WHERE: Anaheim, CA
 
    • WHO: Organic Produce Network & Western Growers
    • WHAT:  Two-day event designed to unite organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors with retail and buying organizations from across North America. Attendees will meet to exchange ideas, information, and insights from the organic fresh produce industry
    • WHEN: July, annual
    • WHERE: Monterey, CA
 
    • WHO: Organic Produce Network & Western Growers
    • WHAT: Provides growers firsthand knowledge and information in a variety of areas ranging from Agtech to food safety to sustainability. Through engaging educational sessions, insightful Keynote presentations and a trade show floor featuring nearly 70 exhibitors offering supply chain and service provider opportunities for growers.
    • WHEN: November
    • WHERE: Monterey, CA
 
Organic Seed Summit
    • WHO: Organic Seed Alliance
    • WHAT: The Summit is a gathering for California-based seed growers to network, exchange knowledge, and develop collective actions to build sustainable, profitable, and resilient seed systems in the state. The content will focus on California state
    • WHEN: February
    • WHERE: varies
 
    • WHO: OFAC
    • WHAT: Each year OFAC coordinates a series of educational workshops for growers and professionals. They work with local Farm Advisors, Extension Agents and Ag Commissioners to bring you the most current research and information. Events feature CE credits. Each seminar and webinar features educational presentations as well as industry and product updates
    • WHEN: varies
    • WHERE: varies
 

Nationwide & International

 
    • WHO:Organic Farming Research Foundation
    • WHAT: features presentations from researchers across all disciplines related to organic farming and food systems
    • WHEN: January/February
    • WHERE: varies
 
    • WHO: Real Organic Project
    • WHAT: A series of talks with prominent organic farmers, scientists, chefs, and climate activists. The Real Organic Project was started by farmers to protect the meaning of organic. They believe in growing food in the soil, not hydroponically, and raising livestock on pasture, not in confinement.
    • WHERE: varies
    • WHEN: February/March
 
    • WHO: Marbleseed (former Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
    • WHAT: Marbleseed's Organic Farming Conference features inspiring speakers, educational workshops, Organic Universities, and farmer panels. The Marbleseed Conference offers knowledge for all experiences from organic and sustainable farmers, homesteaders, food policy advocates and more. Dozens of transformative, skill-building workshops and roundtables covering business management, soil health, and production are crafted to advance resilient organic farms and regenerative food systems.
    • WHERE: Midwest (varies), annual
    • WHEN: February
 
    • WHO: Organically Grown Company, Oregon Tilth, Sustainable Food Trade Association, and Organic Seed Alliance
    • WHAT: Organicology cultivates sustainability from seed to table through forums that share, educate, inspire, and celebrate the philosophy and practices of the organic movement.  It is designed by four organizations that care deeply about taking organic food and agriculture to the next level. Each organization brings their own level of expertise in the trade—but together they create a unique conference that drives our food system toward a healthier, sustainable future.
    • WHERE: Portland, OR (biennial)
    • WHEN: February
 
    • WHO: AcresUSA
    • WHAT: Innovative and practical learning in modern agriculture with programming to provide useful and measurable information and connections that you can apply to your operation. Engage with innovative companies, learn from leading farmers and agronomists, and connect with peers
    • WHEN: December
    • WHERE: Covington, Kentucky
 
    • WHO: Organic Seed Alliance
    • WHAT: Gathering by and for agroecological seed communities in the U.S. and across the world. The event creates spaces where experienced and emerging seed stewards can convene timely conversations, educational trainings, and strategy sessions. Organizers curate a conference agenda that reflects the multifaceted needs of seed growers and advocates.. The goal of the Organic Seed Growers Conference is to inspire individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses to take actions that support and improve the integrity of the philosophical and practical systems that make up the organic seed movement and trade.
    • WHEN: Winter 2024, biennial
    • WHERE: varies
 
    • WHO: Meister Media
    • WHAT: The world’s leading conference series devoted solely to the hands-on use of biocontrols and biostimulants in agriculture. Real-world success stories that will help you integrate biocontrols along with conventional and organic options in integrated pest management programs. Gain practical knowledge that will help you select, purchase, apply, and measure the effectiveness of biocontrol products in real-world growing environments. There will be an opportunity to CE hours
    • WHEN:
    • WHERE:
 
    • WHO: The Quivera Coalition, Holistic Management International, and the American Grassfed Association
    • WHAT: Partner organizations collaborate each year to convene ranchers, farmers, conservationists, land managers, scientists, and thought leaders to share knowledge, build community, and create a culture of resilience and regeneration.
    • WHEN: November
    • WHERE: Santa Fe, NM
 
    • WHO: Savanna Institute
    • WHAT: The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with farmers and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, the Savanna Institute conducts research, education, and outreach to support the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems.
    • WHEN: December
    • WHERE: Midwest, virtual
 
    • WHO: Great Lakes Expo
    • WHAT:  70+ educational sessions and workshops, as well as a tradeshow, receptions and other networking opportunities. The program includes sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, other specialty crops, greenhouse crop production and marketing, farm marketing ideas and operations, farmers’ markets and organic production and marketing. There will also be sessions covering a diversity of general interest topics, including food safety and labor. Advisors
    • WHEN: December
    • WHERE: Grand Rapids, MI
 
    • WHO: Ecovia Intelligence
    • WHAT: Since 2009, the Sustainable Foods Summit has been covering leading sustainability issues in the food industry. Summit will showcase sustainability innovations & developments in the food industry. The previous edition featured regenerative agriculture, upcycled foods, and ingredient innovations. For the first time, the executive summit discussed approaches to encourage regenerative practices and upcycling in the food industry.
    • WHEN: January
    • WHERE: varies, San Francisco for 2024
 
    • WHO: Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA)
    • WHAT: Formed in 1979, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) cultivates a future in which sustainable and organic farmers thrive, local food nourishes communities, and agricultural practices protect and enhance the environment. OEFFA has operated an organic certification program since 1981. Their conference features 50+ workshops on everything from farmers markets to livestock management, a big exhibit hall for shopping and networking, a few happy hours to gather and celebrate, locally-sourced lunches, and much more.
    • WHEN: February  
    • WHERE: OH, varies
 
    • WHO: MN Department of Agriculture
    • WHAT: Each year, the MN Department of Food and Agriculture hosts a conference and trade show for farmers and others interested in organic agriculture. Includes keynotes, breakout sessions, networking, and tradeshow.
    • WHEN: January
    • WHERE: MN, varies
 
    • WHO: Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)
    • WHAT: PASA was formed by Pennsylvania farmers in 1992. They organized a conference that evolved into PASA. Today, it is an organization administering farmer training, research, policy, peer education, and local food programs. The annual conference still takes place each year and includes speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities
    • WHEN: February
    • WHERE: PA, varies
 
    • WHO: University of Iowa & Iowa State University
    • WHAT: The conference is a joint effort between Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Producers and experts from across the country will share tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations.
    • WHEN: November
    • WHERE: IA
 
    • WHO: Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association
    • WHAT: The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) has supported and provided strategic direction to the forage and livestock industry in Manitoba for over 30 years. MFGA represents a strong, engaged producer network and our producer-led board and dedicated staff help provide important knowledge from the industry and government levels to the farm-gate.
    • WHEN: November
    • WHERE: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
 
    • WHO: The Land Institute
    • WHAT: The Land Institute is a science-based research organization working to develop an alternative to current destructive agricultural practices. Their work is dedicated to advancing perennial grain crops and polyculture farming solutions. The festival revolves around “low tech” presentations by notable guests in The Land Institute’s Big Barn. The Prairie Festival offers a unique opportunity to interact with some of the world’s most compelling authors, thinkers, artists, and advocates focused on agriculture, food, the environment, science, sustainability, and social and environmental justice.
    • WHEN: September
    • WHERE: Salina, Kansas
 
    • WHO: Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (TOFGA)
    • WHAT: The conference includes three days of in-depth workshops and learning sessions, plus multiple off-site intensives and farm tours. Additional highlights include a Farm Feast with a keynote speaker, social and networking opportunities, and an excellent trade show featuring new and innovative material as well as mainstay agricultural tools, inputs, and services
    • WHEN: January
    • WHERE: TX