50th Anniversary: Know Before You Go
We look forward to seeing you at Seed Savers Exchange’s headquarters, Heritage Farm! Get prepared for the 50th anniversary conference and celebration ahead, and read over our tips for the day:
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Event Responsibility: The safety and security of all event attendees is our number one priority. For more details on the security measures at the Seed Savers Exchange 50th Anniversary Conference and Celebration, email events@seedsavers.org.
🎟️Check in
Upon arrival, visit the registration table at the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center to check in and receive your welcome bag with a program and schedule of events.
Registration Desk Hours
- Thursday, August 7, from noon to 4 pm. Beat the rush and check in early!
- Friday, August 8, 8 am to 7 pm.
- Saturday, August 9, 8 am to 6 pm.
💲Payments
The Lillian Goldman Visitors Center and food trucks accept cash, credit, or debit cards.
🪪Alcohol
We will have a cash bar on Saturday evening. A government-issued ID is required if you plan to purchase alcohol.
🚗Getting to Heritage Farm
Carpooling is highly encouraged. Heritage Farm has two entrances. The visitors center entrance is 3074 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101. You will be directed to parking. Please drive slowly and with caution.
♿ADA Patrons
Enter at 3074 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa, 52101. There will be a parking attendant to direct you to where accessible parking is available.
Limited ATVs will be available for attendees who need assistance getting from lower campus to the upper campus. ATV meeting location will be marked with a sign by the Lillian Goldman Visitor Center.
🛄Official Bag Policy
Seed Savers Exchange reserves the right to search bags and coolers. No outside alcohol is allowed.
🪑Seating
Seed Savers Exchange will have chairs available during all programming and picnic tables for meals. Guests are encouraged to bring camping chairs. Blankets and towels are also allowed.
🐶 Pet Policy
While Seed Savers Exchange normally welcomes well-behaved, leashed pets at Heritage Farm, we ask you to keep your pets at home for this event. Service animals must be identified as such.
🚬Smoking station
Due to the tobacco mosaic virus, smoking is prohibited other than in the designated smoking station.
Seed Savers Exchange bans weapons on the premises.
🗓️Event Hours
Thursday, August 7, 2025
- 12-4 pm: Registration opens. Heritage Farm campers are welcome to set up their tents.
- 6 pm: Lawn chair night and trivia on Washington Street hosted by Impact Coffee, sponsored by Seed Savers Exchange, in downtown Decorah.
Friday, August 8, 2025
- 8 am: Registration opens
- 9 am: Welcome keynote with Diane Ott Whealy and Mike Bollinger
- 10:30 am: Workshops/Tours/Demonstrations
- 12:30 pm: Lunch break
- 2:00 pm: Keynote with Alice Waters and Luke Zahm
- 3:30 pm: Workshops/Tours/Demonstrations
- 4:30 pm: Seed Swap/Tours/Pollination Stations
- 5:30 pm: Dinner Break
- 7:00 pm: Keynote with John Coykendall, Michael Best, and Bill Best
- 8:30 pm: Peg of My Heart documentary showing
Saturday, August 9, 2025
- 8 am: Registration opens
- 9 am: Keynote with Amy Goldman Fowler and Neil Hamilton
- 10:30 am: Workshops/Tours/Demonstrations
- 12:30 pm: Lunch break
- 2:00 pm: Keynote with Sean Sherman and Linda Black Elk
- 3:30 pm: Workshops/Tours/Demonstrations
- 4:30 pm: Book Signing/Tours/Pollination Stations
- 5:30 pm: Dinner Break
- 6:30 pm: Lisse performs
- 7:30 pm: Barn dance with Western Home String Band
Food & Refreshments
🥗Food Trucks
On Friday, food trucks will be available on Heritage Farm for guests to purchase lunch and dinner. You may also want to try one of Decorah’s restaurants, or you are welcome to bring your own food.
🥘Saturday lunch will be buffet style, provided by Owamni and NATIFS, and is included in your registration. Saturday dinner is a ticketed meal from Luke Zahm that needs to be purchased by August 1, 2025.
🍻Saturday evening, a cash bar with assorted beverages will be provided by Traveling Tapster.
☕Complimentary Coffee and Snacks
Coffee will be provided each morning thanks to our sponsor, Impact Coffee. Sponsors Co-op Partners Warehouse, Oneota Co-op, and Sogo Snacks will provide assorted snacks.
💧Stay Hydrated
Refill a reusable water bottle at free hydration stations.
☀️Sun Protection
Bring SPF and sun protection you’ll need. There are some shady areas and tents set up to help protect guests, but these are two long days, and all programming takes place outside.
See you soon!
–Seed Savers Exchange
Updated 7.21.2025