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Join us onsite at Heritage Farm to celebrate half a century of mission-driven preservation of America’s diverse and endangered garden and crop legacy.
To commemorate the Seed Savers Exchange network—and all that it has accomplished since 1975—SSE will host a celebration on August 8-9, 2025,
at its Heritage Farm headquarters outside Decorah, Iowa. The event will feature a variety of activities, including speakers, farm and facilities tours, workshops, a seed
swap, and live music. Stay tuned for more details!
Weekend registration: $125 per person
One weekend registration + Campsite (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday): $200
Note: limited availability of 30 campsites (max occupancy of two tents or six people per campsite. All campers will need to register for the weekend).
Children under 14 are free
There are a limited number of volunteer opportunities for reduced registration. Please complete this interest form for more information.
SSE members and Exchange listers receive reduced registration. Haven’t received your code to use at checkout?
Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.
A full program of sessions and speakers will be announced at a later date. Subscribe to Seed Savers Exchange’s event emails to stay updated on the latest event news.
12:00 – 4:30 pm | Conference and camping registration check-in at Heritage Farm, 3074 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101
6 pm Lawn Chair Night and Trivia on Washington Street hosted by Impact Coffee, sponsored by Seed Savers Exchange, in downtown Decorah.
8:00 am – 7:00 pm | Conference and camping registration check-in at Heritage Farm, 3074 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101
9:00 am | Keynote speaker: Diane Ott Whealy, co-founder of Seed Savers Exchange, in conversation with Mike Bollinger, executive director
2:00 pm | Keynote speaker: Alice Waters, chef, author, food activist
4:30 pm | Seed Swap
7:00 pm | Keynote speaker: John Coykendall, head gardener, Blackberry Farms, in conversation with Michael Best, director, Executive Farm Management Program, North Carolina State University
8:30 pm | Documentary film showing with panel: Peg O’ My Heart
8:00 am – 6:00 pm | Conference and Camping Registration/Check-in at Heritage Farm, 3074 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101
9:00 am | Keynote speaker: Amy Goldman Fowler, gardener, artist, and philanthropist
2:00 pm | Keynote speaker: Sean Sherman, founder/executive director, NATIFS & Owamni, founder and CEO of The Sioux Chef in conversation with Linda Black Elk, ethnobotanist and food sovereignty activist.
4:30 pm | Seed Swap
5:30 pm | Musical entertainment begins
Lissie, American folk singer-songwriter
Greg Brown, American folk singer-songwriter
7:30 pm | Barn dance with Western Home String Band
The price includes one campsite (max occupancy of six (6) people) for three overnights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Primitive camping, no showers, no campfires, or electricity. Port-a-potties will be available.
Seed Savers Exchange has reserved a block of rooms at the Country Inn and Suites (563-382-9646) and Fairfield Inn (563-382-8800). Mention you are making the reservation for the Seed Savers Exchange 50th anniversary weekend. Spaces are limited; we recommend calling early to reserve your room.
Camping blocks have also been reserved and are available at the Pulpit Rock Campgrounds (563-382-9551). Mention you are making the reservation for the Seed Savers Exchange 50th anniversary weekend.
Pulpit Rock Campground Facilities and Amenities: shower facilities, restrooms, electrical hook-ups (30 and 50 amp), water hydrants located throughout the campground to fill camper, dump stations, ice and wood sales, and Wi-Fi; for a full list of amenities, please visit the Pulpit Rock Campground website.
For other accommodation options, check out VisitDecorah.com. Decorah is a popular tourist destination in the summer, so make your reservations early.
Event Alerts
Be one of the first to know when registration opens by signing up for the Seed Savers Exchange event email alerts.