Seed Savers Exchange turns 50!

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.

Registration is open!

Dates: August 8-9, 2025

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!

Sign up for Seed Savers Exchange event emails to be among the first to know when more details are announced.

Ticket Pricing

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.

Schedule Highlights

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.

Thursday, August 7

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.

Friday, August 8

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

10:15 am | Workshops/demos/tours of Heritage Farm

11:30 am | Workshops/demos/tours of Heritage Farm

2:00 pm | Keynote speaker

3:15 pm | Workshops/demos/tours of Heritage Farm

4:30 pm | Seed Swap and Synergy Sessions

7:00 pm | Keynote speaker

8:30 pm | Documentary film showing with panel: Peg O’ My Heart

Saturday, August 9

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

10:15 am | Workshops/demos/tours of Heritage Farm

11:30 am | Workshops/demos/tours of Heritage Farm

2:00 pm | Keynote speaker

3:15 pm | Workshops/demos/tours of Heritage Farm

4:30 pm | Seed Swap and Synergy Sessions

6:00 pm | Lissie performs

7:30 pm | Western Home String Band barn dance

Plan your Trip

Where to stay

Camping at Heritage Farm

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.

Hotels in Decorah

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 in Decorah

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.

Food & Beverages

Food trucks will be on-site to purchase lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday. A vegetarian option will be available. Limited snacks are also available for purchase at the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center. Guests are welcome to bring coolers and outside food. Downtown Decorah has several restaurants and is about a 15-minute drive from Heritage Farm. Explore dining options at VisitDecorah.com.

Outside alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.

Parking at Heritage Farm

Seed Savers Exchange highly encourages carpooling. Parking will be available near the Administrative buildings and Goldman Orchard at Heritage Farm. Accessible parking is also available. Follow the signs upon arrival.

Pets Policy

While leashed pets are generally welcome on Heritage Farm, no pets are allowed during the conference. Service or assistive animals are allowed.

Smoking Policy

Seed Savers Exchange, Heritage Farm, is a non-smoking campus. Due to the tobacco mosaic virus, smoking and vaping are not allowed on the grounds outside of designated areas.

Accessibility

The Lillian Goldman Visitor’s Center is completely accessible and air-conditioned. However, much of the farm grounds are uneven. It is not steep or treacherous, but it is covered in wood chips or grass and not paved.

Many workshops will take place on the lower campus, but some will utilize the upper campus as well. There is a very steep walking path between the two campuses. Guests can also drive to and park at both the lower and upper campuses. For more information on accessibility, including restrooms, space for chest feeding and breastfeeding guests, low sensory space, WiFi, and more, please visit SeedSavers.org/Conference-Accessibility.