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!

Click here to view the complete schedule, speaker bios, tips on how to plan your trip to Heritage Farm, and more details on the 50th anniversary celebration and in-person conference.

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 membership@seedsavers.org or exchange@seedsavers.org 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: Diane Ott Whealy, co-founder of Seed Savers Exchange, in conversation with Mike Bollinger, executive director

Morning Sessions

Garden and Property Tours
Seed Saving & Adaptation Demos
Community & Culture Workshops
Conservation & Land Management Workshops

2:00 pm | Keynote speaker: Alice Waters, chef, author, food activist

A woman sits at a table with a plate of food in front of her. — Photo by Amanda Marsalis

Afternoon Sessions

Garden and Property Tours
Seed Saving & Adaptation Demos
Community & Culture Workshops
Conservation & Land Management Workshops

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

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: Amy Goldman Fowler, gardener, artist, and philanthropist

Morning Sessions

Garden and Property Tours
Seed Saving & Adaptation Demos
Community & Culture Workshops
Conservation & Land Management Workshops

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.

A man smiles to camera with blue sky and clouds behind him.

Afternoon Sessions

Garden and Property Tours
Seed Saving & Adaptation Demos
Community & Culture Workshops
Conservation & Land Management Workshops

4:30 pm | Pollination Stations

This time is set aside for a more relaxed, conversational style, providing a collaborative opportunity for guests to gather and discuss shared interests.

6:30 pm | Musical entertainment begins

Lissie, American folk singer-songwriter

A woman with blonde hair blowing in her face looks into camera.

7:30 pm | Barn dance with Western Home String Band

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.