When
May 2-July 11, 2025
Where
Virtual
Seed Savers Exchange members receive 10% off registration. Not yet a member? Join today!
Embark on a journey through time at our three-day virtual conference series on Zoom, “Growing Together: Past, Present, and Future. ”
Join us for inspiring keynote speakers, informational workshops, and a chance to connect with the larger seed community.
By registering, you will have access to all three days of programming and recordings of any sessions you may miss. There is no need to register for individual days.
Matthew Raiford is the chef/owner and sixth-generation farmer at Gilliard Farms, a sibling-run sustainable farm in Brunswick, GA, which has been owned and operated by his family since 1874. Matthew is the author of Bress ‘n’ Nyam and is a descendant of the Freshwater Gullah Geechie, which is what his cookbook is based on. He has a culinary arts degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and a certificate in ecological horticulture from the University of California Santa Cruz and The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.
Desirae Abella is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and of Omaha descent. She is the founder of Hokte Land Relations Consulting LLC and has over eight years of experience in agricultural and natural resource conservation, with the past four years focused on Tribal communities. Her work includes roles with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Desirae lives in North Carolina on the ancestral homelands of the Cherokee and is deeply passionate about tribal sovereignty and empowering Indigenous communities through land-based relationships.
Dr. Susan Pell is the executive director of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and an expert in the systematics of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). She holds a B.S. in biology from St. Andrews University in North Carolina and a Ph.D. in plant biology from Louisiana State University. Susan has spent her career in public gardens as a botanist, educator, and leader, and she has traveled the world to collect plants for scientific study. At the USBG, she is committed to helping the Garden achieve its mission to inspire people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. She is dedicated to diversifying the Garden’s collections and offerings and serving its diverse visitorship.
In-Person 50th Anniversary Celebration
In 2025, Seed Savers Exchange will celebrate 50 years of dedication to preserving biodiversity and mission-driven work. You can join us August 8-9 at Heritage Farm in Decorah, Iowa for in-person 50th anniversary conference and celebration.