Permaculture and Land Stewardship in a Changing Climate
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Includes an organic lunch)
Foundational knowledge keepers share practical land management strategies and explore Permaculture as a tool to address climate change. This preconference highlights the relevance of Permaculture and traditional ecological knowledge on national, international, and environmental levels. Whether you’re a land practitioner, climate advocate, or simply curious, this preconference offers valuable insights into sustainable, culturally grounded solutions for the future.
Speakers include: Penny Livingston, Starhawk, Ken Foster, Lydia Neilsen, Anne Freiwald, Kendall Dunnigan, and Dave Shaw.
Cost: $125 - Lunch provided. | Location: Asilomar Conference Grounds
EcoFarm Bus Tour 2026
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
8am -6pm
The EcoFarm Bus Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative farms and landscapes that showcase sustainable agriculture in action. Participants will travel together by bus, visiting diverse sites where farmers, land stewards, and community leaders share firsthand their approaches to soil health, water management, biodiversity, and regenerative practices. Along the way, you’ll gain practical insights into ecological farming methods, hear inspiring stories of resilience, and connect with others passionate about building a just and sustainable food system. This immersive experience highlights the creativity and impact of ecological agriculture while fostering meaningful dialogue and community.
Stay tuned—farms featured on the EcoFarm Bus Tour will be announced soon!
$135 - Includes lunch. Location: Departs from and returns to Asilomar Conference Grounds
Sowing Strength: It all Starts with The Seed
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
9am -4pm
Seeds are so powerful! From a tiny kernel, they germinate, grow, blossom, produce food, and then reproduce themselves. In an immersive day about seed, we will focus on the details of this reproduction with segments about how to produce the highest quality organic seed in the context of a farm or garden of any scale.
Issues around resilience to climate change, sharing seed in community seed banks and importance of seed production for reducing risk and preserving diversity will also be covered by presenters with decades of experience and multi-faceted perspectives on this vibrant and fundamental topic.
Speakers: Jared Zystro, Organic Seed Alliance (Co-host of this precon); Zea Sonnabend, Fruitlicious Farm; Steve Peters, more TBD
$125 -Includes lunch. Location: Asilomar Conference Grounds
Sustainable Paths – Strengthening the Organic Produce Supply Chain
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
9am-6pm
The organic produce sector is growing rapidly—but so are the complexities of maintaining a supply chain that is transparent, resilient, and true to organic principles. This workshop will focus on strengthening the organic produce supply chain from grower to consumer. We’ll explore practical strategies for building trusted relationships between farmers, aggregators, distributors, retailers, and certifiers while navigating challenges like labor, seasonality, pricing, perishability, and scale. Participants will explore best practices for maintaining organic integrity, improving traceability, supporting fair and equitable partnerships, and increasing supply chain efficiency without compromising organic values.
Participants will hear from experienced producers, farmers, supply chain coordinators, and market specialists who are developing innovative, regional, and cooperative models to shorten supply chains and increase access to fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Whether you’re a farmer seeking better market access, a buyer looking to deepen your sourcing standards, or a stakeholder working to improve equity and sustainability, this session offers valuable tools and inspiration.
$125 - lunch included. Location: Asilomar Conference Grounds