Join us 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 and demos, a seed swap, and live music.

Registering for the weekend gives you access to all programming and entertainment. For our complete program schedule, visit the 50th Anniversary Celebration and In-Person Conference page. Our sessions are being finalized and will be updated as information is confirmed. Subscribe to Seed Savers Exchange's event emails to stay updated on the latest event news.

Ticket Pricing

Two-day registration: $125 per person

Single two-day registration + Campsite (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday): $200

Note: limited availability of 30 campsites (max occupancy two tents or 6 people per campsite. All campers must register for the two-day conference.)

Children under 14 are free to attend conference programming.

Saturday Dinner: $30.00 per person.

Wisconsin Foodie Luke Zahm will create this ticketed dinner and highlight food grown on Heritage Farm. Menu details to come. Tickets must be purchased in advance. We will not be able to accommodate requests after August 1, 2025. You must register for the two-day or Saturday-only events to be able to purchase tickets for this dinner.

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

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 Demonstrations
• Community & Culture Workshops
• Conservation & Land Management Workshops

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

Afternoon Sessions -

• Garden and Property Tours
• Seed Saving & Adaptation Demonstrations
• 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 Demonstrations
• 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

Afternoon Sessions -

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

4:30 pm | Pollination Stations

6:30 pm | Musical entertainment begins
Lissie, American folk singer-songwriter

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. Every camper must register for the weekend event.

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. 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.