Annual Spring Conference | Organic Growers School

30th Annual Spring Conference

Practical, Affordable, Accessible

February 24-26, 2023 at Mars Hill University

The Organic Growers School is excited to announce the 30th Anniversary of its flagship event, the Spring Conference, to be held at Mars Hill University, Mars Hill, NC, February 24-26, 2023. The anniversary conference and associated special events will continue the organization’s mission to support, inspire and educate people to farm, garden, and live organically by providing affordable, practical, and hands-on education while offering the opportunity to celebrate the non-profit’s legacy in the region over these past three decades.

The Spring Conference happens over three days, with the preceding Friday dedicated to day-long workshops at off-campus sites around Western North Carolina. Over the weekend, we offer around 60 90-minute workshops organized into 15 themed tracks, such as Mushrooms, Herbs, Gardening, Farming, and Sustainable Living. There will also be over ten half-day workshops that provide opportunities to get more hands-on experience with topics such as fermentation, backyard chickens, and spirulina cultivation. Alongside all of these wonderful educational workshops, the Conference will also feature a lively Exhibit Hall full of local vendors, our annual Seed and Plant Exchange, fun networking opportunities, local food trucks, and more!

Note: Online registration will close on February 21st at midnight. Walk-in registrations are available, but sliding scale pricing will not be offered on site.

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Pre-Conferences

Deepen your learning in one of our full-day Pre-conference workshops on Friday, February 24th! These full-day workshops will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the topic matter and get your hands dirty. The true cost for Pre-conferences is $80, and sliding scale tickets are available. Learn more here.

Kid’s Program

We are excited to be partnering with Mountain Breeze Preschool to offer childcare at the 2023 Spring Conference. The cost of the program is $40/day or $60/weekend and can be added to your registration. Please check out our Special Events Page for more information.

Lunchtime Fun

This year, we have three awesome food trucks providing lunch for purchase on campus! Head on to the Broyhill Chapel parking lot to get your tasty meal from The Garden or Cecilia’s Kitchen! Also, we will be hosting a Lunchtime Roundtable in Broyhill Chapel on Creating A Cooperative Herb Industry in the Southeast from 1-2 pm on Saturday. Pre-registration is not required. Learn more here!

Seed & Plant Share

Have extra seeds or starts? Bring them with you! Need or want some seeds? Come get them! You’ll find plenty of interesting heirlooms along with staple varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers at the 2023 Southeastern Seed & Plant Share, offered by Lee Barnes on the 3rd floor of the Ferguson Atrium all weekend long. Learn more here.

Our 2023 Spring Conference Schedule is Live!

Click on the image below to view the schedule in full.

COVID-19 Gathering Precautions

We know we live in the time of COVID. To the best of your ability, we ask that you take precautions to protect yourself and other people attending any event before, while traveling, and during the event. Here are some ways we encourage folks to take precautions:

Consider testing yourself at home before departing, regardless of how you feel.
Proactively monitor yourself and stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19.
Wear a mask while traveling in public places, like airports and airplanes.
Be an ally and respect your peers and teachers who wear masks.
Be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.