2026 Perennial Farm Gathering

Schedule

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026 at 01:00 pm to Fri, 13 Mar, 2026 at 03:45 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Grand River Convention Center | Dubuque, IA

Advertisement
Savanna Institute’s signature event of the year, the Perennial Farm Gathering brings together a wide community of perennial enthusiasts.
About this Event

The Perennial Farm Gathering, Savanna Institute’s signature event, brings together a wide community of land stewards, farmers, and perennial enthusiasts. Over three days, folks gather to share work, research, and lessons learned in panels, workshops, deep dives, and nutshell overviews – all to advance perennial agriculture.


Wednesday, March 11th

πŸ•‘: 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Add-On: Deep Dive Chestnut Workshop
Host: Red Fern Farm

Info: Are you interested in growing chestnuts but need more information before taking the final leap? Do you have a young orchard and need some questions answered or encouragement? This workshop is for you! Co-hosted by Red Fern Farm, Savanna Institute, and Canopy Farm Management, this event will expand your understanding of chestnut growing in the Midwest.

Experts will present on a variety of topics including site selection, establishment, tree management, variety recommendations, harvesting, and marketing. We will also hear from existing growers. There will be time for asking questions and networking with other attendees!

Speakers will include Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice of Red Fern Farm, Roger Smith of Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers, as well as staff from the Savanna Institute and Canopy Farm Management. Lunch and snacks (chestnuts!) will be provided.


πŸ•‘: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Nursery Focused Sessions (included with full registration)
πŸ•‘: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
2026 Perennial Farm Gathering Welcome Reception & Perennial Plant Swap
Host: Hard Cuttings

Info: In the Upper Midwest, March is plant swapping season. We invite you to connect through the old tradition of trading plants, trading stories, and building connections that will last a lifetime. Keep this in mind while planning your dormant tree digs this fall!

The Nursery Working Group of the Agroforestry Coalition invites you to bring up to 12 copies of something you want to share. This could be Hard cuttings, Bareroot Trees, Seeds, Arts and Crafts, Poetry, or anything you think holds value in your life that you want to share. Does it tell a story? Do you want that story to live with others too?


Thursday, March 12th

πŸ•‘: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Light Breakfast & Networking (included with registration)
Host: Ballroom
πŸ•‘: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Opening Session and Deep Roots & New Shoots Awards
Host: Ballroom
πŸ•‘: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Keynote Presentation: "Farming with Agroforestry as a Teacher"
Host: Wendy Johnson
πŸ•‘: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Living Roots Book Launch Signing
πŸ•‘: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch (included with registration)
Host: Ballroom
πŸ•‘: 01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Concurrent Sessions
πŸ•‘: 02:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Nutshell Talks: Share Your Perennial Story

Info: A perennial favorite of the gathering, audience members can share five-minute updates, stories, lessons-learned or nagging questions from their work. Include slides or other visual aids–or just talk with guests. Nutshells are a great way to connect with a community of practice and help build knowledge across
the region.


πŸ•‘: 04:30 PM - 05:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions
Friday, March 13th

πŸ•‘: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Light Breakfast & Networking (included with registration)
πŸ•‘: 09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Nutshell Talks: Share Your Perennial Story

Info: A perennial favorite of the gathering, audience members can share five-minute updates, stories, lessons-learned or nagging questions from their work. Include slides or other visual aids–or just talk with guests. Nutshells are a great way to connect with a community of practice and help build knowledge across
the region.


πŸ•‘: 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions
πŸ•‘: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch (included with registration)
πŸ•‘: 01:15 PM - 03:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions
πŸ•‘: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Keynote Closing Remarks
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Grand River Convention Center, 500 Bell Street, Dubuque, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 285.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next β€” before everyone else does.
Savanna Institute

Host or Publisher Savanna Institute

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Dubuque

Peppa Pig's My First Concert
Thu, 12 Mar at 06:00 pm Peppa Pig's My First Concert

Five Flags Center - Arena

CONCERTS MUSIC
Anthony Shore - Elvis in Concert
Fri, 13 Mar at 06:00 pm Anthony Shore - Elvis in Concert

Five Flags Center - Theatre

CONCERTS MUSIC
Peppa Pig - My First Concert at Five Flags Center
Fri, 13 Mar at 06:00 pm Peppa Pig - My First Concert at Five Flags Center

Five Flags Center

CONCERTS MUSIC
Justin Willman: One For The Ages Tour
Fri, 13 Mar at 07:00 pm Justin Willman: One For The Ages Tour

Five Flags Center

THEATRE
Building Confidence 101 Dubuque, Iowa
Thu, 01 Feb at 01:30 pm Building Confidence 101 Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque

WORKSHOPS VIRTUAL
DATE THYSELF: Break The Cycle Of Toxic Relationships  Dubuque, Iowa
Thu, 19 Sep at 01:30 pm DATE THYSELF: Break The Cycle Of Toxic Relationships Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque

WORKSHOPS
Mead Brewing Class - December 2 & 9
Tue, 02 Dec at 06:00 pm Mead Brewing Class - December 2 & 9

Convivium Urban Farmstead

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
Mindful Musicians - Drop In!
Tue, 09 Dec at 05:00 pm Mindful Musicians - Drop In!

3339 Hillcrest Road, Dubuque, IA, United States, Iowa 52002

WORKSHOPS MUSIC
Real Talk
Tue, 09 Dec at 05:00 pm Real Talk

220 W. 7th Street, Dubuque, IA, United States, Iowa 52001

Salsa Rueda 4-Week Workshop!
Tue, 09 Dec at 08:00 pm Salsa Rueda 4-Week Workshop!

900 Jackson St., Suite 108A, Dubuque, IA

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT
Sound Healing and Gentle YIN
Wed, 10 Dec at 04:15 pm Sound Healing and Gentle YIN

3430 Dodge Street, Suite 2, Dubuque, IA, United States, Iowa 52003

WORKSHOPS HEALTH-WELLNESS
Healing in Harmony: Yin Yoga + Phoenix Rising Sound Bath
Thu, 11 Dec at 06:00 pm Healing in Harmony: Yin Yoga + Phoenix Rising Sound Bath

3430 Dodge Street, Suite 2, Dubuque, IA, United States, Iowa 52003

HEALTH-WELLNESS WORKSHOPS
Witches balls workshop * Create your own protective charm*
Sat, 13 Dec at 11:00 am Witches balls workshop * Create your own protective charm*

1064 Central Ave, Dubuque, IA

WORKSHOPS
Cedar Wreath Making
Sun, 14 Dec at 10:00 am Cedar Wreath Making

Mines of Spain

CHRISTMAS-WREATH-WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS
The 12 Days of Christmas Kids Yoga Workshop with Molly Schreiber
Sun, 14 Dec at 11:00 am The 12 Days of Christmas Kids Yoga Workshop with Molly Schreiber

185 Main St, Dubuque, IA, United States, Iowa 52001

KIDS HEALTH-WELLNESS
Chunky Knit Blanket Party!
Sun, 14 Dec at 12:00 pm Chunky Knit Blanket Party!

Captured on Canvas

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
Grinch Dinner & Movie Night
Sun, 14 Dec at 04:00 pm Grinch Dinner & Movie Night

200 Main St, Dubuque, IA, United States, Iowa 52001

ENTERTAINMENT WORKSHOPS
FTC 2nd Annual Snowy STEAM Night
Tue, 16 Dec at 05:00 pm FTC 2nd Annual Snowy STEAM Night

Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School

CONTESTS
Yoga Jams Live: Leo Roldan
Tue, 16 Dec at 05:30 pm Yoga Jams Live: Leo Roldan

185 Main St, Dubuque, IA, United States, Iowa 52001

MUSIC HEALTH-WELLNESS
Lunch & Learn: Seed Catalogs
Wed, 17 Dec at 12:00 pm Lunch & Learn: Seed Catalogs

Convivium Urban Farmstead

WORKSHOPS

What's Happening Next in Dubuque?

Discover Dubuque Events