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

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

Where is it happening?

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

USD 0.00 to USD 285.00

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Host or Publisher Savanna Institute

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