More About SOWTH
A network of Southern farmers and organizers committed to fostering bolder collective action for positive change in our regional food system.
Our Journey
SOWTH is a network of Southern farmers and organizers committed to fostering bolder collective action for positive change in our regional food system.
The SOWTH network was formed in part to fill the gap left by the 2019 dissolution of the Southern Sustainable Agricultural Working Group (Southern SAWG) with the goal of reestablishing a convening for farmers and advocates in our region. In 2023, a Regional Steering Committee of 30 agricultural leaders from this network came together to launch planning, and “SOWTH: A Regional Small Farms, Big Community Conference” was born.
Meet the 2025 Regional Steering Committee
SOWTH 2025 is being collaboratively planned by a Regional Steering Committee of 30 representatives from the SOWTH network of over 100 partner groups and allies.
Brennan Washington, Chair
Southern SARE (SE Region)
E’licia Chaverest
Strategic Alignment Network (AL)
Kandi Williams
University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Jennifer Taylor
Florida A&M University
Georgia Organics
Sagdrina Jalal
Sage D Consulting (GA)
Ashley Smith
Black Soil KY
Angela Comeaux
Intertribal Agriculture Council (LA)
Bahia Nightengale
Louisiana Central
Elizabeth Myles
Alcorn State University (MS)
Adolfo Alzuphar
National Young Farmers Coalition (NC)
Mary Beth Miller
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (NC)
Zacha Muñiz
Rural Advancement Foundation International (NC)
David Redhage
Southern SARE Professional Development Program (OK)
Veronica Dominguez
COSSAO (PR)
Najmah Thomas
South Carolina Black Farmers Coalition
Jason DeKoff
Tennessee State University
Natalie Ashker Seevers
Tennessee Local Food
Sue Beckwith
Texas Center for Local Food
Pakou Hang
Hmong American Farmers Association (US)
Duron Chavis
Sankofa Farms (VA)
William Crutchfield
Virginia State University
Vanessa Forbes
University of the Virgin Islands
About the 2025 Host
Georgia Organics is a dynamic statewide nonprofit investing in organic farmers and community allies to cultivate a strong local food movement. While Georgia Organics was officially founded in 1997, its roots go back to the 1970s as an association of growers who recognized the power of collective action. Today, Georgia Organics continues to champion this ethos to support its mission to invest in farmers for the health of our communities and the land.
What’s Next for SOWTH?
SOWTH will continue and evolve as a growing network of Southern farmers, organizers, and leaders invested in building partnerships, sharing resources, and strengthening our collective vision and action. The ultimate vision is for SOWTH: A Regional Small Farms, Big Community Conference is for it to rotate among different host organizations and sites throughout the region in the years ahead.
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Photos Credits: Dr. James Brown, Fort Valley State University Farm, Fort Valley, GA. Photo courtesy of Fort Valley State University. Dera D and Ja’Mai, Sprout Community Garden, New Orleans, LA. Photo courtesy of Sprout