Plan Your Trip

Everything you need to know to make the most of our time together at SOWTH.

Get Trip-Ready!

We are excited to welcome you to Atlanta on February 4-6, 2025 for the inaugural SOWTH Conference! We don’t take it lightly that you’ve prioritized this conference amongst your many responsibilities and opportunities. Thank you for believing in SOWTH and for your commitment to innovative, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural practices in our region.

Below is a checklist to help you prepare so we can make the most out of our time together!

Know Before You Go Checklist

Have you secured your travel and lodging? Use the info below to help you plan your trip. Don’t forget about the Closing Dinner on Thursday night when making your travel plans!
Are you a current or transitioning organic seller or buyer? Check out the Southeast Organic Seller/Buyer Mixer presented by Rodale Institute, The ACRE Collective, and Georgia Organics! Space is limited – make sure to register in advance!
Arriving on Monday? Take a walk with History Afoot Atlanta! This opportunity, exclusively for SOWTH attendees, will welcome you to Atlanta with a walking tour where you will learn about the city, its history, and the vital role that farmers have played as part of the Atlanta story. Reserve your spot here!
Looking to kickstart or expand your orchard? The Food Well Alliance Fruit Tree Sale is a beloved annual event for Atlanta’s fruit-producing plant fanatics, and this year, SOWTH is a pick-up site! Order your fruit trees here. Make sure you can pack it or haul it… but don’t beat around the bush!
Make sure to review our Event Terms & Conditions so you’re in the know before you go.

Where to Stay and What to Do

The conference will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, an award-winning 3.9 million-square-foot facility, and the largest LEED Gold certified convention center in the world. The Center is located in the heart of Atlanta’s Centennial Park District and adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre greenspace serving as the lasting legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Learn more about the area and attractions: Centennial Park District

Finalize Your Travel Arrangements

Travel Options: Learn travel tips along with information about driving, parking, and traveling by plane or train.
Hotels and Lodging: Find of a list of hotels and other options for your stay.
Around Town and In The Mix: Have some fun! Learn about the following activities:
- Southeast Organics Buyer/Seller Mixer;
- Food Well Alliance Fruit Tree Sale; and
- History Afoot Atlanta walking tours.

Click on each of the buttons below for more information!

Pro Travel Tip: SOWTH activities on Wednesday & Thursday will take place in Building C of the Georgia World Congress Center. If you plan to take rideshare directly to the conference site, remember to request “Zone 1” on your preferred rideshare app to get dropped off directly at Building C!

General Driving and Parking Directions: If driving via I-75/I-85, the Centennial Park District is located off of Exit 249C (Williams St) from the North and Exit 249D (Spring St) from the South. Via I-20 East/West, take Exit on I-75/I-85N toward Atlanta. Exit 249D (Spring St). Spring Street veers left and becomes Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW. Turn right on Baker St. then left right on Marietta St. If you are traveling from out of town, use your preferred map system to map directly to your lodgings. If you are Atlanta based and would like to park at the Georgia World Congress Center, keep an eye on your email for more instructions on how you can save money by purchasing parking in advance!

Plane: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is approximately 20 minutes by car or rideshare or 35 minutes by public MARTA rail from the Georgia World Congress Center and Conference hotels.* For more information visit the airport website here.

Train: You can take the Amtrak or Greyhound directly to Atlanta. Amtrak connects at Peachtree Station, which is approximately 20 minutes by car or rideshare or 30 minutes by public MARTA bus to the Georgia World Congress Center and conference hotels.* More information on the Amtrak website here. Greyhound connects at the Atlanta Bus Station, which is approximately 10 minutes by car or rideshare or 20 minutes by public MARTA rail to the Georgia World Congress Center and Conference hotels.*

*Night hours may affect public MARTA transportation schedule and approximate travel time. While public transportation in Atlanta is generally considered safe, it is important to plan well, research your routes, and pay attention to your surroundings while traveling and in all public places!

SOWTH has varied partnerships with a few hotels near the Georgia World Congress Center. Review the options below to find an option that is right for you. Hotel availability is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Georgia Organics’ hotel blocks at SpringHill Suites Atlanta Downtown, Club Wyndham Atlanta, Courtyard Atlanta Downtown, and Hilton Garden Inn are now full. We encourage you to explore Atlanta’s accommodation options using your favorite travel or hotel website as well as AirBnB, VRBO, or other options.

Southeast Organics Buyer/Seller Mixer at SOWTH

Presented by Rodale Institute in partnership with The ACRE Collective and Georgia Organics

At this mixer, farmers and organic buyers will have the chance to connect through facilitated conversations about organic markets opportunities, particularly for organic vegetable and fruit markets. Refreshments and food will be provided. This event is especially designed for organic buyers, organic farmers, those transitioning, and those who are curious about organic production.

We are also excited to have Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Tyler J. Harper, present the annual Georgia Organics’ Farmer Champion Awards to four higher education institutions and seven early care and education centers committed to sourcing local food and working with growers across Georgia!

Learn more & register

Food Well Alliance Fruit Tree Sale

Looking to kickstart or expand your orchard? Atlanta’s annual Fruit Tree Sale, organized by Food Well Alliance has just what you need. The sale offers over 50 varieties of fruit trees, vines, and berry bushes with detailed descriptions to help you find the perfect plant. This year, SOWTH is an official pick-up location!

Every purchase supports Food Well’s Orchard Project, a program that plants educational orchards around metro Atlanta to increase access to local food.

Key Details for the Sale

Pre-order Deadline: January 30, 2025
Pick-Up Dates: February 5-6 from 11 AM – 5 PM (both days)
Pick-Up Location: Outside the World Congress Center (reminder and specific will be sent via email closer to the conference)

Shop for fruit trees

History Afoot Atlanta

Arriving in town early? Take a walk with History Afoot Atlanta! This opportunity, exclusively for SOWTH attendees, will welcome you to Atlanta with a walking tour where you will learn about the city, its history, and the vital role that farmers have played as part of the Atlanta story.

The tour will convene on Monday, February 3rd at 3:30pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, 275 Baker Street NW, 30318. From there, we’ll take a streetcar ride to the Atlanta Municipal Market, and a walk about 1.5 miles back through Atlanta at a slow walking pace. Comfortable shoes are wise, but this won’t be exercise! The cost is $11 per person – and bring a debit or credit card for your $1 streetcar ticket!

As historians in love with our city, History Afoot Atlanta tours inform and enlighten folks in fun and unanticipated ways. Bring your curiosity as we tell unexpected stories of Atlanta!

Reserve your spot

Questions? Email [email protected]

Schedule At-A-Glance

Field Trips & Workshops

Tuesday, February 4

8:00 – 8:30 AM: Farm and Community Food Tour Participants Meet at the Transportation Hub at Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard
9:00 AM: Depart from the Transportation Hub to Farm and Community Food Tour Locations
1:00 PM: Return to the Transportation Hub (See Note for Fort Valley State Farm Tour)
2:30 – 5:30 PM: Intensive Workshops (Various Locations)
6:00 PM: Southeast Organic Buyer and Seller Mixer

You must register in advance for specific Farm or Food Tours, Workshops, and/or the Mixer. All meals on Tuesday are on your own (stay tuned for a list of local recommendations). If you are attending the Farm Tour at Fort Valley State University, note the farm is a two-hour bus ride away. Attendees will return to the Transportation Hub at 4:30 PM and lunch will be included in the tour.

Tuesday Field Trips & Workshops

Sessions, Plenaries, and Meals at GWCC (Day 1)

Wednesday, February 5

7:00 AM: Breakfast Served / Registration Opens
8:00 AM: Expo Hall Opens / Youth Program Opens
8:30 AM: Welcome Address by SOWTH Steering Committee Chair Brennan Washington
9:15 AM: Conference Sessions Begin
12:00 PM: Lunch Served
1:00 PM: Keynote Address by Farmer Cee Stanley
2:15 PM: Conference Sessions Resume
5:00 PM: Sessions Conclude / Expo Hall Closes

Breakfast and lunch provided on Wednesday. Dinner is on your own (stay tuned for a list of local recommendations).

Schedule by Track

Sessions, Plenaries, and Meals at GWCC (Day 2)

Thursday, February 6

7:00 AM: Breakfast / Registration Opens
8:00 AM: Expo Hall Opens / Youth Program Opens
8:30 AM: Morning Plenary: Women in Southern Agriculture Panel
10:00 AM: Conference Sessions Begin
11:15 AM: Lunch Served
11:45 AM: Lunch Plenary: Pollinating a Network with Ignited Word
1:00 PM: Conference Sessions Resume
5:00 PM: Sessions Conclude / Expo Hall Closes
6:30 PM: SOWTH Awards and Closing Dinner!

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided on Thursday. Make sure to include the Closing Dinner in your travel plans!

Thank you to The Common Market Southeast for their support in sourcing menu items from local producers!

Schedule by Track

Event Terms & Conditions

By attending SOWTH you agree to the following terms:

Photo Policy: Your participation in SOWTH implies consent to being photographed or recorded for promotional, educational, and evaluative purposes. You can-opt out by notifying the photographer or completing a Photo Opt-Out Form by January 31, 2025.
Privacy Policy: Participating in SOWTH implies that you consent to sharing your personal information with SOWTH. This includes Georgia Organics and our trusted partners assisting with operations and evaluation who agree to confidentiality. This data may be used for promotional, educational, and evaluative purposes. We collect personal details when you subscribe, complete forms, or register. We respect your privacy and do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with other outside parties.
Payment: Event fees must be paid in advance. If you have an outstanding balance, it must be paid on-site prior to your admittance to the conference.
Cancellation and Force Majeure: Conference registration fees are non-refundable, with the exception of the case of a “Force Majeure,” at which registration fees may be refunded at our discretion.
Conduct and Safety: Discrimination, harassment, or unsafe behavior will not tolerated. Violators may be removed without a refund.
Public Health: Attendees will, at-minimum, adhere to local and event-specific health guidelines. We invite you to be thoughtful about caring for each other while present at SOWTH.
Liability: You release Georgia Organics, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers and agents (“Released Parties”) from any and all liability for any bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death or property damage (including any claims due to any medical treatment rendered), regardless of whether caused in whole or in part by an act or omission of the Released Parties.
General: We reserve the right to amend terms without notice. Views expressed by event presenters and participants do not necessarily reflect those of SOWTH, Georgia Organics, or our partners.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Photo Credits: Puerto Rico Farmers Market, Puerto Rico. Photo by DaraMonifah® Cooper, Southern SARE. Federation of Southern Cooperatives Meeting with Farmers, Epes, Alabama. Photo by DaraMonifah® Cooper, Southern SARE. Photo courtesy of Levity Farms