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SOWTH 2025: Connecting the Region for Bolder Collective Impact

Join us for the inaugural SOWTH: A Regional Small Farms, Big Community Conference, a three-day gathering of over 1,000 farmers and leaders committed to sowing a strong sustainable agricultural movement across the South.

Location

Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW

Atlanta, GA 30313

Dates

February 4-6, 2025

Key Features

  • Regional networking with attendees and leaders from 13 Southern states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • A distinguished keynote and panelists
  • Over 100 sessions on a range of practical and innovative topics
  • Peer-led workshops and farm tours
  • A robust expo

Conference Themes and Topics

  • Connecting the Region for Bolder Collective Impact
  • Climate Resilience and Reparative Ag
  • Practical Tools in Livestock and Growing
  • Technology and Innovation in Practice
  • Advocacy
  • Anti-Racism and Equity
  • Community Food Solutions
  • Procurement
  • Management and Marketing for Farms and Agribusinesses

A note on language: SOWTH uses the word “producer” as a broad term that crosses industries from horticulture, agriculture, and animal production to aquaculture and includes farmers, growers, graziers, bee raisers, pastoralists, fishers, oyster farmers, and everything in between.

Keynote Speaker and Panelists

"Farmer Cee" Stanley

Keynote Speaker

Clarenda “Farmer Cee” Stanley is a visionary entrepreneur, farmer, herbalist, and advocate for ethical business and sustainable living. Known affectionately as “Farmer Cee,” she is the founding CEO of Green Heffa Farms, a wellness brand and herb farm that celebrates the power of nature to heal and nourish. Raised on her maternal grandparents’ farm, with an awarded professional background in marketing and environmental fundraising and a deep and profound respect for the Earth, Farmer Cee dedicates her life to promoting holistic health and wellness practices that honor the interconnectedness of all living things.

Beyond her work as an executive, farmer, and herbalist, Farmer Cee is also a passionate educator and community leader. Through workshops, classes, and speaking engagements, she empowers others to support their health by incorporating herbs into their wellbeing program. Farmer Cee’s approach is rooted in her belief that everyone has the ability to cultivate wellness from the ground up, starting with the soil beneath their feet. Her mission is to inspire others to reconnect with the earth, embrace their innate healing abilities, and live in harmony with the natural world.

Sue Beckwith

Panelist

Sue Beckwith is the executive director of the Texas Center for Local Food, an organization focused on strengthening local food systems and supporting small farmers across Texas. With a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture, Beckwith has been a leader in developing innovative programs that connect farmers with markets, foster food education, and promote farm-to-school initiatives. Her work emphasizes the importance of local food in creating resilient economies and healthy communities. Through the Texas Center for Local Food, Beckwith advocates for policies that biodiversity and supporting small-scale farmers, sustainable practices, and food access for all Texans, working to build a more equitable and sustainable food system across the state.

Tomika Bell

Panelist

Tomika Bell is Executive Director for Choctaw Fresh Produce serving as an Indigenous food sovereignty activist from Choctaw, MS. Tomika is deeply committed to revitalizing traditional food systems and promoting the health and well-being of Native communities. As a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Nation, Bell works to preserve and share ancestral agricultural practices, emphasizing the importance of native seeds, land stewardship, and sustainable farming methods. She has been a strong advocate for Indigenous land rights and the reclamation of food traditions that nourish both body and spirit. Through her activism, educational initiatives, and community organizing, Bell aims to strengthen food sovereignty in Indigenous communities, addressing issues of food access, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. Her work inspires efforts to reconnect Indigenous people with their traditional foods and land.

Diana Garcia-Padilla

Panelist

Diana Garcia-Padilla is the executive director of Holistic Organic Practical Education (HOPE) for Small Farm Sustainability, an organization dedicated to empowering communities through sustainable agriculture, food sovereignty, and environmental education. With a background in organic farming and community development, Garcia-Padilla has been instrumental in creating programs that focus on hands-on agricultural education, particularly for underserved communities. Under her leadership, HOPE promotes holistic practices in organic farming, health, and nutrition, while also addressing issues of food access and environmental stewardship. Passionate about building resilient food systems, Garcia-Padilla works to connect people with the land, fostering self-reliance, sustainability, and community well-being.

Mrs. Shirley Sherrod

Panelist

Shirley Sherrod is a prominent civil rights leader and advocate for Black farmers, known for her work championing land rights and economic justice in rural Georgia. As a co-founder of New Communities, Inc., the first community land trust in the U.S., she played a pivotal role in organizing Black farmers to secure and sustain land ownership during a time of systemic discrimination. Sherrod’s decades-long commitment to social justice led her to serve as Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the USDA, where she worked to address historic inequities in federal agricultural programs. Despite facing political challenges, Sherrod remains a dedicated voice for Black landowners, using her platform to fight for racial equity, agricultural sustainability, and the empowerment of rural communities.

Leni Sorensen

Panelist

Leni Sorensen is a renowned food historian, chef, and educator specializing in African American foodways and Southern culinary traditions. With a deep knowledge of historical food practices, particularly those of enslaved people and free Black communities, she brings an insightful perspective to the history of American cuisine. Sorensen has worked extensively to document and share the contributions of Black women to the culinary arts, focusing on heirloom recipes, gardening, and food preservation techniques. Her work, including teaching and writing, highlights the resilience and ingenuity of African American cooks throughout history. She has served as a consultant for numerous historical and food projects, including at Monticello, and continues to inspire conversations around the intersection of food, culture, and history.

Ashley Smith

Panelist

Ashley Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Black Soil: Our Better Nature, a Kentucky-based organization dedicated to reconnecting Black farmers to agricultural markets and promoting food sovereignty within Black communities. Passionate about preserving the legacy of African American farmers in Kentucky, Smith works to provide visibility, resources, and economic opportunities for Black-owned farms. Through educational programs, community partnerships, and direct support to farmers, Black Soil helps bridge the gap between Black farmers and local consumers, fostering a stronger local food economy. Smith’s leadership has been instrumental in creating pathways for equitable land access, sustainability, and the celebration of African American agricultural heritage in the region.

Ira Wallace

Panelist

Ira Wallace is a celebrated seed saver, organic grower, and cofounder of Acorn Community, home of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, a cooperative that specializes in heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. With a lifelong passion for preserving biodiversity and supporting small-scale sustainable agriculture, Wallace has been at the forefront of the seed-saving movement in the Southeastern U.S. Her work focuses on providing access to seeds that are well-suited to the region’s unique climate, helping farmers and gardeners grow resilient, regionally adapted crops. A prolific author and educator, she advocates for seed sovereignty and the importance of heirloom varieties in preserving cultural and agricultural heritage. Through her leadership at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Wallace has empowered countless individuals and communities to grow their own food while protecting seed diversity for future generations.
More Panelists and Speakers

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 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 / ExpoHall 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the conference, registration, and more.

What are the dates of SOWTH 2025?​

SOWTH 2025 will be held from February 4-6, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Farm tours and workshops on Tuesday, February 4, will be held at a variety of locations. Transportation to and from off-site locations will be provided for all registered attendees. All Conference sessions, meals, plenaries, and activities on Wednesday and Thursday, February 4 – 6, will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Register online at www.sowth.org/join-us. Early bird discounts are available until December 7, 2024.

While on-site registration will be available if capacity allows, we highly recommend registering in advance. Register online at www.sowth.org/join-us.

Scholarship applications are open until Wednesday, November 13 11:59pm EST. Scholarship award notification will be made November 26 – 27. For more information, visit www.sowth.org/join-us.

We welcome SOWTH volunteers to help make the conference a success. Please visit www.sowth.org/join-us to learn more about how you can get involved!

All sessions and speakers at SOWTH were selected through an open Call for Session Proposals which were reviewed by Subcommittees made up of Regional Steering Committee members, community representatives, and Georgia Organics staff. We are no longer accepting proposals for speakers or presenters. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on opportunities that may emerge beyond SOWTH 2025.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or exhibitor, please visit our Sponsors & Exhibitors page to learn about the different sponsorship levels and benefits.

While we may record a few sessions and selected workshops, we currently do not have any plans to make these available to the public.

We recommend bringing a notebook and pens, and any materials you may have for networking (business cards are welcome but not required). You are welcome to bring an iPad or laptop. Wifi is available. Comfortable clothing and shoes are also advisable, as there will be walking between sessions and events. If you plan to attend any Tuesday activities (farm tours, food tours, or workshops), please note any additional recommendations on what to bring or wear specific to your selected activities. 

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. Sign up to receive SOWTH emails and follow us on social media to stay up to date. 

Photo Credits: Jason Pitre, Bayou Rosa Oysters, Member of the United Houma Nation, Leeville, LA. Photo by Anthony Pavkovich with Intertribal Agriculture Council. Sejah Farm Farmers Market, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Photo by DaraMonifah® Cooper, Southern SARE. Photo courtesy of Farmer Cee Stanley. Photo courtesy of Sue Beckwith. Photo courtesy of Tomika Bell. Photo courtesy of Diana Padilla. Photo courtesy of The Sherrod Institute. Photo courtesy of Indigo Road. Photo courtesy of Black Soil KY. Photo courtesy of Ira Wallace. Photo courtesy of Love is Love Cooperative Farm. Photo courtesy of High Hog Farm.