Abundance Grows in Solidarity: Notes from the Conference Manager

Published: Sep 2025
By: Rachel Wood

Let’s be honest — farming is hard. Nonprofit work is hard. Conference planning? Oof-dah. And building a resilient organic movement on top of it all can feel even harder when the headwinds keep coming. At Marbleseed, that looks like shrinking grant funding, rising costs for everything from venues to food, and the never-ending challenge of keeping the conference accessible while still paying farmers and staff fairly. For farmers, it’s no small thing to step away and travel, even in the so-called “off season” (though, is there really such a thing?). Some days it feels like there’s never enough time, money, or resources to balance it all.

And yet… we still gather. We still show up for each other. We keep choosing to do the things that, though hard, are worthwhile for the organic farming community. I’m lucky to see this every day in my work at Marbleseed. Personally, I choose to show up because ever since I first attended the conference 10 years ago, I’ve believed this gathering is one of the most welcoming and impactful events for farmers and ag professionals. In the face of headwinds, Marbleseed will keep showing up however we can — and we know our community is doing the same.

That choice — that solidarity — is where abundance grows. Our theme this year, Abundance Grows in Solidarity, reminds us of the power of bringing a diverse community together under one roof and cherishing the wealth of connection, knowledge, and resilience that flourishes when we do.

What’s New This Year

With that in mind, we’re making some changes in 2026. We’re condensing the conference into one wing of the La Crosse Center, getting smart with our layout, and still making space for 1,000+ attendees, 100+ exhibitors, dozens of workshops, and plenty of opportunities to connect. Our organizational partners are preparing in-depth sessions on Thursday, affinity group spaces on Friday, and special events woven throughout the weekend.

This year, each 75-minute session will offer three new ways to engage:

Panel discussions featuring experts and farmers in the field.

Hands-on workshops to build skills you can take straight back to the farm.

Keynote speakers to connect the dots and keep the bigger picture in focus.

We know the value of practical tools, honest conversations, and moments that make us feel less alone in the grind — so that’s what we’re leaning into. Something for everyone, with everyone a part of something bigger.

Why This Conference Matters

As the conference manager, I wish I could say this gathering will fix everything. It won’t erase the realities of trying to farm in a system that too often undervalues farmers and the networks built to support them. But it does create a space where we can name those struggles — and then look around and realize we’re not facing them alone.

That’s the abundance I believe in: ideas shared freely, networks built over coffee, solidarity between farmers, nonprofits, sponsors, and exhibitors who all know that if we want a different future, we have to build it together.

Save the Date

So, let’s keep showing up. February 26–28, 2026 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Come tired, come hopeful, come as you are — and leave knowing you’re part of something bigger.

Because abundance doesn’t mean we don’t struggle. It means that even in the struggle, we accomplish more when we face it together. I’ll see you there!

Rachel Wood is Marbleseed’s Conference and Partnerships Manager