2023 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit | San Juan County WSU Extension

2023 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit Program

Registration is now closed for the 2023 SJI Ag Summit. There will be no day-of registration.

Details for Ag Summit 2023:
The Changing Tides of Island Agriculture

Join us for the 2023 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit on Friday March 3 and Saturday March 4. This year’s event will be held on San Juan Island and will return to the traditional structure of in-person workshops and other events around the island on Friday, and an in-person conference day on Saturday.The San Juan Islands Agriculture Summit is a valued annual event that provides a unique opportunity for the food and agricultural community from across the islands, and beyond, to gather. Designed as a space for inspiration, education, and camaraderie, the Ag Summit features keynotes, hands-on workshops, presentations by farmers and regional specialists, panel discussions, meals and social events.

Our theme this year is The Changing Tides of Island Agriculture. This theme honors the intersections of water and agriculture in the islands, the challenges and opportunities for water use and conservation, as well as the rapidly evolving landscape of our local food system. Content is oriented around four tracks: Plants, Animals, Water and People.

Schedule Overview

Thursday March 2: Kickoff
5 – 7pm The Summit kicks off with a no-host networking event for the agricultural and environmental community in partnership with the Stewardship Network: Friday Harbor Green Drinks. Friday March 3: Workshops, Roundtable and Hoedown
8am – 4pm In-person workshops held around the island with a “Summit Hub” available at Brickworks. Organizers will be present and Summit participants are invited to stop by at their convenience throughout the day to find resources, enjoy a cup of coffee, and see friends. We are inviting organizations to be a part of the Summit Hub by setting up a Resource Table on Friday; See below for more information.
4:30 – 5:45pm: Island Farmer’s Roundtable, a free event open to all at the Grange.
6 – 9pm: Return to Brickworks for a chance to kick up your heels with food and music at the Summit Hoedown.Saturday March 4: Main Conference Day
7am – 4:30pm Everyone will gather in-person at the beautiful University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs. Breakfast and keynote by Katie Pencke of Alluvial Farms to start the day. Breakout sessions are oriented around the four tracks, with the first session right after the keynote. We’ll come back together for lunch, camaraderie and announcements and then continue with two more breakout sessions. This year there will also be programming available for children: (2) Forest School education based sessions with Amy Plant, director and lead educator of Little House in the Forest.
5 -7pm: A last chance to gather with your Summit pals for a no-host gathering at SJI Brewing Company before heading home.

Registration & Pricing:

Online pre-registration through Eventbrite is required to attend all Summit events. Save yourself some $$ and register soon for Early Bird Specials! Early bird pricing opens in mid January, and regular registration will open later January – February 19. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Early Bird Pricing:
Friday:

Workshops: $25 each
Farmer Roundtable: Free,
Hoedown: $25 – Ticket includes Food & Music (There will be a no-host bar available)

Saturday

All day conference: $100 includes all day programming, coffee/ tea, breakfast & lunch
Optional Childcare: $50 per session (no early bird discount but there is a maximum so sign up early!)

Regular Pricing
Friday

Workshops: $30 each
Farmer Roundtable: Free
Hoedown: $30 – Ticket includes Food & Music
There will be a no-host bar available

Saturday

All day conference: $125 includes all day programming, coffee/ tea, breakfast & lunch
Optional Childcare: $50 per session (no early bird discount but there is a maximum so sign up early!)

Scholarships

A limited number of full scholarships are available.

The scholarship application deadline is 5pm Sun February 12, but note that spaces fill up quickly. If you are hoping for a scholarship, apply now.

Steps to Apply:

1. Fill out this This Form.

2. Register yourself with the code you received. Note – if you do not register yourself, you will not be able to attend the Summit.

If you applied and did not receive a code to register, please email sji.agsummit@wsu.edu.

Housing

Housing options are available this year at Friday Harbor Labs for Thursday evening, March 2 and Friday evening March 3. There are two housing tiers available:

Single occupancy room with shared bathroom facilities
Family/ group housing for up to six people with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities

Reservations and payment for housing will be available with registration. Note: For family/ group housing one registrant will need to pay for the accommodation at registration.

Resource Tables

The Summit will offer a “Summit Hub” on Friday March 3, 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM at Brickworks. Organizers will be present and Summit participants are invited to stop by at their convenience throughout the day to find resources, enjoy a cup of coffee, and see friends. We are inviting organizations to be a part of the Summit Hub by setting up a Resource Table on Friday from 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

There is no cost to have a resource table, but organizations need to REGISTER HERE by February 19.

Details:

Each organization will have (1) table to set up information.
We will provide the table and chairs.
The table does not need to be staffed through the event, but Summit Organizers will not be responsible for overseeing the table including materials or valuables.
Participating organizations agree to have materials packed up and removed by 4:30 PM.

Unfortunately, space does not allow for Resources Tables at the Saturday Summit venue. There will be one table available for handouts.

Thank you sponsors!