The San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit is a cornerstone gathering for farmers, food producers, land stewards, and community members working together to build a resilient local food system.

In 2026, we return to San Juan Island with the theme “Growing Resilience” — a call to deepen our collective response to climate, land, and economic challenges, and to celebrate what’s possible when island communities come together.

Growing Resilience reflects both the challenges and the opportunities before us. Across the islands, farmers, producers, and partners are adapting to shifting markets, climate change, and pressures on land and water—while cultivating innovative practices and strong community networks.

This year’s theme highlights our shared commitment to strengthening local agriculture—food, fiber, and beyond—protecting ecosystems, and ensuring that island-grown products continue to nourish our community now and into the future.

We’re delighted to announce Helen Atthowe as the keynote speaker for the 2026 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit. With more than 35 years of experience linking farming, food systems, land stewardship, and conservation, Helen is a national leader in ecological farming. She and her late husband, Carl Rosato, pioneered pesticide-free fruit production and developed no-till, living-mulch systems that build soil and habitat.

Her recent book, The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture, has become a go-to guide for farmers seeking to reduce inputs, eliminate synthetic and organic pesticides, and work in partnership with natural systems. Drawing from decades of on-farm research and teaching, Helen offers practical methods to build resilient, self-sustaining farm ecosystems—embodying the “Growing Resilience” theme of this year’s Summit.

Registration is now open!

Registration & Pricing: (link to Eventbrite registration)

Online pre-registration through Eventbrite is required to attend all Summit events. Registration will be open through February 21. 

Regular Pricing (Jan. 26-Feb. 21)

Friday – Workshops: $40 each 

Saturday – All day conference: $150 includes all day programming, coffee/ team, breakfast & lunch 

Friday Social – $15 Entry ticket with no host bar

Schedule Overview

Friday February 27: Workshops and Evening Social Event

Friday is a hands-on, place-based learning day with in-person workshops held at locations around San Juan Island. The Summit Hub at the San Juan Island Grange will be open in the morning and mid-day as a gathering place to grab coffee, ask questions, connect with fellow participants, and orient yourself for the day.

Workshops will take place in the morning and afternoon, with a mid-day break for a brown-bag lunch back at the Grange. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch and enjoy informal connection time between sessions.

The day concludes with a cozy, casual evening social at the San Juan Island Grange, featuring generous small bites and a no-host bar—an opportunity to unwind, reconnect, and continue conversations from the day.

Saturday February 28: Main Conference Day 

Saturday, February 28: Main Conference Day

Saturday is the full conference day, with all participants gathering in person at Friday Harbor High School from 7:45 am to 5:15 pm. The day begins with breakfast and a keynote address by Helen Atthowe, followed by a full schedule of breakout sessions.

After the first round of sessions, participants will have time to visit the trade show and connect with Summit partners, sponsors, and presenters. We’ll convene for lunch, community announcements, and shared conversation before continuing with two additional rounds of breakout sessions.

The day wraps up with closing reflections and integration, ending at 5:15 pm. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day, along with ongoing opportunities to connect at resource tables and throughout the venue.

Youth Programming

Get ready for an engaging Youth Track at the upcoming Ag Summit (Saturday, February 28th 8:45am-5:15pm), designed for ages 8-15. We are currently developing a dynamic program featuring hands-on activities with youth sessions that are planned to be shorter and more interactive with plenty of time for movement, running parallel to the Saturday summit program. To register for the Youth Track, click here.

Childcare with Forest School

Seeking childcare during the Ag Summit? Consider our Forest School offerings on Saturday, February 28th for children ages 3-10! Your child will have a play-based, nature immersed experience at Little House in the Forest, San Juan Island’s forest school. The sessions are lovingly guided by school director: Amy Plant: Level 3 Forest School Leader and teaching artist. Your child will have access to a beautiful, simple environment, intentionally designed for fun, safe play, with access to forest terrain, a vegetable garden, cosy bell tent, and art studio.

Three options available:

• Morning session: 8:30 am – 12:15 pm Cost: $65
• Afternoon session: 1:45 – 4:30 pm Cost: $65
• Full Day: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Cost: $130

To register, contact:

Amy Plant (360) 298-5699 amy@littlehouseintheforest.com

The registration deadline is February 20th.

Lodging

Attendees will be responsible for coordinating their own lodging. You can find a comprehensive list of accommodations on San Juan Island here.

Discovery Inn has offered a $30 discount by using the code AGSUMMIT when booking online at discoveryinn.com or by phone (360) 378-2000. Discounted rooms are limited.

Friday Harbor Suites is also offering a 20% discount for Ag Summit Attendees. Mention the Ag Summit when you call them to book a room at (360) 378-3031

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!

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