Overview
The 14th Annual San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit, hosted by Washington State University San Juan County Extension and partners, took place February 27–28, 2026 on San Juan Island.
With the theme “Growing Resilience,” the Summit brought together farmers, food producers, land stewards, educators, and community members from across the islands—and beyond—to explore how communities adapt to climate, land, and economic challenges while strengthening agriculture and the ecosystems that support island life.
Designed as a space for inspiration, education, and connection, the Ag Summit continues to serve as a cornerstone annual gathering for the region’s agricultural community.
View the full 2026 Ag Summit Program on the 2026 Summit webpage here.
Meeting the Needs of Island Agriculture
Agriculture in San Juan County faces a unique set of challenges shaped by geographic isolation, limited access to land and resources, high production costs, and increasing climate variability. At the same time, there is growing interest in farming and local food systems among both new and experienced producers, as well as community members seeking to better understand how to engage with and support local agriculture.
Farmers and land stewards in the islands often operate in small-scale, diversified systems and must navigate complex regulatory environments, market limitations, and resource constraints. Beginning farmers, in particular, face barriers to accessing land, capital, technical knowledge, and local networks of support. Across all experience levels, there is an ongoing need for practical, research-based education, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and stronger connections to regional organizations and resources.
The San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit was developed to address these needs by creating a space for accessible, place-based education and community connection. Through workshops, conference sessions, and networking opportunities, the Summit supports farmers, producers, and community members in building the knowledge, skills, and relationships necessary to strengthen farm viability and advance a resilient local food system.
By the Numbers
- 197 unique registrations for the 2026 Ag summit
- 98% of survey responders rated their overall summit experience as ‘excellent’ or “good”
- 24 scholarships were awarded for summit attendance with 18 scholarships going to beginning farmers
- 4.7 Average rating on Friday Workshop quality, on a scale of 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent).
- 14 organizations tabled at the Friday & Saturday Trade show
- 139: Approximate number of attendees for Friday workshops
- 152: Approximate number of attendees for the Saturday conference
- 97 people attended the Summit Social on Friday night at the San Juan Island Grange
- 64% of attendees were agricultural producers
- 32% of attendees were beginning farmers or ranchers (0-10 years)
- #1 reason for attending the Summit was listed as networking with peers
- 81% of survey respondents said attending summit events helped them develop skills to start or enhance their farm business
- Based on the 2026 Ag Summit, 65% of those surveyed said they will make changes in the way they farm/garden.
- Based on past Ag Summits, 64% of those surveyed said they made changes in the way they farm/garden.
Friday: Workshops and Community Connection
Friday’s workshop day offered hands-on, place-based learning across San Juan Island, paired with a central Summit Hub and evening Grange social.
Workshops Included:
- Livestock Vet Care & Handling
- Plant Pathology for Growers
- Pruning for Healthy & Productive Fruit Trees
- Composting: Waste to Worth
- Direct Marketing Intensive
- Deep Observation in the Field
- Soil Health & Fertility Practices
- Leadership and Change Making
These workshops emphasized practical skill-building and peer exchange, allowing participants to engage deeply with techniques directly applicable to their farms.
The day concluded with a Friday Night Social at the Grange, strengthening relationships across the agricultural community.
Saturday: Conference Sessions
Saturday’s conference at Friday Harbor High School brought the full Summit community together for a day of shared learning, reflection, and connection.
The day opened with a land acknowledgment and welcome, grounding the gathering in place and purpose, followed by remarks that framed the Summit’s theme of Growing Resilience.
Keynote Address
The keynote presentation by Helen Atthowe—farmer, author, and national leader in ecological agriculture— set the tone for the day. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, her talk, “Grow Your Own Fertilizer to Build Soil and Habitat, Plant Health, and Farm Resilience,” highlighted practical strategies for reducing external inputs, building soil health, and designing farms that function as resilient ecosystems.
Participants then attended 12 breakout sessions, including:
- Agrisolar in Practice & Policy
- Balancing Soil Health, Tillage, Fertility, Plant Nutrition, & Yield
- Buckwheat Breeding
- Dry Farming in the Pacific Northwest
- Food Sovereignty and Thriving Indigenous Plant Communities
- Food System Plan for San Juan County: Advocacy & Coordinated Action
- Growing Fiber in the San Juans
- Island Allies of Indigenous Lifeways
- Reducing Plastic Waste in Agriculture
- Strategies for Livestock & Pasture Management
- The Future of Agritourism in Washington
- Virtual Fencing
Evaluation data shows these sessions were highly valued, with the majority rated informative or very informative across topics .
Selected Comments
“I find the connections to people from wider organizations such as NRCS, WSDA and other entities to be incredibly helpful. These connections help to give direction and real help with various farming questions and problems.“
“Attending the summit has enhanced my understanding of the Island’s farming community, their challenges and strengths, and helped me understand how I can cater the resources I provide to better meet the unique needs of this community.“
Partners
San Juan Islands Conservation District
San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild
Steering Committee and Staff
Clinton Gauthier, Caitie Blethen, Lucy Graves, Rebecca Moore, Sara Jones, Nicole Santora (Not shown in photo: Pauline Chiquet, Lauren Bigelow, Faith Van De Putte)
Thank You 2026 Ag Summit Sponsors!
Farm Champion
Farm Sustainer
Farm Supporter
Friend of Farm
- Barn Owl Bakery
- Inez Black
- San Juan Island Food Co-op
- Skagit Farmers Supply
- Local Seeds Coalition
- Master Gardener Foundation
The 2026 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit highlights how collaborative, place-based agricultural education can equip farmers with practical skills, strengthen networks, and support a more resilient food system in San Juan County.
Support local agriculture by becoming a sponsor of the Ag Summit!
Make an investment in our local agricultural community by becoming a sponsor. Sponsorships support our ability to provide scholarships and keep our registration costs low.
Use this sponsorship form to let us know you would like to sponsor the 2027 SJI Ag Summit.
Or contact rebecca.moore1@wsu.edu for more information.