EcoFarm 2026: Monterey's Regenerative Ag Seed Summit

This article details the EcoFarm 2026 conference, the oldest organic farming event west of the Mississippi, centered on regenerative practices for sustainable agriculture. Held in Monterey, it attracts thousands for workshops, keynotes, and networking on soil regeneration, biodiversity, and climate adaptation. Seed-related sessions dominate, covering saving, storing, and sourcing resilient varieties for organic systems. Attendees learn optimal storage: cool (40-55°F), dark, low-RH (<50%) in airtight glass or vacuum-sealed containers with silica or dry rice desiccants. Freezing protocols kill pests without viability loss. Keynote speakers address seed sovereignty, critiquing GMO dominance and promoting heirlooms. Hands-on demos include germination testing, hybrid avoidance for true-to-type saves. Conference highlights cover crop integration using old seeds, no-till seeding, and microbial inoculants. Beyond seeds, topics span agroforestry, livestock integration, and policy reforms. 2026 innovations feature AI for seed tracking, drone mapping for isolation. Vendor halls showcase 2026 catalogs with high-viability stock. Past attendee testimonials note 30% yield boosts from learned techniques. Practical takeaways: organize seeds in binders by maturity groups; annual viability audits. Event fosters collaborations like seed banks and co-ops. Family-friendly with youth programs on heritage crops. Logistics: multi-day format with field trips to demo farms. Registration urged early due to sell-outs. Ties to broader regenerative movement: carbon sequestration via diverse rotations. Speakers include seed experts sharing longevity data—legumes 5+ years, brassicas 3-5. Troubleshooting: condensation avoidance, insect barriers. Article previews 2026 themes amid droughts, emphasizing drought-tolerant seeds. Economic panels discuss direct marketing, CSA models leveraging home-saved seeds. Closing emphasizes EcoFarm's role in equipping farmers for resilient futures, sowing literal and figurative seeds for success.