Sowing Sovereignty: Growing Seeds and Cultivating Resilience 

Tuesday September 15, 2026 | UCSC Hay Barn

Join us in the UCSC Haybarn for a hands-on workshop that explores how to grow, select, and save organic seed – not just as a farming skill, but as a powerful tool for community sovereignty and ecological regeneration. 

Ideal for organic growers, conventional growers transitioning to organic, community gardeners, seed library organizers, educators, anyone committed to food sovereignty and regenerative agriculture. This event will empower attendees to integrate seed saving into their growing practices – and to become part of a broader movement to reclaim control over our food and future. 

Tickets are $75 for students and farmers, $99 general admission.

What to Expect

  • 9 - 9:30 a.m.

  • 9 :30- 10:00 a.m.

  • 10:00 - 10:15 a.m.

    Led by Emigdio Ballon

  • 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.

  • 11:15 - 11:30 a.m.

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:— p.m.

    Locations: HayBarn and Lifelab Amphitheater

    Session 1 (11:30am-12:10pm)

    • A: Seed care and stewardship - Emigio and more!  Moderator: Rebecca

    • B: Art of growing for seed (Organic Seed Alliance)

    Session 2 (12:20-1:00pm)

    • C: Backyard Gardeners to Fields of Organic: Seeds and Channels of Stewardship (TBD) Moderator: Tim

    • D: Indigenous seed saving and planting practices (TBD)

  • 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

  • 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

  • 3:30 - 4:10 p.m.

  • 4:10 - 5:00 p.m.