The Community Agriculture Conference is an annual event to learn about all things gardening and urban agriculture. Gardeners of all levels are welcome to attend! Sessions are presented by experts from the community.
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
9:30 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Delmar Divine, 5501 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63112
Conference Schedule & Sessions
The Community Agriculture Conference is an annual gathering for those from the gardening and urban agriculture communities. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend! For this 17th annual conference, we’re excited to welcome local experts that will speak on pollinators, pest management, canning, winter gardening, and more. *For those wanting to add on a lunch to their registration, the registration deadline is February 10, 2026.*
Conference Schedule
Check-In Starts: 8:45 a.m.
Keynotes by the Community: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Break: 10:30 – 10:40 a.m.
Session #1: 10:50 – 11:50 a.m.
Lunch: 11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Session #2: 12:50 – 2:00 p.m.
Break: 2:00-2:10 p.m.
Session #3: 2:10-3:20 p.m.
Conference Information
The conference will take place at the Delmar Divine, the location of Seed St. Louis’ office and future Demonstration Garden. There will be a limited number of tickets. Local non-profit organizations will also be on-site with information tables.
Location: Delmar Divine, 5501 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112
Parking: Free visitor parking is available in the parking lot on Belt Avenue just off of Delmar and Belt, immediately to the east of the Delmar Divine building. A detailed map will be sent prior to the conference to all attendees. Free street parking is also available.
Time: Check-in starts 8:45 a.m. with the conference beginning at 9:30 a.m. The conference will end at 3:20 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person. Scholarships are available upon request. Email [email protected] for more information.
Lunch: $10 per person
Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch. There are refridgerators available in the kitchen area at the Delmar Divine. The deadline for those wanting to order a lunch is by the end of the day on Tuesday, February 10th. Your lunch must be ordered at the time you register for the event.
Recorded Sessions: Three select sessions will be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel after the event. Those are noted below.
Keynotes by the Community: Instead of just one keynote speaker we will have those from the community present short five minute presentations on a variety of topics. Think lightning round conversations about gardening!
Thank you to our sponsors!
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. Check-In for Attendees, Coffee
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Keynotes by the Community, Coffee, Networking
10:40 – 11:50 a.m. Sessions
~ Murder in the Marigolds: Enriching Your Garden by Attracting Predators, presented by Micah Issitt, Author & Ecologist
~ Youth Garden Programming Outside of a School Setting (Panel), Dionne Ferguson of Good Journey Foundation; Jodi Smedley of the Wildwood YMCA, Tonia Scherer of Seed St. Louis (Moderator)
~ Preserve the Culture: How Canning Builds Community, Food Security, & Culinary Confidence, presented by Chef Queenie Vessey, Neeuqs The Experience
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch
12:50 – 2:00 p.m. Sessions
~ Supporting Missouri’s Native Bee Species In Your Backyard & Beyond, Juan William Chavez, Artist & Director, Northside Workshop; Kiersten Torrez, Master Gardener & Director of Programming & Sustainability, Northside Workshop
~ FULL ~ The Health Benefits & Risks of Community Garden Participation, presented by Daniel Giammar, Lora Iannotti, Rachel Penczykowski, and Elmira Ramazanova, Washington University in St. Louis
~ Growing Through Winter: Season Extension Strategies That Work, presented by Jena Hood, Director of Agriculture & Education, EarthDance Organic Farm School
2:10 – 3:20 p.m. Sessions
~ The Buzz on Maximizing Orchard Fruit Production: Reports from the Field, presented by Aimee Dunlap, University of Missouri, St. Louis; Kyra Krakos, Maryville University; Nicole Miller-Struttmann, Webster University; Nathan Muchhala, University of Missouri, St. Louis; Ed Spevak, Saint Louis Zoo
~ Foraging With Youth, presented by Emily Hemeyer, Garden Coordinator, Handwork & Nature Explorations Teacher, Waldorf School of St Louis; Program Director/Lead Teaching Artist, Artscope; Founder/Director, Wild Seed Field Museum
~ Spring Native Edible Plants, presented by Jessica Blessing-Patterson, DIG Annuals & Perennials
Volunteer at a Garden or Orchard
Are you ready to volunteer at a Seed St. Louis garden? Volunteering with Seed St. Louis is a great hands-on way for individuals and groups to support their community.
Want to Learn with Us?
Seed St. Louis hosts over 40 free virtual classes throughout the year. Our staff provides a wide variety of classes for all gardening enthusiasts.