Chelsea Green Food and Farming Convergence
Polyface Farms – Swoope, Virginia
September 25-26, 2026
Chelsea Green Publishing is excited to announce our first ever in-person event September 25-26, 2026 at Polyface Farms in Swoope, Virginia.
We’re inviting our community of readers and practitioners to join Chelsea Green bestselling authors for two days of in-depth presentations and discussions themed to food systems, homesteading, soil restoration, regenerative agriculture, and community building.
REGISTRATION
The Early Bird Special ticket cost is $250 for registration before July 1, 2026 and includes:
• All sessions Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26
• Breakfast, Lunch, and coffee both days
• Saturday morning two-hour tour of Polyface Farms
• Children 12 and under are free but no nursery resources at event
• General registration is $350 starting July 1, 2026
SHARE THE EVENT
FEATURED SPEAKERS*
Christopher Parker
The Mycelial Healer: A Comprehensive Guide to the Cultivation and Traditional Uses of Medicinal Mushrooms
Michael Carter, Jr.
Africulture: How the Principles, Practices, Plants, and People of African Descent Have Shaped American Agriculture
Franco Fubini
In Search of the Perfect Peach: Why flavour holds the answer to fixing our food system
*Featured speakers have committed to dates, but the final line-up is subject to change as speaker’s schedules evolve.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS*
- Talks and Panel Discussions featuring Chelsea Green authors
- Question and Answer periods during presentations
- Access to our authors throughout both days
- Polyface Farms tour included with registration
- Chelsea Green on-site bookstore during the event
- Two-days of dialogue and friendship-building with the greater Chelsea Green community
SCHEDULE
Friday, September 25, 2026
7:00: Registration
7:30 – 8:30: Breakfast
8:45 – Welcome: Matthew Derr, Deputy Publisher of Chelsea Green Publishing
9:00 – 10:00: Sophie & Tim Eng
10:00 – 11:00: Michael Carter, Jr
11:00 – 11:30: Break
11:30 – 12:30: Keynote – Gabe Brown
12:30 – 2:00: Lunch
2:00 – 3:00: Franco Fubini
3:00 – 4:00: Tara Couture
4:00 – 5:00: Q&A with Friday Speakers
5:00pm: End of Day
Saturday, September 26, 2026
7:30 – 8:30: Breakfast
8:45 – 10:45: Farm Tour
10:45 – 11:00: Break
11:00 – 12:00: Keynote – Joel Salatin
12:00 – 1:30: Lunch
1:30 – 2:30: Chris Parker
2:30 – 3:30: Sean & Beth Dougherty
3:30 – 4:00: Break
4:00 – 5:00: Q&A with Saturday Speakers
5:00pm: End of Day
HOTELS & TRANSPORTATION
Hotels
- For hotel accommodations please check out the Polyface page with a list of local hotels
Driving Directions
- 43 Pure Meadows Ln, Swoope, VA 24479
- Parking is available at Polyface Farms
SPONSORS
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Chelsea Green Events Manager Darrell Koerner at [email protected] for more information about cost and availability.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Attire
- Farm casual
Bookstore
- On-site bookstore both days of the event.
Dietary Concerns
- We’re not able to provide special meals for folks with specific needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc) and we suggest you bring along food for yourself for special diets.
Recording
- Chelsea Green will be recording talks during the event.
Weather
- Schedule may change slightly in case of inclement weather to allow farm tour to occur when it isn’t raining.
Questions
- For additional questions feel free to email [email protected] and [email protected]
Recommended Reads: The Chelsea Green Bookshelf
Since 1984, Chelsea Green has been the leading publisher of books about organic farming, gardening, homesteading, integrative health, natural building, sustainable living, socially responsible business, and more.
Here you’ll find books by the featured speakers at The Chelsea Green Food and Farming Convergence!
