PITCH A SESSION!
PITCH A SESSION!
Jenna Shea Photojournalism
NOW ACCEPTING SESSION PROPOSALS FOR SOWTH 2025!
Want to share your innovative ideas, unique perspectives, and nuanced knowledge with a regional audience of 1,000+ farmers and food system professionals and advocates? Submit a session proposal for SOWTH 2025!
The SOWTH team is looking for dynamic leaders, farmers, speakers, and educators to further our conference goals through plenaries, panels, workshops, consulting sessions, and more. Please read the information below to determine if you’re a fit and fill out the application to be considered by Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLYING AND PRESENTING AT CONFERENCE
WHAT ARE OUR Conference goals?
Encourage meaningful connections and knowledge-sharing
Provide training, workshops, and networking that furthers equity, farmer prosperity, climate resilience, and environmental renewal in agriculture
Create a nexus for the exchange of practical and technical skills, traditional knowledge and innovation, and emerging technology in our local and regional food systems
Drive educational programming for the conference through community-generated proposals reviewed by subcommittees of Georgia Organics staff and Regional Steering Committee members to align with conference goals and regional needs
Support incremental and lasting shifts in our food system from extractive, commodity-based policies and practices toward regenerative, community-based solutions
Center farmers in the advancement of a more sustainable future
WHAT KIND OF SESSIONS ARE WE LOOKNIG FOR?
Classes/Lectures: Traditionally led by 1 or 2 speakers in a classroom-style setting and includes presentation, discussion and Q&A
Panel Discussions: Multiple speakers participate in guided discussion led by a facilitator with audience interaction
Intensives: Long (90+ minutes) session or a series of sessions to foster hands-on education, in-depth learning, and/or certification.
Breakout Sessions: Meetings for a specific audience intended for conversation and networking
Consultation Services: One-on-one consultation with attendees in a specific field area of expertise
Community Food Tours: Local gardens that implement early childcare education practices
Who will be ATTENDING?
Farmers, Ranchers, and Fishers ~50%
Ag and Environmental NGOs and Government Agencies ~20%
Researchers and Academics ~15%
Business Professionals ~10%
Students ~5%
WhERE ARE THEY FROM?
Southern US States and Territories (Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico) ~90%
Other US Regions ~10%
WHAT ARE THE THEMES?
We are looking for sessions and presentations that cover themes in alignment with our conference goals including but not limited to:
Economic Prosperity for Farmers
Profitability tools and strategies
Access to capital and financing options
Resilience-planning for climate change
Market opportunities
Supply-chain management
Value-added processing
Production Methods & Practices
Crop planning
Production techniques
Farm system-planning
Niche markets
Livestock
Soil health & conservation practices
Biodiversity conservation
Food Access & Social Justice
Land tenure and access issues
Integrating local food into school meals
Overcoming systemic barriers & inequities
Collaborative approaches to common challenges
Collective action for change
Building effective networks
Other
Wellness
Agritourism
Fibershed
Water systems
Supporting industries (timber harvest)
Educational opportunities for youth in agriculture and food systems
Farm to school
Policies, Institutions, and Advocacy
Cooperative extension and research
Agricultural policy and its impact on farmers and communities
Strategies for influencing agricultural policy at all levels (local, state, and federal)
Engaging with ag institutions to support sustainable and equitable food systems
HOW CAN I SOURCE IDEAS FOR MY PITCH?
WHAT WILL I RECEIVE AS A CONFERENCE SPEAKER?
One (1) Free Conference Pass to SOWTH 2025
Conference Meals (Breakfast and Lunch, Feb. 5 & 6)
Speaker Gift Bag
Conference speaker fees and supplemental travel stipends are available and will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please indicate that you are requesting support in the application form when prompted. Individuals leading or participating in more than one session will not receive multiple tickets, meals, or gift bags.
HOW DO I SUBMIT?
Click the link to SUBMIT A SESSION PROPOSAL by Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST
You will be asked to create an account. You will be able to save your work. An individual or group may submit more than one proposal, but must submit a separate form for each proposal. All proposals must be submitted by Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The following is required for your submission to be considered:
Contact Information
Speaker Bio (max 200 words)
Presentation Title
Summary of Presentation (max 300 words)
Optional items to include:
CV or Resume
Relevant Experience and/or Achievements
Website
Sample Presentation Slides
The primary contact on the submission form will receive an automated email confirming the receipt of your proposal once it has been successfully submitted, as well as a link to access edit any saved proposal drafts.
WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT TO HEAR BACK?
The subcommittees will be reviewing proposals in June. You should hear back from us by mid-July with a notification as to whether or not your session has been selected for SOWTH 2025.
WHAT’s NEXT IF MY SESSION PROPOSAL IS SELECTED?
If your session was selected, you may be asked to revise your proposal to align with conference formats, audiences, or goals. You may also be asked to attend 1 - 2 virtual meetings to support the development or preparation of your presentation. Final presentation slides for your session must be submitted in December 2024. Requests for speaker fees and travel stipends will be considered and approved in July. Priority will be given to speakers who are not receiving support from sponsor organizations or employer institutions.
WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
Natasha Paracha, Director of Events, at natasha@georgiaorganics.org.