2027 Future Harvest Conference

Join us at the 28th Annual Future Harvest Conference!

Every winter, farmers, educators, agriculture service providers, and foodpreneurs gather for Future Harvest’s Annual Conference—two engaging days of workshops, lectures, farmer-to-farmer sessions, and regional food. Expect an all-star lineup of speakers, a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, and countless opportunities for learning and connection.

We’re excited to announce that this year’s conference will feature a Farmers Market Forum track in partnership with Farmers Market Pros, designed to be beneficial for both farmers market managers and farmers alike! Additionally,  two pre-conference sessions will be held on Wednesday, January 20th, focusing on skills and strategies that will enhance your market experience. 

We’ll be returning to the Silver Spring Civic Building, conveniently located near the Metro, dining options, ice skating, and the FRESHFARM Downtown Silver Spring Farmers Market—open Saturday morning right outside the Civic Center.

Early Bird pricing ends December 14th, 2026! 

Thursday & Friday, January 21-22, 2027
Preconferences: Wednesday, January 20
Post-Conference: Saturday, January 23
Silver Spring Civic Building, Silver Spring, MD

View the full sample schedule here: https://futureharvest.org/2027conference/

Hotel Information

Attendees are responsible for booking their own hotel accommodations. Future Harvest has secured discounted room blocks at two convenient locations. Book by January 5, 2027 to receive the discounted rate:

• Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown
  (closest to Conference Center)
  8506 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910
  Reserve your room here, or call 301-589-4899

• DoubleTree by Hilton Silver Spring DC North 
  (lower-cost option, 10-minute walk)
  8777 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
  Reserve your room here, or call 1-800-HILTONS

  Use the conference discount code to receive the group rate at either hotel. 
  For questions, contact conference@futureharvest.org. 

  *Remember, if you plan to call to book your reservation to mention you are a Future Harvest Conference Attendee!

Food & Fun

Your conference ticket includes locally sourced boxed lunches by Green Plate Catering on both Thursday and Friday.

Join us Friday evening for a lively Happy Hour featuring local grassfed dairy appetizers, a cash bar, and a lively round of Farmer Bingo. Silver Spring also offers an array of walkable dining and entertainment options for continued fun after hours, including an ice skating rink just outside the Civic Building!

Throughout the conference, stop by our community table to browse the Farmer Swag Swap—a fun opportunity to exchange your farm’s branded gear with other growers. Bring a few extra hats, shirts, or other logowear items and trade with fellow attendees.

Getting There

Parking:
Garage 61 (across from the Civic Building) and Garage 60 (behind the Courtyard Marriott) both have 8’2” clearance and cost $1.25 per hour. Find more parking options here.

Public Transit:
Take the Red Line to the Silver Spring Metro Station, just three blocks away. The Red Line connects to Union Station, providing easy MARC train access from Baltimore and Frederick. Several bus lines also stop nearby.

Wednesday: Preconference Workshops

Farmers Market Management Fast Track

Wednesday, January 20 | Silver Spring Civic Building |9:30 AM - 12:30 PM 

Included in the Farmers Market Pros Ticket Tier

This 3 hour deep dive on farmers market management will get new managers up to speed and provide new ideas and perspectives for managers with some experience. We'll dig into vendor recruitment and guidelines, application processes, budgets and space fees, market site management, nutrition incentives and general marketing plans. Taught by experienced market managers including Catt Fields White of the Farmers Market Pros, you'll learn best practices and share ideas with other managers to return to your market energized and inspired. 

Farmers Market Funding Intensive

Wednesday, January 20 | Silver Spring Civic Building |1:30 - 4:30 PM

Included in the Farmers Market Pros Ticket Tier

This 3 hour session will look at strengthening your farmers market's financial sustainability. From space fees, budgets and expenses to sponsorships, grants and fundraising events, let's talk about keeping your market financially secure and strong in today's climate. This session is for new and experienced market managers, development staff, executive directors and potential farmers market operators studying feasibility. 

Fork in the Road Documentary & Panel Discussion

Wednesday, January 20 | Silver Spring Civic Building |6:00 – 8:30 PM
Join us for a special screening of the documentary “Fork in the Road,” executive produced by Nick Offerman. This inspiring film follows small farmers, visionary chefs, and innovators dedicated to building a regenerative future for our food systems and the planet. Following the screening, engage in a thought-provoking panel discussion with experts in the field. Future Harvest Conference ticket holders will receive complimentary admission to this event (RSVP Required). Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how we can collectively heal our land and improve our food practices!
RSVP separately →

RSVP

Post-Conference (sold separately)
Produce Safety Rule (PSR) Grower Training

Saturday, January 23 | Silver Spring Civic Building
Hosted by ALEI and the Maryland Food Safety Network
8 AM - 5 PM

This one-day training offers practical guidance on meeting the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. Participants will learn key practices for produce safety, worker hygiene, water management, and postharvest handling, and receive certification upon completion. Breakfast and lunch are included. Use code "FH50" for 50% OFF!

Saturday: FRESHFARM Downtown Silver Spring Farmers Market

On Saturday morning, explore the FRESHFARM Downtown Silver Spring Farmers Market, located right in front of the Civic Center. Meet local producers, discover regional food, and enjoy fresh flavors before heading home.

View the full sample schedule here: