Abstract Submissions

Abstracts are now closed.

2027 National Native Seed Conference

Seeds for Change: Collaborating for Living Landscapes

The 2027 National Native Seed Conference is now accepting proposals for symposia and pre-conference workshops until May 6, 2026.  Individual and poster abstracts close on August 21, 2026. Proposals should fit within the conference topics and facilitate the exchange of information and ideas around a topic regarding native seed.

Timeline

• May 4, 2026: Individual and poster abstract submissions open
• May 6, 2026: Symposia and pre-conference workshops submissions close
• May -June: Symposia and workshop abstract review
• End of June: Symposia and workshop decisions announced
• July 24, 2026: Individual and poster abstract submissions extended
• August 21, 2026: Individual and poster abstract submissions close
• September 30, 2026: Confirmed symposia speaker list due
• October 2026: Individual and poster abstract decisions announced
• October 31, 2026: Symposia speaker forms due (this will be a Google Form that we will provide to symposia organizers to send to their speakers)
• November 2026: Release of full program

All dates are subject to change.

Individual Presentation Guidelines

• Abstracts should be 250 words or less
• An individual presentation is a 15-minute talk followed by 5 minutes of Q&A
• Accepted presentations will be organized into concurrent sessions by topic
• Each session will include one assigned facilitator who will ensure that presentations stay on time

Poster Presentation Guidelines

• Posters must not exceed 4’ wide x 3′ long in landscape orientation
• There will be a Poster Reception in which poster presenters will be able to engage with conference participants
• Outside of the Poster Reception, posters will be displayed for conference goers to view

Symposia Guidelines

Symposia are organized around a specific topic and include multiple speakers, all of whom are invited by the organizer at the proposal stage. They are distinguished from other organized sessions in that they are more explicitly integrated, provide an overall synthesis on their topic, and have a broad enough appeal to a large portion of the conference attendees. This option includes panels as well as organized talks around a central subject. The conference theme and topics can be found on the Program Page. Successful submissions will relate to one or more of conference identified topics.

Please note: All symposia presenters must have a paid registration to participate as a speaker and will be responsible for their own travel and related expenses.

Format

• Symposia facilitate the exchange of information and ideas around a topic of regional or national priority for the native seed industry through a series of presentations by multiple presenters and a session Organizer (who may also be a presenter).
• Symposia will be scheduled in 100 minute time blocks. The format within that timeframe is up to the Organizer.
• Provide a list of potential or confirmed presenters; it’s okay at this time to not have any confirmed presenters, but the Organizer should include any potential speakers. See timeline of important dates above.
• The Organizer is responsible for the coordination and communication of the session with the presenters to organize content and to moderate the session.
• The Organizer ensures that presenters stay on time and do not run over. NNSC coordinators will provide time cards.

Workshop Guidelines

Workshops should focus on practical applications that address one or more main conference topics. The conference theme and topics can be found on the Program Page.  Please think through design, space requirements you would need, and/or if there is a maximum number of participants you would like to have at one time. These considerations, along with the content, will be important for us as we’re planning out the venue space and technology needs. 

Past examples of workshops include: seed mix design, seed cleaning techniques, seed libraries, re-wilding at risk plant species, and native seed propagation primer.

Please note: All workshop organizers must have a paid registration to participate as a speaker if they are planning to attend the whole conference. Organizers will be responsible for their own travel and related expenses.

Format

• Pre-conference workshops will likely be held on Monday, March 1, 2027.
• Workshops will be organized in 2 or 4 hour time blocks. The format within that timeframe is up to the Organizer.
• Workshops focus on a current concern, concept, skill and/or a practical approach appropriate for and of interest to a professional audience focused on the native seed industry.
• Provide a list of potential or confirmed workshop presenters; it’s okay at this time to not have any confirmed additional workshop presenters or facilitators, but the Organizer should include any potential workshop presenters.
• The Organizer is responsible all session content.
• The Organizer is responsible for the coordination and communication of the session with any other workshop presenters to organize content and to moderate the session.
• The Organizer ensures that workshop presenters stay on time and do not run over.