Conference FAQ

Read on for Frequently Asked Questions regarding the 19th Annual Spring Conference. If you still have questions after reading this, contact us.

What is the Conference and where will it be held?

The Conference will be hosted in downtown Asheville, North Carolina at the University of North Carolina. More information about the event can be found here.

When Can I Register?

Early Bird Registration will open December 15th and close February 15th at 5pm. Be an early bird and save money! Only $40/day to attend! The Class Schedule will be released when registration opens.

The Class Schedule is confusing. Can you please explain?

Packing so many classes onto two pages has proven tricky over the years, hence the birth, and continued use of our famous (or infamous) "class grid". Before you get frustrated, please read the whole document, as class descriptions and class times occur on different pages. There simply isn't room to list them all in the same place!

TRACKS are categories or suites of classes of the same type. (example: the All About Poultry track will feature classes about poultry.) Tracks are given letter codes A-O.

SESSIONS are classes within tracks. (example: backyard chickens would be a session within the All About Poultry track). Sessions, or classes, are given number codes 1-4.

TIMES: There are four time slots throughout each conference day. All of the sessions with code #1 happen from 9:00am- 10:30 am. session #2 is 11:00am-12:30pm. Session #3 is 2:00pm-3:30pm. Session #4 is 4:00pm-5:30pm. Therefore, all the sessions with number code 1 are happening at the same time, and so and so forth with sessions labeled 2-4. Ultimately, you can pick up to four classes to attend in one day. You do not have to attend all your classes in a single track. You are free to switch around from track to track throughout the day.

Most classes are REPEATED on day two of the event, to give you a better chance of getting to all the awesome classes you want to see.

What About Lunch?

In the past, we have offered you the option to purchase a $10 catered lunch when you register. This is no longer an option. However, we are excited to be welcoming Asheville restaurants to the event this year, and they will be selling yummy food made with local and organic ingredients between 12:30 and 2:00 each day. Join us in celebrating fresh food from local businesses by supporting Chai Pani, Feel Good Foods, Rosetta's Kitchen, and others. Be sure to bring some 5's and 10's to spend on lunch, as many vendors are unable to accept plastic.

What is a half day hands-on workshop and when does it happen?

Half day hands on workshops cover topics that warrant a more in-depth look. These classes are three hours as opposed to the usual 1.5 hour sessions, and occur at the same time as usual classes. They cost $5 extra because they are hands on in nature, and usually you learn by doing, and get to take your work home. These workshops are some of the most popular offerings at the event, so make sure to register early to get a spot!

Can I register for just a class or two, and not the whole day?

Because we try to keep things both affordable ($40 for an entire day-long conference!) and simple, we regret that we cannot offer partial registrations.

My kid isn't yet 7, but s/he is super duper mature. Can you make an exception to the 7-12 age limit in the kids program?

We have no doubt that your kid is the most special child in the world, however, our kids program is run entirely by volunteers, and the line has to be drawn somewhere! The age limits of 7-12 are set for a reason and we appreciate your respect for the heroic volunteers that head that program. Pending funding, we would love to develop programs for younger tots as well as older teens at future events. Let us know if you would like to help make that happen. In the meantime, leave the younger ones (7 and under) with a sitter, and feel free to sign em up when they reach 7!

I have a hard time registering online. Can I register by phone?

We regret that our staff is too slim to allow phone registration, but you can register by mail. Simply print a registration form (after December 15th) and send it off with a check! You can find a link to the form on our home page starting Dec. 15th, 2011.

Can I register at the event?

Yes, but it's more expensive, and you may miss out on limited seating in cooking classes or half day hands on workshops. Registrations postmarked or submitted after 5pm on February 15th will cost an additional $15. Save money by planning ahead! Register by February 15th!

Something's come up. Can I get a refund?

Registration for the 2012 OGS Spring Conference is non-refundable. The event will be held rain, snow, or shine. Click here for the full refund policy. If you are interested in transferring your tickets to someone else, that's just fine! Contact the registrar at 828. 342.1849 or earthstarnc@earthlink.net to initiate a transfer.