Amaranth Institute

Amaranth Institute Symposium 2026 Full Details

Location  La Conner, Burlington and Mt. Vernon area of NW Washington State
Venues  La Conner Inn, BreadLab and WSU-NWREC
Sponsorship  Amaranth Institute, Tennessee State Univiersity and Washington State University
Dates  August 12 to 14, 2026
Day 1 – August 12 (La Conner and WSU-Breadlab)
8:30 am – registration at the La Conner Inn-Two Forks Conference Room
9:00 Welcome at the La Conner Inn-Two Forks Conference Room
9:15:  Amaranth Institute :  What and Why ? (Matthew, Neil and Paul)
9:30 – 10:00 Plenary Speaker I: Grain Amaranth and Quinoa (BYU or pangenome speaker)
10:00 – 10:30 Plenary Speaker II: Vegetable Amaranth (NJ -Brunswick, WorldVeg or 1890s speaker)
10:30 : Coffee Break
10:45 to 12:00 :  Regular talks 1 to 5 (15 minutes each)
12:00: Lunch in La Conner
1:30 Plenary Speaker III:  Role of Breadlab (Kevin Murphy has agreed)
2:00 Introduction to WSU / region (what we will see today and tomorrow
2:00-2:15 drive to Verduras Mexicanas (greens) Matthew B. to translate
2:15 – 3:15 Visit Verduras Mexicanas – leaf grow out ($100 to pay farmer)
3:15 Drive to Breadlab
3:30 Breadlab tour
4:15 Cleaning and milling demo (Paul and Matthew)
4:30 Cooking demo – popping (Lauren?), greens (Louis), chocolates (Emily)
5:00:  Pizza Making !
5:30:  Demos lead into Social/Pizza dinner (BYO pizza toppings)

Day 2 – August 13 (La Conner in morning, then Auditorium – WSU NW Wash REC (Mt. Vernon)
8:30 am – registration Day II and pre-meeting snacks (breakfast amaranth products)
9:00 am – Regular talks 6 to 9 (15 minutes each): International Updates – Zoom
Country Highlights (Mexico, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe)
9:45 : Plenary Speaker IV : Food Uses of Amaranths (Rauland Sharp and others, or Comparing WSU and CGIAR research approaches (Sieglinde Snapp)
10:30 : Coffee Break
10:45 to 12:00   Regular talks 10 to 14 (15 minutes each)
12:00:  Travel to WSU-NWREC Center
12:15 : Lunch at WSU-NWREC Center (sponsored lunch?  E.g. Oaxaca Amaranth)
1:30: Regular talks 15 and 16 (15 minutes each)
2:00: Talk about trials/grow out (Kevin, Blake and Paul)
2:15 – 3:15 visit grain fields (Amaranth, Quinoa, Spring Barley, Spring Wheat)
3:15 – 3:30 Discussion on Agronomic Issues
3:30 – 3:45:  Other Demo such as Seeder/Combine (Paul and Matthew).
Preparing and Viewing of Videos on : How to manage those tiny seeds of grain amaranths. Lessons from quinoa.  Innovation needs.  Optical cleaning.
3:45 – 4:45: Regular talks last session talks 17 to 20
4:45 – 5:00:  Wrap up and Amaranth Institute Elections – Leadership positions
5:00 – 5:15:  return to La Conner
5:15 – 6:00:  free hour
6:00 – 6:15 assemble for restaurant
6:30 Catered Dinner
Still Possible:
Breakout I and II ;  Recipe development // Crop Development
Cooking Demos:
Fancy Desserts ! new Chocolates (Matthew and Emily) !! 
Cooking greens (Jay B., Louis J)
Day 3 – August 14
9 to 10:30  :  Amaranth Institute meeting, New Board Members, Other International Engagements
10:30 coffee break
11:00 Check out from hotel
PM; departures for Seattle or all other locations ?
Or Trip to Amaranth Flower Farm :  Floret (1 hour drive; 30 minute drive to Mt. Vernon) – pay farmer

La Conner Inn (conference venue) reservation block of 15 rooms until June 30

The La Conner Inn, 107 S 2nd St / P.O. Box 33, La conner , WA 98257: Phone: (360) 466-3101

La Conner Lodge (adjacent hotel) reservation block of 20 rooms until June 30

The La Conner Channel Lodge, 205 N 1st St / P.O. Box 1269, La Conner, WA 98257, Phone: (360) 466-1500

BreadLab (near Skagit Airport) WSU Breadlab, 11768 Westar Ln. Unit E, Box 5, Burlington, WA 98233 (No Phone)

WSU NW Wash REC (Mt. Vernon), 16650 Hwy. WA-536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, Phone: (360) 848-6120

Other Hotels; Burlington or Mt. Vernon (with approximate prices)
YOU WILL NEED A CAR WITH THIS OPTION! Note: prices checked in May, no reservation blocks

Days Inn by Wyndham Mt. Vernon (Per night$85)

Tulip Inn Mount Vernon (Per night$95)

Clarion Pointe Mount Vernon – Burlington (Per night$98)

Quality Inn Mount Vernon (Per night$101)

Cocusa Motel Burlington (Per night$125)

Comfort Suites Burlington near I-5 (Per night$145)

Candlewood Suites Burlington (Per night$166)

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Burlington (Per night$170)

Hampton Inn & Suites Burlington (Per night$174)

Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Suites Burlington by IHGOpens (Per night$174)

IMPORTANT HOTEL INFORMATION AT MAIN VENUE

The group block is open and available for guest bookings!

•To make your reservation at The La Conner Inn call 360-466-3101. You must reference the Amaranth Institute for group rates.

•ITo book online, please click the following link: Amaranth Institute at The La Conner Inn

*Please be aware that the group block and discounted rates expire 6/30/2026.

•To make your reservation at La Conner Channel Lodge call 360-466-1500. You must reference the Amaranth Institute for group rates.

•To book online, please click here: Amaranth Institute at La Conner Channel Lodge 

*Please be aware that the group block and discounted rates expire 6/30/2026.

PLEASE NOTE: Group rate is for the Amaranth Institute from Wednesday, August 12, 2026 – Friday, August 14, 2026

La Conner Channel Lodge welcomes the Amaranth Institute. The group block is set up for a 2-night stay. If you need to modify this stay, please call in to make their reservation over the phone (360) 466-1500. All lodging includes complimentary continental breakfast served daily from 7-10 AM, parking for one vehicle and WIFI. Check-in Time: 4PM | Check-out time: 11 AM. Please be aware that the group block and discounted rates expire 6/30/2026.

Click here to download full symposium details

Amaranth Institute - Countries
Join the Amaranth Institute
The Amaranth Institute is a 501(c)(6) public charity registered in the United States. A year’s membership to the Amaranth Institute costs only $25 (USD) or $10 for students. Corporations and institutions are charged $50.
Dues level