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

Please PRE-REGISTER here to attend 

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

Book online here: Amaranth Institute at The La Conner Inn

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

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

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

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.

To 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

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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.
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