Conference and Events
Peaches and Herbs Southeast District Gathering 2026
Peaches and Herbs Reunited
and it Feels so Good!
Southeast District Gathering 2026
Deadline for registration is August 14, 2026
The cost of attending the gathering is $160.00 for HSA members and $175.00 for non-members.
This fee includes:
Thursday morning train ride (see details)
Thursday night pre-conference dinner and business meeting
All speakers, activities, tastings, and snacks
Cooking demo
Souvenir wine glass from Muscadine Vineyards
Friday lunch & Friday dinner
Gathering Site
The gathering will be held at Petals from the Past Garden Center, located at 16034 Co Rd 29, Jemison, AL 35085. Meetings will be conducted in the new educational facility, fondly known as “the Barn”. Participants are welcome to explore the grounds, gardens, pavilion, and gift shop.
Jason and Shelley Powell, both horticulturalists, manage Petals from the Past Garden Center. Jason holds a master’s degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University, while Shelley has a BS in Horticulture from the same institution. Since opening Petals from the Past in 1994, they have combined modern techniques with a passion for cultivating old-garden plants as well as new varieties. The Garden Center is recognized for its outstanding selection and customer service. The knowledgeable and friendly staff are available to help you find the perfect plant for your landscaping or home. Specializing in antique roses, heirloom shrubs, and hard-to-find perennial flowers and herbs, Petals is dedicated to quality and expertise.
Historic Train Ride
Thursday, September 17, arrive at the Heart of Dixie Railway Museum in Calera by 11:00 AM for a snack and to board the train for a 75-minute ride through the Alabama countryside. Experience a nostalgic trip back in time riding restored open-air and vintage enclosed railroad coaches pulled by a first-generation diesel-electric locomotive. Following the ride, tour the Heart of Dixie Train Museum.
Each member is highly encouraged to contribute items to be sold at the ‘Ways & Means Table’ to benefit the Southeast District Operating Account.
LINK to Full Speaker Biographies.
Accommodations
A block of rooms is reserved at the Hampton Inn (2000 Big M Blvd, Clanton, AL, 35046, US). MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY to ensure availability of the limited rooms at the special rate of $139.00 per night with breakfast included. Call the hotel directly at 205-479-1777 extension 0. Be sure to say that you are with The Herb Society of America to get the reduced rate.
General Information
Thursday, September 17th, arrive at the Heart of Dixie Railway Museum in Calera by 11:00 AM for a snack and board the train for a 75-minute ride through the Alabama countryside. Experience a nostalgic trip back in time riding restored open-air and vintage closed railroad coaches pulled by a first-generation diesel-electric locomotive. The historic Calera & Shelby Railroad runs on a portion of the former L&N Alabama Mineral Railroad, established in 1891. Following the ride, tour the Heart of Dixie Train Museum.
Catering Information
- Breakfast is provided by the hotel each morning with many options to choose from.
- Thursday Lunch - following the train ride will be charcuterie at Petals from the Past.
- Thursday Dinner - will be a catered Italian feast by Bertolone’s served at the Barn. “Good celebrations start with great food, and the best ones are Italian”. Included are salad, focaccia, eggplant parmigiana, ravioli rose’, tortellini with pesto cream sauce & chicken and Bertolone’s chocolate cream cake.
- Friday lunch - will be either a catered BBQ buffet featuring a peach BBQ sauce with several side items including Mac & Cheese, Cole Slaw, Garden Salad OR a baked potato bar. This will be served at the Barn at Petals.
Friday dinner at Durbin Farm - you choose one option of a sandwich and one soup option. Pasta salad and a drink are included.
You will be sent a link to a form where you can choose catering options after you register.
Special optional activity! Use the WR code for online payment directly to the organizer. Wear your PJs and warm up your dice hand!
