Experience Atlanta’s Premier Urban Ag Event!
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 11 AM - 4 PM | Maddox Park
1115 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
In 2026, Food Well Alliance and WABE are excited to host Atlanta’s premier urban agriculture event! Soil Festival is a family-friendly event at Atlanta's historic Maddox Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Come learn about the importance of healthy soil and how to grow your own food.
Spend the day tasting locally sourced food and drinks, exploring workshops on composting, beekeeping, and gardening, browsing the farmers market and plant sale, and taking home free compost, all while connecting with Atlanta's urban agriculture community. More details on the event coming soon!
By purchasing a Soil Festival ticket, you’re supporting local growers, helping them thrive, and strengthening our community. Your ticket covers, admission, food, beverages, workshops, and more!
Getting to Maddox Park
Maddox Park is located directly across from Bankhead MARTA Station, making it easy to get to without a car. In the spirit of sustainability we encourage attendees to use MARTA, carpool, or rideshare when possible.
By MARTA
Take the Green or Blue Line to Bankhead Station. Maddox Park is directly across the street from the station exit. Look for Soil Festival signage to guide you to the entrance.
By Car or Rideshare
When navigating by GPS search for "Maddox Park" rather than the street address, as 1115 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW may take you to the wrong spot.
Free parking is available across the street at 1249 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, the DFCS parking lot next to MARTA. Additional overflow parking will be available at Antioch Baptist Church at 540 Cameron Madison Alexander Blvd NW. Two shuttles will loop continuously from the DFCS parking lot and one shuttle from Antioch Baptist Church, running between both locations and the park from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
What to Bring?
Water Bottle
Sunscreen
A tote bag or rolling cart
A dry soil sample in a sealed zip-top bag if you want a free soil screening
Your yoga mat, towel, or blanket if you plan to join a yoga session
Additional reminders:
NO pets are allowed at the park except for service animals.
Soil Festival is a rain or shine event. Bring your boots are raincoat, and we’ll bring the fun! If there are thunderstorms, we will cancel the event and will notify you via email and social media.
What to Expect
Everything you need to navigate Soil Festival is right here! View the event program and site map or scroll down to see what to expect at this year’s Soil Festival.
Delicious Food
This year, we're especially excited about the food. You'll have four food vendors to choose from, plus a cooling sweet treat. From gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to burgers and chicken and veggie rice bowls their’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Speakcheesy | Bellies & Beards | Bento Bus | Certified Southern Catering by LETTUM EAT | Frios Gourmet Pops
Farmers Market & Exhibitors
Come prepared to shop! Our Farmers Market will feature even more vendors selling crafted goods, produce, compost, and plants. We recommend bringing a reusable bag or rolling cart to bring home your finds.
Not only will you find a bigger selection of local vendors, but our Exhibitor Row is also packed with local organizations ready to share resources for farmers, community gardens, and more!
Workshops
Bees & Blooms Workshops
Ready to explore the wonderful world of pollinators and flower gardening? Stop by these tables to learn and shop.
11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Pollinators & Beekeeping with Bill Crumpler
Learn about the importance of pollinators and get a peek into the life of a beekeeper. Bill runs Rooted Faith Farm and will be selling natural products made from honey and beeswax.
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm | Starting Your Flower Garden with Claire Reynolds
Get a quick introduction on how to grow flowers from seed, then select and plant a variety of seeds to take home for your starter flower garden. Claire runs Love Joy Farm and will be selling bouquets using flowers grown on her farm.
Seeds & Spores Gardening Workshops
Deepen your gardening knowledge with workshops on seed saving and mushroom growing. Stop by anytime to grab free seeds to take home.
11:30 am | Seed Saving Workshop with Brandon Brones
Discover how vegetable varieties have been passed down through generations. Learn how to select, collect, and store seeds in this introduction to one of regenerative agriculture's oldest traditions.1:30 pm - 3 pm | Grow Your Own Mushrooms with Corinne Matthews
Learn how to grow mushrooms using a simple, low-waste bucket method. You'll inoculate your own straw and leave with a mushroom bucket ready to grow at home. Catch the first 30 minutes for a structured workshop or stop by anytime until 3 pm and Corinne will walk you through it.
Kid’s Zone
Your little ones will love this dedicated space to learn, create, and get their hands dirty. Kids can get their face painted, plant seeds, paint birdhouses, and discover the magic of worms and composting.
11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Vermicomposting Workshop with Jasmine Herndon
Meet the worms that turn food scraps into healthy soil! Learn how they work, why they matter, and how to build your own worm bin at home.Ongoing Activity | Cultivation Station: Seed Starting with Chy Kellogg
Stop by anytime to learn the basics of starting seeds and plant a few seeds of your own.
The Kid’s Zone is right next to the Maddox Park playground where kids can stay active and entertained throughout the day.
Soil Health Expo
Healthy soil is the foundation of good food, and Soil Festival is here to celebrate it! We've created a dedicated space for attendees to dig deeper into soil health. Our soil-related exhibitors will be here, including UGA Extension, Compost Connectors, Hiawasee Products, and Georgia Compost Council. You’ll also be able to get a free soil screening through SoilSHOP and attend composting workshops.
11:30 am & 1:30 pm | Intro to Composting Workshop with Chloe Weathington
Learn the basics of composting, why it’s important, and practical ways you can get started at home.
Click to zoom in image.
Want to get your soil tested by SoilSHOP? Use these steps to collect your soil samples:
Step 1: Identify an area of interest for your soil sample.
Step 2: Collect Soil - For a large area, collect soil from 5-10 random spots in that area, and combine in a clean container. For a small area, collect soil from 3 random spots and combine in a clean container. (See table below for sampling depth per spot.)
Step 3: Mix soil well in clean container.
Step 4: Remove pebbles, rocks, and roots, and air dry. Do not use a flame, oven or hairdryer to dry the soil!
Step 5: Transfer 1 - 2 cups of the mixed soil into a clean one-quart Ziplock bag.
Interested participants may bring up to 2 soil samples.
Wellness Oasis
The Sensory Garden is getting a new name! Get ready for the Wellness Oasis, a place to take a breather and recharge. Enjoy massage therapy, samples of Cultured South’s Golda Kombucha, yoga, and flower pressing all in one relaxing space.
12 pm - 3 pm | Yoga with Jess Pfeffer
Drop in for soothing 30-minute segments blending slow movement, guided meditation, and breathwork. Please bring a yoga mat, towel, or blanket.Ongoing Activity | Bloom Bar: Make Your Own Flower Coaster with Kia Jones
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The Beer Garden
Kick back and enjoy cold beers from Monday Night Brewing or Brewgether and Khonso Brewing, who will return with their live brewing demonstration. Or grab a signature cocktail made with Tito’s Vodka and hibiscus tea from local grower Ms. Haylene Green “The Garden Queen.”
The Beer Garden is the perfect spot to relax, catch up with friends, and enjoy a cool drink between activities.
Support Soil Festival
Volunteer at Soil Festival!
Volunteers play an integral part in a successful Soil Festival by supporting set up or breakdown, greeting attendees, assisting vendors, and more! You’ll work alongside Food Well Alliance staff to keep the event running smoothly. If you’re interested in volunteering at Soil Festival, you can see the different times and areas of support below. Volunteers also get a free t-shirt and free admission to the event so you can enjoy the festivities before or after your shift.
Soil Festival Volunteer Shifts:
Become a Patron!
Soil Festival is more than a spring event. It's a celebration of the farmers, gardeners, orchard stewards, and community members working every day to build a healthier, more connected Atlanta. By becoming a Soil Festival Patron, you're directly supporting that work while joining us for a day of good food, good soil, and good community.
Patrons make this event possible, and as our thanks, you'll receive tickets to enjoy everything Soil Festival has to offer.
2026 Soil Festival Exhibitors, Vendors & Workshop Leaders
Atlanta Community ToolBank
Basil Family Farm
Bed Head Plant Nursery
Bill Crumpler of Rooted Faith Farm
Brandon Brones of Atlanta Botanical Garden
Chelle Face Painting & Event Entertainment
Chy Kellogg
Claire Reynolds of Love Joy Farm
Community Farmers Markets
Corinne Matthews
Eddie Platt Art
Elevated Roots Nursery
For the Love of Gardening Family Farm
Garden Head Planters
Georgia Compost Council
Glycosponge
Goode Game Gardens
Grove Park Foundation
Grove Park Neighborhood Association
Hiawassee Products, LLC
Historic Westside Gardens ATL
Homegrown Wild Blooms Flower Farm
Jasmine Herndon of Healing Hipster
Joy to Earth Farm
Live Thrive
Mama Raishlyn’s Bliss Herbal Teas
Monday Night Brewing
Mr. Natural Superior Soil
Nocturnal Oasis
Plant Lady Juice Co.
PlantLanta State University
Ry’s Table
Retaaza
Rooted Faith Farm
Roxie’s Cookies
South Fulton Master Gardeners
Southern SARE
The Herbal Society
The Viola Homestead
Tropical Express
UGA Extension
Vegan Chef’s Garden Co.
Vinny’s Mutual Aid Bakery
WABE
Wellstar
West End Community Urban Garden Nursery
Yoga with Jess
Soil Festival In the News
