GRIT owner Angie Sicurezza and Plein Air event manager Ann Ferrell Cauthen gather outside The Mill as the two-day conference gets underway.

Keynote speaker Dr. Mark Plotkin of the Amazon Conservation team welcomes attendees as he kicks off the two-day speaker series.

From left: Plein Air founder and developer Campbell McCool with G&G deputy editor Amanda Heckert and her husband, Justin Heckert.

Audra Burch of the New York Times discusses the pivotal role of the front porch in African American culture.

Guests mingle amid the porches of Plein Air during Friday night’s Block Party.

Amanda Heckert speaks on G&G’s forthcoming book, Southern Women.

Guests explore Wonderbird Gin Distillery.

In true Southern fashion, NBC News chairman Andy Lack and journalist Curtis Wilkie lead a lively discussion from their rocking chairs.

From left: Bryan, Fred, and Patrick Krutz of Krutz Family Cellars.

Guests partake in an open-air supper on the Plein Air lawn.

A private concert by Oxford-based roots rock band the Kudzu Kings closes out the conference.