The show will go on! The Rock Garden concert on Friday, September 4th will proceed as planned. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Click to purchase a ticket.

friends of the national arboretum logo

DINNER UNDER THE STARS

Banner photo by Josh Peterson

OVERVIEW
TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS
SPONSORS
MISSION IN ACTION
PAST DINNERS

OVERVIEW

The 2026 Dinner Under the Stars was full of wonderful conversations and meaningful connections. We were thrilled to hear from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden. His speech served as a powerful reminder of the vital role the National Arboretum and the USDA Agricultural Research Service play in the lives of the American people. We also celebrated the incredible legacy Dr. Richard Olsen leaves behind at the U.S. National Arboretum as he ends his role as director and begins a new chapter in academia.

FONA is especially grateful to Bartlett Tree Experts, Danone USA, Bayer, and International Fresh Produce Association for supporting FONA’s work as the Dinner’s top sponsors. We are also incredibly grateful for the dedication of our event co-chairs: Martha Van Dale, Chandler Goule, Jennifer Hatcher, and Anne MacMillan.

Save the date! The 2027 Dinner Under the Stars will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2027. Email dinner@fona.org to learn more or to secure your table today.

Dinner Under the Stars attendees smiling and holding drinks
Dinner under the stars attendees posing in front of the event podium. From left: Chandler Goule, Amy Titus, Anne MacMillan, Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, Dr. Richard Olsen, Jeanne Braha, Martha Van Dale, Virginia Kromm.
A dinner under the stars guest laughing at a dinner table while talking to people at the table

Photos by Lissa Ryan Photography

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS

Save the date for September 21, 2027 for FONA’s annual Dinner Under the Stars! Leaders across agriculture, conservation, and policy sectors will come together at the U.S. National Arboretum for an unforgettable evening of connection and impact. Set against the backdrop of the Capitol Columns, this open-air event features cocktails, a tented dinner, and opportunities to engage with key figures from industry, Capitol Hill, and the Administration.

Host your friends and colleagues or put together a table at Dinner Under the Stars. The 2027 Sponsorship Package will be available in early 2027. A limited number of tables and tickets will be available for the event. Email dinner@fona.org with questions or to secure your table today. Proceeds from this event benefit FONA.

Ticket Refund Policy

All event ticket purchases are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, your ticket will be converted into a donation in support of FONA’s mission. Tickets may be transferred to another guest if your plans change — please contact us in advance so we can update the registration.

Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour

Photo by Plume Photography

Email us with questions about the 2027 Dinner Under the Stars

2026 SPONSORS

Sponsor list as of September 14, 2026

Scarlet Oak $50,000

bartlett tree experts logo

$25,000 Dawn Redwood

Danone U.S.A. logo

Danone USA

American Elm $15,000

Bayer logo
international fresh produce association logo

Lacebark Pine $10,000

ClearPath
CoBank
CropLife America
Tuckie & Don Westfall

Red Maple $7,500

Boehringer Ingelheim
CNFA and The Fertilizer Institute
Corn Refiners Association
FMI – The Food Industry Association
Growth Energy
International Dairy Foods Association
National Corn Growers Association
Platform for Agriculture + Climate Transformation

Flowering Cherry $5,000

Agri-Pulse Communications
Lynne Church
Jeanne Connelly & Marty Scherr
Family of Nancy Ireland
Farm Credit
FGS Global
Invariant
Marcel C. LaFollette & Jeffrey K. Stine
NASDA
National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.
National Grain and Feed Association
National Pork Producers Council
Torrey Advisory Group
USA Rice Federation
Congressional Federal Credit Union

Camellia $1,500

Debbie Bowles & Derik Burgess
Virginia & Rodney Frelinghuysen
Russell & Sarah Inman
K2D Strategies
Linda Marks & Ralph Lopez
Morawski-Anderson
North American Millers’ Association
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

MISSION IN ACTION

By attending Dinner Under the Stars, you support FONA’s work at the U.S. National Arboretum. As the Arboretum’s primary nonprofit partner, FONA supports and celebrates the science, beauty, and community impact of the U.S. National Arboretum through education, engagement, and access to nature. Your partnership makes it all possible.

two music in the meadow concert attendees smile for the camera

Photo by Zak Khaliqi

PAST DINNER UNDER THE STARS

Dinner Under the Stars guests in front of the capitol columns
Dinner Under the Stars attendees stand in front of the capitol columns
Bartlett Tree Experts team stand with the Bartlett sponsor sign at the Dinner Under the Stars
Dinner Under the Stars guests posting during cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars event tent in the background, with cocktail tables in the foreground
Dinner Under the Stars guests posting during cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars guests posting during cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars guests posting during cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars guests posting during cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars guests posting during cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars guests standing and talking with Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
Dinner Under the Stars guests standing and talking during cocktail hour at sunset
Dinner Under the Stars guests in front of the capitol columns
Dinner Under the Stars guests in front of the capitol columns
Dinner Under the Stars guests in front of the capitol columns
Dinner Under the Stars guests sitting at tables and standing talking under a tent
Dr. Richard T. Olsen smiling at a table at Dinner Under the Stars
Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden clapping at a table during Dinner Under the Stars
Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden speaking at Dinner Under the Stars
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaking at Dinner Under the Stars

Photos by Josh Peterson. 

Craven Rand, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Dr. Richard T. Olsen at Dinner Under the Stars
Members of DC's city council at the Dinner Under the Stars
Attendees at the 2024 Dinner Under the Stars
Senator Debbie Stabenow speaking at Dinner Under the Stars
Senator Debbie Stabenow speaking at Dinner Under the Stars
Representative GT Thompson with other guests at Dinner Under the Stars
Guests listen to speeches during Dinner Under the Stars
Members of DC's city council at the Dinner Under the Stars, with Dr. Richard T. Olsen, Cathy Kerkam, and Craven Rand.
US National Arboretum staff at Dinner Under the Stars
Dr. Dierdra Chester, Director of the USDA Office of the Chief Scientist, talking with Dr. Simon Liu, Administrator of the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Dr. Richard Olsen talking with a guest during Dinner Under the Stars
Dr. Simon Liu, Administrator of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Dr. Richard T. Olsen, Director of the National Arboretum, and Dr. Tom Shanower, Area Director of the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Guests at Dinner Under the Stars
Tom Vilsack, Director of the USDA, speaking at Dinner Under the Stars.
Tom Vilsack, Director of the USDA, speaking at Dinner Under the Stars.

Photos by Lissa Ryan Photography.

dinner under the stars attendees posing and smiling for the camera in the national herb garden
dinner under the stars attendees posing and smiling for the camera in the national herb garden
dinner under the stars attendees posing and smiling for the camera in the national herb garden
dinner under the stars attendees posing and smiling for the camera in the national herb garden
Dinner under the stars attendees sitting in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees stand in the meadow in front of the capitol columns
Dinner under the stars attendees stand in the meadow in front of the capitol columns
dinner under the stars attendees posing and smiling for the camera
dinner under the stars attendees listen to a speaker while eating dinner
Dinner under the stars attendees stand in the meadow in front of the capitol columns
dinner under the stars attendees posing and smiling for the camera in the national herb garden
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dr. Richard T. Olsen speaking during dinner under the stars
tent illuminated at night for dinner under the stars

Photos by Plume Photography.

tables set up for dinner under the stars, with capitol columns in the background
USNA and USDA staff talking to each other at the Dinner Under the Stars
Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars attendees in the Ellipse Meadow with the capitol columns in the background
Dinner Under the Stars tent lit up at night with the capitol columns in the background
Dinner Under the Stars attendees in the tent preparing for dinner
Dr. Richard T. Olsen speaking at the Dinner Under the Stars
Dinner Under the Stars attendees under the tent getting ready for dinner
Dinner Under the Stars attendees in the ellipse meadow
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour
Dinner under the stars attendees in the national herb garden during cocktail hour

Photos by Plume Photography.

charcuterie platter at the solstice soiree
fona board, usda staff, and usna staff in posing together at the solstice soiree
solstice soiree guests in front of the capitol columns
usda officials attending the solstice soiree
solstice soiree guests at cocktail hour
solstice soiree guest
solstice soiree tent with capitol columns in the background
speaker at the solstice soiree
usda officials at the solstice soiree
solstice soiree guests at cocktail hour
speaker at the solstice soiree
dinner under the stars guests at cocktail hour in the ellipse meadow
solstice soiree guests talking during cocktail hour

Photos by Plume Photography.

international paper team at the dinner under the stars
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests heading to the capitol columns
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests heading towards the capitol columns
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests
dinner under the stars guests under the tent
dinner under the stars guests walking from the dinner tent to the columns
usda officials at the dinner under the stars
dinner under the stars guests
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