When a breeder retires, leaves for another institution or industry, or passes away, there is a need to ensure the continuity of plant genetic resources and knowledge.
But how do you do that? It’s a major concern of the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (PBCC) and its incoming chair Iago Hale.
Hale is associate professor and program coordinator of sustainable agriculture & food systems at the University of New Hampshire, is incoming chair of the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee, which founded the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB). As he takes the reins (the NAPB is holding its annual conference in Greenville, SC, this week) he says ensuring the future of plant breeding remains the PBCC’s mission.
“The PBCC is engaged in an ongoing project to assess the state of national plant breeding capacity. This work involves collecting information and data to better understand the capabilities and resources available for plant breeding across the country,” Hale says.
Part of that is ensuring smooth transition of breeding programs.
“The PBCC aims to address this issue by gathering case studies and insights from the community to develop guidelines or a white paper that can facilitate successful transitions and prevent setbacks in ongoing plant breeding work,” Hale adds.
As the NAPB holds another successful meeting this week, Hale says members of the PBCC are now considering their next major undertaking. They are examining the role they play in light of the NAPB’s success and exploring new areas where they can make a significant impact, he adds.
