generally are exposed to a range of opportunities early on. “I grew up on an ag research sta- tion where my dad was superinten- dent. I had no idea my path would lead to ag as a professional career. I went on to become an undergrad at NC State and got a summer job at a tobacco breeding and genetics lab. By the end of the summer, I knew I wanted to do this professionally.” Coming on as chair for the NAPB, Campbell sees a young, vibrant organization that’s quickly attract- ing the attention of young breeders. The NAPB now has over 400 mem- bers — the highest number since its founding eight years ago — and Campbell is excited by the potential that exists to not only get young people involved with programs like the Borlaug Scholarship, but to encourage young people to continue to make a brighter future for breed- ing and agriculture in general. “The first thing [I want to do as chair] is to continue to build on suc- cessful collaborations we have with other organizations like the American Seed Trade Association, Crop Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy. We need to all work together for the same common goal to improve our ag system,” Campbell says. Schneider’s advice for other young breeders is to not limit themselves and do what they can to advance the goals of the organizations they’re involved in. “If you only think in the now, you are not going to see the full value of everything and all the possibilities it could lead to.” YOUNG AND BUDDING plant breeders — undergrads especially — have a lot of decisions to make. What do they want to major in? What school do they want to pursue their gradu- ate studies at? Where to go once school is finished? “The uncertainty is something I struggle with a lot. Right now, the best thing for me to keep motivated is to just try to open my opportunities and broaden my horizons,” says Tavin Schneider, a 22-year-old senior at Montana State University. She’ll graduate in December and will attend Washington State University for her mas- ter’s degree. She’s currently studying plant sciences with a minor in genetics. “You never know what opportunities are going to come in your future, so take the ones you are excited for, learn all the time and be open to anything.” That’s good advice in a time where technology has opened up a world of possibilities — literally — for young breeders. “It’s a lifelong learning experience. Today, that is especially true with so much technological innovation in plant breeding,” says Todd Campbell, a geneticist with the United States Department of Agriculture and the new president of the National Association of Plant Breeders. “My advice to young breeders is that you’re never really finished your training. You adapt to new technology and figure out how to use it best. …If you have adequate train- ing, you can take those core skills and apply them to any plant. In my case, my career thus far has encompassed tobacco, small grains, wheat, barley, rice and cotton. If you have that core toolbox of skills, you can apply that to whatever opportunities come your way.” Schneider has an interest in two particular crops, inter- ests she’s developed after looking at a number of options. “I grew up on a small farm in Montana so that has been my real motivation for working with wheat and canola. They are both crops that impacted me from a very young age. When I looked into undergraduate research at Montana State, there were a lot of cereal positions open. My adviser offered a position in his lab — that’s how I started with my wheat research. Then canola was an internship opportunity that I took, and I am very glad that I did. I have come to appreciate the crop a lot more than I had expected to.” According to Campbell, that process of discovery is something that comes naturally for plant breeders, who TACKLEUNCERTAINTY HEAD-ON Tavin Schneider, 2018 Borlaug Scholar. Todd Campbell, president of the NAPB. ON LOCATION: NAPB 2018 • GUELPH, ON 18 GERMINATION.CA NOVEMBER 2018