b"Inclusion Meets InnovationThe National Association for Plant Breeding envisioned a new blueprint for the profession at its conference in St. Louis.Marc Zienkiewicz, Seed World Canada EditorIN THE UNITED STATES,foodKeynote speaker and moderatortrust in the agricultural sector.security isn't just about keepingKristine Callis-Duehl, principal investigatorIts shortsighted to abandon DEI grocery store shelves stockedit'sand executive director of education at theinitiatives, Raymundo told Seed World. about forging a progressive future for theDonald Danforth Plant Science Center,These values drive innovation and build country itself.noted that sciences role in agriculture istrust, both vital for addressing global food This was underscored for over 400about more than just yield and environ- challenges.attendees at the National Association formental impact. Food security is aboutWilliams echoed this sentiment, Plant Breeding (NAPB) conference in St.ensuring that every American has accessemphasizing that diverse teams are not Louis, MO, from July 21-25. to the essential nutrients that underpinonly more productive but essential for Co-hosted this year by Bayereconomic stability and societal function. attracting top talent and maintaining Crop Science and the University ofWhen fundamental needs like foodpublic trust. Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the themeare met, people can work, learn, andHowever, the rollback of DEI efforts was Rethinking, Reimagining andcontribute effectively, Callis-Duehl said.often stems from shareholder pressure, as Revolutionizing Plant Breeding.Without it, we face poverty, disparity,panelist Bobby Smith II noted. Smith II is and unrest. a social scientist and associate professor Check out our December edition for aThe timing for the panel was significant,in the Department of African American feature story on the innovative breedingtaking place just days after Tractor SupplyStudies at the University of Illinois work being done at the University ofand John Deere scaled back their DEIUrbana-Champaign. Illinois Urbana-Champaign! efforts. The panelists, including JeremyCultural shifts provoke power strug-Williams (head of Climate LLC, Digitalgles, he said. History has shown us that Farming and Commercial Ecosystems forevery time we want to make these cul-The rethinking portion began with anBayer Crop Science) and Justin Raymundotural shifts, theres always a backlash and opening night panel discussion, spotlight- (vice president of innovation ecosystem- a pushback, and thats what were seeing ing the intersection of food security withbuilding for BioSTL), challenged theseright now. Companies revert to previous broader issues of diversity, equity androllbacks, stressing that inclusivity andpractices when DEI efforts no longer help inclusion (DEI).diversity are crucial for innovation andthe bottom line. Its Business 101.42/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2024"