Martin Bohn can’t wait to welcome people to the 2024 meeting of the National Association of Plant Breeders meeting being held in St. Louis, Miss., July 21-25. This year’s meeting, hosted by Bayer Crop Science and the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, promises to be one of the NAPB’s most important yet, evident in its theme Rethink, Reimagine and Revolutionize.
While the main conference will be held at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, it will feature a tour of the nearby University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign facilities. Bohn serves not only as co-organizer of the meeting, but as crop sciences professor at the university.
“The conference theme revolves around rethinking, reimagining, and revolutionizing plant breeding. We’ve witnessed significant technological advancements over the past decade, with an abundance of genetic, phenotypic, and environmental data becoming more accessible, alongside the integration of artificial intelligence into data science, opening up new possibilities,” Bohn says.
During the conference, attendees will examine these advancements, reassess the field, and explore how we can adapt to or leverage them. The event will feature three sessions: Reimagining, Rethinking, and Revolutionizing, with speakers delving into each theme. Audience participation is encouraged, with lively Q&A sessions expected.
The climax will be the Revolutionize session, featuring speakers from St. Louis startup companies at the forefront of plant breeding innovation, all hailing from the St. Louis Innovation Hub. It promises to be an exciting showcase of cutting-edge ideas, Bohn says. Ultimately, the conference aims to inspire attendees with the innovative work happening at the University of Illinois and beyond.
Bohn is looking forward to showing off the facilities at the university, where there exists a thriving plant breeding program. Visitors are in for a treat.
“When you’re coming from St. Louis to the university, you might expect to see a lot of corn and soybeans, but there’s much more in store. We’ve put together a diverse program featuring various facets of agricultural innovation,” he says.
“Throughout the day, we’ll showcase national initiatives focused on advanced bioenergy and bioproduct innovation. We’ll also explore autonomous farming, environmental resilience, and soil quality at two different stops.”
You’ll get a peek into the USDA Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center, home to crucial genetic stocks for corn breeding, and the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection. Additionally, the tour will highlight the CornBox, a project by some of Bohn’s colleagues which is their version of a sandbox to test innovations for digital agriculture in a live corn field. Visitors will also see the breeding programs spanning soybeans, corn, small grains, hemp, and more.
“One highlight close to my heart is our organic farming systems breeding program. We’ll also tour our student farm, featuring research on vegetable production systems and how robotics aid in managing insects. And let’s not forget about our local startup companies at the University of Illinois Research Park, showcasing their latest research and products,” Bohn adds.
Visitors will wrap up the day at Riggs Beer Company, known for using locally grown seeds and grains. Their motto, “On our farm, we grow beer,” sets the tone for a relaxed Q&A session with the brewery’s owner and team, accompanied by great food and, of course, some beer.
Of course, organizing a conference like this is no small feat; it’s a monumental task that requires careful coordination and collaboration.
“Initially, I thought it would be as simple as putting together a program and inviting speakers, but it’s far more complex than that. Many moving parts need to come together seamlessly to make it a success,” Bohn says.
The beauty lies in sharing the workload among many shoulders, ensuring that no single organization or individual bears the burden alone. The meeting is being co-hosted by Bayer Crop Science.
“Working together toward a common goal of hosting the best conference possible is a tremendous opportunity to build relationships. I truly believe that the connections we forge with our colleagues and partners at Bayer will endure beyond this event,” Bohn says.
“Working with Bayer has been eye-opening. While we often operate within the confines of academia, collaborating with a company brings a fresh perspective on what matters in the real world. It’s invigorating to explore shared interests and embark on collaborative projects together.”
Additionally, the resources and capabilities that Bayer brings to the table, such as scaling up experiments or providing testing locations, are invaluable in validating the importance of the university’s research, he adds.
He’s particularly excited about the sessions lined up for the conference.
“They’re not only cool and interesting but also have the potential to spark new ideas and prompt attendees to question their approaches to research. Sometimes, we get so entrenched in our routines that we forget to challenge ourselves, so this conference could serve as a wake-up call to rethink our methods,” Bohn says.
Attendees can also look forward to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dinner, which will kick off the conference on Sunday evening. Dr. Kristine Callis-Duehl from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center will deliver the keynote speech, followed by a panel discussion featuring Jeremy Williams from Bayer, Justin Ramundo from BioSTL and Bobby Smith, an interdisciplinary scholar of the African American agricultural and food experience at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.
“It’s shaping up to be a fantastic start to our conference, and we’ll also be introducing the Borlaug Scholars and George Washington Carver Scholars during the dinner,” Bohn adds.
The poster sessions are another highlight for him. They’re not only important for showcasing the work the students do but also exude an infectious energy as students proudly present their research.
“This year, we’re thrilled to have students from the Danforth Center K-12 STEM and Ag Summer Program joining us. It’s a diverse group ranging from fifth graders to high school seniors, and we’re organizing a treasure hunt for them during the poster session. It’ll be a fun and educational experience for everyone involved,” Bohn adds.
To get registered visit napb2024.com!
