Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This project supports the NAPB conference hosted by the University of Illinois in July 2024. This event is strategically aligned with the goals of both NAPB and the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (PBCC), addressing the community's needs, challenges, gaps, and emerging areas in plant breeding research. The NAPB 2024 conference will include presentations related to the Plant Breeding Innovations directly addressing the PBCC Objective 4, "Improve communication among public plant breeders and federal-state-local agencies on plant breeding policy issues, including alerts to existing and emerging threats to agricultural security that are relevant to plant breeding," and Goal 1 of the current USDA Strategic Plan: "Combat Climate Change to Support America's Working Lands, Natural Resources, and Communities." The target audience for the 2024 NAPB conference includes graduate students in plant sciences and undergraduate students considering careers in plant breeding and related areas, as well as plant breeders from both public and commercial sectors. The organizing committee is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion by ensuring equal representation of women, providing opportunities for underrepresented minorities, and supporting early career scientists. The conference presents a unique platform for the nation's leading public and private plant breeders to exchange results and ideas to tackle agricultural challenges collaboratively. By dedicating sessions to themes that resonate with the objectives shared by PBCC, NAPB, and USDA strategic plans, the event aims to foster broader participation, encourage membership input, and accelerate progress toward achieving collective goals in plant breeding and agricultural innovation.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
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Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This project supports the National Association of Plant Breeders(NAPB)conference hosted by the University of Illinoisin July 2024. This event is strategically aligned with the goals of both NAPBand the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (PBCC), addressing the community's needs, challenges, gaps, and emerging areas in plant breeding research.
Project Methods
For the conference organization and session planning, various methods are employed to ensure a successful and impactful event. Here are some additional details about the methods used:Session Topic Selection: Topics are chosen based on current trends, challenges, and future directions in plant breeding. Input is sought from experts in the field, including academics, industry professionals, and researchers, to ensure relevance and breadth of coverage.Speaker Selection and Invitation: A systematic approach is taken to identify potential speakers who are leaders in their respective areas. Criteria for selection include expertise, diversity (gender, career stage, institutional size, geographic region), and contribution to the session's theme. Invitations are sent well in advance, and follow-ups are conducted to confirm participation.Session Structure and Format: Each session is designed to facilitate discussion and interaction. Formats may include keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. Time is allocated for Q&A to encourage engagement between speakers and attendees.Diversity and Inclusion Efforts: Deliberate efforts are made to ensure representation from underrepresented groups. This includes targeted outreach, diversity awards, and providing leadership opportunities for students and early-career professionals from diverse backgrounds.Award Selection Process: Awards for outstanding presentations are determined through a peer-review process. Criteria include clarity of presentation, originality of research, and relevance to the session theme. A panel of experts evaluates the presentations, and winners are announced at the end of the conference.Whitepaper Development: Insights and discussions from the sessions are compiled into a whitepaper. This document is developed through collaboration among session chairs, speakers, and a writing committee. It aims to summarize key points, identify research needs, and provide recommendations for the advancement of plant breeding.Feedback and Evaluation: Post-conference surveys are distributed to attendees to gather feedback on the sessions, speakers, and overall event experience. This feedback is used to inform future conference planning and improve the effectiveness of the sessions.