Non Technical Summary
Plant breeding is one of the world's oldest technologies, from farmers selecting plants during domestication to large scale modern commercial breeding programs using genomics and phenomics. Germplasm is the basic building block of any successful plant breeding program. However, as plant breeding positions turnover (e.g. retirement) the periods of transition pose significant threats to the conservation and utilization of germplasm through lack of program continuity. Given the often significant investment in public cultivar development and breeding, the successful transfer of a breeding program's germplasm and embodied knowledge is essential.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
202	0001	1081	100%

Knowledge Area
202 - Plant Genetic Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0001 - Administration;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding;

Goals / Objectives
AIM 1: Conduct a one-day meeting to understand the breadth of transitions as well as identify the lessons that can be learnedAIM 2: Create a conference proceeding based on the case studies and make it available to the publicsAIM 3: Create a best practices white paper to be published in a plant breeding journal and to be distributed to Agricultural Experiment station directors.

Project Methods
We propose to hold a one-day conference in conjunction with the National Association of Plant Breeders annual meeting in 2024. Prior to the meeting thecore group of researchers (affiliated with the Plant Breeding Coordinating committee) will develop a questionnaire (attached) and case studies regarding different types of plant breeding transitions. During the conference we will work toward a consensus for breeding program data documentation, soft-skills necessary to facilitate positive interactions, and how to appropriately store germplasm to ensure the next breeder will have an opportunity to continue the legacy of the program. Our approach includes both a description of how existing plant breeding transitions have occurred as well as a synthesis of 'best practices' which can be modified by an institution. We aim to fully bridge the gap between anecdote and organizational management research.