PSI: Participatory Plant Breeding

Cornell University’s Department of Plant Breeding is conducting workshops on breeding techniques including topics like: pollination, assessment and selection.

Researchers are providing access to parent germplasm and unfinished varieties for interested growers and commercial seed companies, especially alternative producers in the Northeast region.
Information on the latest research methods, results and new initiatives at Cornell University are disseminated.
Technical support and troubleshooting are available for growers and seed companies.
There are opportunities for farmers to work directly with breeders on specific traits they need in new vegetable varieties.

For more information, please contact Michael Glos

Our hope is that this project will provide improved varieties, demonstrate the value of participatory plant breeding methods and grower-based selection and lay the groundwork for more breeding in and for organic systems. Additional funding is being sought that will help develop projects focused on breeding for traits that are important to organic growers.