b'FUNCTION OVER FANCYThis years National Association of Plant Breeders annual meeting put a human face on plant breeding and the blood, sweat and tears that go into it.Marc ZienkiewiczFOR CHEF B.J. DENNIS, culture is every- Breeders (NAPB) annual conference, held thing.in Greenville, South Carolina, in July.As a well-known personality whosWhat he believes needs attention is been featured on Netflix and renowneda shift towards community-driven seed for his culinary expertise, hes madeinitiatives that emphasize traditional a career of blending the flavours andingredients. traditions of Gullah Geechee cuisine Our culture has always had a con-food born of the descendants of Westnection to the land and agriculture, and Central Africans who were enslavedwhether its the backyard gardens or the and brought to the Carolinas, Floridacrops that have been part of our heritage and Georgia to work on rice and cottonfor generations. Its time to reclaim these plantations. practices and adapt them to our modern He also brings a unique perspectivechallenges, he said.to the world of plant breeding. With aWhen breeders embark on developing focus on functionality and communitynew plant varieties, they should strike a impact, he knows the importance ofbalance between novelty and functional-considering the needs of local communi- ity, along with cost efficiency and acces-ties when developing new plant varieties.sibility, as many chefs prioritize sourcingChef B.J. Dennis has been featured on Netflix Its a message he delivered to attendees ofaffordable and functional produce. and is a pioneer of Gullah Geechee cuisine.this years National Association of Plant Over 300 people attended this years NAPB meeting in Greenville, South Carolina. 22GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2023'