b'sively about the regions food, restau- lack of progress and challenges such as rants, and culinary culture since 2006. disease tolerance issues that were imped-Clarifying the common misconcep- ing the local industrys growth. Through a tion that food writing solely encompassespartnership with industry, Gasics pro-restaurant critiques, she quickly showedgram aimed to ensure the sectors future. the audience that her knowledge of cur- The conference included a tour of the rent food trends is vast, especially whenClemson peach orchards, which Gasic it comes to food that consumers connectwas happy to provide considering she with, like beans. Raskin has always been awas one of the organizers of this years bit captivated by the humble yet versa- NAPB conference.tile legume. She envisions a future whereAdapting to the changing climate beans extend their reach beyond mereconditions that affected peach produc-culinary curiosities, becoming flavor pow- tion, Gasics program aimed to develop erhouses accessible to all. Id love to seedisease resistant peach cultivars with more work on beans. Theyre super tastyreduced chilling requirements. While and everyone can afford them.reduced chilling was explored to counter-Raskin acknowledges the importanceact the effects of climate change, chal-of collaborations with entities such aslenges like late frosts led to the concept the Clemson University research stationof the climate resilience, where bloom in South Carolina. These partnershipsdelay would be achieved by combination have opened windows to a kaleidoscopeof reduced chilling and increased heat of flavors, with watermelons assum- requirement coupled with fruitlet freeze ing a prominent role in her explorations.tolerance allowing peaches to adjust to aChef B.J. Dennis has been featured on Watermelons, with their Southern rootschanging environment. Netflix and is a pioneer of Gullah Geechee intertwined with culture and tradition,This past January was the sixth warm- cuisine.become a living testament to the won- est one on record, and if temperatures ders of plant breeding, she says.stay warm, the states peach crop could Watermelon has a history similar tobe seriously affected.Gullah Geechee cuisine, having beenGasics program is working on new introduced to North America through thevarieties adapted to a changing climate,NAPB HONORS THE BESTefforts of enslaved African people, whowhich are needed to ensure SouthAND BRIGHTESTplayed a pivotal role in dispersing water- Carolina can continue to ship over the melon seeds across the eastern regions200 million pounds of peaches it grows of the continent. Its hard to deny thatevery year. Thats more than three timesThe National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) everyone loves watermelon; its alwaysthe amount harvested in Georgia in ahas announced its 2023 awardees for outstanding a hit. Its probably on par with barbecuetypical year. accomplishments in four categories. The 2023 NAPB when it comes to popular food choices inBut climate change isnt the only chal- awardees exemplify the very best in plant breeding the South, Raskin said. lenge peaches have faced over the years. Raskin underlines the cardinal virtuePeaches in South Carolina have been allresearch, education, outreach, and leadership. of honoring consumer preferences andbut wiped out before. Early Career Scientist Award: palates and encourages plant breeders toPeach tree short life disease, causedAmanda Hulse-Kemp,delve into the boundless tapestry of taste. by a destructive nematode, caused severe damage to the states peach trees in theUSDA-ARSThe Consumer Factor 1980s and 1990s. The development of the L ifetime Achievement Award: Of course, consumers still do have theirGuardian rootstock, developed with theJim Luby, University of preferences, and nowhere is this morehelp of people like Clemson UniversityMinnesotaprevalent than in the peach industry,horticulture professor Greg Reighard where huge amounts of work go intoand researchers at the United States Public Sector Impact Award: bringing the beloved fruitnative toDepartment of Agriculture in Georgia,William Rooney, Texas A&M China and first introduced to Northhelped the industry recover from theUniversityAmerica in the 1500s by Spanish monksdamage and forge ahead. to consumer tables across the conti-Private Sector Impact Award: nent. Hard Work Tabar Abadie,In 2008, Ksenija Gasic launched aThe NAPB Borlaug Scholarship andCorteva Agrisciencepioneering peach breeding initiative atGeorge Washington Carver Scholarship Clemson University, prompted by theprograms awarded another batch of both 42/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2023'