Under the shadow of Mauna Loa and surrounded by ocean breeze, the brightest minds in crop science are gathering not just to talk shop—but to change it. This week in Kona, Hawai‘i, the National Association for Plant Breeding is hosting a no-holds-barred conversation about how we grow, share, and sustain our food.
The gathering has attracted hundreds of breeders who will meet starting with student workshops today and going right through until May 23.
NAPB brings together the brightest minds in crop science—from bright young students to industry veterans—for a meeting that’s anything but conventional. It’s a high-energy convergence of public and private sector breeders, all working across 40+ crops and united by one goal: to reimagine the future of food.
This isn’t just a conference. It’s a launchpad. Think cutting-edge breeding strategies, emerging technologies, and open conversations about the policy frameworks shaping the future of agriculture. Students don’t just sit in the audience—they present research, network with global employers, and build relationships with faculty and industry leaders from around the world. From early-career innovators to seasoned scientists, the NAPB meeting is where the global plant breeding community goes to connect, collaborate, and spark what’s next.
Highlights of the week will include presentations on Indigenous Hawaiian agriculture, exotic germplasm utilization, phenomics, breeding for sustainable and equitable systems, and breeding beyond yield.
Taking place on May 21 will be the Variety Showcase, curated by Lane Selman of the Culinary Breeding Network and Jay Bost of the University of Hawaii’s GoFarm Hawai’i. Now in its latest evolution, the Showcase brings together a cross-section of the food chain—plant breeders, chefs, farmers, bakers, distillers, retailers, and curious eaters—for one mission: to break down the walls between those who grow our food and those who consume it.
“At this event, the curtain is pulled back,” says Selman. “Attendees are introduced to the wizards making critical decisions before our farmers plant their seeds. It’s a unique chance to network, build community and meet the plant breeders creating flavorful varieties for organic farmers.”
The one-day Soft Skills Workshop kicks off today with a lineup designed to help researchers and early-career professionals craft personal narratives that resonate beyond the lab. Attendees will learn the kind of skills MBA grads take for granted—from public speaking to professional branding—set against the breathtaking backdrop of the NAPB annual meeting.
First up is Becky Ryan, Maui site lead and Hawaii breeding lead for Bayer, who will lead a session on personal branding—a must-have skill in a world where your elevator pitch matters just as much as your research pipeline. She’ll be followed by Klaus Kohler, global talent development lead at Corteva Agriscience, who will dive into the art of telling your story—a theme that continues after lunch with a hands-on session and a candid panel discussion featuring voices from across the industry.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the week.
