The California Seed Association hosted its annual Spring Student Tour on April 7-8 in the Salinas area, visiting several companies with some 40 California State University and UC Davis undergraduate and graduate students, who were introduced to the technologies and jobs associated with producing seed globally.

On the 8th, the tour was hosted at noon by Hartnell College and Seed Central, and joined by 60 students from Hartnell and local high schools for lunch, industry panelists’ testimonials, and a networking career fair.

Dr. Allen Van Deynze, SBC Director, says the SBC's mission—to innovate, foster partnerships, and offer continuous professional development for seed industry professionals—aligns with the California Department of Agriculture's strategic plan.

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Watch the video interview between Jovan Djordjevic and Marcel Bruins as they discuss the European Plant Breeding Academy and why you should attend Class VIII (View on seedworld.com here >>)

Differential seed and type isolates for pepper Tobamoviruses and tomato bacterial speck are available via CPPSI and the USDA-GRIN for your breeding support needs. Check out the white papers and how to access material here:  https://cppsi.ucdavis.edu/white-papers

Watch the video interview between Jovan Djordjevic and Marcel Bruins as they discuss the European Plant Breeding Academy and why you should attend Class VIII (View on seedworld.com here >>)

The 2024 winner of the Plant Breeding Academy’s Outstanding Student Award is Mark van Gerven, Breeding Manager Allium at Bejo Zaden B.V. in the Netherlands. This prestigious PBA award was presented to Mark by PBA Director, Jovan Djordjevic, at the Euroseeds Congress in Copenhagen on October 15, 2024. Jovan added: "Mark is a current onion breeder, and we are glad that UCD PBA could enhance his expertise.

By Heidi Kuhn, World Food Prize Laureate 2023, and Ambassador Gertrude Angote, Kenyan Permanent Representative to UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

‘Foods’ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, and safety. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, in our markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all.

Read the full article from BORGEN Magazine here >>

Read the full article from UC Davis CAES here >>

The European UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy's Class VII concluded their EPBA program with a graduation ceremony and reception in Davis, California, on June 28, 2024, celebrating the achievements of 16 students from 10 countries: Italy, Spain, Romania, Hungary, The Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, France, the UK, and Mexico. Dr. Jovan Djordjevic, Director of UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy and Core Instructor, along with Dr. Alexandra Tomerius, highlighted the event.