The VARIETY SHOWCASE is an interactive mixer designed to build community among plant breeders, seed growers, farmers, chefs, produce buyers, food journalists, consumers and more. Attendees have the unique experience to TASTE new and in-development vegetables, fruits & grains, ENGAGE in conversation, SHARE opinions, and TAKE PART in breaking down the walls between eaters and breeders. The excitement about the plant breeders’ work was at a level I have never before experienced. The Variety Showcase is really expanding and enlightening the greater public about plant breeding. William F. Tracy, Professor and Department Chair Clif Bar and Organic Valley Chair in Plant Breeding for Organic Agriculture WHAT IS THE CULINARY BREEDING NETWORK? An initiative with a mission to break down the walls between breeders and eaters to improve agricultural and culinary quality WHO ATTENDS VARIETY SHOWCASE? Plant breeders, seed growers, farmers, chefs, produce buyers/distributors, retailers, food lovers, journalists, artists, food processors, brewers, nutritionists, bakers and more. VARIETY SHOWCASE BENEFITS • Increases communication between plant breeders, farmers and the greater food community to identify more relevant, high quality and desirable cultivars • Promotes and expands awareness of cultivars created by public and independent plant breeders using traditional plant breeding processes for organic systems • Increases access to organic seed and open-pollinated cultivars • Provides an opportunity to discuss specific needs & give feedback with breeders • Increases understanding and importance of organic plant breeding • Increases awareness of genetic diversity • Builds community in the food and farming world • Provides attendees the chance to play a vital role in improving cultivar quality 2017 VARIETY SHOWCASE PARTICIPANTS Plant Breeders/Seed Growers/Researchers Chefs Bill Tracy, University of Wisconsin Andrew Mace Julie Dawson, University of Wisconsin Andrew Ross, Oregon State University Pat Hayes, Oregon State University Chris Bailey, Portland Mercado Jim Myers, Oregon State University Connor Martin, Mian Alex Stone, Oregon State University Dave Gunawan, Farmer's Apprentice Colin Curwen, Washington State University Dennis Lee, Namu Gaji Brigid Meints, Washington State University Dev Patel, Tom Douglas restaurants Phil Simon, USDA-ARS Madison Dillon Debauche, Little T Baker John Hart, EarthWork Seeds Drew Marquardt, Flesh for Food Frank Morton, Wild Garden Seed Gabe Rosen, Biwa/Noraneko/Parasol Andrew Still and Sarah Kleeger, Adaptive Seeds Gregory Gourdet, Departure Alice Doyle, Log House Plants Harol Mendieta, Andina Micaela Colley, Organic Seed Alliance Jason French, Ned Ludd Brian Campbell & Crystine Goldberg, Uprising Seeds Jesse McCleery, Pilgrimme Rowen White, Indigenous Seed Keepers Network JoMarie Pitino, Ava Gene's Owen Taylor, SeedKeeping Jonny Hunter, Underground Food Collective Arielle Johnson, MIT Media Lab / Open Ag Karl Holl, Spätzle & Speck Avram Drucker, Garlicana Lydia Reissmueller, Tender Bar Bogdan Caceu, Olive Growers of Oregon M Karlos Baca, Taste of Native Cuisine Claire Luby, Open Source Seed Initiative Matt Choi, Choi’s Kimchi Don Tipping, Siskiyou Seeds Maya Lovelace, Mae Ellen Leue, Pan American Seeds Mel Darbyshire, Grand Central Baking Fran McManns, Understanding Flavor Niels Brisbane, Canlis Heidi Noordijk, Oregon State University Nora Antene, Ava Gene's and Tusk Javier Fernandez-Salvador, Oregon State University Sam Smith, Tusk Jay Bost, GoFarm Hawaii Sarah Marshall, Marshall’s Haute Sauce Jodi Lew-Smith, High Mowing Seeds Sarah Minnick, Lovely's Fifty-Fifty Kara Gilbert, Vibrant Valley Farm Sean Hammond, Luce Kevin Murphy, Washington State University Stacy Givens, Side Yard Farm & Kitchen Kristyn Leach, Namu Farm Tiffany Norton, Party Downtown Lindsay Wyatt and Emily Haga, Johnny's Seeds Timothy Wastell, Antica Terra Shaina Bronstein, Vitalis Seeds Vince Nguyen, Jolie Laide 2017 VARIETY SHOWCASE IMPACT The event included 540 attendees, 30 showcase tables, 3 special interactive educational exhibits and 80 participating breeders, researchers and chefs. Surveys were completed by attendees which included farmers, chefs, produce buyers/distributors, retailers, food lovers, journalists, artists, food processors, brewers, nutritionists, bakers, restaurant owners and more. ATTENDANCE 30% had attended a Variety Showcase in the past 70% attended for the first time For those that attended in the past, 93% used information gained in their business. MOTIVATION When asked why they attend: 61% Networking 71% Education 53% Find new varieties to grow/buy 16% Provide breeders with input Other responses included good food and fun. CONNECTION 79% met someone who plays a role in the food system they did not know before. OUTREACH 97% plan to share new knowledge with others. Responders estimated they would share knowledge with over 2,400 in person and over 50,000 through social media. IMPACT 85% responded that new knowledge/experience gained would impact their work. When asked in what ways it would impact their work: 60% expanded networks 40% buying practices 74% informed decision-making FACILITATING CONNECTION between commercial buyers and growers is one event goal. To address this, buyers and growers are asked to complete matchmaking surveys on what they saw during the event that they would like to buy or grow. Contact information for matched buyers/sellers are shared along with information on where to purchase seed for each featured variety. Sixty surveys were completed identifying 23 different varieties of interest. Results of these connections will be tracked and included in reporting impact next year. .