Plant Intro Field Day

Schedule: 2-4 p.m. field tour, 4-5 p.m. seed storage and greenhouse tours

You’re invited to tour the USDA genebank in Pullman, WA, a national treasure where we grow, conserve, and share seeds with breeders and researchers across the US and around the world.

This genebank contains our national collections of chickpea, lentil, peas, beans, other legumes, lettuce, garlic, rhubarb, medicinal and ornamental plants, safflower, grasses, alfalfa, clover, other forages, their wild relatives, and useful native plants. The genetic diversity conserved in these seeds is what has been used and will continue to be used to create crop varieties adapted to emerging markets and changing growing conditions.

We curate and distribute over 100,000 lines and populations, and we would be delighted to show you our regeneration fields, drying and cleaning facilities and equipment, with optional tours of our seed storage and distribution and greenhouse facilities. Unit staff and scientists will give brief explanations of the facilities and the plants in the fields, as well as an indication of our impacts on U.S. and global agriculture and food security.
All demonstrations are live, some are hands on and interactive, and we have seeds, plants, and information to give away! Come see behind the seeds of the genebank and take away ideas on how you could participate as well! Photos are very welcome.

What to bring/wear: Camera, hat, sturdy closed-toed shoes, water bottle, cool clothing (but preferably long pants and long sleeves or use sunscreen).

Anyone who wishes to attend needs to RSVP with an approximate number in your group to Marilyn Warburton. If you are a member of the media, please let us know in advance who you are and that you are coming.