March Speaker Series: Plant Breeding and Seed Saving with the UCD SCOPE Project

This is the third Speaker Series event and will happen on May 20! This monthly event is a fun way to connect with beginning farmers and anyone interested in agriculture and the environment. Each month, we focus on a different topic, highlighting some of the difference-makers in our region. Enjoy hot wood-fired pizzas, cold drinks, and great conversation on the third Wednesday of each month through October.

May 20, 2026

4:30-5:30 p.m. – pizza, drinks, and networking

5:30-7:00 p.m. – presentation, discussion, and demonstration

7:00-7:30 p.m. – mingling time

The Student Collaborative Organic Plant Breeding Education (SCOPE) project is a student-led collaborative of student plant breeders, guided by faculty and staff, working with local organic growers on improving crop varieties for organic farming systems in California. The organic plant breeding project was developed in 2015 in direct response to California’s organic growers, who have reported a scarcity of seeds for cultivars that meet the needs of organic farming. Using traditional, field-based plant breeding methods, new varieties of tomatoes, wheat, spinach, celtuce, and zinnias are being developed on certified organic land at the Student Farm at UC Davis.

The breeding objectives of these projects were based on input from local organic farmers and the Organic Seed Alliance, as well as the diversity of their cropping systems and growing seasons.

This is a free event, but a $20 donation to help support our work is appreciated. Donations are always welcome.