We wanted to promote the networking of organic participatory breeding initiatives in German-speaking countries, make our activities more visible to the public and thus bring plant breeding back into the wider society. We wanted to prepare information about organic-participatory plant breeding for various target groups by means of an online conference, a position paper, a short film and two training excursions. The aim was to highlight the importance of organic participatory breeding and motivate farmers and home gardeners to engage in this activity. People already active in breeding should be offered further training opportunities.
Several organic participatory breeding initiatives exist in German-speaking countries, but they are not very well connected with each other. With this project, we wanted to offer the opportunity for exchange and low-threshold training opportunities to farmers – who are active in plant breeding - and employees of seed and breeding initiatives. In addition, we as ARCHE NOAH and ProSpecieRara wanted to strengthen our self-image as actors in plant breeding, define our roles and communicate them through a position paper and a short film. There is little information and there are few educational opportunities on organic plant breeding and even less on participatory plant breeding.