Registration Now Open for the 2026 Independent Plant Breeders Conference

From tropical fruit crops to ornamental plants, the next big horticultural innovation may result from a conversation between a breeder and a grower.

To foster those connections, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host the 11th Independent Plant Breeders Conference on Nov. 16–18, 2026, at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. Hosted by the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC), the conference will bring together nationally and internationally recognized independent and academic plant breeders, including UF/IFAS dedicated breeders, growers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to explore how promising new plant varieties can move from breeding programs into commercial production.

“Independent breeders can respond quickly to emerging consumer and grower needs, particularly in niche specialty crops that may not be a priority for large breeding programs,” says Xingbo Wu, Assistant Professor at TREC, specializing in tropical plant breeding and genetics. “They are an important source of new crops and varieties, helping drive innovation and diversify the marketplace while meeting the demands of the public.”

The three-day conference will focus on specialty crops, nursery plants, and floriculture, offering participants opportunities to establish partnerships, explore new business ventures, and advance promising varieties toward commercial adoption.

Plant breeders, horticulturists, growers, nursery and floriculture professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, Extension personnel, students, and others involved in developing, producing, or commercializing new plants are encouraged to attend.

Wu is helping advance efforts to develop new tropical crops and improved ornamental varieties using conventional breeding alongside modern genetic and genomic tools. His research and Extension programs at TREC focus on developing plants with desirable traits while supporting more efficient and sustainable production practices.

Located in Homestead, the heart of South Florida’s agricultural region, TREC combines expertise in tropical and subtropical crops with research and Extension programs designed to address industry needs. Its work in plant breeding and genetics supports the development of improved varieties, while its strong ties to the horticulture industry help bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and practical applications.

“Horticulture businesses face a changing marketplace shaped by consumer preferences, environmental challenges, invasive pests, labor costs, and the need for sustainable production practices,” says Wu. “New plant varieties can help businesses respond to these challenges while creating opportunities to differentiate their products and reach new customers.”

Growing consumer demand for distinctive ornamental plants and specialty crops creates opportunities for breeders and horticultural businesses alike. Independent breeders play an especially important role in specialty markets, where targeted innovation can help meet specific grower and consumer needs.

“New plant varieties create new markets, increase grower profitability, support propagation and production businesses, and expand consumer choice,” says Wu. “Stronger connections between breeders and industry partners can accelerate the development, commercialization and adoption of innovative plant varieties.”

By bringing together the people who develop new plant genetics and those who can produce, distribute and market them, the conference aims to strengthen the partnerships that help turn promising ideas into commercial opportunities.

“TREC is well positioned to convene these conversations because of its location in Miami-Dade County, one of the nation’s most important nursery and horticultural production regions, where tropical and subtropical plants play a significant role in the agricultural economy,” says Edward “Gilly” Evans, TREC director.

Additional information and registration links can be found on the 11th Independent Plant Breeders Conference website.