The USDA Herbaceous Ornamental Crop Germplasm Committee (HOCGC) held its annual meeting on Friday, July 10, in a hybrid format, with participants attending both in person and virtually via Zoom. The in-person meeting was hosted by the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
The meeting brought together representatives from the USDA National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), universities, public gardens, and the ornamental horticulture industry to discuss priorities for conserving and utilizing herbaceous ornamental plant genetic resources. Participants received updates from USDA NPGS support groups and genebank personnel involved in the preservation of valuable herbaceous ornamental crop germplasm. Discussions focused on challenges and opportunities related to the acquisition, maintenance, characterization, evaluation, and distribution of genetic resources, as well as research supporting germplasm characterization, genomics, and ornamental crop improvement.
Following the morning meeting, HOCGC members and OPGC staff visited Sunny Meadows Flower Farm in Columbus to learn about specialty cut flower production and sustainable growing practices. The group then toured OPGC facilities, including greenhouses and research collections, where staff highlighted current work on germplasm conservation and research.
The annual meeting provided an opportunity for committee members, OPGC staff, and collaborators to strengthen partnerships supporting the long-term conservation and availability of ornamental plant genetic resources. The OPGC appreciates the opportunity to host the HOCGC annual meeting and engage with partners from across the ornamental horticulture community. Through collaboration with researchers, breeders, industry professionals, and conservation organizations, the OPGC continues to preserve the genetic diversity needed to support future innovation in ornamental crops.