Dry bean and pulse researchers from NDSU and the USDA-ARS Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center in Fargo are set to host the 2019 Bean Improvement Cooperative and North American Pulse Improvement Association biennial meetings at the Radisson Hotel in Fargo in November.
The BIC meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3-6 and the NAPIA meeting is set for Nov. 6-8.
NDSU dry bean breeder Juan Osorno, dry bean geneticist Phil McClean, pulse and lentil crops pathologist Julie Pasche, pulse breeder Nonoy Bandillo and USDA-ARS ETSARC center director Mike Grusak are members of the local organizing committee.
Event planning company, Reach Partners Inc. of Fargo is assisting the organizing committee to deliver the meeting.
The Bean Improvement Cooperative event attracts academic and industry researchers from all continents, who exchange information and materials to improve dry bean production across all crop production areas worldwide. It was established in 1957 and now has more than 200 members.
The North American Pulse Improvement Association was established in 1956 as the National Pea Improvement Association. In 1999, it changed its name and broadened its work to include legumes. It includes about 50 members from academia, industry and government in the U.S. and Canada.
“We are honored to invite our international colleagues to Fargo for these important meetings and plan to showcase all the good research on pulses and beans we do here in the region.” Osorno said.
Both meetings will feature oral and poster presentations by faculty and graduate students, a banquet or luncheon, awards ceremonies, organizational business meetings, social and networking events and optional tours of NDSU research facilities and local Fargo food production industries.
In addition, the W-3150 multi-state project, the Phaseolus Genetics committee, and the Phaseolus Crop Germplasm Committee also will meet Nov. 6.
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