Big science is fond of declaring war on things. Wars on cancer and hunger for instance have been formally declared. A war on nature, although undeclared, is practiced by plant breeders on a daily
basis. The high input/high yield at any cost strategy popularized by the Green Revolution has been the norm since the 1950’s. This strategy has indeed led to higher yields but it has also led to
fewer farmers, less nutritional food, chemicals moving off the farm and into the water, the air and our food, loss of local sources, loss of diversity, loss of Farmer’s Rights and on and on. So what
can plant breeders do differently? At the Washington State University winter wheat breeding program we have chosen to include the farmers in not only making more decisions but also in making their
own varieties. Stephen Jones’ return to local breeding improves strains, empowers farmers, and creates many ripple effects for the community like cleaner water, air, and more nutritional food.
