Objective:  Highlight several examples of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and identify ways that industry and the public sector can work together to effectively address challenges facing the plant breeding and seed sciences community.  Several of the talks will highlight case studies where industry and the public sector have solved near-term, fast paced issues that have required a sector-wide response.  Panelists will be speaking to industry-university cooperation in the context of plant breeding research using genomics, high-throughput phenotyping, and controlled environments, as well as efforts by industry, academic, and government stakeholders to respond to emerging plant pathogens.  The goal of the session is to identify how longer-term initiatives and partnerships between the public and private sector can help scientists more nimbly address the challenges facing the seed sector.  From start-up incubators at universities to collaborative partnerships, there are a variety of ways to work together towards a successful future. Lunch will be served for this kick off to the programming at the new Field Crop Seed Convention. Don't miss it!