The African diaspora in Minneapolis-Saint Paul crave traditional African vegetables, which are best consumed fresh. But such vegetables have limited seeds and are poorly adapted to Minnesota.
The Community Plant Breeding Team (CPBT), a student-led plant breeding initiative on adapting leafy African vegetables to Minnesota, was formed in 2021 to meet this need.
The CPBT uses a participatory plant breeding approach to involve local African growers in the breeding process and give students and researchers hands-on experience in plant breeding and community engagement.
The CPBT works with University of Minnesota Master Gardeners from Hennepin and Ramsey counties in hosting an annual field day that features both research plots and a community garden. The CPBT looks forward to releasing its first cultivar in 2026.
