Plant and microbial germplasm collections represent an essential resource foundation for APS members and scientific colleagues. The Collections and Germplasm Committee is composed of APS members interested in preserving, enhancing and utilizing these resources. We seek to: 1) promote and foster the collection, preservation, improvement, and utilization of U.S. and international resources of microbial and higher-plant germplasm; 2) identify issues relevant to germplasm resources; 3) advocate judicious improvements in collection and germplasm systems and constructively influence policies and procedures through APS Council and the Public Policy Board by such means as; a) committee proposals; b) APS publications and discussion sessions; and c) communications with other scientific societies, governmental agencies, institutions, and industry. The committee provides a mechanism for discussions and updates on efforts to establish a national microbial germplasm system by sponsoring symposia, workshops or special sessions at the APS annual meetings and auxiliary meetings. Topics covered in these discussions include advances in the methods of germplasm preservation, handling, distribution and database management. The committee intends to provide information from subject matter experts in fields of microbial and plant germplasm curation, genotyping and collections management.