National Garden Bureau, All-America Selections recognize pepper breeder Terry Berke, Territorial Seed Company President Tom Johns

The National Garden Bureau and All-America Selections announced the recipients of two awards.

Terry Berke, 2026 AAS Breeders’ Cup Award

Terry Berke, retired hot pepper breeder from Bayer/Seminis, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 AAS Breeders’ Cup Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to horticulture through their plant breeding innovations.

The AAS Breeders’ Cup Award was established 22 years ago to honor breeders whose groundbreaking work has led to the development of new cultivars that have had a profound impact on the industry.

"If you’ve ever felt the slow-burn of a perfectly balanced habanero or enjoyed the rich, smoky depth of a gourmet mole, there is a very good chance you have Terry Berke to thank," NGB said in a statement. "Often referred to as one of the most prolific pepper breeders in the industry, Berke’s career at Seminis (and later Bayer) has been defined by a rare ability to bridge the gap between commercial efficiency and home-garden flavor."

Berke served as a lead pepper breeder at Seminis Vegetable Seeds for decades, continuing his work after the company was acquired by Bayer Crop Science.

His peers and coworkers, Tyler Ash and Pieter Westerbeek, said that while many breeders focus strictly on yield or disease resistance for commercial shipping, Berke became famous for his "dual-track" success. He developed varieties that could withstand the rigors of large-scale farming while maintaining nuanced flavor profiles and unique shapes.

"His work wasn't just about heat; it was about reliability," NGB said. "Berke’s breeding programs stabilized many of the pepper types we now take for granted in the produce aisle, ensuring that a "Habanero" or a "Cayenne" looked and tasted consistent every time it was planted."

Berke has bred nine AAS winners, which are awarded only after rigorous, independent trialing across North America:

Variety            Year    Type               Why it Won

Mariachi          2006    Chili                 Fleshy fruity taste and high yield.

Holy Molé        2007    Pasilla/Mulato  The first of its kind with high yield and easy-to-grow "Molé" flavor.

Emerald Fire   2015    Jalapeno         Large fruits, thick walls and disease resistant.

Flaming Flare  2015    Fresno             Widely adapted, large fruits, prolific yield.

Flaming Jade  2016    Serrano           Disease resistance, prolific yields, uniform plants.

Sweet Sunset  2018    Banana            Compact plants, high-yielding X3R variety, good for containers.

Hot Sunset      2015    Hot Wax          Prolific, early harvest, thick walls.

Roulette           2018    Habanero        A "no-heat" habanero that kept the citrusy flavor without the burn.

Wildcat            2023    Cayenne          Large fruits, high yielding, smoky flavor, mild pungency.

"What set Berke apart was his focus on the culinary experience," NGB added. "He was a pioneer in breeding peppers like 'Roulette,' which allowed people with lower heat tolerances to experience the floral, fruity notes of a habanero without the Scoville-induced pain."

Tom Johns, Medallion of Honor

NGB, AAS and the Home Garden Seed Association presented their most prestigious accolade, the Medallion of Honor, to Tom Johns, previous president and owner of Territorial Seed Company.

The Medallion of Honor is reserved for individuals who have dedicated their careers to the advancement of horticulture and significantly raised the visibility of All-America Selections. The award recognizes a lifetime of horticultural advancement, with specific recognition of Johns' role as a teacher and mentor to the industry’s rising leaders.

"Tom Johns has been a tireless champion for AAS Winners, ensuring that these high-performing varieties are trialed, proven and promoted to the gardening public," NGB said in a statement.

The presentation featured a career-spanning video and personal tributes from two of Tom’s closest mentees: Farren Johns, Tom’s daughter and current vice president of Territorial, and Josh Kirschenbaum, seed supply manager at Ball Seed.

"Farren and Josh highlighted Tom’s unique ability to translate complex plant science into actionable wisdom, noting that his mentorship went far beyond business operations," NGB siad. "They credited his guidance with shaping their professional philosophies, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to quality and his passion for the home gardener’s success."

Tom and his wife, Julie, led Territorial Seed Company from 1985 to 2022.

"Under Tom’s visionary leadership, the company evolved from a regional specialty outfit into a national powerhouse. A cornerstone of this success is London Spring Farms in Cottage Grove, Oregon, the company’s extensive research and trial grounds," NGB said. "There, Tom personally oversaw the rigorous testing of every variety for performance, flavor and adaptability, a 'botanical boot camp' that ensures only the best seeds reach the consumer. This tradition continues today under second-generation ownership."

"Tom’s dedication to providing gardeners with the highest-quality genetics is only matched by his dedication to the people he works with," added NGB Executive Director Diane Blazek. "Seeing Farren and Josh speak so fondly of his impact on their lives is the truest testament to his 40-year legacy."

2026 California Spring Trials registration reminder

NGB, which is also the manager for the California Spring Trials (CAST) registration, urged everyone planning on attending CAST 2026 to register ASAP.

Pre-registration is required for the key industry event for brokers, growers, landscapers and retailers. It will again be held at nine locations throughout California, offering an exclusive preview of upcoming ornamental and edible plant introductions.

Register here: caspringtrials.us.