The goal of the USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Lab at Logan, Utah is to broaden the genetic base of plant materials for rangeland, irrigated pastures, and rangeland/urban interfaces in the western U.S.  A critical aspect of this multi-disciplinary effort is to assemble a broad genetic base of plant germplasm that can be used as a basis for selection and breeding in providing improved plant materials.  Domestic and overseas seed collection has been an important part of our lab’s effort since the early efforts of Wes Keller and Douglas Dewey.  I began my plant collection activities in 1981 and have led or participated in 15 overseas collection trips that have added more than 3, 500 accessions to the U.S. National Germplasm System and the genebanks of partner countries.  Close collaboration with plant geneticists has resulted in the cooperative releases of 13 cultivars and germplasms for use in livestock production and rangeland conservation in the western U.S. An overview of these activities will be provided, and the challenges currently facing germplasm collection and exchange will be discussed.