Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria hosted the 39th Annual Conference of the Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON) from 14 to 18 November 2021. The Theme of the Conference was: “The Role of Horticulture in Food Security and Sustainable Health in Era of Climate Change and Covid-19 Pandemic.” The occasion was a roll call of who-is-who in Horticultural Research in Nigeria. The attendance to the conference cut across the Universities, Research Institutes and Industries. The serene landscape of the Institute provided a veritable platform for cross pollination of ideas between the town and gown. The CRIN Executive Director (ED), Dr. Patrick Adebola, welcomed the President-in-Council (PIC), Horticultural Society of Nigeria, Dr. Usman Ibrahim, the keynote speaker, Prof. A.O. Fatunbi, guests and participants to the conference. He noted that the new era and notable peace in the Institute afforded us the opportunity to host the conference after the last one was held 21 years ago. The page charges and conference registration fees of all CRIN Scientists that are first authors were duly covered by the Institute. The various technical sessions afforded the scientists the opportunity for presentation of papers and learning from colleagues. In recognition of the enviable leadership style of the CRIN ED, Dr. Adebola Patrick, the Council of HORTSON awarded him a title of Fellow of HORTSON, which is the highest award of the Society. In the same vein, Dr. R.R. Ipinmoroti of CRIN was elected as the new HORTSON President-in-Council, while Mrs E.A. Adeyemi was elected as the Coordinator, Fruits.