What is the status of public plant breeding programs in the United States? A graphic representation of the steps, and timeline, to develop a new apple variety. January 7, 2021 – Most plant-based foods we eat today are a product of innovative plant breeding programs. The January 7 th Sustainable, Secure Food Blog explores the process and importance of plant breeding, and how these programs are at risk of extinction. According to blogger Kate Evans, “U.S. public investment in plant breeding programs has fallen. The current funding model of short-term grants (1-, 2- or sometimes 5-year awards) is particularly challenging for breeding programs which require typically a 7- to 12-year process, or far longer.”