January 12, 2021
By Adriana Janovich, Washington State Magazine
Cosmic Crisp
® isn’t the first Washington State University apple to go to market. That distinction goes to WA 2, or Sunrise Magic
®.
Like Cosmic Crisp, Sunrise Magic was bred at WSU for Washington growers. But it wasn’t launched with the same hype. And it still isn’t as well-known as its successor. Proprietary Variety Management, which is handling the commercialization of both Cosmic Crisp and Sunrise Magic, is working to change that just as WSU’s pome fruit breeding program continues working on creating new varieties.
“What I can see happening is we’ll release a number of different varieties over the next 10 or 20 years, but they may be somewhat smaller production apples,” says Kate Evans, the program’s leader. “I think we can’t expect the amount of infrastructure and investment necessary to put out a big volume apple on a regular basis. That is asking a lot of the industry.”
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.”
Programs could disappear as they see reduced budgets, staffing January 7, 2021 – Most plant-based foods we eat today are a product of innovative plant.
Curlsmith Closes Series A Funding led by BFG Partners
Venture Capital Fund BFG Partners backs Curlsmith, Ulta Beauty s #1 curl care brand
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NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Curlsmith, a premium haircare brand specializing in textured hair, announced today that it has closed its Series A financing led by BFG Partners. The funding will provide additional growth capital for the beauty brand, as it continues its expansion in both the United States and Europe. Curlsmith has performed exceptionally well since inception, most notably accelerating its growth in 2020, a year marked by retail closures and consumer uncertainty.
By Editor | January 6, 2021 |
by Kate Evans
Morgan County’s older residents over the holidays started to receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as it became available.
Local medical practices and the Health Department alerted those over age 80 of the availability of a limited number of doses here in the county.
Morgan County Health Department staff advertised and set up appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations for the priority age group of 80 years old and older on Wednesday, December 30 once vaccines were received.
Health Department staff came in and administered vaccines on Thursday, December 31 for two hours by appointment despite the agency being closed for the holidays.