Kernza: The Perennial Grain We All Should Grow

In 1983, using Wes Jackson’s vision to develop perennial grain crops as inspiration and guidance, plant breeders at the Rodale Institute selected a Eurasian forage grass, a grass species related to wheat, as a promising perennial grain candidate. Beginning in 1990, researchers undertook two cycles of selection for further refinement. By 2003 the Land Institute began their breeding program. Why should you care? Kernza is a deeply rooted perennial ideal for no-till systems - it's harvested for grain, then left to be grazed. Its environmental benefits are unmatched. Kernza stabilizes soil, increases SOM and soil microbiota diversity, and improves soil structure and water-holding capacity. Join our workshop to learn why Patagonia Provisions adopted Kernza as a grain that could help save the home planet, how a farmer like Luke Peterson earned Regenerative Organic Certified™ for his kernza, and why we need more farmers to start growing this amazing new grain!