In a greenhouse in rural Kansas, 100 young perennial plants stand in small pots. These are intermediate wheatgrass plants, which could change the way we farm forever. Unlike annual crops like wheat and corn, which must be replanted every year, these perennials continue to grow season after season.
Lee DeHaan from the Land Institute, a non-profit in Salina, Kansas, is leading the charge. He’s working to turn these plants into a new grain called Kernza, which could one day replace annual wheat. This shift could make farming much more sustainable. Wheat, a staple for many people, accounts for about 20% of our daily calories. Replacing annual crops with perennials like Kernza could significantly cut down on the environmental impact of farming, reducing soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions.
According to experts, modern farming practices are a major cause of environmental damage. For example, one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. Annual crops require intense soil preparation, leading to an estimated loss of up to 40 billion tons of fertile soil each year. In contrast, perennials help build soil health, keeping nutrients in place and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
While DeHaan is optimistic about Kernza’s potential, it’s still an experimental crop. This plant currently produces only about a quarter of the yield that traditional wheat does. However, he believes that with continued breeding and research, Kernza could match wheat yields within the next 15 years.
Wes Jackson, the founder of the Land Institute, first got inspired to explore perennials when he visited a native prairie reserve in the 1970s. He saw that these ecosystems didn’t just survive; they thrived, continually enriching the soil—something annual crops often fail to do. Jackson famously said, “Soil is more important than oil,” emphasizing that healthy soils are crucial for food production.
Currently, Kernza is being grown in 15 states and is already being used in products like cereals and beers. Recent tests have shown the crop’s feasibility, but challenges remain. Besides improving yield, farmers must figure out how to grow and harvest these new types of grains effectively. The market is also a challenge, as current systems are optimized for annual crops.
Despite these hurdles, there’s growing interest in developing perennial grains worldwide. In Uganda, researchers are working on perennial sorghum that could withstand drought conditions. In Ukraine, trials are underway to assess how Kernza can be cultivated amidst supply chain disruptions.
Support for these initiatives is crucial. The agricultural industry currently receives around $600 billion in annual subsidies, often skewing incentives toward annual crops. Transitioning some of these resources to develop perennial varieties could pave the way for a greener future in farming.
DeHaan remains hopeful. More institutions are now recognizing the value of perennial crops. Major companies, like General Mills, are already beginning to incorporate Kernza into their products.
Back in the Kansas greenhouse, DeHaan reflects on how far they’ve come. Once considered an impractical idea, the development of perennial grains is now gaining traction, with more players interested in investing in sustainable agriculture. He believes that, within a generation, these new crops could help feed millions while restoring the soil to health.
As we look towards the future, it’s clear that innovative solutions like Kernza could really bridge the gap between productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
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