Minnesota Department of Agriculture Supports Kernza® & Perennial Crop Markets
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is supporting the Kernza® supply chain and market by funding multiple perennial grain businesses through its Continuous Living Cover* (CLC) Grant, which awarded $431,637 to 10 new projects in the state. Bang Brewing and Sturdiwheat will both receive funding to modify their recipes to increase the percentage of Kernza in their products to meet the new Perennial Percent label, while Perennial Pantry and the Perennial Promise Growers Co-Operative will receive funding to expand the market for Kernza and other CLC products. This funding is crucial for emerging crops and the businesses that support them, providing a boost to crops that are in the early stages of commercial production.
In addition to bolstering the Kernza market, grant funding will also support several other perennial crop businesses, projects, and products including hazelnuts, elderberry, and silvopasture.
*Continuous Living Cover crops like Kernza keep living plants and roots in the ground all year to build healthy soil, protect water quality, sequester carbon, and support biodiversity.