Nourishing Communities,
Kernza® perennial grain offers a transformative solution to sustainable farming. Thriving for multiple years without replanting, Kernza® reduces the need for tillage and other resource-intensive inputs. Its extensive root system, which can reach over ten feet underground, prevents soil erosion, cleans water, and improves overall soil health. This intrinsically regenerative crop sequesters carbon and enhances the environment while contributing to a more resilient and sustainable food system.
Mitigating
Climate Change
Perennial grasses like Kernza® sequester atmospheric carbon. In previously tilled soils, this carbon accumulation can continue for decades, further contributing to climate change mitigation.
Protecting Water
Quality & Improving
Soil Health
The deep root system acts as a natural filter, significantly lowering the risk of nitrate contamination in drinking water. Studies have found that the root uptake of Kernza® can reduce nitrate levels in soil water, bringing concentrations far below the EPA’s safe drinking water threshold.
Kernza® perennial grain significantly boosts soil health by reducing soil erosion and nitrate leaching. Its long, dense root system and extended lifespan commonly increase organic matter and beneficial fungi in soil and enhance water infiltration.
Strengthening
Wildlife Habitats
Kernza® begins growing early in the spring, providing critical shelter for insects, small mammals, migratory birds, waterfowl, and pheasants. It’s not harvested until late July or early August, after the crucial nesting habitats for many bird species. The continuous ground cover also creates refuges for pollinators, small mammals, and other wildlife.*
*Wildlife habitat benefit claims are based on observations, anecdotal evidence, and research for similar grassland systems. UMN Kernza® researchers are actively seeking funding partners to formally quantify these benefits through a research study.
Get the Summary of Research on the Environmental Impact of Kernza®
Access even more details and citations on the wide range of benefits from Kernza® perennial grain.
Going Beyond Kernza®
The Land Institute is developing a group of perennial grains, legumes, and oilseeds that will bring unprecedented sustainability to agriculture.