The Kernza^® Network

In 2021, we started using Kernza® as an adjunct ingredient to replace traditional malted barley and other cereal grains in our beer. Kernza® is of particular interest to Upslope because it is a perennial grain with greater carbon sequestration potential, lower water use, and unique flavor when compared to annual cereal grains.

Cascadian Farm^® began working with Kernza^® in 2017. In 2019 we launched the first cereal by a national brand, Cascadian Farm Honey Toasted Kernza^® Cereal. Cascadian Farm, and their parent company General Mills, continue to show interest in Kernza^® because of its intrinsic regenerative agricultural benefits as a perennial grain crop, and how it may potentially help us address climate changes in the future.

Perennial Pantry exists to bring delicious, climate positive food staples to your kitchen. An offshoot of Sprowt Labs, Perennial Pantry is a direct to consumer brand offering dehulled grain and flour.

In partnership with Patagonia Provisions, we created two Northwest-style beers, Long Root Pale Ale and Long Root Wit. These beers were made from organic ingredients and feature the first commercial use of Kernza, a perennial grain which thrives without pesticides. It uses less water and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than annual grain, this is what originally sparked our interest in the use of Kernza. After years of brewing with Kernza, we also know now that it produces delicious beer.

Fresh Energy’s Center for Pollinators in Energy partners with leading food and beverage companies in creations that pair Kernza with honey harvested from flowering solar farms.

Our specialty is working with sprouted grain. We wanted to sprout kernza^® to see what we could do with it and developed a Sprouted Kernza^® cracker and put it on Amazon. It quickly attracted interest and sales. Customers wanted to buy Kernza^® from us so they could work with it at home. We then offered a sprouted kernza^® flour for our customers and this too became a very popular product for us.

Five years ago we hosted an artist in residence who was a master baker and baked Kernza^® bread for visitors to taste at a public event. We are working to add Kernza^® to our current offerings.

We have used Kernza^® in pancakes, waffles, breads, bars and grain salads in the cafe and on our fanmous Heirloom Tomato Sweet Corn BLT on Kernza^® focaccia at the Minnesota State Fair. We also included a Kernza^® recipe in the Birchwood Cafe Cookbook published in 2015. By featuring Kernza^® on our menu and the Kernza^® story in our communications, we can connect our community to the food we eat with the awareness that our food choices can and do have an impact on the world around us. We are inspired by the perennial agriculture paradigm and Kernza^®'s benefit to water and soil quality, climate change, community health and well being. We enjoy the collaborative nature of all the partners at the table working together to bring the supply chain to fruition. And it tastes great too!

In 2016, we released the first commercial product made with Kernza, Long Root Ale. Grown regeneratively & organically, Kernza restores soil and sequesters carbon - a solution to the climate crisis.

Cascadian Farm began working with Kernza^® in 2017. In 2019 we launched the first cereal by a national brand, Cascadian Farm Honey Toasted Kernza^® Cereal. Cascadian Farm, and our parent company General Mills, continue to show interest in Kernza^® because of its intrinsic regenerative agricultural benefits as a perennial crop, and how it may help us address climate changes in the future.