Key facts
- Farmers are adopting perennial grains to build resilience against extreme weather like drought and intense rainfall.
- Perennial grains, unlike annual crops, are planted once and can last for several years.
- Their extensive root systems help with water management, soil stabilization, and carbon sequestration.
- Kernza is a leading perennial grain under development, with limited but growing cultivation in the U.S.
- Challenges for perennial grains include lower yields, difficult harvesting, and developing markets.
Farmers are increasingly turning to perennial grains as a strategy to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, such as prolonged droughts and intense rainfall. Bryce Black, a Kansas farmer, described the challenges of a recent drought that significantly reduced his winter wheat yield, leading him to consider alternative crops for survival.
Perennial grains, unlike traditional annual crops that require yearly planting and harvesting, are planted once and can persist for multiple years. This characteristic offers significant savings in labor and money. Researchers are actively developing perennial versions of staple grains like wheat, sorghum, and rice. These crops are noted for their deep root systems, which can extend several feet into the soil. This allows them to access water deeper underground, making them more resilient to drought conditions. Additionally, these extensive root structures can absorb excess water during heavy rains, reducing soil erosion and runoff.
Kernza, a perennial grain developed by The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, is one of the most advanced in this field. David Mueller, a farmer in Halstead, Kansas, has planted Kernza on his land. The Land Institute has been domesticating Kernza since 2001 and collaborates with farmers and researchers globally. While perennial rice is being adopted in parts of Asia and Africa, Kernza, first harvested on a farm in 2010, is furthest along in development. In the 2025-26 U.S. season, Kernza was cultivated on approximately 3,500 acres, a small fraction compared to the over 37 million acres of wheat harvested or planted.