Perennial Grains Gain Ground as Farmers Seek Climate Resilience

Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, causing devastating losses for farmers. To mitigate this risk, some farmers are turning to perennial grains like Kernza.

Kernza is a type of grain similar to native grasses found in parts of Europe and western Asia. It doesn't require yearly planting, harvesting, and replanting like annual crops do.

Instead, it's planted once every few years, allowing its extensive root system to access water deeper in the ground, making it more resilient to drought. When heavy rain hits, these roots can absorb excess water that would otherwise run off and erode the soil.

David Mueller, a fourth-generation farmer from Kansas, has been growing Kernza on his farm since 2018. He's planted almost 100 acres of it and uses it to rebuild soil with drainage issues or reestablish organic matter.

Kernza requires about a third less fertilizer than wheat and reduces the need for gas-burning farm equipment. Mueller believes that if he can plant something once and not have to go back for four or five years, it would save him 'so much money, so much labor, everything.'