About Perennial Grain

Why Perennials Are the Future of Grain

Unlike annual crops, perennial grains regenerate the land and offer year-round benefits.

Environmental Benefits

Perennial grains provide multiple ecological advantages over conventional annual crops, helping to restore our planet while producing nutritious food.

Improved Soil Health

Deep, extensive root systems enhance soil structure and microbial activity.

Water Conservation

Reduced runoff and increased water infiltration protect watersheds.

Carbon Sequestration

Year-round living roots capture and store carbon in the soil.
Why Kernza®?

Kernza® is the first commercially available perennial grain.

Transitioning from an annual model (i.e. corn, wheat, soybeans) to a perennial model is the best chance we have to create a truly regenerative food system across the globe.

Crop characteristics

Kernza®’s extensive root system prevents erosion, cleans water, mitigates nitrate leaching, improves soil health, and sequesters more atmospheric carbon than traditional wheat, making it both a grain and climate solution. Perennial grasslands sequester 300 – 1,000 pounds of atmospheric carbon per acre per year.

Commercial launch

Kernza®’s commercial launch is the result of an unprecedented coalition of land grant universities, farmers, research partners, processors, and CPG companies from 15 states and 10 countries, including leadership from the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative.

Featured Resource

Environmental Benefits Guide

Featured Guide

Environmental Benefits Guide

Discover how Kernza®’s deep root system creates unprecedented environmental benefits: 99% reduction in nitrate contamination, 2-3x carbon sequestration rates, and enhanced biodiversity.

99%
Nitrate Reduction
15ft
Root Depth
Why Kernza?

Learn about Kernza

Kernza is harvested from intermediate wheatgrass, growers can expect three harvests from one planting. Learn more about Kernza through this series hosted by Marbleseed: