Kernza®: A Perennial
Super Grain for The Future
Kernza has the power to prevent and reverse damage.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Modern agricultural systems dominated by annual crops and separated livestock production cause 12% of the world’s emissions. Kernza is perennial - it comes back year after year, requiring far fewer passes with fossil fuel-burning equipment.
Soil Erosion
Annual agriculture systems without living roots and continuous cover leave soil bare and vulnerable to washing away. Traditional corn-soybean fields in the Midwest lose on average 7.6 tons of soil per acre every year. Perennial Kernza fields are never bare - and hold soil in place with 10-foot roots.
Kernza In The Kitchen
Kernza is not only a powerhouse grain crop in the field, but also a versatile nutrient-packed flour in the kitchen. It contains 18% protein, with flavor notes of walnut, cinnamon and brown butter. Kernza is also lower in gluten than annual wheat, with 2X the iron and 129% more fiber!
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Click on the tasty baked goods below to learn more about baking with this new perennial grain that’s good for people and the planet.
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Fresh Kernza Flour and Perennial Pancake Mix can be purchased in our Fields Best Shop and at these local farmers markets: Fitchburg Center Farmers Market, Tosa Farmers Market, Whitewater Farmers Market, and Thiensville Farmers Market.
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Read our Latest Kernza Research Papers
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Click the cover to read
Intermediate wheatgrass as a dual use crop for grain and grazing
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Productivity of intermediate wheatgrass responds more to local soil and climate factors than fertility treatments in the first establishment year
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Management practices that maximize alfalfa forage harvested on farms: Insights from technological groups
Kernza in The News
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Water pollution from fertilizer runoff and soil erosion remains a major challenge in the Upper Midwest and throughout the Mississippi River watershed. The impacts can be seen in harmful algal blooms, contaminated wells, and the growing dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Cover crops can help reduce runoff and erosion, but perennial plants offer even greater mitigation potential because they keep living roots in the ground year-round. The challenge is that relatively few perennial crops can also provide farmers with a viable source of income.
That challenge inspired Dr. Nicole Tautges, MFAI Research Director and agroecologist, to pursue research on Kernza® perennial grain. Kernza is a perennial grain crop bred from a wild grass and continually improved for grain production and food-quality characteristics.
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MFAI researchers and farmer partners are conducting trials to develop practical production recommendations for growers, including guidance on fertilizer rates, variety selection, crop management, and harvest. This work is especially important in Wisconsin, where relatively few Kernza production trials have been conducted.
Perennial agriculture can help protect surface and groundwater, keep soil in place, store atmospheric carbon, restore ecosystems, and build more resilient agricultural landscapes. Alongside agroforestry and other regenerative practices, Kernza is an important tool in the continuous living cover toolbox.
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MFAI has taken the lead to build the systems needed to make Kernza a viable crop in Wisconsin, working one-on-one with growers, mills, businesses, organizational partners, and consumers to expand production, processing, and market opportunities.
As this work grows, Wisconsin-grown Kernza is finding its way into more breads, beers, distilled products, and other locally made goods. These products create new opportunities for farmers and businesses while supporting healthier landscapes and keeping more food dollars circulating within Wisconsin communities.​​
Ready to Make the Move to Perennial?
The Kernza Growers Guide gives growers practical information for successfully producing and storing Kernza, from rotation planning and planting considerations to in-season management, combine settings, harvest, and post-harvest handling. It also includes tips and resources for identifying and exploring potential market opportunities.
Click the cover to download a digital copy of The Kernza Growers Guide for free, or pick up a paper copy at one of our field days.
Go Perennial!
Contact Dr. Nicole Tautges, MFAI Research Director, agroecologist, and nationally recognized Kernza researcher, to learn more about growing Kernza perennial grain or incorporating Kernza into your baking, brewing, or food business.
509-432-6489
