Perennial Grains Take Root as Kernza Tests US Farm Economics

Kernza promises lower inputs and healthier soil, but farmers and brands are still testing whether perennial grains can truly pay off

17 Dec 2025

Across the American Midwest, some farmers are trying something that defies their own habits: planting grain that never needs replanting. The experiment is not about smarter chemicals or sharper tractors, but about abandoning the assumption that crops must start fresh each spring.

At the centre of this quiet shift is Kernza, a perennial grain developed by The Land Institute. Unlike wheat, it is sown once and regrows for several years. That simple change alters the arithmetic of farming, bringing fewer passes with machinery, less fuel, and no annual seed bill.

The advantages run deeper, literally. Kernza’s long roots hold soil in place, store moisture and reduce erosion. They also help maintain fertility without constant disturbance. For growers battling unpredictable weather and volatile costs, this reliability offers a modest form of insurance.

Recent progress has strengthened its case. In late 2025 breeding programmes improved seed size and uniformity, addressing a key weakness. General Mills expanded its support for perennial grains, backing pilot supply chains and product tests. Yields still trail conventional wheat or corn, but consistency is improving enough to sustain enthusiasm.

Adoption remains slow. Kernza acreage is minuscule and most farmers treat it as an experiment. Economic returns unfold over several seasons, not one harvest, encouraging caution. Patagonia Provisions has launched Kernza-based pasta and snacks, but these are gestures of curiosity rather than signs of mass market change.

The obstacles are ordinary but real: mismatched equipment, limited seed supply and incomplete data on long term performance. Yet Kernza’s importance may lie less in what it produces today than in what it represents, a blueprint for farming that values endurance as much as output.

Patience, not scale, may be its first harvest.