General Mills subsidiary Cascadian Farm, which specializes in organic foods, will buy an initial amount of
Kernza, a perennial grain developed by The Land Institute (TLI), in a large step
toward commercializing the wild relative of annual wheat.
“Research has demonstrated
that the ecological benefits of Kernza perennial grain for agricultural systems
are remarkable,” said TLI Lead Scientist Dr. Lee DeHaan. “The length,
size and long life of the roots enable the grain to provide measurable soil
health benefits and drought resistance while preventing soil erosion and
storing critical nutrients—potentially turning agriculture into a
soil-forming ecosystem.
Kernza shows promising
benefits for soil health, carbon sequestration, water retention and wildlife
habitat enhancement, and it boasts a sweet and nutty taste. In addition to
Cascadian Farm’s plan to purchase an amount of the grain, General Mills will fund
studies at the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative on Kernza
with a $500,000 charitable contribution.
“Now, 45 years
since our inception, we are excited to incorporate the perennial grain Kernza
into our foods and our organic farming,” said Carla Vernón, vice president of
Cascadian Farm. “We believe in the potential of this grain to make a positive
ecological impact. And this helps us live up to the expectation that our
consumers have for Cascadian Farm and continue to be a pioneer in organic
farming and land stewardship.”
