Please join AURI Connects: Fields of Innovation as we welcome Tessa Peters, Crop Stewardship Manager for The Land Institute, and Christopher Abbott, Co-Founder of Sprowt Labs and Perennial Pantry, to discuss market opportunities for a promising new crop being produced by Minnesota farmers: Kernza® Perennial Grain. Peters and Abbott will provide an update on efforts to commercialize this ecologically-friendly, multi-functional crop and discuss the potential it holds for Minnesota farmers and businesses.

?Kernza® perennial grain is a new domesticated grain introduced by The Land Institute that is now being developed for commercial use. It originates from a forage grass called intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) and is a cousin of wheat. In 2019, the University of Minnesota released its first named Kernza® variety: MN-Clearwater.

As a perennial crop Kernza® offers year-round soil cover, helping farmers reduce soil erosion and protect streams, lakes and groundwater from potential contamination.

The conversation about Kernza® and other new and emerging crops is ongoing at the Fields of Innovation Facebook Group.

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AURI Connects: Fields of Innovation is a platform focused on bringing together Minnesota’s regional ag and food value chains to build capacity and successfully commercialize new and emerging crops. Events focus on highlighting promising new crops, examining market opportunities for emerging crops, and highlighting new technologies in existing crops.

This webinar is hosted by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute as part of the Fields of Innovation’s monthly ‘Final Friday’ Innovation Forums. Webinars take place on the last Friday of the month from 12 pm – 1:15 pm CT. Registration is free and open to the public. To learn more about upcoming webinars and watch past recordings, visit us at www.auri.org/fields-of-innovation.