In Brief
1976. Salina, Kansas; sustainable agriculture, perennial grains
Description
(1976; Salina, Kansas, USA; www.landinstitute.org).
“Our goal is to fashion an agriculture as sustainable as the native ecosystems it displaced… (one) that not only protects irreplaceable soil, but lessens our dependence on fossil fuels and damaging synthetic chemicals.” Most food consumed by humans comes from annual crops which are detrimental to soil, and some 70% of global agricultural land produces them. Perennial grains are not yet available, but “we hope to begin releasing Kernza, our first perennial grain, within a decade to farmers.” Other grains (wheat, sunflowers, sorghum) will be released as they become ready in the following years. “Collaborations are underway across the globe,” for an agricultural system with the ecological stability of the prairie and a grain yield comparable to that from annual crops. Publishes Annual Report, newsletter, and many scientific articles. Founder and President: Wes Jackson. 26 staff.