Sustain-A-Grain

Sustain-A-Grain is dedicated to developing markets for Kernza®, a new perennial grain, and supporting a network of Kernza® growers in the region. Based in Kansas and Nebraska, we produce, process, and package Kernza®, collaborating with food companies and communities to integrate this crop into their products and foodways, promoting its ecological benefits on the landscape and nutritional qualities for human health. Kernza® is a "multi-functional" crop that serves as both fodder for animals and grain for humans. Additionally, it provides essential ecosystem services such as erosion control, carbon sequestration, and water retention. As a perennial substitute for annual wheat, Kernza® can be used in baked goods, beer, and whiskey or as a whole grain like barley or rice. As farmers ourselves, As farmers ourselves, we know that the current methods of grain production require a race to the bottom. Perennial grains present an exciting alternative to the traditional agricultural system. Nature's playbook relies heavily on perennials-it's time we learn from her. Per our friends at Kernza.org:"Many fruit, forage, and some vegetable crops, including alfalfa, grapes, asparagus, and fruit and nut trees, are perennials that have been cultivated for thousands of years. Adding perennial grains, legumes, and oilseeds represents a paradigm shift in modern agriculture. Given that grains make up over 70% of our global caloric consumption and over 70% of our global crop lands, transitioning from an extractive annual model to a perennial model is the best chance we have to create a truly regenerative food future. Perennial grains, like Kernza®, can free farmers from the treadmill of economic instability by significantly reducing the need for costly inputs and minimizing the operational expenses of tillage and planting." Sustain-A-Grain partners with growers to develop the Kernza® supply chain and with buyers to understand the potential of this truly revolutionary grain.