ST. PAUL, Minn. — Throughout the summer, farmers and research partners are hosting in-person Kernza field days in Minnesota, Wisconsin and New Mexico. Kernza, the first commercially available perennial grain in the United States, prevents erosion, encourages water retention and increases organic matter on farms.
Supply chain partners are cleaning and processing Kernza and food companies across the country are turning Kernza into tasty products for consumers, including pasta, beer, bread and baked goods. The following schedule of field days covers a range of topics, including Kernza breeding, production, processing, economics, ecosystem services and market development. This list will be updated throughout the summer:
June 27 – Roseau, MN
The Turf Grass Council will host a field day from 1-4 p.m. at the Magnusson Research Farm. For more details check the online newsletter here: https: //turf.umn.edu/seed-p.roduction-newsletters
June 27 – Farmington, New Mexico
New Mexico State University Ag Science Center – Farmington will host a field day which will include Kernza® from 9-1 p.m. More details available at: https://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/Farmington
July 7 – St. Peter, MN
Great River Greening will host a Kernza® focused field day. Check the website for more details as they are available: https://www.greatrivergreening.org/
July 10 – Arlington, WI
Dr. Valentin Picasso will lead a tour of the KernzaCAP experiments at the Arlington Research Station from 2:30-4:30 p.m. for the ASA Board Meeting.
August 6 – Jackson, WI
Glacierland RDC and Cedar Creek Farmers will host a Soil Health Field Day featuring Ross Bishop’s Kernza field from 5:30-7:30 p.m. More details available at: https://www.glacierlandrcd.org/upcoming-events
August 6 – Cannon Falls, MN
Clean River Partners will host a Kernza® focused field day at Bill Jokela’s farm from 3-5 p.m. For more details, check the website: https://www.cleanriverpartners.org/
August 15 – Westport, MN
Pope and Stearns County SWCD will host a field day featuring Kernza at the Rosholt Research Farm. Check the website for more details as they are available: https://popeswcd.org/
August 22 – Castle Rock, MN
Kimber Contours and Forever Green will host a field day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. that will include Kernza® along with Kimber Contours’ Go-First Farm hazelnut planting. Topics such as land transitions will also be covered. Check the website for more details as they are available: https://forevergreen.umn.edu/
Learn more about Forever Green’s work with Kernza.
— University of Minnesota, Forever Green Initiative
