In 2001, Land Institute in Kansas formally began domesticating Kernza, over two decades later perennial grain was cultivated on more than 3,500 acres of land, emerging famers' go to solution for extreme weather

Farmers often look for new ways to protect their crops and their bottom line against the extreme weather events. A number of farmers in the U.S. are putting perennial grains in rotation to build resilience against extreme weather like drought and intense rainfall. Researchers are working to develop perennial versions of common annual grains like wheat, sorghum and rice.

Five years ago, David Mueller planted a 12-acre (5 hectare) field of Kernza, a perennial grain similar to native grasses found in parts of Europe and western Asia. Perennial grains don’t require yearly planting, harvesting and replanting. Instead, they are planted once every few years.