This 11-part perennial crop proceeding from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations discusses the technical and cultural state of perennial grains:
- Perennial crops: needs, perceptions, essentials
- Perennial rice: challenges and opportunities
- The progression of perennial rice breeding and genetics research in China
- Perennial wheat breeding: current germplasm and a way forward for breeding and global cooperation
- Evaluation of nine perennial wheat derivatives grown in Italy
- Current efforts to develop perennial wheat and domesticate Thinopyrum intermedium as a perennial grain
- Viewpoint: multiple-harvest sorghums toward improved food security
- Breeding and genetics of perennial maize: progress, opportunities and challenges
- Evaluating perennial candidates for domestication: lessons from wild sunflower relatives
- Domestication of Lepidium campestre as part of Mistra Biotech, a research programme focused on agro-biotechnology for sustainable food
- Agriculture redesign through perennial grains: case studies
It is available for download in PDF. Preview the first part here.
What individual, group, organization, institute would be best to contact for most current summary information of bringing perennial grain crops to market?
Hi Ray very sorry to say that perennial wheat is not ready for market. it needs some intensive selection and then maybe not even. we are now looking more at Kernza or intermediate wheat grass. Several groups around the Midwest are working to find best approaches to get it established with less weed competition as its a perennial and then seeing how it fares as a multi-purpose crop, for grazing and/or harvested for grain in Michigan as well as a perennial ground cover. Several others are doing the same work in Minnesota. This is on farm and on station. Those in Ohio are also looking at best approaches to use it agronomically while it also manages soil erosion and retains soil nitrogen. Not ready for the market YET but we will soon. Thanks for your inquiry
Hi Ray there is a non-profit out of Wisconsin you can connect with, Green Lands, Blue Waters who are based in Wisconsin. they work with farmers like yourself to try out Kernza and other perennial grains. Here is their web site. http://greenlandsbluewaters.net/strategies/perennial-grains/8-strategies/13-intermediate-wheatgrass
To learn about opportunities to grow and sell intermediate wheat grass and other perennial grains visit Green land Blue Water’s website: For more information about Green Lands Blue Waters write GLBW@umn.edu or call 612-625-3709.
Regional Program Offices:
(mailing address)
Green Lands Blue Waters
411 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108-6026
Office location:
(mailing address)
Green Lands Blue Waters
411 Hayes Hall
1509 Gortner Avenue
University of Minnesota
St. Paul MN 55108
How to reach GLBW staff:
Director
Richard Warner
RichardWarner@umn.edu
612-625-3709
Watershed Initiatives Coordinator
Aaron Reser
areser@umn.edu