In a week filled with woeful and discouraging news--good Lord, Western Minn. farmer a pioneer in raising perennial grain Kernza:
just lost his job this Friday afternoon--it's wonderful to read a story like Tom Cherveny's piece in the West Central Tribune,Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak needed only a garage to develop Apple computers and change the world forever.
Carmen Fernholz is hoping a two-acre parcel of his Lac qui Parle County farmland will be what it takes to launch a change in Minnesota's agricultural landscape for a long time to come as well.
At the request of a researcher he's known at the University of Minnesota, Fernholz planted the acres in 2011 with an intermediate wheatgrass grain trademarked as Kernza.
It's one of a number of perennials being developed by the Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, in partnership with researchers at the University of Minnesota and other land-grant universities as a potential crop for the "second green revolution.'' The goal is to develop perennial crops for their many ecological benefits.
In Minnesota, Fernholz is believed to be the first person to really plant Kernza on a scale larger than small research plots, according to Jacob Jungers, a researcher with the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Researcher Don Wyse had asked Fernholz to give this new crop a try. "Don, I'm always willing to try something,'' said Fernholz of his response.
Now the well-known organic farmer is excited about the possibility of playing a part in the second green revolution. With six years of experience with Kernza, Fernholz has seen how this perennial improves soil health, reduces erosion and benefits water quality. The deep-rooted grain is very efficient at utilizing nitrogen and preventing it from leaching into groundwater.
Kernza also makes a great beer. And a tasty bread and pasta. And there's more to come. . . .
Read the whole article at the West Central Tribune. Cherveny also reports Kernza field day slated Aug. 10. Bluestem hopes to be there, as farm field days are proving to be a great way to learn about advances in Minnesota agriculture and energy.
Photo: Carmen Fernholz's field of Kernza, via the Birchwood Cafe's website. It's on the breakfast and brunch menu at the Birchwood.
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This is awesome. So proud of Carmen!
Posted by: Beverly Dougherty | Jul 30, 2017 at 07:41 AM