By Scout Nelson
A special Kernza Field Day will be held on August 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hastings, Minnesota, across from the Hastings Water Tower. This public event will showcase Kernza, a perennial grain that improves water quality, builds soil health, and provides forage and food opportunities.
Organized by the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Forever Green Initiative, University of Minnesota Extension, and Dakota County, this free event offers insights into Kernza’s role in sustainable farming. Participants will explore how this intermediate wheatgrass supports conservation efforts and discovers how it differs from traditional annual crops.
Kernza is a perennial crop included in the Forever Green Initiative, which focuses on moving new crops from research to real-world use. With support from Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund, this initiative promotes perennial crops to restore and protect water resources.
Perennial crops like Kernza offer year-round ground cover, reducing erosion and runoff. They require fewer farming inputs, enhance soil carbon, increase biodiversity, and support pollinators.
Attendees will:
- Learn about Kernza’s environmental and farming benefits
- Hear from experts in perennial agriculture
- Explore cost-share and funding programs
- Connect with farmers, researchers, and conservation professionals
“This study underscores the substantial spatial and system-specific sensitivities in the ways that conservation farm practices play out.”
Lunch will be provided, and guests may stay for a casual social hour after the presentations. While the event is free, registration is required by August 1 to receive lunch.
To register or learn more, visit the official Hastings Kernza Field Day event page. The event will rain or shine and supports Minnesota’s ongoing commitment to clean water and sustainable agriculture.
Photo Credit:pexels-adam-sondel
Categories: Minnesota, Crops