Members of the Soil Fertility and Soil Health Lab participated in KernzaCon 2025, held June 9-11 at North Dakota State University’s Barry Hall in Fargo, North Dakota. This national event brought together researchers, farmers, and industry leaders to discuss the latest advancements in Kernza, the first commercially available perennial grain in the U.S., known for preventing erosion, improving water retention, and increasing soil organic matter.
The lab shared ongoing research and engaged in key conversations on fertilizer recommendations for organic systems, the impact of forage harvest strategies on grain yields, and long-term soil health benefits of perennial crops. By highlighting these emerging opportunities and challenges, the lab helped inform broader efforts to scale Kernza in sustainable agriculture.
More information about the event can be found here: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/events/kernzacon-2025
Authors: Naiima Abdi, Aline de Camargo Santos, and Manbir Rakkar.