Perennials the Solution to Unsustainable Farming?
(Paul Williams photo: Dust Bowl ghost town.)
"Climate change and increased populations around the world are problems that are all tied together... They all point to a world that's living beyond its means." —NPR
Since 1976, Wes Jackson has been working on a solution to the 10,000 year old problem of unsustainable farming. He's come up with a solution: a cross between wheat and prairie grasses that's perennial, meaning it doesn't require the soil to be re-plowed every year. That keeps soil in place and reduces chemical use.
Now for the field tests: does it taste like wheat?
Perennials are also great for crowding out weed growth.
The challenge of perennial grain farming is that the plant puts much more energy into its roots than refined grain crops. Thus they put less into producing seeds/grain.
the palate follows the supply though. most folks don't eat whole grain bread anyhow.
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