The prospects of a perennial future of agriculture

The use of annual plants disrupts agro-ecological processes every season, resulting in soil erosion, nutrient losses, and greenhouse gas emissions from machinery and soils. The costly practices of managing annuals, including a strong dependence on herbicides and mineral fertilizers, partly explain the high indebtedness and low returns in agriculture. A shift from annual to perennial grains that are planted once and harvested for many consecutive years, could revolutionize agriculture and revitalize rural society. It could solve problems associated with annuals and increase the potential for adaptation to climate change. Advances in plant breeding have shown that a shift to perennials is possible within a few decades.

The Land Institute (Salina, KS, USA) is the World leading institute for research on a radical new vision of agriculture that is based primarily on perennial grains grown in mixed cultures. Wes Jackson created the institute in 1976 with the vision of radically reform agriculture in the coming 50-100 years. Rachel Stroer who joined TLI in 2015 as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategist, was appointed President in 2021. Lennart Olsson (LUCSUS, Lund University) has been collaborating closely with TLI for the past 10 years, and is also a member of the Board of Directors. Lennart’s research focus on the social/political/economic aspects of the perennial vision and coordinates research between TLI and partners in Sweden and Denmark.

The meeting is led by Lennart Wikström, chair of the Academy Committee on Soil Carbon and Climate Benefit.

Zoom Webinar Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89906341050?pwd=aE5BbkdlVUprc1MzcWpxaFVLN1VPUT09&from=addon

Meeting ID: 899 0634 1050. Passcode: 252153