ANAHEIM, Calif., March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cascadian
Farm, a pioneer in the organic food movement, and parent company General Mills today announced their work with The Land Institute
(TLI) to help commercialize organic Kernza®, a perennial grain (intermediate wheatgrass) and wild relative of annual wheat, whose deep roots show
promise to increase soil health, carbon sequestration, water retention and enhance surrounding wildlife habitat. The sweet- and
nutty-tasting grain lends itself particularly well as an ingredient for cereal and snacks.
Cascadian Farm has agreed to purchase an initial amount of the perennial grain which allows TLI to arrange with farmers to
plant on commercial-scale fields versus the test sized plots currently being grown.
"From our earliest days, Cascadian Farm has had a deep commitment to creating a positive relationship between food and the
land where it is grown," said Carla Vernón, Vice President of Cascadian Farm. "Now, 45 years since our inception, we are excited
to incorporate the perennial grain Kernza® into our foods and our organic farming. We believe in the potential of this grain to
make a positive ecological impact. And, this helps us live up to the expectation that our consumers have for Cascadian Farm and
continue to be a pioneer in organic farming and land stewardship."
In addition, General Mills approved a $500,000 charitable contribution to the Forever Green
Initiative at the University of Minnesota in partnership with The Land Institute, to support advanced
research to measure the potential of Kernza to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production,
determine best management practices for sustainable production, and increase Kernza yields through breeding.
Since 2014, General Mills has worked alongside The Land
Institute and University of Minnesota's College of Food,
Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences to research the viability of Kernza intermediate wheatgrass as an
earth-friendly, more sustainable grain. Kernza is unique in that its roots grow more than twice as deep (upwards of 10 feet) and
are greater in density than current annual wheat roots. As a perennial, farmers who produce Kernza don't need to till and replant
the crop every year, minimizing disruption to the soil. Early research shows Kernza's long roots may help preserve soil, enhance
soil health, and reduce nitrogen movement into ground and surface waters.
"Research has demonstrated that the ecological benefits of Kernza perennial grain for agricultural systems are remarkable,"
said Dr. Lee DeHaan, Lead Scientist at The Land Institute. "The length, size, and long life of the
roots enable the grain to provide measurable soil health benefits and drought resistance while preventing soil erosion and
storing critical nutrients – potentially turning agriculture into a soil-forming ecosystem. This partnership with General Mills
and investment by Cascadian Farm, promises to be a significant boost, helping take this planet-friendly grain to the next level
of viability as a food ingredient. Additionally we anticipate it will allow researchers to more precisely measure the impact
of widespread Kernza perennial grain cultivation on carbon sequestration."
Cascadian Farm has reserved an initial amount of Kernza perennial grain seed and plans to plant an acre test plot this fall on
the Cascadian Farm home farm next to the Skagit River in Washington. The farm team will closely
monitor and research how the grain fares in the unique temperate rainforest ecosystem in partnership with The Land Institute.
"Incorporating winter annual and perennial crops such as intermediate wheatgrass into agricultural landscapes offers progress
towards water quality goals," said Dr. Brian Buhr, Dean of the University of
Minnesota's College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences. "Support from General Mills is an example of
a university – industry partnership that can help translate research into commercial application that in turn helps develop
markets to spur further advancement in crops for both food use and ecosystem improvement."
Cascadian Farm joined General Mills in 2000 as the company's first organic brand. Cascadian Farm has a history of leading the
company's corporate sustainability efforts, and was recently one of 50 product brands to endorse Carbon Underground's guidelines for "Regenerative
Agriculture" to further the brand's commitment to soil health by supporting farming practices that have a positive
impact. Other General Mills' brands who endorsed the guidelines include Annie's and Epic.
General Mills is showcasing the company's natural and organic brands at Natural Products Expo West 2017 March 8-12 in Booth 3846.
The University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative
The University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative (UMFGI) mission is to diversify
economic opportunities for Minnesota's farmers through the production of new sources of food,
feed, and high-value biomaterials without interfering with current annual production systems. Teams of faculty working on
breeding, agronomics, ecology, food science and economics are developing new crops such as intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza®) to
improve vital land and water resources; and, enable abundant grain production despite climate variability and new pest pressures.
The new Forever Green crops will enhance rural communities by creating new industries and employment opportunities based on
renewable agriculture resources. Visit forevergreen.umn.edu to learn more.
The Land Institute
The Land Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Salina, Kansas, that was founded in 1976. The Land
Institute's work, led by a team of agronomists
and ecologists in multiple
partnerships worldwide, is focused on developing perennial grains, pulses and oilseed bearing plants to be grown in
ecologically intensified, diverse crop mixtures known as perennial polycultures. The Institute's goal is to create an agriculture
system that mimics natural systems in order to produce ample food and reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of industrial
agriculture. Visit landinstitute.org to learn more.
About General Mills
General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include
Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Betty
Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more. Headquartered in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2016 worldwide sales of US $17.6 billion, including the company's US $1.0 billion proportionate share of
joint-venture net sales. For more information about General Mills, visit www.generalmills.com.
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SOURCE General Mills