About The Land Institute

The mission of The Land Institute is to breed edible perennial crops and grow them in a prairie-like polyculture. Annual monoculture crops, such as corn and soybeans, require plowing, planting, chemical fertilizers and oil-based pesticides year after year, which can lead to soil erosion, worn-out land and pollution of soil and water.

The Institute is working on mixtures of perennial versions of grain sorghum, wheat, rye and sunflowers that can be grown together. Scientists also are working on domesticating perennial species such as intermediate wheatgrass, bundleflower (a legume) and eastern gamagrass (a relative of corn) to produce edible grain.

Located in Salina, Kansas, the Institute was established by Wes and Dana Jackson in 1976 to study ways to provide food, shelter and energy without degrading the planet. The Institute's research has been published in numerous scientific journals, and is frequently cited in national media, most recently the prestigious Science and Nature publications.

The Institute has a team of advisors, which includes members of the National Academy of Sciences. Currently, the Institute is seeking funds to construct and operate a research center devoted to natural systems agriculture and to work with public institutions to direct more research in this area.

Jerry Glover and Wes Jackson visited Iowa State University this spring to discuss their ideas with faculty and staff. The Leopold Center was among several sponsors for the two-day seminar.