I checked out their website, prompted by a column by Thomas Friedman. I was not impressed. They apparently never heard of the One Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, published in 1975, which shows that annual grains can be raised in a natural, polycultural, sustainable manner. We don't need perennial grains. Nor do I think that their breeding program can work. Nor do I think that they take into account the difficulty of harvesting more than one crop in the same season. Rycke Brown, Natural Gardener read more

If you are passionate about Kansas, agriculture, nature, sustainability and staving off global hunger check of the Land Institute. http://www.landinstitute.org/ The Institute's annual Prairie Festival is such an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to hear the some of the brightest scientists, politicians and visionaries from across the planet speak their minds. Delicious catered organic dinners and a barn dance are not to miss! read more

Wes Jackson won a genius award for his research into potential farming methods of the future -- 100 years into the future -- and I can see why. Unlike big industrial farms that are biodiversity deserts, the Land Institute showcases a farm that is teaming with life. Too much to explain here, in a nutshell the message is that it is time for us to learn to become native to our places of habitation. I made 2 trips to visit this farm on a motorcycle and 1 trip in a broken down car, but each trip was worth it. Each trip was an exciting adventure well worth the effort. Don't just drop by un-announced, but call ahead and schedule your visit during one of their Prairie Festivals. They are doing serious work and the land is their laboratory or office. The Prairie Festivals always attract a great group, with a real interest in obeying nature in order to control her (paraphrase from Francis Bacon). read more