'Kernza is one of the solutions': Clean-water crops at the Capitol
Clean-water crops, such as the perennial flax seen here, could be the key to a cleaner, healthier Mississippi River. (Photo by Friends of the Mississippi River)
A dynamic group of Minnesota growers, farmers, entrepreneurs and researchers gathered at the Capitol recently to provide special insight into the benefits of clean-water crops.
That included Anne Schwagerl, who grows a diverse mix of crops in Browns Valley, Minnesota, and serves as vice president of the Minnesota Farmers Union.
"On our farm we’re always looking for ways to remain resilient, creative, and stay competitive," she said, summing up the case for investment while speaking to the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development committee on Feb. 12.
Schwagerl was one of 10 people to testify in support of two complementary measures currently being considered by the Legislature.
One of the bills (SF 1220/HF 525) would ensure the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative gets the funding it needs. Teams there are developing clean-water crops (such as Kernza, winter camelina and hybrid hazelnuts) that have the potential to keep agricultural pollutants from entering Minnesota’s waters while diversifying the state’s farm landscapes and boosting rural communities.
Dominic Jones, manager of the Red Rock Rural Water System, shared that his region has benefitted from the ability to use Forever Green crops to reduce nitrate levels.
"I formally and positively endorse the Forever Green project, as it gives us alternatives in our drinking water source management areas," he told lawmakers.
The other bill (SF 1413/HF 1677) channels start-up funding to the small- and mid-sized supply chain businesses that bring these crops from the farmgate to consumers. Seed processors, food makers and other local entrepreneurs need early assistance to create the new markets for clean water crops, but once such systems are up and running, they will be a key contributor to the Minnesota ag economy.
Diane Christofore of Regenerative Ag Alliance was among those who credited the early success of this grants program, which invests in supply chain businesses focused on clean water crops.
"The coalitions I’m part of at the national level oftentimes reference this program as an example of how we can coalesce and truly support the early-stage adoption of [regenerative] practices and directly support farmers," he said.
Schwagerl called these crops a "win-win-win opportunity," highlighting the enormous potential of winter camelina and other winter-hardy oilseeds as a source for renewable fuels.
"We’ve got a new market and are improving our farm’s economic opportunities, we’re protecting the environment, enhancing biodiversity, and we’re helping to lower the carbon intensity of a difficult to decarbonize sector of the transportation industry," she said.
Take action: Help support these bills in the House
Next up for these clean-water crops bills is a hearing in front of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy committee. We'll once again be working with Forever Green partners to tell the stories of the scientists, farmers and small business owners that benefit from these state investments.
If you're represented by a legislator who serves on the Agriculture Finance and Policy committee, you can help. Use the form below to send a message to your representative about why it's important to support more river-friendly agriculture. (If you're not sure who represents you, that's no problem. Fill out the form and it will tell you if you live within one of those districts.)
More from the Senate hearing: Kernza's good impression
During February's Senate hearing, lawmakers were given two Kernza products to try: A cereal from General Mills called Climate Smart Kernza Grains, and home-made muffins from Forever Green’s Director of Partnerships and Outreach (as well as accomplished chef) Ann Kirby.
We’re pleased to say, they made an impression.
Following supportive testimony from General Mills’ Ben Bowditch, Sen. Aric Putnam got a hearty laugh from the audience by chiming in: "I’m going to make an executive decision and wield my power as chair right now and say that we’ll be talking about Forever Green every day for the rest of session — because we get snacks."
“So many kids don’t eat well outside of school. Hunger is an issue. Kernza is one of the solutions.”
— David Stennes
David Stennes, founder of Glencoe-based Arcola Farms and a driving force behind its farm-to-school meals program, spoke about the potential such crops hold for local food systems.
"On [Feb. 6], all 27,000 kids in all 65 Minneapolis Public Schools had Kernza and brown rice pilaf for lunch, with a full list of breakfast and lunch menu items coming," he said. "So many kids don’t eat well outside of school. Hunger is an issue. Kernza is one of the solutions."
You can watch video of the testimony below.
Thank you to lead authors, testifiers
We want to give a big thanks to all of the testifiers, as well as to the lead sponsors of this legislation: Sens. Judy Seeberger and Rob Kupec. We’re also encouraged to see clean-water crops once again proving to be a bipartisan issue, with DFL senators (our two leads plus Sens. Aric Putnam and Mary Kunesh) joining their Republican colleagues (Sens. Torrey Westrom and Gary Dahms) as co-authors of these bills.
FMR is now preparing for another round in the House of Representatives, with a committee hearing being planned for March. Mirroring the notable comity of our Senate proceedings, House Republicans and DFLers have teamed up to author these measures — a notable early success in what has been an intensely partisan session.
Our goal is to have both clean-water crops bills ultimately included in an end-of-session package known as an omnibus bill.
Prior updates
1/6/25: Urge lawmakers to support clean-water crops, Forever Green
We have our first committee hearing of the 2025 legislative session on the calendar.
We'll be working with our colleagues in the Forever Green Partnership to bring two bipartisan bills related to clean-water crops to the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development committee on Wednesday, Feb. 12. These bills (see details below) are critical to ensuring researchers, farmers and local businesses in Minnesota have the resources they need to get even more Kernza, winter camelina, hybrid hazelnut and similar crops on the landscape as soon as possible.
Once these crops are covering the big brown spot, we'll see improved water quality, healthier soil and more choices for farmers.
A committee hearing is an important early step in the legislative process. It's an opportunity to explain to lawmakers what you're asking for and how it will benefit Minnesota. It's also a great time for community members to weigh by sending a message to legislators.
Help the river by sending a message ahead of the hearing. Tell lawmakers to support research and market development around clean-water crops:
What we're advocating for
It's really important that scientists, researchers, businesses and institutions have the resources they need to make this change happen. Just like we've done in recent years, we'll be advocating for two separate proposals that each boost clean-water crops in complementary ways.
More support for Forever Green
Lead author: Sen. Judy Seeberger
The first is robust, long-term funding for the Forever Green Initiative. The cropping systems they are developing have reached an inflection point — they're moving beyond field trials and into landscape production and market development. Maintaining and enhancing funding for these efforts is critical to keeping up the momentum. Successfully breeding and commercializing new crops such as these requires dedicated researchers with stable funding over multiple years.
We're asking lawmakers to consider increasing regular funding for Forever Green, which currently receives $1.604 million each biennium (that’s a two-year cycle). In tandem with support from the Clean Water Fund, this will provide Forever Green the resources it needs to keep making the most of evolving opportunities.
State funding to date has already proven impactful. It has enabled Forever Green to make significant advancements, and raised the profile of these crops — which in turn, has spurred notable corporate and federal investments.
Grants for market development
Lead author: Sen. Rob Kupec
The second is a bill to support- small and mid-sized local businesses that are working with clean-water crops. Through market development grants, we've seen a numerous early success stories: a farmer build a bespoke winter camelina cleaning unit, a family-owned Minnesota nursery propagate 10,000 hazelnut shrubs, a fast-growing Kernza food business open a new facility to meet demand, and more.
The Legislature has supported the Developing Markets for CLC Crops grants program in the past, but the need far outstrips the resources allocated in past sessions. Another round of funding, this time $500,000, would accelerate the development of value chains by strategically investing in companies poised for commercial breakthrough, delivering significant public benefits to Minnesotans and further solidifying Minnesota as a national and international leader in 21st century agricultural innovation.
This type of public investment now will spur further innovation and private investment, creating new economic and community development opportunities for our state while also protecting soil, water, biodiversity, and climate.
