SALINA, Kansas – April 20, 2026 – This Earth Week, The Land Institute announced the promotion of Dr. Evan Craine to Lead Scientist for the newly established Grain Use and Quality Program. As part of its Crop Stewardship Program, this initiative bridges the gap between agricultural research and the food industry by focusing on research, testing, and regulatory pathways to bring new perennial grain crops to commercial markets.

Under Craine’s leadership, the Grain Use and Quality Program will serve as a cross-programmatic central connector on perennial grain crop marketability and value across diverse geographies, cultures, markets, and regulatory environments. The team will research the edibility, nutritional profiles, and commercial functional applications of developing perennial grain crops—like Kernza® perennial grain and perennial Baki™ bean—for broad integration into the global food system.

Jen Mayer, Director of Crop Stewardship at The Land Institute, emphasized the broader impact of the appointment, “The launch of the Grain Use and Quality Program is a pivotal milestone for our overarching mission. Evan’s leadership will be critical as we collaborate with CPG companies, university researchers, and global food industry partners to navigate complex regulatory environments and scale the marketability of perennial grain crops worldwide.”

Craine brings a robust scientific background to the position, holding a PhD in Crop Science with a focus on Plant Breeding and Genetics from Washington State University. Previously, he served as a Research Scientist II in the Crop Stewardship Program at The Land Institute, where he led the development of the Annual Monitoring Program for Kernza and the creation of foundational nutritional profiles for Kernza and Baki bean. His innovative work in crop and food science earned him the prestigious Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) New Innovator Award in 2025.

“At Patagonia Provisions, we believe perennial grains are an important part of the solution to the environmental crisis, and can contribute to healthier agricultural landscapes. Establishing perennial grains like Kernza® as a new food allows us to demonstrate their benefits to consumers and sustain our support for the farmers growing them,” says Christie Biddle, Operations Lead at Patagonia Provisions. “The Land Institute and Dr. Craine’s commitment to understanding challenges facing value chain actors working with perennial grains is an asset to this work.”

Key projects for Craine and the new program include securing regulatory approval for perennial grains, particularly novel foods approval for Kernza in the European Union and Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status for the Baki bean in the US. Craine will also present on “Perennial Grains: A Sustainable Plant Protein Solution” at the Solution-Driven Innovation Workshop 2026 in May, hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Plant Protein Innovation Center.

“Perennial grains hold the power to fundamentally transform our food systems, bringing ecological restoration and nutritious foods directly to the consumer’s plate,” said Dr. Evan Craine, Lead Scientist of the Grain Use and Quality Program. “I am excited to step into this new role, working closely with our research and development partners to unlock the nutritional and functional potential of these resilient grain crops, ensuring they meet the highest standards of the food and ingredient industries.”

About The Land Institute: The Land Institute is leading a global movement to transform agriculture and secure a sustainable future for all. They develop perennial crops and advocate for systems that work with nature to feed humanity and repair our environment. They collaborate with farmers, scientists, and with the plants themselves to evolve humanity’s relationship with the earth: from taking to sharing; from depletion to restoration. The Land Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1976 in Salina, Kansas, USA.

Media Contact: Tammy Kimbler Chief Communications Officer, The Land Institute media.line@landinstitute.org +1 785.823.5376