In a year marked by a US election, global unrest, and climate uncertainty, it’s easy to get distracted by the divisions that pull us apart. Too often, we chase power through dominance, control, and extraction.
But our real power, our true strength, runs deeper. It lies in our connection to one another, to the land, and to the living world that sustains us. The land is generous, and we must be, too—in how we care for each other and for this Earth we all share.
In that spirit, I want to thank you for all you’ve contributed to The Land Institute over the past 48 years. That’s right—we’re approaching our 50th anniversary in 2026, when we’ll once again gather at the Prairie Festival around our hedgefire circle to share stories of our past, ideas for the present, and dreams for the future. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people come together in community, united by a belief in something bigger than ourselves.
I’m reminded of the words that climate activist Alexia Leclercq shared when she visited us as a Prairie Festival speaker in 2022. She said, “It brings me hope to see so many people passionate about taking care of the land—and with the scientific wisdom to do so.”
Alexia is talking about you. Today, we need you more than ever. We need your passion, your care, your wisdom. We need your voice at the table—and yes, we need your donations. If you can, give or increase your giving. If you can, ask others to join you in funding The Land Institute. Your financial support and advocacy will help guarantee that the work of this independent Kansas agriculture research nonprofit continues to grow for another 48 years. You can help secure a perennial future for us all.
This year, at “The Land”—as many of you, our most dedicated supporters, call it—we’ve ensured that perennial grains are no longer just a vision in words and talks and books. Perennial grains are growing in fields around the world. Farmers are harvesting them. Bakers are making bread. Brewers are toasting with new beers. Families are preparing meals with them, and my sons are asking me to make Kernza cookies for our neighborhood potluck. We are nourishing not only the soil but also our communities and the future of food itself.
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In July, I traveled to Washington, D.C., with two Kernza farmers. Farmers who, despite leaving in the middle of Kernza harvest season, joined me to make damn sure that our US Congress members know that this organization in central Kansas holds one of the most viable solutions to agriculture’s biggest challenges. These farmers spoke passionately about the results they’re seeing with perennial grains—new varieties, higher yields, and a growing community of farmers supported by cutting-edge research. They also spoke about their challenges–exporting more soil than grain and sharply rising land and chemical input costs–and how deeply rooted perennials give them hope for a resilient and sustainable future for their farms and families. We were on a mission to make sure our representatives knew about the real-world impact climate change is having on food and agriculture in this country and that perennial grains need to be at the top of their list of solutions.
I was humbled to support these farmers’ messages. I was also inspired by the overwhelming bipartisan support for perennial agriculture we received from congressional members and policymakers on both sides of the aisle, from Kansas to Minnesota and beyond.
Less than two months later, our Chief Scientist, Tim Crews, was invited to the White House to participate in a conversation about agriculture and climate solutions with local, state, Tribal, and territorial leaders and practitioners representing some of the communities experiencing the impacts of extreme heat from climate change. This represents a turning point—new doors are opening that will extend the reach of perennial grains even further.
The movement you’ve been part of is growing with The Land Institute leading the way. With your help, we’ll continue to move swiftly and responsibly. But the next few years are crucial as we expand into new regions, develop innovative tools, and scale our global impact.
Yes, we spend much time focused on the very real problems of topsoil loss, water pollution, and other environmental catastrophes. But we have solutions. Together, we’re proving that we can restore what’s been lost. Through research, partnerships, and sheer determination, we’re building systems that will endure—with perennial grains at their root.
Your support today—whether through increasing your gift, giving for the first time, or inviting others to join in giving—will ensure we continue building a resilient, perennial future together.
With deeply rooted gratitude,
Rachel A. Stroer
President