The Land Institute is proud to join more than 150 Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates in signing the Laureate Letter—an unprecedented global call to action, urging investment in “moonshot” agricultural solutions to ensure food security in a changing climate. Of the seven high-impact strategies outlined in the letter, two are at the core of The Land Institute’s mission: the transformation of annual to perennial crops and the diversification of cropping systems to build climate resilience.
This call to action wouldn’t exist without the decades of work led by The Land Institute. The very concept of a perennial agriculture future—now recognized as essential for global food security—was pioneered by our research, partnerships, and vision. Nearly 50 years ago, The Land Institute challenged the current model of annual grain production and set out to develop an alternative: deep-rooted, soil-building, climate-resilient perennial crops. Today, that vision is taking root—thanks to the commitment of researchers, farmers, ranchers, businesses, donors, and advocates who have propelled this work forward.
Our breakthroughs—including the development of Kernza® perennial grain and our advisory role in the first commercialized perennial rice variety in China—have laid the foundation for a global agricultural transformation. These innovations prove that sustainable food production is possible, but scaling these solutions requires urgent investment.
The Climate Crisis is a Food Crisis
Climate change threatens to destabilize the livelihood of people and the planet as we know it. Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and shifting climate patterns threaten the ecosystems and food systems we depend on. Food insecurity jeopardizes global stability, with more than 700 million people—nearly 10% of the world’s population—facing hunger caused by poverty today. This number is expected to rise as climate change accelerates. Recent USDA research projects that climate change will cause significant declines in corn and soybean yields across the US Midwest by 2036, raising concerns about the reliability of current staple crops under increasing environmental stress.
More than 150 Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates have responded with an urgent call for financial and political support to develop “moonshot” technologies—high-risk, high-reward scientific advancements with the potential to reshape global food systems. The Laureate Letter emphasizes the need for investment in biological and genetic breakthroughs, particularly the development of perennial crops and diversified cropping systems, to enhance food security and climate resilience. These advancements are essential to preventing a hunger catastrophe in the next 25 years.
At The Land Institute, we know science is the key to this transformation. Science is not an endpoint, but a process—a tool for testing, learning, and adapting. It allows us to innovate, challenge assumptions, and co-develop solutions that work in partnership with nature. The Laureate Letter underscores the urgent need for agricultural research and development to address unpredictable weather, soil loss, land degradation, resource scarcity, and biodiversity loss.
Yet, shifts in federal priorities and the widening gap between science and policy create uncertainty for institutions working to build resilient food systems with farmers and communities. The urgency of this work cannot be overstated.
Perennial Agriculture in Action
Since 2023, the Intermountain West Alternative Forages Research project has studied the potential of water-efficient, dual-use (animal and human consumption) perennial crops like sainfoin, silflower, and Kernza in the Upper Colorado River Basin. This region is grappling with intensifying drought, rising temperatures, and shifting land use pressures—threats that put both agricultural productivity and water security at risk.
With 40 million people depending on the Colorado River for water, energy, and food, the stakes are high. Traditional forage crops grown in the region today, like alfalfa, demand significant water inputs, exacerbating already strained resources. The perennial grains being tested in this region could use less water, reduce soil erosion, and improve long-term land resilience, providing a viable alternative that supports both farmer profitability and environmental sustainability.
Farmers and ranchers are already putting these solutions to the test. This is just one example of how The Land Institute’s research is shaping the future of food. By developing crops that restore soil health, reduce inputs, and provide economic resilience for farmers, we are advancing solutions that work with nature, not against it.
A Call for Investment and Action
Transitioning to a perennial global agriculture system requires bold, sustained investment in agricultural research. Historically, federal funding has enabled critical collaborations among universities, farmers, businesses, communities, and policymakers—driving breakthroughs in resilient, climate-adapted food systems. Yet today, federal funding is increasingly uncertain, and political shifts threaten long-term scientific progress. This instability doesn’t just impact national research agendas—it creates a cascade effect, reducing state and local funding streams that many agricultural institutions, extension services, and farmers rely on for innovation, education, and implementation. Without predictable, long-term investment, the ability to scale perennial crops and regenerative practices is at risk.
While The Land Institute has a broad and dedicated community of donors who sustain this work, scaling perennial agriculture to address global food security requires significant increases in long-term investment for science-based solutions and the political and social will to support them. Without sustained public and private support, the development of perennial crops and diverse cropping systems could stall—just when they are most urgently needed. To secure the future of agriculture, we must ensure that research institutions, policymakers, and all stakeholders have the stable, long-term resources and commitment needed to drive innovation—independent of shifting political landscapes.
Despite these challenges, The Land Institute remains committed to scaling regionally adapted perennial grain agriculture research in partnership with farmers, ranchers, and 200+ researchers across six continents. This work demands stability and long-term support, and we are dedicated to ensuring its future.
By signing this letter, The Land Institute stands with global leaders to demand urgent investment in food security and climate resilience. But science alone isn’t enough. It takes sustained investment and collective action to scale these solutions. The time to act is now. Join us to transform global food systems.