The Land Institute

09/04/2026

It is with great sadness that we reflect on the passing of Wendell Berry, a friend, supporter, and lifelong mentor and intellectual partner to Land Institute co-founder Wes Jackson. A novelist, poet, and all-around agrarian advocate for a more sustainable agriculture and future, Wendell has had a direct impact on The Land Institute's work and direction over the last 50 years. He has given us ideas and language for pursuing an agriculture founded on “nature as measure,” in which people, land, and community exist as one.

Wendell’s voice, written and spoken, called people to come home to their places and awaken to what is possible and necessary in the world. We’re especially grateful for his Prairie Festival presentations, contributions to the Land Report, and collaboration on the 50 Year Farm Bill, setting the stage for a perennial agricultural transformation and cultural shift.

Our deepest sympathies are with Wendell's family and the Berry Center as they grieve his loss and celebrate his life that has brought meaning to us and so many members of our community.

“A proper economy would not exploit, siphon away, and finally destroy the life of the land and the people. A proper economy, instead, would recognize value in any given place, everything that is good in it and worth conserving." — Wendell Berry Speech at Prairie Festival 2010

Image descriptions:
1.) Archival photo of Wes Jackson (left) and Wendell Berry (right)
2.) Wendell Berry giving a speech at Prairie Festival 2010
3.) Archival photo of Wendell and Wes
4.) Former Land Institute Board Chair Julia Olmstead (left) and Wendell Berry (right)
5. Excerpt from the Summer 1982 edition of the Land Report, where the Berry family is photographed on a visit to The Land Institute
6.) Left to right: Ann Zimmerman, Wendell Berry, and Wes Jackson
7.) Wes Jackson (left) and Wendell Berry (right) at Prairie Festival 2016
8.) Wendell Berry (left) and Land Institute Board Member Pete Ferrell (right)
9.) Terry Evans (left), Wendell Berry (center), and Wes Jackson (right)
10.) Wendell and Wes photographed following a speech

08/18/2026

Join us for one of our upcoming Community Days at The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas! This event series focuses on experiential learning, community building, land stewardship, and creative placemaking at the intersections of agriculture, ecology, and art.

Our upcoming community days will offer attendees the opportunity to engage with several artists participating in this year's Prairie Festival 2026 in September through activities such as sculpture-making, weaving, and more. Learn more and RSVP using the links below:

RSVP for the August 20th Community Day with Rena Detrixhe and Karen McCoy: https://landinstitute.org/events/community-days-at-the-land-institute-weaving-and-sculpting/

RSVP for the August 25th Community Day with Sean Whalen: https://landinstitute.org/events/community-days-at-the-land-institute-wattle-and-daub-construction/

08/11/2026

Don't forget to mark your calendars for Friday, August 21, for the Midwest Kernza® Harvest Field Day hosted by Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wisconsin! This event is a great opportunity to learn firsthand about the critical harvesting and processing work required to bring Kernza to food and beverage products, as well as hear from experts leading this perennial movement.

If you are a Kernza farmer, a perennial grain enthusiast, or simply want to learn more about this work, be sure to RSVP at https://www.michaelfields.org/event-details/midwest-kernza-r-farm-to-mill-field-day

We. Can’t. Wait. Join us for this very special, first-of-its-kind Midwest Kernza Harvest Field Day. This farm-to-mill event is open to growers, researchers, bakers, brewers, eaters and all who are just curious about this novel perennial grain with ten-foot soil-saving roots. Are we a little exuberant about this crop and this star-studded day of experiences? Absolutely! Find out why at michaelfields.org.

08/11/2026

07/31/2026

Food is at the center of The Land Institute's research, mission, and spirit. To celebrate our connection to food, Prairie Festival has long served as a venue to enjoy delicious dishes in community, explore emerging food applications for perennial grains, and connect guests with new and exciting food and beverage products made with Kernza® perennial grain, which have expanded significantly since the grain first appeared in commercial products a decade ago.

This September, we invite you to join us for Prairie Festival 2026 to taste perennial grain food and drinks firsthand, hear from experts leading perennial grain research and commercialization efforts, and experience the future of farming. Register today and explore this year's perennial grain food and beverage offerings: https://landinstitute.org/events/prairie-festival-2026/

07/21/2026

The Land Institute is hiring an Executive Assistant to collaborate with our Executive Team, leadership, and key staff across the organization to support a wide range of strategic projects, operational processes, and logistical tasks. This position will advance a variety of administrative tasks, act as a primary liaison to our Board of Directors, assist with special events, and more. If you are keen to utilize your experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising knowledge to support the future of farming and the global perennial agriculture movement, apply today at https://recruitingbypaycor.com/career/JobIntroduction.action?clientId=8a7883d08a91267f018ab3b59051223c&id=8a78839e9f443598019f66c45c4e7b6e&source=&lang=en

07/20/2026

Hello from the kernza field!🌾🌾🌾
Visiting the Forever Green Initiave and talking perennial crops left us feeling incredibly hopeful about where agriculture is headed. It was inspiring to meet growers and advocates of perennial grain who are helping drive real change from the ground up.

Kernza continues to show what’s possible when innovation, partnership, and purpose come together. We’re excited about our partnership with the University of Minnesota and the role it can play in shaping a more resilient future for food and farming.

Here’s to the sustainable agriculture revolution and the people making it happen.

07/17/2026

Join us at The Land Institute next Friday, July 24th, for a tour of our campus and research facilities in Salina, Kansas! Our guided tours are a great opportunity to engage with our staff, researchers, and perennial grain research efforts firsthand. Learn more and RSVP today at https://landinstitute.org/events/open-house-guided-tour-july/

07/15/2026

Prairie Festival creates space for people, ideas, and relationships to grow and allows us to gather around the values of creativity and a shared sense of place. Immersive experiences like music and poetry, which have shaped The Land Institute and Prairie Festival since their origins, will return this year to inspire guests as we imagine and co-create the next 50 years of progress in our perennial community.

Join us at Prairie Festival 2026 in Salina, Kansas, from September 25-27 to experience the lively atmosphere generated by musicians, poets, artists, and creatives. Register today at https://landinstitute.org/events/prairie-festival-2026/ and explore this year's music, poetry, and more at https://landinstitute.org/prairie-festival-2026-immersive-experiences/