Land Institute

Under development for decades as an erosion-preventing perennial crop, Kernza, "a sweet, nutty-tasting new grain," is getting a big boost from General Mills, which intends to commercialize the drought-resistant crop, says the Associated Press. Kernza could appear in cereals and snack foods as early as next year, according to the foodmaker, which encourages other companies to help create a market for the food grain.

Kansas native and founder of the Land Institute, Wes Jackson, "spent the last 39 years warning us that grain farmers are destroying the planet," says the Wichita Eagle.

A plant scientist from the Land Institute in Kansas is developing a perennial grain, Kernza, from intermediate wheatgrass, says Civil Eats. "And there's a widespread team of researchers hoping their work will pave the way for an entirely new form of food."