A University of Minnesota research program that aims to develop environmentally-friendly alternatives to corn and soybeans could get an extra $5 million a year funding boost under a new bill, reports The Sacramento Bee.
The legislation proposed by a group of lawmakers would invest more into the university's Forever Green program, which has been developing a dozen crop varieties including Kernza and pennycress, Minnesota Public Radio News reported.
Don Wyse, the program's lead scientist, said Kernza, a perennial wheatgrass, can help improve soil health and water quality.