What if the future of agriculture could be found in the roots beneath our feet—and in the heart of Kansas? Join us as we explore the groundbreaking (see what we did there?) work of the Land Institute with its president, Rachel Stroer. Discover how a small nonprofit in Salina, Kansas, is leading a global movement to transform agriculture for the next 10,000 years, and why the people behind the mission matter just as much as the science.
Highlights
- Midwest wedding sendoff traditions you have to see/hear to believe
- High school theater rituals that might surprise you
- The story and mission of the Land Institute, explained by its president
- How perennial grains could change the future of farming
- Building a global network for sustainable agriculture from Salina, Kansas
- The importance of community, culture, and leadership at the Land Institute
- The science and symbolism of prairie roots
- Kansas pride, flatness debates, and the hidden beauty of the prairie
- The longest sculpted brick mural in the U.S. and other Kansas curiosities
Chapters
0:00 – Midwest Wedding Traditions
1:14 – High School Theater Shenanigans
2:46 – Wedding Gifts and Games
3:47 – Introduction to the Podcast
3:53 – Meet Rachel Stroer of the Land Institute
8:09 – The Mission of the Land Institute
21:54 – Challenges and Future of Sustainable Agriculture
36:02 – Celebrating 50 Years and Future Aspirations
39:58 – Agriculture: A Human Endeavor
42:12 – Kansas: More Than Just Flat Land
44:13 – The Mystery of the Prairie
45:00 – The Science of Prairie Roots
49:59 – Shoutouts and Upcoming Events at the Land Institute
51:40 – The Longest Sculpted Brick Mural in the U.S.
56:18 – Curious Kansan: Exploring Kansas
57:22 – Wrap Up and How to Connect
Resources
- The Land Institute: https://landinstitute.org/
- Kernza® Perennial Grain: https://kernza.org/
- Prairie Festival (Land Institute 50th Anniversary, Sept 25–27, 2026): Prairie Festival Info
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari: https://www.ynharari.com/book/sapiens/
- Sushi Go! (the game): https://gamewright.com/product/Sushi-Go
- Cloud Anthologies Mural, Concordia, KS: Cloud County Tourism
- Curious Kansan Newsletter: https://askakansan.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and help us continue amplifying Kansas voices!
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