By Scout Nelson
Agriculture covers nearly half of Kansas, and growing food demand continues to increase pressure on available farmland. Much of the region’s native prairie ecosystem has been converted to cropland because of its fertile soils and agricultural productivity.
Researchers are increasingly looking to prairie ecosystems as models for more sustainable farming systems. Prairies offer insights into soil health, biodiversity, and long-term productivity that could help balance agricultural production with environmental conservation.
As part of the KU Field Station’s Science Sundays series, Tom McKenna, assistant research professor at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, will discuss how prairie ecology is influencing innovative farming practices. His research focuses on perennial grain crops such as Kernza®, prairie restoration, and the use of prairie strips in agricultural landscapes.
McKenna’s work is supported by the Perennial Agriculture Project, a partnership between The Land Institute and the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation. The project explores ways to improve agricultural sustainability while maintaining productive farming systems.
Science Sundays is a free monthly lecture series that showcases research and scientific topics connected to the KU Field Station. The program is open to the public and provides opportunities to learn about current environmental and agricultural research.
The KU Field Station, managed by the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, supports research, education, and community outreach focused on understanding natural ecosystems and addressing environmental challenges.
Event Details
- Event: Science Sundays Lecture
- Speaker: Tom McKenna, Assistant Research Professor
- Topic: How Prairie Ecology Is Shaping Sustainable Agriculture
- Location: KU Field Station, Armitage Education Center, 350 Wild Horse Road, Lawrence, KS 66044
- Organizer: Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research
- Series: Science Sundays
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- RSVP Contact: Wendy Holman
- Email: wendyholman@ku.edu
- Website: https://fieldstation.ku.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture