This projects seeks to understand environmental and economic sustainability of agroecosystems, by implementing perennial grain crops. This project is in collaboration with Tim Crews at the Land Institute in Kansas and Valentin Picasso (UW). The Land Institute is breeding intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium; (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey) for grain (Kernza) and forage. Intermediate wheatgrass has an extensive root system that has the potential to hep improve soil quality, which can be extremely useful in agricultural systems, that have long been prone to soil erosion and loss, due to intensive management. In addition to protecting the soil, intermediate wheatgrass can serve as extra income for farmers. This dual crop is a promising addition to new cropping systems in agriculture, and could help sequester more soil C carbon. through its extensive root system, which farmers could use as carbon credits on their farms. With this project we are currently looking at differences in carbon and energy dynamics, measured using eddy covariance techniques, of intermediate wheatgrass grown in monoculture or red clover (Trifolium pratense) bicultures. I am currently working on finishing up the first results, so stay tuned!