The October 25 Fillmore County Journal article “Paul Novotny pilots Kernza,” was unclear regarding the planting and harvest time for Kernza. Nicki Wheeler, the Water Management Coordinator for Fillmore County SWCD, contacted the Fillmore County Journal and clarified that Kernza is planted in the fall and harvested the following late summer or early fall of the following year. Once a Kernza field needs replanting, the land needs an alternate crop for one year at least because of timing of harvest and planting.
Wheeler also wanted to note that there are indeed technologies for removing nitrates from drinking water such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation. These however are quite costly and not currently available for most small city’s water systems. She is in favor of the planting of Kernza as a natural method to reduce nitrates reaching the water supply.