Wes Jackson, a Misfit Trying to Change Farming's Future

The unconventional innovator behind the push for regenerative agriculture

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Wes Jackson's unorthodox career path and unconventional thinking have made him a pioneering voice in the regenerative agriculture movement. Despite early academic struggles, Jackson went on to win prestigious awards like the MacArthur 'genius grant' and the Right Livelihood Award for his work promoting perennial grains and sustainable farming practices. His story shows that success can come through stubborn determination, not just straight-A grades.

Why it matters

Jackson's work highlights the need for more diverse approaches to solving complex environmental challenges like soil degradation and climate change. His alternative vision for agriculture, centered on perennial crops and working with nature rather than against it, offers a counterpoint to the industrial farming model that has dominated for decades.

The details

After growing up on a Kansas farm and struggling academically at times, Jackson went on to earn a Ph.D. in genetics. Rather than pursue a prestigious research job, he returned to teach at a small liberal arts college, where he developed an innovative 'Survival Studies' curriculum focused on ecological issues. Jackson later founded The Land Institute, an alternative school and research hub dedicated to developing perennial grain crops. For decades, Jackson faced skepticism from the agricultural establishment, but his ideas are now gaining traction as the need for regenerative farming practices becomes more urgent.

  • Jackson earned his MA in botany from the University of Kansas in 1960.
  • Jackson received his Ph.D. in genetics from North Carolina State University in 1967.
  • Jackson founded The Land Institute in the early 1970s.
  • The Land Institute is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
  • Jackson stepped down as president of The Land Institute in 2016 and fully retired in 2024.

The players

Wes Jackson

A pioneering thinker in the regenerative agriculture movement, Jackson has won numerous awards including a MacArthur 'genius grant' and the Right Livelihood Award. He founded The Land Institute, a research hub dedicated to developing perennial grain crops.

Elmer Jackson

Wes Jackson's brother, who helped provide practical support when Wes was building the structures for The Land Institute in the early 1970s.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know why I did what I did. People would ask me why I turned down that job and I couldn't give them any decent sort of answer.”

— Wes Jackson (CounterPunch)

“I suppose I'm something of a homing pigeon. I wanted back to that prairie landscape. And there was family back there, too.”

— Wes Jackson (CounterPunch)

“I don't fit in genetics anymore. I didn't fit in the nonprofit world. I certainly wouldn't fit in any university. And I don't think I would fit as a farmer.”

— Wes Jackson (CounterPunch)

What’s next

A documentary film about Wes Jackson's work, titled 'Prairie Prophecy', is scheduled to air on public television stations across the U.S. in spring 2026.

The takeaway

Wes Jackson's unconventional path and stubborn determination to pursue his vision for regenerative agriculture show that success can come through unorthodox means, not just by following a traditional career trajectory. His story inspires a rethinking of what it means to make a meaningful impact, even if it means being a 'misfit' who doesn't fit neatly into established institutions.