Giant miscanthus is a perennial grass that can be used for energy, building materials and animal bedding. Researchers say it can be planted alongside corn and soybeans and harvested in the winter, offering farmers a way to diversify their income.

Food and farm programs historically persist through the farm bill. Packaging multiple cross-party issues into one bill ensures rural and urban legislators come together to pass it. But that coalition has been fracturing over past farm bill cycles, creating uncertainty on the farm and in grocery stores.