Growing amaranth in the Morningside garden and greenhouse was a project that some might consider risky, but AAFS faculty Dr. Annie Kinwa-Muzinga knows her African community and their love for this delicate cooking staple! Amaranth, also known as Biteku-teku in the Dominican Republic of Congo, and Plebo in Guatemala, is a very rare item to be able to purchase in the U.S., and is a delicious legume that almost all Congolese enjoy consuming.

In the summer of 2021, Dr. Annie and garden manager Dee McKenna decided to try their hand and grow amaranth in one raised bed of the garden. The project was a success, and the production of the amaranth was donated to the Congolese community in Sioux City.

In spring 2022, as a class project in Dr. Annie’s Ag Entrepreneurship class (Agri 410), five students were tasked to grow Amaranth in the greenhouse, and as part of the project, market it to JMV, an African store in Sioux City. Through the project, students were able to connect with and interact with many Africans in Siouxland in need of ethnic fresh produce!

For one student, Josh Tibbits, this project led to a summer 2022 research project. Tibbits, Morningside senior business major with a minor in Agribusiness, investigated amaranth yield in grow towers in the greenhouse, versus in the garden with and without worm compost. A portion of the garden was allocated to grow amaranth, due to the increasing demand! Jerry Kapesa, friend of Dr. Annie and a Congolese agronomist in Sioux City, agreed to help out with his tremendous experience of growing amaranth in the Congo.

As the summer research continued, Congolese families lined up at JMV to enjoy fresh amaranth, compared to the alternative frozen variety that they purchase from Omaha or Chicago.

Currently, the project has harvested more than 300 lbs. of amaranth since July 4, 2022 and the number of calls we receive for amaranth is increasing. Overall, growing amaranth has been a true success and an experience that we hope to continue!