totally agree with your notes about consumer demand and people not knowing perennials very well. as far as shifting the culture-- i think we have to make it look cool! talk about it a lot! write articles on steemit and on other social media sites. slowly start slipping the perennial products into the market offerings (like jerusalem artchokes are already becoming more common fare) and educate the consumer. with enough "hip" people starting to shift the trend, it can really catch on and start to become more mainstream.
totally get not wanting to plant perennials cuz you wont be there to reap what you sow!! glad crypto is having such a positive influence in your life, too :)