The International Brachypodium Initiative has sequenced the genome of *Brachypodium distachyon*, a wild grass species from the Pooidae subfamily. This is the first member of this subfamily to be sequenced, and the high-quality genome sequence, along with its ease of cultivation, transformation, and rapid life cycle, positions *Brachypodium* as a valuable model system for developing new energy and food crops. The genome sequence reveals a compact genome with retrotransposons concentrated at centromeres and syntenic breakpoints. Small RNA populations were analyzed, and phased short interfering RNA (siRNA) loci were identified, providing insights into gene regulation. The genome contains 25,532 protein-coding gene loci, similar to those in rice and sorghum, suggesting conserved gene content across grasses. Comparative genomics with rice, sorghum, and wheat revealed a history of genome evolution and whole-genome duplication events. The *Brachypodium* genome serves as a template for analyzing large genomes of economically important pooid grasses like wheat, facilitating sustainable crop improvement for food, feed, and fuel production.The International Brachypodium Initiative has sequenced the genome of *Brachypodium distachyon*, a wild grass species from the Pooidae subfamily. This is the first member of this subfamily to be sequenced, and the high-quality genome sequence, along with its ease of cultivation, transformation, and rapid life cycle, positions *Brachypodium* as a valuable model system for developing new energy and food crops. The genome sequence reveals a compact genome with retrotransposons concentrated at centromeres and syntenic breakpoints. Small RNA populations were analyzed, and phased short interfering RNA (siRNA) loci were identified, providing insights into gene regulation. The genome contains 25,532 protein-coding gene loci, similar to those in rice and sorghum, suggesting conserved gene content across grasses. Comparative genomics with rice, sorghum, and wheat revealed a history of genome evolution and whole-genome duplication events. The *Brachypodium* genome serves as a template for analyzing large genomes of economically important pooid grasses like wheat, facilitating sustainable crop improvement for food, feed, and fuel production.