Get beetroot seeds by tilling grass, grow as normal like a potato or carrot.
Can make beetroot soup. Does not breed or lead pigs.
If you link to this page and let me know somehow (comment or twitter @lothrazar), you can use this in a modpack.
Requires Minecraft Forge version 1.8-11.14.3.1446 or higher, from http://files.minecraftforge.net/