The Valley Chronicle - Dryland Genetics Continues Expansion; Hires John Manuel

Ames, Iowa — Dryland Genetics continues their expansion, appointing John Manuel as their new Chief Commercial Officer. Dryland Genet_x0002_ics is increasing the sus_x0002_tainability and resilience of the global food supply through their high-yield_x0002_ing proso millet varieties which can produce twice as much grain per gallon of water as dryland corn. Manuel brings more than 16 years of expe_x0002_rience in the food in_x0002_gredient business to the growing company. He has a track record with major food and agricul_x0002_ture companies in com_x0002_modities trading, supply chain management and strategy and business de_x0002_velopment.

“When I first visited the facility in Ames, and saw what Dryland was doing, I was sold. Dry_x0002_land Genetics has sig_x0002_nificantly increased the yield on one of the most water-efficient crops in the world. I truly be_x0002_lieve we can change the landscape of sustainable agriculture,” said Man_x0002_uel who most recently served as the Senior Di_x0002_rector of Strategy and Business Development for Miller Milling. Pri_x0002_or to that he worked at General Mills and James B. Joiner Company.

“Talking to consum_x0002_ers and food processors there is a lot of excite_x0002_ment about new ingre_x0002_dients that can increase the sustainability of ag_x0002_riculture,” said Dr. James Schnable, one of Dry_x0002_land Genetics’ founders, and a board member. “John brings the exper_x0002_tise and connections to move proso millet from our growers’ fields, to food processors and into grocery stores. I think people will be excited to see the big water savings of proso millet when it becomes available in their choices at the gro_x0002_cery store. That could take the form of an egg from a chicken raised on proso millet or a granola bar or a new sustainable green food category en_x0002_tirely.”

Manuel’s hire at Dryland Genetics is one of sev_x0002_eral supported by a re_x0002_cent $3.8M fundraising round led by Next Level Ventures and Stine Seed Farm. Proso millet uses the least amount of wa_x0002_ter for any crop per cal_x0002_orie produced. And it can effectively replace up to 100% of the corn in pig and chicken feed. Having developed new varieties of proso millet which increase yields 10- 40% while reducing wa_x0002_ter usage, the company is now working to expand the use of proso millet by both sustainable food processing companies and livestock producers. “Dryland Genetics is perfectly positioned to bring value to the food and feed industries,” said Roger Underwood, an early investor and board member.

“I am thrilled to be able to focus my efforts on growing demand for a truly sustainable agri_x0002_cultural product, which will help to solve one of agriculture’s most urgent issues, water conserva_x0002_tion,” said Manuel.