DES MOINES — Vylor, the future independent seed and genetics company being separated from Corteva, will be headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday.
The company will be based at Corteva’s existing Johnston campus, which is already home to Pioneer, one of the best-known seed brands in agriculture. Corteva has said the planned separation remains on track for the fourth quarter of 2026. Current Corteva CEO Chuck Magro is expected to lead Vylor after the separation.
The announcement is a major economic development win for Johnston and central Iowa, keeping the headquarters of Corteva’s advanced seed and genetics business in the state where Pioneer’s roots trace back a century.
Pioneer’s history dates to 1926, when Henry A. Wallace, who later served as U.S. vice president, founded the Hi-Bred Corn Company in Iowa. The company later became Pioneer Hi-Bred, helping commercialize hybrid seed corn and becoming one of the most influential agricultural seed companies in the world.
Vylor will focus on advanced seed genetics and biotechnology. Corteva said the new company will be built around elite germplasm, biotechnology and opportunities to expand into additional crops and possibly other areas. The company also will have a global corporate business center in southeast Pennsylvania.
Magro said Iowa remains central to the company’s identity.
“Our roots stretch back 100 years to a farm in Johnston, which we call home,” Magro said. “Vylor is proud to build on our long history of innovation in Iowa, and continue to work alongside farmers to help feed and fuel our growing world.”
Corteva announced in 2025 that it planned to split its seed and crop protection businesses into two independent, publicly traded companies. Reuters reported at the time that the seed business accounted for 57% of Corteva’s $16.9 billion in net sales the previous year, underscoring the size and importance of the future Vylor operation.
Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld said the headquarters decision recognizes both Pioneer’s long history in the community and the city’s ability to support the company’s future work in seed genetics.
“Founded in Johnston 100 years ago, Pioneer has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, discovering and developing groundbreaking solutions to help farmers increase production around the world,” Dierenfeld said. “Today, that legacy continues, and we’re excited and proud to be the place where the next generation of innovation and growth will take root with Vylor.”
State economic development officials said the decision followed a “Plant the Headquarters Here” campaign aimed at encouraging the company to choose Iowa. Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority, said more than 700 people signed a petition supporting an Iowa headquarters, including nearly 300 who shared personal stories.
“This is more than a business development win,” Durham said. “It reflects the strength of our community members and ‘Plant the Headquarters Here’ campaign partners who stepped up to express their support for Vylor’s mission in Iowa.”
Polk County officials also praised the announcement, saying it reflects the region’s workforce, quality of life and infrastructure investments.
“This is a tremendous milestone for Polk County and Greater Des Moines, because of the impact of a major employer and because it sends a clear signal that industry leaders see our region as a place for innovation,” said Matt McCoy, chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors.
Vylor’s headquarters decision comes as Iowa continues to market itself as a center for agriculture, bioscience and bio-industrial development. For central Iowa, the announcement keeps one of the state’s most historic agricultural brands tied to its longtime home as Corteva moves toward a major corporate split.