Corteva Inc.’s new independent seed and genetics company Vylor will be based in Johnston, the home of Pioneer, its flagship brand, the company announced Tuesday.

In a news release, the company also said its future crop protection company, New Corteva, will be based in Indianapolis, Ind., Corteva’s current headquarters.

The decision underscores the companies’ commitment to their employees, deep community roots and legacy of agricultural innovation in both Iowa and Indiana, the news release stated.

Tuesday’s announcement comes after Corteva announced last fall that it would separate into two companies in the fourth quarter of 2026 with Vylor focused on seed development and New Corteva focused on crop production. At the time, the company said it makes sense for the businesses to be independent, allowing them to better focus on technology and innovation that’s more tailored to the individual operations.

In a release, Corteva said Vylor will explore opportunities to expand to new crops. The company will also have a Global Corporate Business Center in southeast Pennsylvania.

When the separation announcement was made, the Iowa Economic Development Authority began a campaign to base the seed and genetics operation in Iowa. A petition was circulated asking individuals to support the campaign with several communities passing resolutions supporting Johnston as the Vylor headquarters.

IEDA was joined in the “Plant the HQ Here” campaign by several partners, including Johnston, Polk County, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and America’s Cultivation Corridor. Local leaders touted the economic importance of bringing the Vylor headquarters to Iowa.

On Tuesday, Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld said the decision to base Vylor in Johnston, where Corteva’s seed business is currently located, “recognizes not only the long and impactful history Pioneer and other seed brands have had in Johnston, but also that we are in a great position to support Vylor’s future goals focused on advanced seed and 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. 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. Here’s to the next 100 years,” Dierenfeld said in a news release.

Tiffany Tauscheck, president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership called the selection of Johnston as Vylor’s headquarters a “win for the entire Greater Des Moines region and our state.”

“Headquarters projects of this scale are highly competitive. Our low cost of doing business and the speed at which we can take action and get business deals done help set our region apart,” she said in a release. 

A news release from American’s Cultivation Corridor said that by being based in Johnston, Vylor will benefit from the strengths of people and infrastructure of the existing global seed business center, and from Iowa’s dynamic agricultural ecosystem.

“There is no better place for the future of Vylor than here in Iowa,” said Billi Hunt, executive director of America’s Cultivation Corridor. “In Iowa, unparalleled production meets world-class research, entrepreneurial drive and a deep-rooted spirit of collaboration.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a release that with Pioneer’s century-long history in the state, “Vylor’s roots are in Iowa, and our state will also be the foundation for its future.”

“This decision further validates Iowa’s leadership in agriculture, bioscience and innovation, and the competitive business environment we’ve created positions us well as a center for bio-industrial discovery and manufacturing,” Reynolds said.

IEDA Director Debi Durham said the decision to base Vylor in Johnston isn’t just a business development win.

“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,” Durham said in a release. 

The decision reflects the state’s global leadership and support from farmers, business leaders, public officials and communities statewide, the release said.

Durham said the petition to bring the company’s headquarters to Iowa was signed by more than 700 people.

“This decision is a testament to what Iowa offers, and to the people who make this state exceptional,” Durham said.