Jody and Crystal Manuel are third-generation farmers and homesteaders in Havre, Montana. Together with their six children, they operate Prairie Grass Ranch, Gruff Grains heritage grits, and the legacy brand Cream of the West. Motivated by a personal health crisis over two decades ago, the Manuels transitioned their land to organic and became passionate advocates for the concept of food as medicine. 

Today, Prairie Grass Ranch spans 7,500 acres of  Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) land — 3,800 of which are financed in partnership with Iroquois Valley. The Manuels grow a diverse array of organic heritage grains and legumes, including farro/emmer, rye, spelt, kamut, lentils, peas, alfalfa, sainfoin, and sweet clover. They also raise grass-fed beef using regenerative grazing practices.

Their ingredients supply not only Gruff Grains and Cream of the West, but also wholesale partners such as Timeless Natural Food, Montana Milling, and Montana Flour and Grain. If you’ve enjoyed organic products from brands like Purely Elizabeth, General Mills, Annie’s, Deschutes Brewery, Patagonia Provisions, Dave’s Killer Bread, Whole Foods, Blue Apron, or Anheuser-Busch, chances are you’ve tasted crops grown at Prairie Grass Ranch.

Among their many achievements, one of the Manuels’ most notable distinctions is operating the most Kernza®-producing acres in the United States. Developed by The Land Institute, Kernza® is a perennial grain with higher protein, fiber, and nutrient content than common wheat varieties. Its profound root system can penetrate 12 feet into the soil, allowing it to access water and nutrients that remain inaccessible to many other plants, enabling resilience in drought-prone environments.

Kernza® also delivers significant environmental benefits, including enhanced carbon sequestration, improved soil health, and reduced erosion. A University of Kansas study found that Kernza® fields support the same beneficial fungal communities as native prairies. At Prairie Grass Ranch, Kernza® is interplanted with alfalfa, creating pollinator habitat and further enriching the soil. A grain that provides the same ecological benefits as a native prairie? How is that for a win-win! 

But Kernza® is only part of their ecological story. The Manuels’ holistic organic management approach reflects a deep commitment to land stewardship. From rotational grazing to no-till intercropping to planting native prairie strips, every aspect of their operation is designed to regenerate soil and support biodiversity. The ranch is alive with native birds— Ring-necked Pheasants, Killdeer, Long-billed Curlews, Meadowlarks, and Mountain Bluebirds—and in spring, it hosts seven active mating grounds for Sharp-tailed Grouse.

The flourishing of both wildlife and people on Prairie Grass Ranch offers compelling proof that farming can nourish both our health and our ecosystems.