Crystal Manuel

Crystal Manuel’s work on her family’s multi-generational organic farm inspired her to champion ancient grains for physical, mental and emotional well-being. Working with the ancient grain farro, Crystal cracks the grain and turns it into nutrient-rich grits — and encourages recipe sharing and grit-togethers.  

Crystal is founder of Gruff, a regenerative, organic-certified, ancient-grain grits company based in Havre, Montana. Founded in 2022, Gruff shares farro in a new form. Usually consumed as a berry or flour, farro is cracked and turned into nutrient-rich grits. The grain comes from her family’s ranch, Prairie Grass Ranch, an organic and multigenerational farm where Crystal and her husband Jody grow heritage grains and legumes, including lentils, chickpeas, peas, alfalfa and sainfoin sweet clover, as well as organic grass-fed beef. 

Crystal and her business partner innovated and designed Gruff through hands-on cooking and working with farmers to help consumers learn about holistic nutrition and foods grown regeneratively. Gruff encourages consumers to collaborate and experiment with farro by offering recipes, idea exchanges and grit-togethers. 

For more information on her work, visit www.gruffgrains.com.