WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Farmers Edge, a global leader in precision agriculture and independent data management solutions, announced today that Jim Borel, a recently retired Executive Vice President of DuPont, has joined its Board of Directors. Widely considered one of the most influential and experienced figures in global agriculture, Borel joins existing board members Steve Mills of Archer Daniels Midland Company and Dayna Spiring, former chief strategy officer of the Canadian Wheat Board, during a period of rapid growth for the company.

In his nearly four-decade agriculture career leading DuPont’s Crop Protection and Pioneer businesses, as well as overseeing product stewardship, sustainability and new market expansion for the company, Borel has been and continues to be a vocal advocate for food security worldwide.

Now, at Farmers Edge, he will help guide the company as it establishes new global markets, bringing novel precision agriculture solutions to ensure growers meet the mounting pressure to feed the world’s 9B future citizens.

“Like Wade, I was raised on a farm where the desire to provide for others was deeply ingrained in me from the start. At DuPont, I had the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with growers around the world, bringing the agriculture sector the same caliber of scientific and technology advances that have catapulted other industries forward,” said Jim Borel, former EVP of DuPont and Farmers Edge board member. “What sets Farmers Edge apart, in addition to its dedication to growers, is the role it has carved out as the farmers’ trusted data advisor. This role will become increasingly important as growers contend with continued market volatility and strive to increase profits as well as yields.”

“We are excited to continue adding world-leading industry expertise to the Farmers Edge board,” said Brook Porter, Senior Partner at Kleiner Perkins’ Green Growth Fund. “Jim Borel is one of the most respected executives in the agriculture industry and we’re honored to have him join us during this exciting growth phase for the business.”

2015 was a pivotal year for Farmers Edge as it expanded its global presence through its entrance into the U.S. and Australian agriculture markets. There it established key sales and operations teams, drawing on significant talent acquisitions from leading competitors including Monsanto, Syngenta and others. In April 2016, the company was named by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as Canada’s Disruptor Innovator of the Year.

“Over the last few years, we’ve been fortunate enough to attract top talent and early leaders in global agriculture, not just on the agronomy and data side, but at the board level as well,” said Wade Barnes, President and CEO of Farmers Edge. “Now as we look to compete and partner with the largest agribusinesses in the world, Jim’s support, guidance and blue-chip expertise will help inform the strategic direction of the company’s trajectory into a thriving multinational company.”