Corteva Hawai‘i partnered with Lydgate Farms – a small, diversified farm on the island of Kaua’i – to provide research assistance for the first approach of commercial vanilla production in Hawai‘i. Vanilla is a profitable crop with high demand, but currently, Hawai‘i produces very little because its growing methods are not commonly known and have little scientific research.



To combat this issue, Mark Stoutemyer, Hawai‘i Research Center Lead for Corteva Agriscience, and Abebe Hassen, Corteva Agriscience Biostatistics Research Scientist, created an experimental design of a vanilla production system that tests different growing methods, fertilization and post-harvest treatments. Over the next few years, data will be collected on vanilla plants, flowers and bean pods and statistically analyzed. Stoutemyer and Hassen also worked with Pierriden Perez, Corteva Agriscience Hawai‘i Laboratory Lead, to establish best practices for producing vanilla in Hawai‘i.



“The project with Lydgate Farms will help expand and support agriculture in Hawai‘i,” said Stoutemyer. “Our research will be a resource to other small farmers in our community who are interested in adding vanilla to their farming operations. Corteva is committed to supporting farmers through collaboration and technical innovation. On Kaua‘i, it is part of our culture to assist farmers and other leaders as a good neighbor and to contribute to our community."



At the conclusion of this project, the goal is to provide farmers in Hawai‘i with a set of best practices for vanilla production that is backed by modern scientific research. Through supporting small farmers, Corteva’s Hawai‘i Research Center is achieving our sustainability goals while strengthening local communities and agriculture across the state.