Meet Your Producer: Agro Resources, Inc.
Prolific in Pauka'a
If you had asked Steve a year ago if he saw himself living in Hawai’i running and working on a farm, he probably would have said no. But here he is, maintaining a 33-acre longan farm on the Hamakua coast. Meet Steve!
Steve’s wife’s family has roots in Kona, though the couple has spent the last several years in the fast-paced world of New York finance. When Steve’s in-laws asked if he wanted to help manage the family’s orchard on the Big Island, Steve says “It was a no-brainer.” He and his wife left New York behind, and Steve joined the Agro Resources team to become the steward of a beautiful longan and lychee orchard overlooking the ocean on the Hamakua coast. Agro Resources was co-founded by Sally Rice. Sally’s daughter Bonnie has made it possible for the orchard to still be operating today. She and her husband Richard Gronna remain active in the management of the orchard.
Though Steve has a limited background in agriculture, he didn’t back down from the challenge but tackled it head-on. He says he has learned a lot from the original orchard manager Ray Hagio, who has cared for the land and trees on behalf of the family for years. “He’s a phenomenal farmer.” Steve says with a smile. Together, Steve and Ray have brought the orchard back into production by hiring harvesting staff, exploring export markets, and finding innovative ways to manage the orchard.
Currently the farm’s longan and lychee are primarily exported to the continental 48 (except for Florida). Fun fact: Hawai’i longan cannot be shipped to or sold in Florida. Even longan boxes shipping to other states must be labeled ‘not for FL’. The state of Florida has prohibited longan imports, which protects Florida’s significant longan market from both pests and price undercuts from international imports. Steve mentioned that the Hawai’i state legislature should consider the same thing. Though Steve and his team are currently dependent on exporting their crops, they are interested in finding more local wholesale outlets as well as finding ways to extend the shelf life of these delicious fruits through value-added products.