Aspiring vanilla growers and seasoned agriculturalists in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are invited to a free online workshop: An Introduction to Domestic Vanilla Cultivation.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., on April 10, leading experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), University of the Virgin Islands and the Puerto Rico Vanilla Cooperative will present the latest research and industry insights on large-scale vanilla production. Registration is required.
This multi-state workshop is the next stage in a $383,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA-SSARE) awarded in 2023 to Xingbo Wu, a plant breeder and geneticist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC). Wu is the principal investigator conducting research to establish domestic vanilla cultivation at TREC’s Homestead facility since 2022.
Workshop topics include:
- Introduction to Vanilla Domestica Cultivation – Xingbo Wu.
- Vanilla Horticulture Management – Yuncong Li and Alejandra Taco.
- Mycorrhizal Relationships of Vanilla and Their Role in Seed Germination – Paul Bayman.
- The Economics of Vanilla Production – Derek Farnsworth.
- History of Vanilla in Puerto Rico and the New Vanilla Co-Op – Millyvette García & Héctor Collazo (members of Puerto Rico Vanilla Cooperative).
The United States is the largest importer of cured vanilla beans, yet domestic production remains limited. Florida’s favorable climate offers potential for growing a profitable industry.
“We calculate the United States could be the fifth-largest vanilla producer globally, with 140 to 670 acres of the Sunshine State devoted to this specialty crop,” said Wu.
While commercial production has not yet taken root, Wu, collaborating with other UF/IFAS scientists and workshop experts from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, continues to peel back the layers of vanilla’s biology and cultivation. Scientists are uncovering ways to enhance vanilla’s growth and sustainability, while they enter the next stage in establishing a domestic vanilla industry.
As a spice that emits a warm velvety aroma, vanilla beans and vanilla extract can conjure up memories of cookies and cakes. Beyond its sweet scent, this globally cherished and in-demand spice has a complex history rooted in delicate orchid blooms, meticulous hand-pollination and a journey from tropical vines to your favorite foods, candles and perfumes.
Vanilla is among the highest-grossing agricultural commodities by weight and could revitalize the distressed subtropical agricultural industry, said Wu. The primary commercial species, Vanilla planifolia, is native to North and Central America, while Madagascar is the leading producer.
“The growing demand for domestically grown vanilla stems from challenges in the global supply chain, faced by manufacturers and increasing consumer preference for natural products,” he said.
Increasing consumer preference for natural and organic products drives domestic demand for vanilla, he said. The global vanilla market is experiencing significant growth, with the United States serving as a key player, particularly in the food and beverage industry, where vanilla is widely used in bakery items, frozen desserts and beverages, according to the Flavor and Extracts Manufacture Association.
Beyond its economic potential, vanilla boosts agroforestry due to its shade-grown nature, often cultivated within diversified agricultural systems. This characteristic makes it an appealing crop showing promise in producing gourmet-class beans regionally. Additionally, vanilla’s visual appeal and exotic nature present opportunities for agrotourism, offering supplemental income to farmers and stimulating rural economies.
“Vanilla is a high-value, resilient and low-maintenance crop, making it an excellent choice for growers in competitive agricultural regions looking to sustain their farming practices,” said Wu.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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