DRIVING AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION
BY JESSE COOKE AND KEITH DEMELLO
T hrust into the forefront of Hawai‘i's agricultural landscape, Wendy Gady, as the new executive director of the State of Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), em- bodies a deep-rooted connection to farming. Raised in a farming family and a tight-knit farming community, Gady's journey into the world of agribusiness began with the hum- ble task of detasseling corn. Those early experiences instilled in her a robust work ethic and a profound understanding of the inherent risks and challenges associated with agriculture, from unpredict- able weather to fluctuating land prices and volatile interest rates. Those core experiences, together with multifaceted experience in ag gained since, bring a unique skill set to the table in her new role. A QUASI-PUBLIC ENTITY WITH HIGH HOPES In the realm of Hawai‘i's agribusiness, the ADC stands apart. Es- tablished by the Hawai‘i Legislature in 1994 as a public corporation, it is distinct from a typical state agency. It has unique powers to preserve and revitalize vast land holdings, irrigation systems, water infrastructure, and buildings.
is excited by the opportunity to work with those like DBEDT Deputy Director Dane Wicker, who also sits on the board, in creating busi- nesses. “That’s in our name … and economically, that is who we are. We are meant to be an ag business development corporation.”
THE ETHOS OF FARMING IS DEEPLY INGRAINED IN A CULTURE OF INDEPENDENCE
Gady describes farmers as self-reliant and extraordinarily optimistic, even in the face of weather-related challenges and unexpected di- sasters. Farming demands a special kind of person — someone who thrives on independence and possesses an unshakable optimism. Despite the inherent unpredictability of agriculture, farmers are always planning for the future. And the dedication to farming goes beyond the typical nine-to-five job; it's a seven-day-a-week commitment. “Cows don't take the weekends off; they still produce milk,” Gady explained. “You can't be like, ‘Okay, I'll see you in two weeks.’ You don't have that flexibility. And I think it really takes the heart of an entrepre- neur to get into farming. They are brave.” Farmers are, by nature, fiercely independent individuals. They don't typically ask for help publically, instead they prefer to work within their networks. While they may need new equipment or investments in their farms, they often don't broadcast these needs to everyone, which becomes a problem when government support is needed. “Some of this discretion is due to the confidential nature of their business, but it's also rooted in their personality traits,” Gady said. “This, in turn, contributes to what I consider a PR and branding chal- lenge for the farming community. We don't share our stories enough, and this can lead to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the trials and triumphs farmers face.” CHALLENGES OF FARMING IN HAWAII It's an incredible challenge to feed one of the most remote places on earth. Most calculations show that Hawai‘i imports at least 85% of our food. For the food that is grown locally producer contend with added challanges. Hawaii farmers are forced to import their equip- ment, seeds, packaging, and more. “We have rising costs,” Gady said. “We have water shortages, wa- ter conservation, risk management for rain and drought and fire and wind and pests and deer and pigs and insects and disease. We have all of that stuff, but then we have the added pressure of we have to bring things in.”
“(Legislators) saw the writing on the wall that sugar and pineapple were going to pull out, and all these vast land hold- ings, irrigation systems, water systems, and infrastructure buildings were just go- ing to sit,” Gady said. “It was an absolute- ly bold step by the Legislature in creating this entity to … preserve and grow all that land, water and infrastructure, and make that the platform and the foundation for local food production and creating diver- sified ag. That was so brilliant, honestly.” The scale of ADC’s operations is im-
Wendy Gady
pressive, encompassing a diverse range of activities, from manag- ing nearly twenty-three thousand acres of land, to evaluating the Wahiawā irrigation system, exploring treated wastewater for irriga- tion and maintaining hydropower plants. ADC recently transitioned from the Hawai‘i Department of Agri- culture (HDOA) to the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), which highlights further the corporation’s role in business development. The HDOA chairperson remains on the ADC board to provide feedback and direction. Gady
16 | HAWAII FOOD INDUSTRY MAGAZINE | WINTER 2023–2024
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