Progress report for FNE25-121
Project Information
The purpose of this project, Expanding Jute Leaf Production to Support Food Access for the Haitian Community in Delaware, was to evaluate the feasibility of producing jute leaf (Lalo) on a small land footprint while supplying a culturally significant crop to the local Haitian community. Jute leaf was direct-seeded and grown in ground on a 3,200 sq ft plot using plastic-covered rows and managed with a cut-and-come-again harvesting system. Weekly harvests occurred between mid-May and mid-August, with each plant harvested multiple times, and all product was sold fresh through a Caribbean grocery store serving the Haitian community at a consistent price of $4.00 per pound.
Despite limited access to irrigation, consistent rainfall supported healthy crop growth and resulted in an abundant harvest. Total seasonal revenue reached $7,800, confirming that jute leaf can be a profitable, repeat-harvest crop while improving access to culturally relevant foods for the Haitian community in Delaware. The project met its objectives and demonstrated both production viability and market demand, while highlighting opportunities to improve irrigation access and recordkeeping in future seasons.
Outreach activities included on-farm visits by community members and a presentation during a grant writing class, sharing project outcomes and lessons learned with local farmers and agricultural participants.
Objective:
To evaluate and compare the yield and economic potential of jute leaves on dedicated acreage, while simultaneously developing effective, organic pest management practices to enhance crop productivity and profitability for small-scale farmers. Through this project, we aim to measure and analyze the yield of jute leaves under local conditions, providing a basis for determining their scalability within Delaware’s agricultural landscape. Additionally, we will conduct a profit analysis to assess the financial feasibility of these crops, guiding future efforts to expand their cultivation. A key aspect of this objective is to experiment with organic pest management strategies tailored for these crops, focusing on affordability and effectiveness. The results will not only inform best practices for jute cultivation but also deliver practical, actionable recommendations for local farmers seeking sustainable and profitable crop options. This information will ultimately support farmers in making informed decisions on adopting these crops, potentially enhancing crop diversity and profitability in their operations.
Problem and Solution:
Problem Statement: There is a growing need for fresh jute leaves among Delaware's Haitian population, estimated to be around 15,000 people (University of Delaware, 2024). Jute leaves are essential in Haitian cuisine, valued for their nutritional content and integral role in traditional dishes (Ali et al., 2020). Unfortunately, there is no local source of jute leaves in Delaware, forcing the community to rely on imports that are often costly, sporadic, and of lower quality by the time they arrive. Imported jute leaves frequently lose their freshness and nutritional value during transit, which limits access to high-quality, culturally relevant food for Haitian families in the area. In Delaware, jute is not a conventional crop, and there is minimal local expertise or research on cultivating it specifically for leaf production. Similarly, nearby states like Maryland and Virginia also lack information on cultivating jute under local agricultural conditions to maximize leaf yield and quality. Initial research efforts have revealed significant challenges, particularly with pests like leaf-chewing insects that damage jute crops and reduce yield. Without a suitable management strategy for these pests, establishing a reliable, sustainable jute supply for the Haitian community would be difficult (Selvaraj et al., 2015).
Proposed Solution: To address these challenges, our project aims to develop a local jute leaf production system in Delaware, selecting two jute varieties that appear promising for the region’s climate. This project’s goal is to ensure high yields and effective pest management, creating a consistent and accessible supply of fresh jute leaves for the Haitian community in Delaware, as well as neighboring Maryland and Virginia. The proposed solution includes the following main steps: Cultivation Trials: We plan to trial two jute varieties well-suited to Delaware's climate, focusing on growth rates, leaf yield, and quality. These trials will help gather essential data on the adaptability and viability of these varieties in local conditions. Pest and Pathogen Management: Effective pest management is critical for successful jute cultivation, as leaf-chewing insects can severely damage crops. Drawing on existing research, we propose to create an organic pest management plan tailored to the specific insect pressures in the area (Abdul & Kaushik, 2017). We will test organic pest control methods, including biological agents, cultural practices, and organic insecticides, to identify the best, environmentally safe approaches for local conditions. Boosting Crop Diversity and Farm Profitability: Incorporating jute as a new crop in Delaware can help diversify the state’s agricultural landscape, offering new revenue streams for smallholders. With a significant demand among the local Haitian community, fresh jute leaves present a niche market for farmers, allowing them to grow a culturally important crop while potentially increasing their profits. Cultivating jute locally also reduces dependence on imports and aligns with the goals of sustainable, community-centered food systems. Extension Outreach: To facilitate this initiative, we will conduct training workshops and field demonstrations on jute cultivation. These sessions will educate farmers on best practices for growing jute, managing pests, and following organic methods. This hands-on training will support a knowledgeable, capable farming community ready to sustain jute production in the long term. Developing jute production in Delaware offers several benefits beyond meeting local demand. Jute is a fast-growing crop with low input needs, making it well-suited for sustainable farming practices (Datta et al., 2020). Its addition to local farming systems also supports soil health by enabling crop rotation and organic residue management, promoting overall soil quality and resilience (Kumar et al., 2021). Growing jute locally is expected to play a critical role in enhancing food sovereignty for the Haitian community, providing them with a fresh, high-quality, and culturally relevant ingredient that aligns with their dietary traditions. This supports broader food justice goals, ensuring that communities can access essential cultural foods without relying on inconsistent imports. Additionally, as climate change brings new challenges to agriculture, jute offers a resilient crop option for smallholders in Delaware, allowing them to diversify and reduce vulnerability to economic and environmental shifts (Rahman & Rahman, 2024). In conclusion, expanding jute leaf production in Delaware represents a practical and essential step toward meeting the Haitian community’s needs for fresh jute leaves. This project will carry out cultivation trials, develop an organic pest management system, and offer training to farmers, creating a sustainable, local supply of jute leaves. By fostering food sovereignty, community resilience, and crop diversity, this initiative promises to deliver long-term benefits for both Delaware’s Haitian population and the state’s agricultural sector.
This year marks my third year in farming. With no prior agricultural background, the initial motivation for entering farming was to secure a clean and reliable source of food for personal consumption. Over time, this motivation expanded to providing clean, culturally relevant food for others in the community.
I participate in the Delaware State University Incubator Farm Program, which was made possible through the support of John Clendaniel of Delaware State University. Through this program, access to land and basic farm infrastructure was provided, allowing me to develop production systems and gain hands-on experience. A designated plot of land was assigned and managed independently.
The first year of farming served as a learning phase, during which production systems were established, including the use of plastic-covered rows and drip irrigation. During this period, the farm confirmed both the ability to grow crops successfully and the existence of viable market outlets. Sales are conducted through a family-owned Caribbean grocery store located in an urban area and serving a predominantly Haitian customer base. With over five years of experience operating the Caribbean Market, the family is able to quickly identify crops that are in high demand within the community.
Initial production included multiple crops, with October beans and jute leaf generating the highest revenue due to strong demand from Haitian customers. In subsequent seasons, production was optimized by focusing on crops most relevant to the Haitian community. This market-focused approach revealed a significant supply gap, where demand consistently exceeded available local supply.
With support from the SARE grant during the most recent growing season, the farm was able to increase production, particularly of jute leaf, to better meet community demand. Despite this increase, demand remained high, further confirming the need and opportunity for expanded local production. The farm operates on a small scale and part-time basis, utilizing existing land, labor, plasticulture systems, and irrigation infrastructure provided through the incubator program. Lessons learned through this project continue to inform production planning and future expansion efforts.
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor
Research
Jute leaf (Lalo) was direct-seeded and grown in-ground on a 3,200 sq ft plot. The crop was planted in twenty rows, each measuring approximately 2 feet wide by 80 feet long, covered with plastic mulch. Seeds were sown directly into planting holes, with approximately 6–7 seeds per hole. This planting density resulted in bush like growth, allowing for multiple harvests per plant.
The crop was managed using a cut and come again harvesting system. Harvests occurred on a weekly basis between mid-May and mid-August. Each plant or bush was harvested approximately 3–4 times over the course of the season. Harvesting consisted of cutting tender leaves and stems while allowing the plant to regenerate for subsequent harvests.
Yield data was collected at the point of sale rather than by individual harvest date. Jute leaf was sold fresh through a single direct to consumer outlet, a local Caribbean grocery store called Caribbean Market. Product was weighed using a scale, bagged, and sold at a consistent price of $4.00 per pound. In most cases, weighed harvests were placed into large bags averaging approximately $20 per bag, though customers could purchase variable amounts weighed on demand.
While monthly or weekly sales records were not maintained during this first production year, total seasonal sales were calculated at the end of the harvest window by aggregating all sales receipts and weights. Total revenue for the season was approximately $7,800, which served as the primary performance metric for this project. This first year functioned as a learning and feasibility phase, and recordkeeping systems will be optimized in the coming season to track yields and sales on a per-harvest and per-month basis.
The primary measurement collected during this project was total seasonal revenue generated from jute leaf grown on a 3,200 sq ft plot. While individual harvest weights were not tracked on a weekly or monthly basis, all product was weighed at the point of sale, allowing total seasonal yield and revenue to be calculated. At the conclusion of the harvest window, total sales amounted approximately $7,800 at a consistent price of $4.00 per pound.
In addition to revenue, several production observations were made throughout the growing season. Direct seeding at a density of 6–7 seeds per planting hole resulted in vigorous, bush like plants well suited to a cut and come again harvest system. Weekly harvesting proved effective, with each plant producing 3–4 harvests between mid May and mid September without noticeable decline in quality. This confirmed that jute leaf can be intensively harvested over a relatively short season while maintaining consistent regrowth.
The project also demonstrated strong market demand when sold through a culturally appropriate retail outlet. Selling directly through a Caribbean grocery store allowed the crop to move quickly at a stable price point, minimizing post-harvest handling time and product loss. This sales model reduced marketing labor and ensured that all harvested product was sold fresh.
As this was the first year of production, some aspects of data collection differed from the original intent. Recordkeeping focused on end-of-season totals rather than per-harvest tracking. While this limited detailed yield analysis, it provided a clear proof of concept for both production viability and profitability. No unusual weather events significantly affected the crop during the growing season.
Overall, the project confirmed that jute leaf can be a profitable crop on a small land footprint. The revenue generated from a single 3,200 sq ft plot highlighted the crop’s potential for small-scale and diversified farms. Based on lessons learned, future seasons will include improved harvest tracking, more detailed sales records, and refined labor documentation to better quantify costs, efficiency, and profit margins.
The objective of this project was to evaluate the production and revenue potential of jute leaf (Lalo) grown on a small land footprint in the Northeastern region and to determine whether it could serve as a viable, repeat harvest crop for small and diversified farms. The project sought to assess both agronomic performance and market response using a practical, farm based approach.
To meet this objective, jute leaf was direct seeded and grown in ground on a 3,200 sq ft plot using plastic covered rows. The crop was managed using a cut and come again harvesting system, with weekly harvests occurring between mid May and mid September. Each plant was harvested multiple times throughout the season, and all product was sold fresh through a local Caribbean grocery store at a consistent price of $4.00 per pound.
Despite initial plans to utilize drip irrigation, access to well water was limited during the growing season due to high farm participation and infrastructure constraints. While drip irrigation was installed, it was not connected. Unusually consistent rainfall throughout the season provided sufficient natural irrigation, and no supplemental watering was required. Based on field observations and crop performance, the decision was made to proceed without altering the system mid season. Even without a controlled water source, the crop demonstrated strong growth and produced an abundant harvest.
The project successfully met its objective. Total seasonal revenue reached approximately $7,800 from the 3,200 sq ft plot, confirming that jute leaf can generate meaningful income on a relatively small area. Strong regrowth, multiple harvest cycles, and consistent market demand demonstrated both production feasibility and sales viability.
As a result of this project, jute leaf will continue to be grown as part of the farm’s crop mix. In the upcoming season, drip irrigation will be fully connected and managed to provide greater control over water availability, particularly in drier years. Additionally, improved harvest and sales recordkeeping will be implemented to track yield, labor, and profitability more precisely. These changes are expected to improve consistency, reduce risk associated with weather variability, and support more accurate economic analysis as production scales.
Overall, this first year project provided clear proof of concept and established a strong foundation for refining production practices and expanding jute leaf cultivation in future seasons.
Education & outreach activities and participation summary
Participation summary:
Education and outreach for this project focused on direct, in person knowledge sharing with community members and farmers. During the harvest season, the project site was visited by members of the local community, including a church group led by the farm operator’s father, who serves as a pastor. Visitors were able to observe jute leaf production firsthand, learn about planting density, harvesting methods, and regrowth potential, and discuss the cultural and market relevance of the crop.
In addition, the project was shared in an educational setting during a grant writing class in November. The jute leaf project was discussed as a practical example of small-scale specialty crop production, including lessons learned from the first growing season, revenue outcomes, and the importance of recordkeeping and infrastructure planning. This presentation provided an opportunity to share both successes and challenges with other farmers and agricultural participants interested in grant-funded projects.
No formal publications or newsletters were produced during this first year. However, the project generated ongoing informal outreach through on-farm conversations and community engagement. Additional educational efforts, including more structured farm visits and documentation, are planned for future seasons as production and recordkeeping systems are further developed.
Learning Outcomes
As a farmer and researcher, this project resulted in meaningful changes in knowledge, skills, and management awareness related to specialty crop production and farm operations. Through hands on implementation, the project increased my understanding of jute leaf growth habits, optimal planting density, and the effectiveness of a cut and come again harvesting system. Observing consistent regrowth across multiple harvests confirmed the crop’s suitability for intensive production on a small land footprint.
The project also improved my skills related to harvest timing, post harvest handling, and market alignment. Weekly harvesting reinforced the importance of harvesting at the correct growth stage to maintain product quality and maximize regrowth. Direct to retail sales emphasized the value of matching production to culturally specific markets, increasing confidence in producing crops tailored to local demand.
In terms of attitude and management awareness, the project showed me the importance of infrastructure planning and recordkeeping. While the crop performed well despite limited access to irrigation due to consistent rainfall, the experience increased awareness of the risks associated with relying on weather variability. As a result, there is a stronger commitment to ensuring irrigation systems are fully operational in future seasons.
Additionally, the project shifted my perspectives on data collection and farm evaluation. Calculating total seasonal revenue demonstrated the economic potential of jute leaf but also underscored the need for more detailed tracking of yields, labor, and costs. This awareness will directly inform improved recordkeeping practices in the upcoming season.
Overall, the project strengthened our team's practical farming skills, reinforced adaptive decision-making, and increased confidence in the viability of jute leaf as a profitable crop, identifying clear areas for operational improvement moving forward, all the while boosting my confidence that I am capable to be a farmer.
Project Outcomes
As a result of this project, several changes in practice and management behavior were adopted by me and my team and will continue to be implemented in future seasons. One of the most significant changes was the decision to formally incorporate jute leaf into the farm’s crop mix based on demonstrated production reliability and market demand. Prior to this project, jute leaf had not been grown at this scale or evaluated for revenue potential. The successful outcome confirmed its viability as a repeat-harvest, high-value crop on a small footprint.
The project also influenced infrastructure and planning practices. Although the crop performed well under natural rainfall conditions, the experience reinforced the importance of having fully functional irrigation systems in place before the start of the season. As a result, ensuring reliable water access has become a priority for upcoming production cycles, reducing future risk and improving consistency regardless of weather patterns.
Recordkeeping practices are another area of behavioral change. While this first year focused on end-of-season totals, the project highlighted the value of more detailed harvest and sales tracking. Moving forward, per harvest yield data and labor tracking will be implemented to better evaluate profitability, time investment, and scaling potential. This change is expected to improve decision-making efficiency and reduce uncertainty in planning.
From a quality-of-life and operational standpoint, the project demonstrated the benefit of growing a crop with strong, built-in market demand. Selling directly through an established retail outlet reduced marketing time, minimized unsold product, and streamlined post-harvest handling. This efficiency allowed more time to be dedicated to production and farm planning rather than sales outreach.
Overall, the project increased confidence in specialty crop production, improved farm management awareness, and resulted in the adoption of practices that support long term sustainability and profitability. The success of this first season reinforced the value of small scale experimentation as a pathway to informed growth and farm resilience.
Looking back, the overall study approach proved effective for evaluating the production and economic potential of jute leaf on a small land footprint. Direct seeding at a relatively high density, combined with a cut-and-come-again harvesting system, was key to the project’s success. This method allowed for multiple harvests from each planting, reduced the need for replanting, and maximized productivity within a limited growing window.
One of the primary challenges was limited infrastructure access during the growing season, specifically the inability to utilize drip irrigation despite its installation. While consistent rainfall reduced the immediate impact of this limitation, reliance on natural precipitation increased production risk and limited the ability to evaluate water use efficiency. Another challenge was recordkeeping. Harvest weights were measured at the point of sale rather than per harvest, which limited detailed yield analysis. .
Based on lessons learned, several methodological revisions will be implemented in future seasons. Drip irrigation will be fully connected and operational prior to planting to ensure reliable water access and greater control over crop performance. In addition, harvest and sales data will be recorded on a per-harvest basis, including labor inputs, to allow for more precise economic and efficiency analysis.
The project successfully answered the primary research question: whether jute leaf could be profitably grown and marketed on a small plot in the Northeastern region. The results were positive, demonstrating strong regrowth, consistent harvests, and meaningful revenue generation from a 3,200 sq ft area. As a result, the practice will continue to be used and promoted on the farm.
Additional work would be beneficial to evaluate yield differences under controlled irrigation, refine planting density for optimal regrowth, and document labor requirements more precisely. Further trials could also explore season extension or scaling strategies.
The results of this project would most benefit small-scale and diversified farmers, particularly those serving culturally specific or ethnic markets in the Northeastern United States. Farmers with limited land access who are seeking high-value, repeat-harvest crops may find jute leaf especially applicable. Community-based farms and urban-adjacent growers could also benefit from these findings.