Meet the Farmers
Lana’i Grown Farm’s founder and owner, Sidney Alejado, was born and raised on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. He earned a degree in conservation at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, then began his career raising game birds for the state.
In 2014, Sid and his family started Lana’i Grown Farm on the small island of Lana’i. They raise 27 different species of birds to provide a variety of eggs for their community. A true family farm, Sid’s wife and children help him take care of the birds and collect and package the eggs. Sid also works for a hydroponics farm on the island called Sensei Ag, which allows him to bring home their excess produce to feed to his chickens.
With more than 20 years of raising game birds and chickens, Sid has expanded his work beyond farming to include educational workshops with youth and local residents. He teaches community members how to raise poultry with regenerative practices that rebuild and support healthy soils, and provides advice and guidance for residents eager to start their own flocks.
Lana’i is a tight-knit community but faces food insecurity issues prevalent across the islands. The 3,500 residents on Lana’i rely on a single barge to deliver their food and other consumables once per week. Eggs are one of the first items to sell out in stores, and with high inflation and shipping costs, many wholesalers are looking to shift away from importing eggs. Lana’i Grown Farms works to support others on their journey of producing food for themselves—enhancing the island’s food economy and increasing access to nutrient-dense, locally-grown food.
Regenerative & Sustainable Practices
More than 90% of the food consumed on the island of Lana’i is shipped in once per week, creating a high level of food insecurity that Lana'I Grown Farm seeks to address. As a sustainable, on-island food producer, Lana’i Grown raises chickens with holistic and regenerative practices, which include:
- Rotating chickens across the pasture, evenly distributing natural fertilizers across the land to improve soil fertility and nutrient density.
- Repurposing food waste from a local hydroponic farm to feed the chickens. Their birds can’t get enough of the lettuce and tomatoes Sid brings home.
- Teaching local students how to produce eggs, harvest, and care for the chickens. They also help other backyard farmers get started with their own flock.
- Working with the University of Hawaii on strategies for cover cropping and regenerative pasture development.