Doctoral student plants the seeds to make edamame a home garden staple | Virginia Tech News

Bewick produced and distributed approximately 2,000 seed packets to Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and Extension Master Gardeners in 107 offices throughout the commonwealth, encouraging them to plant edamame in home, school, and community gardens. He also gave out packets at an informational booth at Virginia Tech football games. Bewick then surveys the gardeners who received VT Sweet to learn more about how they use it, their challenges, and future demand for the product.

Joanne Royaltey, an Extension master gardener and the consumer horticulture program associate for Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Frederick County office, shared the seeds with thousands of people at garden clubs and community and school events. She has also helped survey community members.

“The response has been very positive,” Royaltey said. “People are hungry to learn more about edamame, and they feel valued when we ask for their participation in the survey. Patrick has been a conduit from the research lab into the community.”

In the future, Bewick hopes to expand the seed company to sell packets in garden stores. He continues to work with Zhang, supporting her research to develop and breed new and improved, herbicide-tolerant soybean varieties for the mid-Atlantic region. 

“Patrick is a unique Ph.D. student because he has a business mind that’s full of scientific ideas,” Zhang said. “He has been instrumental in our efforts to bridge the gap between edamame cultivation and market acceptance among home gardeners. His unique skill set, passion, and tireless efforts have significantly enhanced our ability to reach and connect with this demographic.”

Zhang also has encouraged him to pursue other related projects. He’s working to harness soybeans for plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids in nutrition supplements and to improve soil microbe health.

“Dr. Zhang has given me a lot of responsibility in the lab that’s provided real-world experience, like grant-writing, project development and management, market research, and field and lab work, that equates to working in the industry for years,” he said. “I’ve learned so much by just watching the way she manages her grants and her research process. She encourages me to pursue my interests and get what I want out of my future in a way that also benefits the program. The opportunities she’s given me are immeasurable.”