About The MayaNut Company
Building a long-term, tree-based food and reforestation pathway around Brosimum alicastrum in Florida.
The Founder
The MayaNut Company was founded in 2025 by August Kokus. August is currently raising over 200 seed-grown MayaNut (Brosimum alicastrum) trees with the goal of proving the species as a practical, long-term food crop for Florida. This stage is intentionally hands-on: growing, observing, and documenting real performance across seasons, soils, containers, and early field conditions.
The focus is seed-grown diversity and long-term selection—identifying individuals that show strong growth, durability, and consistent structure over time. Those top performers help guide future propagation decisions, so the Florida population is built from proven genetics rather than assumptions. The project is also centered on responsible, transparent development: keeping clear records, sharing progress, and building a foundation that can scale as land options expand.
What is MayaNut?
MayaNut is the edible seed of Brosimum alicastrum, a tropical food tree in the fig/jackfruit family (Moraceae). It is a canopy-scale species that can be cultivated as a long-lived, low-input component of diversified agriculture. Because it is tree-based, it fits a different role than annual row crops: it can provide dependable production potential while supporting soil cover, habitat structure, and long-term land value.
The species has been valued in parts of Central America for generations as a resilient food source. Modern interest is growing again for the same reasons that matter today: a productive perennial crop, the ability to integrate into agroforestry systems, and a pathway for food production that also aligns with restoration and reforestation goals. The MayaNut Company is working to translate that potential into Florida conditions through careful observation, selection, and long-term planning.
Building an industry
Developing a new crop takes time: building planting stock, tracking growth and resilience, learning what works in local conditions, and selecting for consistency. The current work is establishing a baseline in Florida—documenting survival, vigor, structure, and overall performance—so future propagation is based on proven results. Long-term, this creates a clear pathway from small-scale cultivation to a scalable agricultural project.
The MayaNut Company is also building the informational layer needed for a new crop: clear naming, public education, and a growing research database. If you’d like to reach the project directly, email info@mayanut.com.