Hello from the Olympic Peninsula, WA
-
I’m a Washington-based aspiring seaweed farmer - in the middle of navigating the permitting process. So grateful for all of the resources in the Hub and for insight that people in this community have shared. I spent most of the last decade working as an environmental science educator and in the maritime industry. I’m excited about the possibility of continuing to work on the water while growing low-impact, nutritious food.
Hoping to connect with folks in Washington and beyond to share knowledge around farm planning/permitting. Also very interested in opportunities to help out with science communication/education related to seaweed farming and kelp in general. Feel free to contact me here or by email [colleen.eliza.obrien@gmail.com].
@colleen_obrien hi. I sent you an email
@colleen_obrien sent you an email just now
@colleen_obrien Hello Colleen. I have recently moved to the Olympic Peninsula from Minnesota, where I was in the process of becoming a full time land based farmer. Its a long story why we moved, but shortest version is my wife got a job out here so here we are... I've been considering possible ways to redirect my farming aspirations from MN into something in WA, and was presented with Bren Smith's book about ocean farming. After just finishing the book, I'm diving into the possibilities of ocean farming in WA. I'm disappointed to learn (from the Green Wave website) WA has not issued any permits for water based seaweed operations yet. You mention you're in the middle of the permitting process. Have you found any brighter prospects so far on that front then what Green Wave has been able to compile? (Awsome job Green Wave! Thank you!) I'd love to hear what you've found so far.
Thanks,
Andy Mattison
@andy_mattison
Hi, Andy. I’m happy to share what I know, but I am still early in the permitting process and there are definitely others who could provide more detailed insight. However, I would say that prospects for small-scale seaweed farming in Washington seem to be good and getting better. I have been wanting to start a farm for over five years, but up until now have not felt like I had the time or resources to try to navigate the unknowns and red tape around the permitting process.
There is one permitted seaweed farm in Washington (Blue Dot Sea Farms - https://bluedotseafarms.com/) although they are a bit unique because they began as a research project. Pacific Sea Farms (https://www.pacificseafarms.com/) on Vashon Island are very close to securing their permits and I believe that there are a few other farms that are also getting close. The permitting process is quite involved, but I’ve found that there is a lot of support/information available from permitting agencies, other prospective farmers and Greenwave.
A big reason that the establishment of farms is moving so slowly here is that there is a lot of due diligence being taken to ensure that farming practices are ecologically responsible. The needle definitely seems to be moving towards recognizing small-scale farms as low-impact and environmentally friendly. It also helps that there is a growing number of examples of small, regenerative farms in other states.
Another hurdle that is part of the permitting process is gaining public acceptance. Because it is a new industry in WA, folks have a lot of questions/concerns that need to be addressed. A good resource around this and seaweed farming in general is the Washington Seaweed Collaborative (https://waseaweedcollaborative.org/).
Overall, I’d say that prospects seem very good, but definitely be prepared for a lengthy permitting process (although this might start to decrease as the industry grows). Let me know if you have any other questions. Welcome to Washington!
@colleen_obrien Hi Colleen I'm here in Edmonds and doing permitting research. I've read about a permit in Everett but would love to see if we can put our brains together on our research if you're still exploring!
@aaron_huang
Hi, Aaron! I’d love to connect and share info. I’m just across the sound from you. My e-mail is colleen.eliza.obrien@gmail.com.
@andy_mattison
Hi, Andy. I’m happy to share what I know, but I am still early in the permitting process and there are definitely others who could provide more detailed insight. However, I would say that prospects for small-scale seaweed farming in Washington seem to be good and getting better. I have been wanting to start a farm for over five years, but up until now have not felt like I had the time or resources to try to navigate the unknowns and red tape around the permitting process.
There is one permitted seaweed farm in Washington (Blue Dot Sea Farms - https://bluedotseafarms.com/) although they are a bit unique because they began as a research project. Pacific Sea Farms (https://www.pacificseafarms.com/) on Vashon Island are very close to securing their permits and I believe that there are a few other farms that are also getting close. The permitting process is quite involved, but I’ve found that there is a lot of support/information available from permitting agencies, other prospective farmers and Greenwave.
A big reason that the establishment of farms is moving so slowly here is that there is a lot of due diligence being taken to ensure that farming practices are ecologically responsible. The needle definitely seems to be moving towards recognizing small-scale farms as low-impact and environmentally friendly. It also helps that there is a growing number of examples of small, regenerative farms in other states.
Another hurdle that is part of the permitting process is gaining public acceptance. Because it is a new industry in WA, folks have a lot of questions/concerns that need to be addressed. A good resource around this and seaweed farming in general is the Washington Seaweed Collaborative (https://waseaweedcollaborative.org/).
Overall, I’d say that prospects seem very good, but definitely be prepared for a lengthy permitting process (although this might start to decrease as the industry grows). Let me know if you have any other questions. Welcome to Washington!
@aaron_huang
Hi, Aaron! I’d love to connect and share info. I’m just across the sound from you. My e-mail is colleen.eliza.obrien@gmail.com.
@colleen_obrien Colleen and Aaron, I just read your two last posts... I happen to be sitting in the ferry waiting zone in Edmonds as I'm reading them...
and can see the buoy field next to the ferry pier. I learned recently that all those buoys are actually an underwater scuba diving park. I wonder if an ocean farm could go right along side them or amongst them? Wouldn't have to convince anybody about the above water view. Would attract more wildlife to the dive park. Just had to mention that as I'm sitting here and it occurred to me. 
Colleen, Thanks for the reply above! Very helpful and encouraging! I'm currently working with the folks who are renting my farm back in MN to transition it to regenerative/sustainable practices. We've made some big strides, and two years in, have already shown results. I'm hoping to bring some of the kelp I grow here back there to feed to animals on that farm. I'm back there a lot in the warm months to work on the farm which should work out well because it sounds like the seaweed farming season out here is mostly over the cold months. I'm getting pretty excited about all this!
Hope your permitting continues to progress! Sounds like I better get started on it myself
@andy_mattison I'd love to see how I can be of service if you do indeed find a way back to WA. Please let me know my good sir!
- Aaron
@andy_mattison That's an awesome idea! Having to look at buoys definitely seems to be a hang-up for some folks. I am working on a business plan that resolves mainly around providing fertilizer for local farms, but would love to learn from you about how it can be used as animal feed. Thanks!
@andy_mattison I'd love to see how I can be of service if you do indeed find a way back to WA. Please let me know my good sir!
- Aaron
@colleen_obrien Hey there, I was just out at Ocean Shores digging razor clams last weekend, then pit-stopped in Seattle for the Sound Toxin HAB training and am now home in Blaine. I've been working on the permitting process and beginning seaweed business for almost the last year. I'm hoping to grow sugar kelp, bull kelp, and blue mussels in northern Whatcom County. We have quite a WA collective on seaweed up here through the Washington Sea Grant, check it out. Email me anytime if you have questions and or just wanna chew the cud as they say: holdfastmariculture@gmail.com
@jackie_dexter I realized the WA seaweed collaborative just had their symposium in Dev. Were you able to attend and find helpful resources?
@jackie_dexter I realized the WA seaweed collaborative just had their symposium in Dev. Were you able to attend and find helpful resources?
@andy_mattison That's an awesome idea! Having to look at buoys definitely seems to be a hang-up for some folks. I am working on a business plan that resolves mainly around providing fertilizer for local farms, but would love to learn from you about how it can be used as animal feed. Thanks!