Eager to Enter the Washington Chain -- Would love to talk/learn/train
-
I have followed Greenwave and taught about the ethical impact of regenerative ocean farming for a decade. I'm in Grand Rapids, MI area contemplating a move to the Pacific Northwest in order to put theory into practice -- becoming a part-time professor and a full-time part of the regenerative ocean-farming network. I would love a conversation with anyone who has time to talk with me about ways I might get involved in the Pacific Northwest as a farmer, or an investor/administrator/partner in some part of the chain. A few things about me: (a) I have multiple engineering and humanities degrees. I'm smart, entrepreneurial, imaginative, driven by the idea of making the world a better place and can work a spreadsheet. (b) I am a sailor (with International Skippers License), outdoorsman, oarsman (rowed D1 crew) and love the outdoors. (c) I have money to invest and a lot of passion and energy.
@david_94 Only two kelp farms are licensed and operational in Washington currently, and the sector is small and slow to scale.
Maritime Blue is emerging as a regional network hub for the nascent PNW industry. See some of the work they are doing with WA kelp growers here: https://maritimeblue.org/kelp-growers/. Maritime Blue is working on a roadmap for the Washington seaweed industry; keep an eye out for that forthcoming publication. I also recommend exploring resources offered through the WA Seaweed Collaborative: https://waseaweedcollaborative.org/. I'm tagging few people involved in the industry in Washington who might be interested in connecting.
@larry_mellum5154 @riley_starks33 @mike_spranger @jon_kroman5028. FWIW: Mike Spranger has posted a number of videos on this platform about his journey in the PNW.
Hi @david_94 , I am the Program Manager for the Kelp initiative at Maritime Blue, working directly with all of the active and prospective farmers in WA - would be happy to connect and chat any time! feel free to email me at willow@maritimeblue.org
Thanks for flagging @kendall_barbery !
@kendall_barbery
Hi Kendall, Thanks so much for the reply! I talked with Meg Chadsey for a long time during her office hours and she also pointed me to Mike Spranger and Willow at Maritime Blue. I'll follow up with them and see what the possibilities are! It sounds like a challenging environment -- but a lot of good people as well! Thanks again.
Hi @david_94 , I am the Program Manager for the Kelp initiative at Maritime Blue, working directly with all of the active and prospective farmers in WA - would be happy to connect and chat any time! feel free to email me at willow@maritimeblue.org
Thanks for flagging @kendall_barbery !
@kendall_barbery
Hi Kendall, Thanks so much for the reply! I talked with Meg Chadsey for a long time during her office hours and she also pointed me to Mike Spranger and Willow at Maritime Blue. I'll follow up with them and see what the possibilities are! It sounds like a challenging environment -- but a lot of good people as well! Thanks again.