Hi, my name is Garret.  For about a decade I've been in love with the idea of being a kelp farmer.  My "real life" made that impossible, not to mention that I lack any connection to the industry, or any real experience.  However, I am a PADI Divemaster, and i feel like I could use that as an "in" to work my way into being an ocean farmer.  Any advice on how to pursue such a thing would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you, Garret

]]>http://hub.greenwave.org/community/topic/1035/kelp-farm-jobsRSS for NodeSun, 27 Sep 2026 01:22:23 GMTMon, 17 Aug 2026 14:43:27 GMT60@garret_27 Thanks for the context. GreenWave published an industry report this past February that's a good primer on the industry, including where farms are located and what the pain points and opportunities are across the sector. Find it here: https://hub.greenwave.org/lms/resources/state-of-the-kelp-industry/. As you are digging into the resources, check out the recordings from our 6-week webinar series: How to Start a Kelp Farm. And check out resources and workshop opportunities through state-based programs, like those offered through Sea Grant in Maine and Alaska. North Island College (in British Columbia) and Bellingham Technical College, as well as some programs in California (Santa Monica College and others) offer aquaculture courses and micro-credential programs that may include on-water components. 

Hope this helps. 

]]>http://hub.greenwave.org/community/post/3147http://hub.greenwave.org/community/post/3147Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:15:36 GMT@kendall_barbery Thank you for the response! At this point I am probably a year or two away from making a shift, so I want to start learning as much as I can to see if this would be a viable option for the future. I grew up on freshwater lakes in Minnesota and have a lot of experience running sportboats, pontoons, and recreational fishing boats. Combining my topwater and underwater experiences should make me a decent candidate to work on anything from a support vessel to guiding dive tours. I am not yet familiar enough with the range of locations that people are farming in the U.S., and I am open to working outside the country. I'm not sure that helps much, but any input is appreciated!

]]>http://hub.greenwave.org/community/post/3146http://hub.greenwave.org/community/post/3146Mon, 17 Aug 2026 22:38:51 GMTHi @garret_27: Whereabouts are you hoping to make more connections in the industry? You mention that you are already a PADI Divemaster, so this upcoming PADI Open Water Dive Course for Mariculturalists through Alaska Sea Grant may not be the best fit for your skill level. However it could be a route to connecting with others in the mariculture industry in the state. Share a bit more about your goals, region of interest, and other questions and I (and others) can share some tips on how to get your feet wet.

]]>http://hub.greenwave.org/community/post/3143http://hub.greenwave.org/community/post/3143Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:44:15 GMT