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william_shipmanW
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Kelp farming on the Oregon Coast

  • william_shipmanW
    william_shipman

    Does anyone have any thoughts on why nothing has been attempted in the state of Oregon? 

    And/or, are there others in the state (along with me) that have thought about making an attempt at starting something here?

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  • david_baileyD
    david_bailey

    @william_shipman There has been interest in the past. I've tagged you in an old post with others interested in farming in Oregon. Would also be worth connecting the Oregon Kelp Alliance they are starting some cool restoration work that would have a lot of synergies with farming.

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  • stephen_loweryS
    stephen_lowery

    @william_shipman
    Just some guesses (I've lived in Oregon):

    • rough Pacific currents with little shelter from coastal or "barrier" islands. Contrast this with Maine, the Canadian Maritimes, Northwest Washington and British Columbia.
    • a very weak economy that has led to substantial out-migration. I myself spent some time in Oregon only to give up on the place after double-digit increases in the cost-of-living within a single year. It's very beautiful and I happily lived on next-to-nothing. I bike commuted to work, meal prepped and so on. I was willing to live in a "tiny house". Even still, it was clear that Oregon was just too dang screwed up.

    Past this people can investigate the culture and political system of Oregon, and they can come to their own conclusions.

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  • stephen_loweryS
    stephen_lowery

    PS: while in Oregon, my car was broken into and thousands of dollars worth of parts were stolen from my work-place. After I left, my friends told me about various buildings that had been burned down by people claiming to be "protestors" circa 2021. In other words, how can you invest in and build a business if people are actively destroying your property and endangering you, your co-workers and other members of your community?

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  • william_shipmanW
    william_shipman

    @david_bailey
    Thank you for the input David. I have been here for about 2 years now, I work seasonally for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (otherwise for Amazon). I have had both positive and negative input on the kelp farming idea here. I will definitely try to contact the folks with the kelp alliance.
    Thanks again

    Will

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