Back to: Plan for Growth

If you are planning to increase the production of your farm for the coming season, don’t wait to make a plan. Depending on how much you intend to increase your sales, work backward to determine how much more kelp you’ll need to outplant in the fall to meet these goals.

At minimum, an increase in production means you’ll need:

Expand the Growing Capacity of Your Farm

If you plan to grow more kelp, you’ll need to increase the total linear feet of growlines on your farm. You can do this by adding additional arrays, increasing the length of your growlines, or by diversifying the type of array you’re using. One way to grow more kelp without increasing your site footprint is to switch from single-line to 5-line arrays. The 5-line array adds a few additional complexities to your growing system but allows you to dramatically increase your yields without expanding your site area. 

If the changes to your farm design require you to purchase more gear, over the summer reach out to your suppliers and make sure they have your desired gear components in stock. Keep in mind that dramatically increasing your production may mean that you’ll need to change your harvesting setup or make modifications to your boat. If you’re planning to invest in new product development, you’ll likely also require additional licenses or permits to meet food safety guidelines in your state. Factor these costs and logistics into your planning.