How to Start a Kelp Farm
Past Event Details
How to Start a Kelp Farm is a 6-week guided learning journey through GreenWave’s Ocean Farming Hub. You can watch the 2023 session recordings below.
Watch the Recording
Program
GreenWave’s Co-Founder, Bren Smith, and Director of Training & Support, Lindsay Olsen, invite you to kick off this learning journey with a farmer-to-farmer dockside chat. Experienced kelp farmers from across the country will gather to offer words of advice to those just starting out. We’ll discuss common misconceptions about kelp farming, speak to trends within the industry, and tell you what you really need to know if you’re thinking about taking up this line of work.
Speakers
Bren Smith
Co-Executive Director, GreenWave
Lindsay Olsen
Director of Training & Support, GreenWave
Adelia Myrick
Founder, Alaskan Sea Greens
Dave Blaney
Founder, Point Judith Kelp Company
This week we’ll dive into the art of picking a productive site for kelp farming. We’ll learn from experienced farmers and scientists about the importance of nutrient availability on kelp farms and discuss the biophysical factors that make a site suitable for farming. We’ll also consider: how you might work to gain social license, or buy-in, from in your community when selecting a location for your farm; why it’s critical to understand the Indigenous use of the waters where you’re looking to farm; and how access to your site will dramatically impact the way you farm.
Speakers
Dr. Schery Umanzor
Marine Biologist and Assistant Professor, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sean den Adel
Co-owner & Operations Manager, Noble Ocean Farms
Tela Troge
Shinnecock Kelp Farmers
It’s time to get technical. This week we’ll learn about three common array types that are used to build different types of kelp farms: the single line, five-line and catenary array. We’ll hear from farmers and marine engineers on the pros and cons of each system. We’ll discuss what buoys, anchors, and gear might be required based on the different factors of your site, and we’ll leave time to answer any specific design questions that came up while constructing your own farm designs in GreenWave’s Farm Design Tool on the Hub.
Speakers
Cliff Goudey
Principal at C. A. Goudey & Associates
Alf Pryor
Owner/Operator at Alaska Ocean Farms
David Bailey
Director of Farmer Advancement, GreenWave
At this point in your farm journey you might be wondering, how much is this all going to cost? In this live session we’ll hear from GreenWave’s Market Development team on how to build a basic financial model for your farm and estimate when you could expect to break even. We’ll hear directly from farmers who have built successful businesses why at first it may feel like you’re doing more marketing than farming. Deciding where and how you’ll sell your kelp is a critical step in the process.
Speakers
Sam Garwin
Director of Market Development at GreenWave
Grace Collery
Market Development Program Manager, GreenWave
Suzie Flores
Founding Member, Sugar Kelp Cooperative
To make your farm official, you’ll need to ultimately gain permissions from your local, state, and regional authorities. This process will vary from state to state and region to region. We’ll hear from representatives at state permitting agencies who handle high volumes of ocean farm applications on what factors make a successful application. Additionally, a farmer who recently navigated the permitting process will offer his advice on how to work with your permitting agencies to make this process as smooth as possible.
Speakers
Michelle Morris
Permit Coordinator at State of Alaska, ADFG
Mike Spranger
Kelp Farmer (WA)
We’ll convene in this final session to share reflections, address any unanswered questions, and point you to further courses and resources as you work to launch your farm business!
Speakers
Colleen Francke
Owner and Operator, Summit Point Seafoods