JANUARY 2024

Alaskan Kelp: The Farmer's Perspective

David Leith & Kristen Isfeld Maine Family Seafarm Coop

After a trying season and a lackluster harvest, three disillusioned Maine kelp farmers traveled to Alaska and were given hope. Due to a volcano in Siberia and a touch of good luck they were able to join a GreenWave farmers summit in Kodak where they learned about innovations in farm layout and harvest equipment. Through sharing experiences with farmers from across Alaska and British Columbia as well as folks from NY, CT, and ME, they were reenergized and inspired to make changes to their own mission as farmers. They hope that by sharing their experiences they will inspire other farmers and potential farmers to think more broadly about the development of kelp farming regionally, in North America, and worldwide.