Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (Jun 2024)
Developing a nascent agriculture industry
Abstract
First paragraph: Seaweed is developing into a nascent agricultural industry in the United States. It has long been a staple in Asian and other diets, used in a variety of food dishes because of its taste and nutritional benefits that could rank it among the superfoods (Cherry et al., 2019). Although sugar kelp (Saccharrina lattisima) is native to Connecticut’s coast (Redmond et al., 2014), its use as a food product in Connecticut and in other parts of the U.S. is limited because there is a need for post-harvest and marketing infrastructure (Venolia et al., 2020; Yarish et al., 2017; Yarish et al., 1998). The Cooperative Extension System and Sea Grant programs are frequently asked to help develop new agricultural products, methods, and market strategies. Connecticut Sea Grant Extension is developing the nascent sugar kelp industry, and this commentary outlines the lessons learned. . . .