A Visit to the Shinnecock Kelp Farm
October 31, 2025
By Kathleen Kennedy
Did you know that Indigenous people and early European settlers ate various types of seaweed for nutrition, relying on its medicinal value to reduce blood pressure and lower blood sugar? Seaweed was also used to insulate homes during cold winter months and even helped deter household pests! These and more fascinating facts were shared to an enthusiastic group of Connections attendees at a tour with the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers. The kelp farm is located at the Retreat Center for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Hampton Bays where the farmers are doing all they can to help restore the health of our bays by planting, growing, harvesting, and drying sugar kelp.
Growing kelp is a multi-step process. Beginning in early November, kelp is seeded onto long strands of twine submerged in large, indoor saltwater tanks. After feeding and managing the water quality daily through the winter, the long, juvenile fronds of kelp are carefully and painstakingly planted in the cold waters of Shinnecock bay in January and harvested by hand in March. Once harvested, the kelp is dried on screens and ground up to be used as a soil amendment for indoor and outdoor plants. The dried sugar kelp is rich in nutrients and the opportunities for its use are growing along with its cultivation! Products include soluble teas as well as fertilizer pellets for use on both agricultural and home landscapes. More importantly, kelp is critical to saving the quality of our local bays and waterways as it excels at sequestering carbon and nitrogen to reduce pollution in our waters.
This fascinating workshop was led by Danielle Hopson Begun and Rebecca Genia, along with Denise Silva Dennis who offered an historical overview of Shinnecock history, culture and art alongside the beautiful mural she created at the Retreat Center. Volunteers are welcome to help through all stages of the kelp operation, including donning waders and heavy gloves to brave cold winter water temperatures during the planting and harvesting process!
Kathleen Kennedy
Senior Manager of Outreach
kkennedy@peconiclandtrust.org