The Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) is proud to fund four groundbreaking projects that will help propel Alaska’s mariculture industry by researching kelp-based biostimulants for agricultural markets. These projects, led by Pacific Kelp Company, GreenWave, Chugach Regional Resources Commission, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, will explore new ways to utilize Alaskan kelp to enhance soil health, increase crop resilience, and unlock sustainable commercial opportunities for seaweed farming in Alaska.
Click to jump to a project:
- Pacific Kelp Company (PKC)
- GreenWave
- Chugach Regional Resources Commission (CRRC)
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
Each of these projects is playing a crucial role in advancing the AMC’s vision of creating a $100 million mariculture industry within the next decade. By investing in research, commercialization, and supply chain development, the AMC is reducing risks associated with seaweed farming and fostering private investment in the sector.
These projects, funded through the Kelp Agricultural Product Development & Testing RFP (with the exception of the UAF project), will not only strengthen Alaska’s mariculture industry but also contribute to broader agricultural sustainability efforts by providing natural, nutrient-rich alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. As the demand for eco-friendly agricultural inputs grows, Alaska’s kelp farmers and innovators are well-positioned to supply a thriving market while supporting resilient coastal economies.
Pacific Kelp Company
Transforming Alaskan Kelp into High-Value Agricultural Inputs
Funding: $497,616
Region: Southeast, Southwest (Kodiak & Aleutians)
Project Start: March 2025
PKC will test the efficacy of its nutrient-dense liquid kelp extract product for turfgrass and vineyard markets specifically, as these two crop systems have great potential to benefit from a liquid kelp extract and high potential for commercialization as high value specialty crops. Collaborating with Cornell University and Washington State University, PKC will analyze the impact of these extracts on soil health, crop resilience, and yield enhancement. By proving the efficacy of kelp-based biofertilizers and biostimulants, this project will open new commercial pathways for Alaska’s mariculture industry, offering farmers an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers.
KRBD News Story
March 2026 Newsletter
Interim Update #1
Interim Update #2
Final Report (Pending)
Presentation Videos
State Level Registration Strategy for Kelp Extracts
GreenWave
Scaling Bull Kelp Production, Harvest, & Stabilization for Biostimulants
Funding: $364,000
Region: Southwest (Kodiak & Aleutians)
Project Start: March 2025
GreenWave will develop the scalable infrastructure required for the farming, harvesting, stabilization, and testing of a bull kelp-based biostimulant to meet the needs of agricultural markets. With strong partnerships, including Pacific Northwest Organics, GreenWave aims to establish a reliable supply chain that ensures Alaskan kelp is a competitive alternative to imported seaweed-derived agricultural products. This work will also support the expansion of Alaskan seaweed farms, creating new economic opportunities for coastal communities.
Root Study Results
Progress Report: Q4 2025
Final Report (Pending)
Presentation Videos
Chugach Regional Resources Commission
Liquid Kelp Biostimulant Product Refinement and Field & Market Testing
Funding: $454,873
Region: Kenai Peninsula
Project Start: March 2025
CRRC will conduct research and field testing on a liquid kelp biostimulant product to refine its formulation and validate its agricultural benefits. This project seeks to improve product consistency, develop a business plan, and explore market opportunities as a way of ensuring that Alaska’s kelp products can effectively compete in the growing biostimulant market. This project builds on AMC-funded biostimulant R&D projects initiated by Regeneration North, Kachemak Kelp Hub, and CRRC through the Joint Innovations Projects program and the Feasibility Studies Program.
Interim Update #1
Interim Update #2
Final Report (Pending)
Presentation Videos
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of ribbon (Alaria marginata), sugar (Saccharina latissimi), bull (Nereocystis luetkeana), and dragon (Eularia fistulosa) kelps as potential feed ingredients for cattle
Funding: $72,544
Region: All regions
Project Start: January 2026
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will evaluate giant, split, three-rib, ribbon, sugar, bull, and dragon kelps to assess their nutritional value for cattle and determine how Alaska-grown seaweed could be incorporated into livestock diets. This project will examine the digestibility of kelp prior to its use as a ruminant feed ingredient, helping evaluate the feasibility of seaweed as a locally sourced livestock feed in Alaska. Led by UAF professor Jim Vinyard, the research will work with cattle housed at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center to study kelp as a potential source of minerals for growing beef cattle. The project will also explore how kelp-derived byproducts can be utilized in feed production to maximize the value and use of farmed kelp products.
Quarterly Update: Q1 2026
Final Report (Pending)
