Kelp Art + and Awareness Event to be held at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company on Friday, January 12th from 5-8pm: Event will feature release of a limited edition Kelp Beer + Kelp Art + Kelp Product Vendor Showcase!

Seaweed aquaculture is an emerging “green industry” that may offer considerable environmental and economic benefits to the region.  The Peconic Estuary Kelp Aquaculture Feasibility Study (funded by Suffolk County Quality Protection and Restoration Program and Land Stewardship Initiative) being conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Marine Program (CCE) aims to evaluate the potential of this new industry in Suffolk County to improve water quality via bioextraction of water column nitrogen and carbon, while producing a high-demand, renewable product. CCE has been working to test the feasibility of growing kelp in the Peconic Estuary, and exploring the variety of different industries (such as culinary, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural) in which this product can be utilized.

To showcase the findings of the project and create awareness of the benefits that kelp may be able to provide to our environment and economy, CCE has partnered with Greenport Harbor Brewing Company to hold an Art + Awareness Event will be held at their Peconic location on Friday, January 12th from 5-8pm (42155 Main Road, Peconic NY, 11944).  The event is open to all, and admission is free!  

The event will feature the following components:

Kelp Beer Release: The brewers at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company have crafted a robust porter utilizing sugar kelp harvested from our local waters by CCE as a featured ingredient!  This will be a limited edition brew, and we will be celebrating its official release at the event.  

Kelp Art Installation: GHBC’s gallerist Ann Vandenburgh has been working to assemble local artists who have been utilizing repurposed grain sacks from the brewing operation and transforms them into kelp inspired artwork.  The exhibition will be unveiled at the event.  

Kelp Product Showcase:  Several local businesses and makers will be showcasing products they produced utilizing kelp provided by CCE Marine Program.  Vendors include Life is Gruff Bakery, Nauti Gal Soap, The Dirty Mermaid, Southampton Soap Company, and Mana Made Jewelry.  

Kelp Aquaculture Information: Experts from CCE Marine Program will be on hand to present information about the Kelp Aquaculture Feasibility Study and be available to answer any kelp related questions the public may have!

Live Music: Rob Europe will be performing for all to enjoy.