We hear from the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, members of a Native community that have lived along the same Long Island coastline for over 10,000 years. The Shinnecock tribe historically incorporated wild-harvested seaweed into their diets as a potent nutritional superfood, rich in minerals, as well as insulation for their dwellings and natural fertilizer for their crops, traditional practices that had fallen out of use in modern times.
In an effort to restore the waters they depend on, they have undertaken a regenerative farming project off their own coast. Spring 2022 was their first full harvest after generations and already they are seeing shellfish return to their waters that had disappeared. The Shinnecock Kelp Farmers care for Mother Nature’s land and waters with a seven-generation ethos and share a compelling call to action with the rest of us to do the same.