Kelp Climate Fund

GreenWave's Kelp Climate Fund is a subsidy program for ocean farmers to support a bundle of climate impacts, including carbon sequestration, nitrogen removal, and reef restoration.

Background: Launched in 2021 as a pilot program with 9 farms, the fund has grown significantly. For the 2023-24 farm season, the fund reached $540,000 with over 45 participating farms. GreenWave intends to grow the fund to $1 million in annual seed subsidies supporting 250 farmers planting 1 million feet of kelp seed.

Geographic Scope: North America (United States and Canada)

Focus Areas:

• Blue carbon capture and sequestration
• Nitrogen removal
• Reef restoration
• Farm infrastructure development
• Climate impact measurement and data collection

Eligibility:

• Ocean farmers growing more than 1,000 feet of kelp seed
• All seaweed farmers in North America meeting minimum acreage requirements
• Accepted on first-come, first-serve basis until fund is spent down

What the Program Provides:

• Direct payments to farmers for climate impacts of their work
• Resources to scale farm infrastructure
• Protection against price fluctuations and extreme weather events
• Support for climate impact demonstration and community buy-in
• Access to GreenWave's My Kelp app for data collection and tracking

Program Evolution (2025-26 Season):
The program has been redesigned with two components:

1. Fall Seed Subsidy: $1 per linear foot of seedstring outplanted (up to $10,000), paid in full prior to season start
2. Spring Sales & Stabilization Bonus: $1 per pound match of kelp sold or stabilized (up to $15,000), paid in spring with proof of delivery or processing

Farmers can earn up to $25,000 per year combined.

How to Apply

1. Eligibility Check: Confirm you are growing more than 1,000 feet of kelp seed in North America
2. Application Submission: Visit the application portal and submit your application
3. Review Process: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis
4. Approval and Payment:
   • Fall Seed Subsidy is paid in full prior to the start of the season
   • Spring Sales & Stabilization Bonus is paid once proof of sale or stabilization is submitted and reviewed

Required Documentation

For Fall Seed Subsidy:

• Proof of seedstring outplanting (up to 10,000 feet eligible)

For Spring Sales & Stabilization Bonus:

• For Sales: Copy of invoice(s) sent to customer(s) OR delivery ticket/receipt from buyer
• For Stabilization: Invoice for outsourced stabilization costs (e.g., copacking) OR written summary including volume, format, and photo documentation of stabilization process

Data Collection Requirements

Participating farmers must:

• Provide key crop monitoring data throughout the season on outplanting conditions, growth rates, and harvest
• Use GreenWave's My Kelp app to track outplanting, growth rates, crop yields, and environmental benefits
• Track data points including daily harvest amounts, average pounds per foot, line loss, water temperature, and biofouling

Support Resources

GreenWave provides access to resources on:

• Kelp marketing and sales
• Quality control and sourcing
• Stabilizing kelp
• Achieving higher yields
• Farm operations and processing