June 30, 2025
Hello from Ketchikan, Alaska! We have some great updates from Pacific Kelp Company to share with you this month, but first, make sure you're signed up for our emails by clicking here!
Can kelp help soil thrive? We're studying that with Cornell University
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Pacific Kelp Company's kelp biostimulants being sprayed on golf course greens (left / top) A grass soil sample (right / bottom)
Pacific Kelp Company is excited to share another update on our ongoing SEC-funded research project, which seeks to build demand in agricultural markets for Alaskan kelp products through high-quality research. This month, we're sharing an update on our project with Cornell University to study how Alaskan kelp products can support soil health and plant vitality in turfgrass systems.
This two-year research effort will examine the effects of our Alaskan kelp extracts on drought tolerance, resistance to insect damage, and soil biology, key concerns for anyone managing a golf course or lawn. The Cornell team—led by Dr. Kyle Wickings—will analyze changes to soil chemistry and microbial activity, plant health, and other key metrics through field trials on golf courses across multiple growing seasons.
With more than 1.5 million acres of maintained turfgrasses on golf courses alone, the opportunity for kelp products is big. Including home lawns, sports fields, parks, and other maintained grassy areas, there is an estimated 50 million acres of turfgrass in the US, making it the third largest crop by total acreage nationwide! By demonstrating the positive impact that Alaskan kelp can have on turfgrass, we’re building demand in a key, and massive, market.
Supporting local Ketchikan community gardens
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We're happy to announce that we've begun supporting the Ketchikan Wellness Coalition's community garden with our kelp products! The Ketchikan Wellness Coalition is made up of a group of individuals, organizations, businesses, local government, and service representatives that work together for solutions to issues affecting our community.
They operate the Ketchikan Community Gardens, which are "a network of cooperative & demonstrative gardens that build connection, increase food resiliency and knowledge, and are used in a collaborative way for food education and awareness." We've begun donating kelp products to support their composting activities as they work to keep their garden beds full of rich and healthy soil. In the future, we're hoping to also support their plants with our Kelpex plant biostimulant product!
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Stay tuned for more exciting updates and click here to make sure you're signed up for our emails!
Best,
Pacific Kelp Co. Team
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