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Cultivating Connecticut Grown By Sea

The Foodshed Network and Conservation Commission announce “Cultivating Connecticut Grown By Sea”, the third panel of the Greenwich Food System Forum. We wish to engage everyone, and all are welcome. The webinar is free, and will be held virtually through Zoom, on Wednesday, June 1st starting at 7:00pm. The panel of shellfish and kelp aquaculturists, seafood education specialists and advocates will explore sustainable seafood in our state and will provide context for both the challenges and successes they endure.

Connecticut’s aquaculture industry is an important agriculture sector. Aquaculture is the 7th highest valued agriculture product in the state; marine aquaculture is the largest sector. Yet, many are unaware of the local, sustainable seafood species that live in our waters. Farmers grow bay scallops, oysters, quahogs,  blue mussels, and kelp. The discussion will bring to light the difficulties aquaculturists face, as well as the work being done at a state and regional level to grow and advocate for a sustainable Connecticut food system by sea.  

"I am excited to take part in the Greenwich Food System Forum. Seafood is an important food resource in our region and yet much of it isn't consumed locally. Eating locally and diversifying our seafood diets to include the full bounty of delicious species that come from our local waters can be good for the ecosystem and the community,” said Kate Masury, Executive Director of Eating with the Ecosystem. 

The discussion will also touch on ecological challenges that impact fisheries and businesses and how strong alliances and networks foster structural change within the [sea]food system. Steve Schafer, owner of Stella Mar Oysters said, “Oyster farming has always been about giving back more than we take.” This is an excellent opportunity to engage aquaculturists and seafood advocates and better understand these critical issues.

Cultivating Connecticut Grown By Sea will be moderated by Roger Bowgen, Chair Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission.  The panel will feature speakers Tessa Getchis, Senior Extension Educator CT Sea Grant & UConn Extension; Jonathan McGee, Farm Manager at New England Sea Farms;  Kate Masury, Executive Director of Eating with the Ecosystem; and Steve Schafer, Owner at Stella Mar Oysters.

We have the power to be food system changemakers! Together, we can realize a future that advances a regionalized, regenerative, equitable and just Connecticut food system. Please join us!

For more information email ali@thefoodshednetwork.org, please visit our website: https://thefoodshednetwork.org/greenwich-foodsystem-forum and sign up for updates through The Foodshed Thymes: https://thefoodshednetwork.org/join-the-foodshed-thymes  

To register, visit https://thefoodshednetwork.org/greenwich-food-system-forum