Stony Brook University

06/11/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/11/2025 13:08

Sea to Soil Symposium: Uniting Ocean and Earth for a Regenerative Future

FoodLab Executive Director Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz and Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker.

Science, tradition, and student engagement converge at Stony Brook Southampton

The Sea to Soil Symposium at Stony Brook Southamptonbrought together a powerful convergence of scholars, practitioners, and community leaders to explore the interface between marine environments and terrestrial food systems.

Framed by urgent environmental challenges and grounded in community-rooted solutions, the May 2 event drew students, scientists, Indigenous leaders and policymakers into one of the most forward-looking conversations on the future of coastal resilience and sustainable agriculture on Long Island.

The day began with a meaningful field trip for students from Bridgehampton, Shelter Island, and Ross School, who spent the morning speaking with Paul Greenberg, acclaimed author of Four Fish. Greenberg's student session was informal but potent. Students discussed the ecological and economic dimensions of aquaculture, the ethics of seafood consumption, and how climate resilience must start with informed, engaged youth.

FoodLab friends Kathleen King and Michael Donovan.

Simultaneously, a boat trip into Shinnecock Bay gave attendees a sensory immersion in the waterways under discussion. Participants aboard Stony Brook's marine research vessel explored the estuarine landscape and observed its fragile ecology firsthand.

Following the field activities, Distinguished Professor Christopher Goblerand Associate Director for Bivalve Restoration Mike Doall of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences(SoMAS) delivered data-rich presentations on the role of kelp in nutrient reduction, focusing on how seaweed aquaculture can mitigate nitrogen pollution and restore estuarine ecosystems.

One of the more surprising findings: waters closer to New York City tested cleaner than those on the East End, primarily due to more robust septic and wastewater infrastructure in downstate regions. This revelation underscores a critical opportunity for public infrastructure investment in Suffolk County to protect fragile bay systems.

A Vibrant Marketplace of Ideas and Innovation

Throughout the afternoon, the Sea to Soil Marketplace showcased a rich array of local organizations and producers, blending scientific insight, artisanal products, and sustainable enterprise. Curated by Peconic Land Trust, New York Ag & Markets, and Taste NY-Long Island, the marketplace spotlighted:

  • Cornell Cooperative Extension (Agriculture & Marine)
  • NOFA-NY
  • Southampton Chamber of Commerce
  • Superfood City
  • Stony Brook FoodLab
  • 1760 Homestead Farms
  • Lazy Point Farm
  • Montauk Beverage
  • Holland Avenue Soap Co.
  • Shinnecock Nation Environmental Department

The marketplace was more than a showcase, it was a living lab where faculty, students, and visitors engaged in conversations about supply chain innovation, ecological farming practices, kelp-based fertilizers, and place-based entrepreneurship. These displays served as an interdisciplinary bridge between marine sciences, environmental humanities, business, and health sciences.

Long Island Regional Director for the Workforce Development Institute, Robyn Fellrath.

Indigenous Leadership and Aquacultural Pioneers

The cultural and ecological dimensions of marine stewardship came into sharp focus with a rousing presentation by Denise Silva-Dennis of the Shinnecock Nation. She shared the ancestral history of her people's relationship with Shinnecock Bay and the vision behind the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, who are not only restoring marine ecosystems but reclaiming Indigenous ecological leadership in their homeland.

Sue Wicks, a former WNBA player turned aquaculture advocate, delivered a deeply personal reflection on her family's multi-generational ties to Long Island's bays. As the first woman in New York State licensed to farm both oysters and kelp, Wicks emphasized the importance of access, equity, and feminine stewardship in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

Terry Nipp, an agricultural policy strategist, added important systemic context, advocating for integrated policy models that break down the silos between agriculture, aquaculture, and education. His remarks echoed a recurring theme of the day: we need coordinated frameworks to support regenerative systems that span both soil and sea.

Paul Greenberg returned to the podium for the keynote address, a fast-moving, insightful, and often humorous exploration of his work chronicling global seafood systems. In a talk grounded in Four Fishbut deeply relevant to local challenges, he made a compelling case for seaweed and shellfish aquaculture as climate-adaptive tools, pointing out how these systems can support coastal economies while improving water quality and carbon capture.

Waiting for the catch aboard the Stony Brook Research Vessel.

The symposium concluded with remarks from New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, who honored the deep maritime and agricultural traditions of the East End while calling for public engagement to sustain those legacies.

There were several key takeaways for interdisciplinary collaboration:

  • Marine Science + Policy: Emerging data on kelp's role in nutrient reduction suggests the need for scalable kelp farming programs tied to water quality infrastructure planning.
  • Agriculture + Environmental Humanities: Local storytelling, food culture, and Indigenous knowledge systems offer vital perspectives for curriculum development across environmental studies and cultural studies.
  • STEM + Youth Engagement: The involvement of high school students and the informal seminar with Greenberg provided a replicable model for immersive, interdisciplinary learning.
  • Entrepreneurship + Ecosystem Services: Marketplace participants demonstrated models of business that align ecological benefit with economic opportunity-useful for programs in sustainable business and innovation.

The Sea to Soil Symposium was an active demonstration of how institutions like Stony Brook and FoodLab can serve as conveners and catalysts at the intersection of research, practice, and public service. In a time of environmental urgency, the event made clear: regenerative solutions must rise from both the bay and the soil, and from all disciplines working together.

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ecology environment FoodLab Long Island Stony Brook Southampton Sustainability
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