GreenWave trains and supports kelp farmers across the U.S. and Canada. Through online and in-person programming, farmer-forward technology, infrastructure improvements, and value-chain coordination, GreenWave has built an international network of kelp seed producers, ocean farmers, and buyers and processors. A decade into this work, we’ve pinpointed key bottlenecks across the North American industry that are limiting growth. Leveraging GreenWave’s tools such as My Kelp, an app for farmers to track and report crop growth and other observations, and Seaweed Source, an app that aligns supply and demand across 100+ active seaweed businesses, we’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of industry-wide production challenges, and data-driven solutions to bottlenecks from seed quality to post-harvest stabilization needs. Drawing on these insights and aggregated data from 70 farms across GreenWave’s network, numerous interviews with industry stakeholders, and other sources, GreenWave is launching its first Kelp Industry Report. This presentation will highlight the Reports’ key findings and recommendations and will explore the ins and outs of what’s working, what’s not, and the steps needed to accelerate regenerative growth in the new kelp economy.