Stonington Woman Named 2021 Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer

STONINGTON, CT —Stonington Kelp Company is a small, woman-owned and family operated kelp farm. Its owner, Suzie Flores, was just honored by the state Department of Agriculture.

The 2021 Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer award was presented to Flores, a former market development executive who owns and operates Stonington Kelp with her husband Jay and three children.

"The vision for the farm began five years ago in 2016 and the following year was up and running through a partnership with GreenWave, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the next generation of ocean farmers," a news release from the agriculture department reads.

"Today, the farm is one of the largest commercial seaweed farms in the state selling food grade sugar kelp to local restaurants and shops."

Sugar kelp is the only variety of seaweed that can be legally grown in Connecticut and has a slightly sweeter flavor, the release reads.

"While the nutritional benefits of sugar kelp are well known, the positive role this native sea vegetable can have on the environment is what really drives Flores," Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt noted.

"Her farming methods highlight the importance of regenerative and sustainable farming for the ocean," the release from Hurlburt reads. "Sugar kelp absorbs carbon and nitrogen from the water while it grows, directly addressing climate change and mitigating the impacts of ocean acidification."