Spring 22
Issue 0004
What's cracking, rock lobsters?
We come blistering into your inboxes with some VERY GOOD NEWS this fine October day.
Not just that we recently celebrated our milestone of 365 (ish) ocean swims since spring equinox 2021 (shout out to southern legend Danielle for the prompt. It has now become a permanent lifestyle).
Even better news...
Champions of regeneration and all around legends, the team at Sustainable Table have gone out of their way to support Moonrise Seaweed Co. in our next stage of operations. Sustainable Table are providing us with $30k in funding to undertake the appropriate level of Kaurna consultation to determine a suitable farm site, as well as pay the lease and licence application fees to the state government to see if we can actually farm there!
This process will play out over the next 12 months (in government time that's approximately 317 years), during which time we'll keep working away on our R&D, product development etc from our wild foraged seaweed, and developing our prototype on-land cultivation system.
Our successful crowdfund earlier this year was a real turning point for Moonrise Seaweed Co., allowing us to build community enthusiasm for seaweed farming in South Australia, and giving us seed funding for our cultivated seaweed research activities. Since then, we've been slowly wading through the financial and bureaucratic hurdles to moving from (admittedly brilliant) idea to actual seaweed grown.
This wonderful funding from Sustainable Table has injected some much needed momentum into our very drawn out efforts to get some seaweed under cultivation here on Kaurna yarta. If anyone reading this is of the means and inclination, we urge you to consider donating to Sustainable Table to support future grant recipients working towards a food system for people and planet. If it's broke, fix it!
To celebrate, we're expanding our “Sailor's Cure” bath range with a vitamin sea packed bath soak, for only $5! Head over to our website if you'd like to treat yourself or a loved one.
The healing properties of the ocean have been known for millennia. Indulge in some thalassotherapy with this nourishing tonic of epsom salts and wild foraged seaweed. Seaweed contains trace minerals and bioactive compounds which can be absorbed via the skin, and the subtle marine scent of this soak will have you floating on an ocean of calm. Each pouch will supercharge one bath (150g).
As always, all proceeds towards our efforts to harness the power of seaweed to nourish community, culture and Country.
Also this month:
Brad was lucky enough to be profiled as part of the Nature Festival of South Australia, alongside nature loving artists and all around legends Gerry Wedd, Michael Kutschbach, and fellow seaweed fanatic Chris de Rosa. Well worth checking out the videos and the huge diversity of events happening this month.
If you've been admiring the photos in this newsletter, you've just become a fan of intrepid underwater explorer, artist and photographer, Fiona McQueen. Her photos of crabs wearing hats are possibly the purest thing on the internet. We're so stoked to be working with her to share underwater imagery of our target seaweed species growing wild and free.
Some tasty looking seaweed recipes that could definitely be adapted to local varieties.
To cut ocean plastic pollution, aquaculture turns to renewable gear. Something we're grappling with in our farm designs.
Wow, that was a big one. We'll call that the September/October double issue! We can't thank you all enough for your interest, enthusiasm and support. Thinking of all you fellow salty frothers is what keeps us plugging away at this slightly crazy project.
Until next time, legends!
Chloe & Brad