A Field-to-Kitchen Intensive
Sustainable Harvesting & Skillful Drying
5.5–6 hours in the field + required pre- & post-Zoom sessions
Enrollment limited to 8 participants | Tuition: $395 |
Registration deadline: April 1, 2026
Seaweed Harvesting in Relationship is, at its core, about building relationships with seaweeds and local marine ecosystems through educated, sustainable — and even beneficial — harvesting practices. This field-based intensive supports students in making hand-harvested seaweeds a meaningful part of their relationship with coastal food systems by developing practical intertidal skills alongside thoughtful harvest and drying practices.
Through our time together you’ll learn how to:
Identify harvestable seaweeds
Evaluate shoreline health and harvest sites
Practice sustainable and beneficial harvesting techniques
Dry and preserve seaweeds for home use
The intimate group setting and extended time together — in and out of the field — create a dynamic space for hands-on experience, shared observation, and thoughtful engagement. The foundation of our work in the intertidal is building healthy relationships with the ecosystem through mindful foraging — learning to read the shoreline, respond to seasonal rhythms, and gather in a way that supports seaweed growth cycles and interaction with shoreline forces. As our thoughtfully harvested seaweeds become our foods, we weave the connection established in the field into our bodies — carrying the vitality of the intertidal into daily life and deepening our relationship with the marine ecosystems that sustain us.
What We’ll Explore
This experience bridges the full arc of practice: time in the intertidal developing field awareness and harvesting skills, paired with guided support in establishing an effective drying practice so you can confidently carry your harvest from field to kitchen.
Life in the intertidal: ecology, seasonal rhythms, and how seaweeds grow
Working with locally harvestable species in the field
Harvesting with the seasons and in sync with seaweed growth cycles
Assessing seaweed quality, site conditions, and pollution considerations
Sustainable harvest techniques — regulatory minimums and beneficial approaches
Post-harvest handling, drying methods, and storage for quality and longevity
Key considerations for working with seaweeds as food and wellness allies
Culinary and/or topical seaweed preparation demonstrations
We will harvest small amounts of seaweed for personal use to be processed and dried at home.
Participants must hold a valid Washington State shellfish/seaweed license and are encouraged to review WDFW recreational seaweed harvesting regulations in preparation for our work together.
Please review my Seaweed Drying Instructions before registering to ensure you are prepared to create an appropriate drying set-up at home.
Pre- and Post-Field Zoom Sessions (Required)
Pre-Field Zoom
Sunday, April 5, 3–4:30
In this meeting, we will:
Review individual drying set-up plans
Discuss drying methods (line drying, dehydrator, etc.)
Address logistical and preparation questions
Plan your harvest
Post-Field Zoom (3–4 days after field class)
After our time in the field, we will:
Assess drying results
Troubleshoot quality issues
Refine technique and storage practices
Discuss next steps for continued harvest and use
Students are required to attend both Zoom sessions live. Dates will be scheduled collaboratively so that all members of the group can participate.
Who This Is For
This intensive is for serious beginners and returning students who:
Want practical, guided field experience harvesting seaweeds
Are prepared to commit to drying and processing at home
Can attend both Zoom sessions and the full field day
Because this is a small group, each participant’s engagement contributes meaningfully to the depth of the experience. This is a living class shaped by shared observation, inquiry, and full participation.
If you’re unsure whether this experience is right for you, you’re welcome to reach out before registering.
Enrollment & Cancellation
Enrollment is strictly limited to 8 participants.
Due to the limited space in this program, cancellations are refundable up to 7 days before the first Zoom session. After that point, tuition is non-refundable unless your space can be filled.
You’ll Leave With
Greater confidence identifying harvestable seaweeds in the intertidal
Practical skills for evaluating shoreline conditions and selecting healthy harvest sites (including pollution and habitat considerations)
Tools and sensory skills for creating beautifully dried seaweeds in your home
A deeper understanding of harvesting in relationship — seasonal timing and conscientious, beneficial practices
Foundational knowledge for working with seaweeds for nourishment and wellness
A deeper relationship with your local shoreline ecosystem