Coastal farmers are turning to kelp as a fast-growing crop that needs no fresh water, fertilizer, or land.Kelp lines strung beneath the ocean surface can be harvested within months of planting, yielding a crop used in everything from food products to biodegradable packaging. Because it absorbs carbon and nitrogen as it grows, researchers are also studying kelp farms as a tool for improving water quality near existing farm operations. Startups are racing to build processing infrastructure to keep pace with harvest volumes.
