About: Suzie Flores and James Douglas operate Stonington Kelp Co., a kelp farm located in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, on Long Island Sound. They started the kelp farm in 2017, leasing their site from the State of Connecticut as participants in a local, innovative sustainable-aquaculture incubation program. Kelp, a zero-input crop, requires no fresh water or fertilizer. It also absorbs carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate ocean acidification. Stonington Kelp Co. spans about ten acres, with three acres in production.
Legal Need: Suzie and James planned on selling their first crop – about five tons of fresh kelp – to a wholesaler. To prepare for this, they wanted to formalize their business structure, then determine whether they needed to modify their aquaculture site’s lease with the State.
Lawyer: The Legal Food Hub matched Suzie and James with attorneys Robert Day and Bill Rock of Shipman & Goodwin, who were able to leverage their collective experience in business and real estate law to assist Stonington Kelp.