Guest speakers from GreenWave

3D ocean farming is a polyculture vertical farming system that grows a mix of seaweeds and shellfish that require zero inputs - no fertilizers, freshwater, antibiotics, or pesticides - making it the most sustainable form of food production on the planet while sequestering both carbon and nitrogen, and rebuilding reef ecosystems. Since our farms sit below the surface and leverage the entire water column, they produce high yields with a small footprint. Our crops are used as food, fertilizer, animal feed and more.

GreenWave is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 to replicate our 3D Ocean Farming model. We’re dedicated to climate resilience and equity, and work in two areas: farm replication and market innovation.

Jill Pegnataro | Farm Manager and Hatchery Technician
Jill attended The Sound School in New Haven, CT and focused on ecology of Long Island Sound and ocean engineering. She graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI with a B.S. degree in Biology. After graduation she worked with endangered sea turtles in Texas and Costa Rica. Her skills gained from marine research and conservation is now being used to manage and oversee the daily operations of the farm.

Michelle Stephens | Programs Assistant & Hatchery Manager
Michelle is a graduate of the University of New Haven with a B.S. in Marine Biology. While attending the university, she focused her studies on aquaculture by researching both oyster rearing and giant clam spawning. After graduating, she worked as fish technician and researcher for an inland finfish nursery/grow-out facility. Her past experiences with aquaculture and passion for sustainability are now being used to manage the kelp hatchery.