In December 2023, the University of Washington School of Public Health received a nearly $5 million USDA award to help local shellfish and specialty crop farmers reduce their costs and improve water and soil quality by repurposing nuisance seaweed as an agricultural soil amendment. Over the first year, the project achieved significant milestones and support from local farmers.
On April 14, 2025, the USDA announced the termination of this grant under the new Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. This abrupt termination impacts farmers who were set to receive compensation, and to invest in and benefit from innovative practices and new sources of revenue generation. Significant investments by non-profits, University of Washington, and Washington State University are now void and may result in lost jobs and/or financial support for students and impactful research.
Project partners and this notice will be updated with more information as available.
