Just in time for World Oceans Day, Sidney, B.C.-based Cascadia Seaweed is launching its first agricultural product — a kelp-based fertilizer dubbed ReFeed Seaweed Extract and released under a partnership with innovation hub ReFeed Canada.

The seaweed extract is a liquid plant food made from cultivated, cold-water kelp. Cascadia said in a statement it contains essential nutrients for plant growth and is ideal for a wide range of growing purposes. 

Cascadia operates a set of seven seaweed farms off Vancouver Island in territory belonging to local Indigenous groups. The company had originally planned to launch a consumer seasoning product, but ultimately sold that business unit to focus on the agricultural market.

ReFeed, meanwhile, is an agtech hub in B.C.’s Fraser Valley that focuses on processes for up-cycling food waste.

“Cascadia Seaweed takes immense pride in producing this product right here in British Columbia with kelp responsibly cultivated in collaboration with First Nation partners,” said Cascadia CEO Mike Williamson in the statement.

“As a certified B Corp, we are committed to creating a positive impact socially, economically, and environmentally. This milestone further reinforces our dedication to regenerative practices and innovation.”

Cascadia has raised about $7.5 million since it launched in 2019, mainly from angels. This year, Williamson and CFO Rob Napoli are looking to raise about another $10 million worth of venture capital funds.

Also on the horizon for Cascadia is the construction of a large-scale bioprocessing plant to produce biostimulants and bioadditives. And the company is working with First Nations partners on what will be its largest seaweed farm yet — a mammoth, 100-hectare facility that will quadruple Cascadia’s production capacity.