From Kelp to Carrots: Brittany Kuzma’s Hands-On Internship in Sustainable Agriculture

Did you know that using kelp as a fertilizer can improve the root-to-shoot ratio of carrots and enhance overall soil health? This summer, Prince William Sound College graduate Brittany Kuzma explored this sustainable agricultural practice firsthand through a mariculture research internship that spanned Cordova and Palmer, Alaska.

Brittany, who completed Occupational Endorsement Certificates (OECs) in both Marine Natural Resources Technician (MNRT) and Natural Resources Technician (NRT), applied her classroom learning to real-world projects focused on sustainability, food systems, and community resilience. Through a collaborative internship supported by the Native Village of Eyak (NVE), Brittany worked with Tribal scientists, tribal environmental staff, and local mariculture practitioners to explore the full lifecycle of kelp—from ocean harvest to agricultural application.

Cordova: Mariculture and Community Connection

In Cordova, Brittany assisted with the harvest and processing of over 2,000 pounds of ribbon kelp, working alongside Caitlin McKinstry (NVE biologist) and Erik Long (NVE Environmental Scientist). The kelp was prepared and packaged for distribution as a gift to Tribal members, connecting mariculture to community food traditions.

"It was really cool because I was able to participate and interact with the community service part," Brittany said. "We cleaned it, blanched it, vacuum-packed it and everything."

"We were able to set up three or maybe four burners so we could blanch it," she explained. "We rinsed it, removed any biofouling, and cooled it before separating it into bags."

This work took place at a fish-cleaning station operated by NVE, where Brittany and the team processed the kelp using multiple burners and vacuum-sealing equipment to ensure it was safe and well-prepared for distribution.

Brittany also participated in NVE’s annual electronics recycling event, helping collect and sort old electronics and batteries for proper disposal—a critical service in a remote town like Cordova.

"Cordova doesn't have a place where you can dispose of electronics,” Brittany said. "People brought in batteries, TVs, laptops—so many things. We probably filled 10, maybe more, pallets."

She also spent a day at the Simpson Bay Oyster Farm, where she shadowed farm owner Seawan Gehlbach, a prominent oyster farmer in the region. There, she learned oyster rotation techniques and strategies for managing biofouling—an important aspect of shellfish farming.

Palmer: Soil Health Research at the UAF Matanuska Experimental Farm

Following her time in Cordova, Brittany traveled with Erik Long to Palmer in May, where she assisted with agricultural research at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).

The focus of the Palmer portion of the internship was a kelp fertilizer study led by Dr. Erin Oliver, a Washington State University postdoc and USDA Climate Hub Fellow, specializing in soil and agricultural research. The study aimed to evaluate kelp as a natural fertilizer and biostimulant for vegetable crops, specifically carrots, grown in Alaska.

Brittany helped dry and prepare over 2,000 pounds of kelp harvested from Prince William Sound. The kelp was processed into a form suitable for application to soil plots at various rates, ranging from 100 to 5,000 pounds per acre.

"In Palmer, we came back to assist Dr. Oliver in preparing the plot site where the carrots are going to be grown, and to start processing the kelp that is going to be used as the fertilizer for the project," Brittany explained.

She assisted with soil testing, including pH, nutrient content, and organic matter analysis, and helped monitor how the kelp treatments influenced soil health, microbial activity, and carrot growth. The work was built directly on her MNRT coursework related to kelp byproducts and zero-waste processing.

The project was featured at the UAF Research Field Day in July 2025, where Dr. Oliver presented the team’s initial findings to researchers, farmers, and local community members.

Bridging Science, Sustainability, and Community

Throughout the internship, Brittany worked closely with a multidisciplinary team, including Dr. Amanda Glazer, Dr. Melissa Uselman, Caitlin McKinstry, Dr. Erin Oliver, Washington State University, and Erik Long, gaining experience in both applied scientific research and community-focused sustainability efforts.

The internship also provided Brittany with firsthand exposure to the challenges of working with a living, perishable natural resource, such as seaweed. From processing logistics and equipment coordination to timing harvests and managing waste, she saw how hands-on resourcefulness is critical—especially in remote coastal regions like Cordova.

Beyond the technical skills, Brittany highlighted the value of connecting with the local community.

"Being able to give something back to the Elders, learning from local farmers, and working on something that could improve food security—it made everything click. I wasn’t just learning about sustainability. I was living it."

Looking Ahead

Brittany Kuzma’s internship is a model of what’s possible when classroom learning is paired with real-world experience, community partnership, and a commitment to sustainability. From seaweed farms to soil plots, her summer journey reflected Alaska’s growing interest in regenerative practices that strengthen both ecosystems and communities.

Her work contributes to ongoing research into Alaska-grown, climate-resilient fertilizers and highlights how mariculture can support both food systems and environmental health—from the ocean floor to the dinner table.