I serve part-time as the National Sea Grant Aquaculture Liaison in addition to my job as the director of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. One of the priorities identified by the aquaculture industry was the need to professional development opportunities in aquaculture for early- and mid-career extension, engagement and education professionals so they can better serve the needs of the industry.
To address this need, Sea Grant awarded a competitive grant to New Hampshire Sea Grant and North Carolina Sea Grant to establish a Sea Grant Aquaculture Leadership Academy. The academy has three objectives:
- Develop an applied and interdisciplinary curriculum tailored to the needs of Sea Grant staff that is informed by network needs and designed with input from industry members of all sizes, academic researchers from multiple disciplines, community groups, Indigenous leaders and policymakers.
- Implement the hybrid curriculum consisting of remote but interactive lessons followed by multi-day, in-person, experiential learning opportunities at two strategic geographic locations (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic) for two consecutive annual cycles.
- Complete both formative and summative evaluations of the academy relative to the program goals and to inform future academies.
Twenty-two extension and education professionals from across the country and one NOAA Office of Aquaculture staff are participating in this year’s program. Another 20-25 will take part in next year’s program.
The first week-long session took place in New Hampshire, and this week, I attended the second one-week session in North Carolina. Over the course of the week, we have visited nine farms, processing facilities, research labs and an aquaculture program at a community college. In addition to the tours, one full day was spent in the classroom learning about federal aquaculture programs, working within the regulatory environment for aquaculture and learning from the wisdom of late career extension professionals.
A few of my personal favorite highlights were seeing the role of women in aquaculture, innovative methods of restoration aquaculture, learning about striped bass aquaculture, networking with my Sea Grant colleagues and the delicious seafood provided during the week. I tried BBQ oysters and flounder ceviche. Both are definitely something I look forward to eating again!
I am a firm believer that when you stop learning, you should probably find a new job. I am very proud and thankful to see the professional growth of the future leaders in Sea Grant aquaculture. I know they care about our working waterfronts and a sustainable U.S. aquaculture industry.
Meet the author
LaDon Swann, Ph.D.
National Sea Grant Aquaculture Liaison
LaDon Swann serves as the national Sea Grant aquaculture liaison and works to strengthen the Sea Grant aquaculture portfolio. He is the former director of Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant and also... Read more
Phone: 251-648-5877
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