S EA b EAn S
A BREAKTHROUGH IN HYDROPONIC FARMING
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by Kelsey Ogletree // Photography courtesy of Heron Farms
Charleston’s Heron Farms is the world’s first hydroponic farm using ocean water to grow food.
orn and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Sam Norton practically grew up on the beach. “I was in the ocean every week,” he recalls. That same salty water where he made so many fond memories would one day lead to a career for the young innovator—and begin to have a greater impact on his coastal hometown than he ever imagined. Norton, now twenty-seven years old, attends graduate school at the College of Charleston, working toward a master of science degree in environmental and sustainability studies. The focus of his senior capstone is a humble little plant called Salicornia, commonly known as sea beans. “I was researching how companies were growing it for biofuels using salt water, and I ended up thinking we should grow it for food instead,” Norton says.
The house-made ricotta at Sorghum & Salt restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, is a fresh, delicious appetizer topped with sea beans from Heron Farms. 106 | JUNE 2 0 21
