Stony Brook Southampton FoodLab announced on Apr. 24 that it will hold its fourth annual Sea to Soil Symposium on May 1, bringing together prominent figures in science, agriculture, and food systems to discuss the interconnectedness of ocean, soil, and human health.
The symposium aims to highlight how environmental health is linked across land and sea, with implications for community well-being and sustainable food production. The event will take place from 1 pm to 5 pm in Duke Lecture Hall at Chancellor’s Hall.
Featured speakers include Carl Safina, Robin Wall Kimmerer (appearing via Zoom), Christopher Gobler, and J.M. Fortier. Safina is an award-winning author and MacArthur Fellow who founded the Safina Center at Stony Brook University; his work focuses on the relationship between humans and nature through both research and lived experience. Kimmerer is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology whose bestselling book Braiding Sweetgrass has shaped public understanding of Indigenous knowledge alongside scientific inquiry. Gobler serves as a SUNY Distinguished Professor in Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences; his research addresses water quality issues such as harmful algal blooms that affect marine ecosystems across Long Island. Fortier is recognized for advancing small-scale regenerative farming methods that balance economic viability with environmental restoration.
In addition to lectures, the event will feature a Market Place from 11 am to 5 pm in Chancellor’s Hall Lobby where local vendors—including Taste New York stand with regional products—will participate alongside organizations like Peconic Land Trust and representatives from the Shinnecock Nation. There will also be a plant sale at FoodLab Farm accompanied by guided tours from 11 am to 1 pm; visitors can explore the university’s Marine Sciences Center during these hours as well.
Registration for the symposium is required, though those placed on a waitlist are encouraged to sign up since space may become available. Co-sponsors for this year’s event include MDR (Mediterranean Diet Roundtable) and the Center for Changing Systems of Power.
The gathering reflects growing interest in holistic approaches connecting agriculture, ecology, nutrition, and community engagement—an area that continues gaining attention among researchers, practitioners, and local residents.
