Equally entrepreneurial, there are those Laurentians whose idea of the “office” is hosting a wedding on a classic sailing sloop, sustainably harvesting salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, or digging up delicious potato varietals while restoring North Country soils. The outdoors in every Laurentian is not an accident; these examples show how the business of the outdoors comes with great responsibility.
Owner and Captain of Slipstreamsockeye.com
Jessica Normandeau ’15 Bristol Bay, Alaska
In the summer of 2022, Jessica Normandeau ’15 set sail on her newest business venture: captain of a 32-foot vessel in Bristol Bay, Alaska. With grueling 18-hour workdays and creative problem solving, she’s part of a small percentage of women sustainably harvesting fish from the world’s largest, fully wild sockeye salmon run. “My first season as a deckhand, I fell in love with it,” says Normandeau, who picked up the summer job in 2015 to keep her winters free for skiing and travel. “I blinked, seven years went by, and it was time to decide if I wanted to do something more traditional. I took a chance and bought into commercial fishing.” Under the guidance of a boat broker and with capital gleaned from her hard-earned savings account, Normandeau purchased a 1980 Bristol Bay gillnetter named the Leila M. When her boat launched this summer, she added her name to a short list of women boat captains in Alaska. Find out more at slipstreamsockeye.com.
Farmer, Milkweed Tussocks Tubers
Catherine “Cat” Bennett ’16 De Peyster, New York
Catherine “Cat” Bennett ’16 grew up on the family farm—Bittersweet Farm—in De Peyster, New York, and she has been digging dirt and caring for animals her entire life. Shortly after graduating with a degree in environmental studies, she launched Milkweed Tussock Tubers, a regenerative root crop operation. Her specialty is potatoes for eating and seed, including more than a dozen heirlooms and unusual varieties. Her passion for restoration ecology and community transformation drives her farm; she derives much of her knowledge from the wisdom of millennia of farmers from around the planet. Her enthusiasm for “culinary delights straight from the dirt” is infectious, and she encourages customers and collaborators to take advantage of the mouthwatering versatility of root crops. The MTT harvest begins in September, and Bennett stores spuds until May, selling throughout the winter. Bittersweet and MTT have hosted countless St. Lawrence students over the years, and Bennett is always eager to welcome visitors and volunteers, building a new community in her small town. She is among a growing number of female and queer farmers restoring landscapes and foodscapes, one garden at a time.
Owner and Captain, Whistling Man Schooner Co.
Hannah “Diddy” Langsdale ’15 | Grand Isle, Vermont
After graduating from St. Lawrence University, Langsdale learned to sail on Lake Champlain, which she now considers her home waters. Since catching “the sailing bug,” it has been hard to get her off the water. Her pirate name is “Diddy,” an alias she earned her first season as a deckhand before taking ownership of Whistling Man Schooner Co. She was responsible for maintaining Friend Ship’s lines and sails, so she always had the “Ditty Bag” within arm’s reach. Langsdale is passionate about learning and sharing Lake Champlain stories and being part of a tightly-knit yet growing maritime community. She is leading a new wave of women in maritime with seven women among her team of 15 sailors and deckhands. Students can network with Langsdale at the SLU Connect–Burlington events. Visit whistlingman.com to learn more about Captain Diddy and her crew.
More Young Alumni at Work
- Meet some Laurentian researchers
- Learn about alumni in traditional and new media jobs
- Check out a few of our Laurentian entrepreneurs
- Laurentians taking the lead on money management
- Read about alumni making good things happen
- Learn more about two alumni working in sports
- Two alumni find a way to keep making music
