OYSTER SHARE GOES LIVE​
A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT CREATED BY THE MAINE OYSTER COMPANY, MAINE BEER COMPANY & NEOC TO GET GOOD THINGS TO GOOD PEOPLE
Enjoy fresh Maine oysters every week from farms all over the state. Every week/share includes 2 different Maine oysters, a simple oyster related recipe & online access to exclusive videos & question/answer sessions with each farmer. You will follow along with your very own "fill in the farm" interactive map. Each week you can mark off the farms you're tasting until you’ve eventually slurped them all!
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Best part? One of the pick-up options is Maine Beer Company in Freeport so you can grab your favorite suds too! For all of the farm share details, click below:
RISE OF THE MAINE OYSTER 2.0
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AN INTIMATE LOOK AT THE OYSTER INDUSTRY AS IT OPERATES IN COVID-19 TIMES
Each year, we're looking to give people an intimate look at what it's like to be an oyster farmer on the coast of Maine. What is it like to run an oyster business? What does it take to maintain a reliable team? What makes each farm unique? What are the challenges to scaling and finding new markets? How do you improve your practices and where do you go to find new and innovative technologies and/or methodologies?
Originally designed to be an oyster tasting event on Thompson's Point, Rise of the Maine Oyster has adapted its format for the spring 2020 installation, opting to share candid videos from farmers and supporters of Maine's oyster industry as they operate in these unprecedented times. COVID-19 is not making it easy to bring people together, but we will continue to convene Entrepreneurship in the Blue Economy virtually as a New England Ocean Cluster series to address and inspire innovation that benefits us all.
Let's stay engaged!
Please find original videos from farmers and supporters of Maine's Oyster Community below:
MAINE OYSTER COMPANY
The Maine Oyster Company’s journey began in 2016 with the opening of a small farm in Phippsburg, Maine. Since that time, founder John Herrigel has been working create an oyster community through experience and story. In 2018, The Maine Oyster Company oyster bar and restaurant opened in Portland, ME with online shipping distributor for Maine oyster sales for farmers statewide.
COVID-19 update with John Herrigel of Maine Oyster Company
360 degree video of "Base Camp," Maine Oyster Company
DINGLEY COVE OYSTERS
Back in 2015 Peter Rand thought it might be fun to try to grow some oysters. Some mistakes were made. For example these trays of tiny seed that required a great deal of tending. Fortunately, several approaches were tried simultaneously and methods improved resulting in a fabulous oyster! Now, Dingley Cove Oysters is a small family owned farm growing hand selected oysters in surface cages in the cool nutrient rich waters of the New Meadows River. They are tumbled and sorted several times before reaching your palate. This is done to encourage a cup shape to the shell and to improve the meat to shell ratio.
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Be in touch:
IG: @dingleycoveoysters
Farm visit and operations with Peter Rand and team.
Checkin with Cameron Barner, Co-Owner Love Point Oysters
Operations on the farm with Cam Barner
LOVE POINT OYSTERS
Love Point Oysters is a boutique oyster farm located in Harpswell, Maine. Their hand-grown oysters are found in many restaurants and are a fixture on raw bars.
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Be in touch:
FB: @lovepointoysters
IG: @lovepointoysters
MAINE AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION
Maine Aquaculture Association is a non-profit trade association that represents Maine’s aquatic farmers at the state, federal, and international levels. Members of MAA include growers of oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, salmon, cod, and seaweed. The Mission of the MAA is to support Maine’s aquatic growers in developing economically and environmentally sustainable business practices, to promote the benefits of aquaculture in the local food system, and to preserve Maine’s heritage of a vibrant working waterfront.
Afton Hupper, Outreach & Development Specialist
Afton is a recent graduate of the University of Maine, has joined the staff at the Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) as an outreach and development specialist. Hupper is the first to hold this new position, which is a joint appointment through MAA and the National Aquaculture Association (NAA). Afton will focus on building the association’s capacity to communicate effectively with its members, community partners and organizations, and the public.
Question 1 with Afton Hupper of the MAA
Question 2 with Afton Hupper of the MAA
Question 3 with Afton Hupper of the MAA
Question 4 with Afton Hupper of the MAA
Question 5 with Afton Hupper of the MAA
Sign off with Afton Hupper of the MAA
Be in touch:
(207) 622-0136
www.maineaqua.org
FB: @maineaquacultureassoc
IG: @maine_aquaculture
T: @maine_aqua
MERE POINT OYSTER COMPANY
Mere Point Oyster Company is a family owned oyster farm located in the coastal waters around Mere Point in Brunswick Maine in the heart of Casco Bay. Started in 2016, the Mere Point team is dedicated to providing the highest quality Maine oysters possible.
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Dan Devereaux, Partner, Mere Point Oysters
Farming is not new to Dan. He grew up in Midwest farm country before making his way to Maine in 1989 in the United States Navy. Farming oysters with his two adult sons is allowing him to carry on his deep-rooted farming heritage. He retired in 2017 after 24 years of service as the Brunswick Shellfish Officer and Harbormaster. He continues his public service as the Coastal Resource Manager in Brunswick. Dan can be found reseeding & evaluating local shellfish growing areas, collecting water quality, and assisting with environmental mitigation efforts along the 61 miles of coastline in Brunswick. He is a strong advocate for climate adaptation strategies. When Dan isn’t working you can find him tending his garden or spending time with his two dogs, Bo & Luke.
Hear from Dan Devereaux on Mere Point operations post COVID-19
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU
To all who contributed to the virtual edition of Rise of the Maine Oyster 2.0, thank you. We understand you put all of this candid insight together as the the floor was falling out from beneath our normal day-to-day. For this, we are incredibly appreciative. May we all be stronger together!
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John Herrigel - Maine Oyster Company
Peter Rand - Dingley Cove Oysters
Afton Hupper - Maine Aquaculture Association
Cameron Barner - Love Point Oysters
Dan Devereaux - Mere Point Oyster Company
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The “Entrepreneurship in the Blue Economy” series was created to share the stories of ocean-focused ventures in Maine. As is true with business incubation in general, this series endeavors to give both budding and established businesspeople a platform to share their story, an opportunity to cite particular areas of need, and an environment to connect with a supportive and engaged audience. Each meeting will vary in size and location, particularly as we navigate COVID-19, but all will weave together elements of experiential learning, open discussion, and professional networking into a dynamic session. With this series, the New England Ocean Cluster and its presenting sponsors the University of Maine Graduate & Professional Center and Eaton Peabody are seeking to initiate a dialog that is inclusive, supportive of growth, and fostering of strong relationships.
Presenting Sponsors:
Venue Sponsors:
Due to COVID-19 we aren't at a physical venue currently, but it's the thought that counts!
Community Collaborators:
