Where it all began
The idea for Blue Starr Oyster Co. started back in 2004. Like many good things, it began small — just one raft suspending stacked trays and a vague idea of what the future might hold. In hindsight, maybe it was a blessing we didn’t know how much work lay ahead. Starting a farm from nothing is no small task — and had we known the full scope, we might have been discouraged.
Building from the Water Up
One of our first major steps was realizing we needed more than just a fishing boat to operate efficiently — we needed a shipping facility. Not only was the boat impractical for packing and storage, but the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) requires certified facilities for processing oysters.
So we got to work. Huge styrofoam floats wrapped in molded plastic, chainsaw-milled beams, and a dream. And of course, everything had to be planned around the tides. Timing, weather, and precision — they all mattered. The day we finally floated our facility off the beach was a thrilling milestone. But the work? It was just beginning.
A Working Farm Takes Shape
The shipping facility changed everything. Suddenly we had a place to store boxes, gel packs, stacks of trays, and most importantly — a tumbler to sort our oysters. With that infrastructure in place, we finally had the time and space to expand.
So we did. We added more trays, more rafts, and even a second tumbler — which we proudly call The Cadillac. And it earned the name. Efficient, reliable, and a total game-changer for our process.
The Reality of Oyster Farming
Oyster farming isn’t a get-rich-quick kind of business. But if you’ve got the passion and a little extra cash, it’s a great place to invest it. We’ve learned that success in this field isn’t just about growing oysters — it’s about adapting to challenges every day.
There’s a steep learning curve: paperwork, permitting agencies, environmental hurdles, and predators — both marine and otherwise — that threaten the crop. But we love what we do. We love being outside, building things with our hands, solving problems, and working for ourselves.
So Eric kept building more rafts.
We kept assembling more trays.
And we kept selling more oysters.
Growth, Grit, and Gratitude
It’s been a journey — one we’re still on. And we haven’t done it alone. Along the way, we’ve had help from tasters, testers, fellow farmers, and curious customers. Every trial and every triumph has shaped who we are today.
At Blue Starr Oyster Co., we’re still learning. Still farming. Still loving what we do.
Blue Starr Oyster Co. 