This time last year, we launched an online course we developed for beginning oyster growers and those interested in learning about the prospects of off-bottom oyster culture in the Gulf of Mexico region. To date, we have had over 500 people register for the Online Oyster Culture Course, and 30 obtained a Certificate of Completion, which is a new feature for those who finish all of the sessions. The good news is that there aren’t any pop quizzes or tests!
Four virtual sessions provide participants with the basics of how to get started and grow a crop of oysters to harvest. These sessions are made available through collaboration with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, Auburn University Shellfish Laboratory, the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and Louisiana Sea Grant. In each session, participants are introduced to specialists, extension agents and resources at these institutions, along with experts in the shellfish aquaculture industry.
Course format
Each session consists of short (15- to 30-minute) video presentations and resource links for additional information. Lesson-related handouts are available for download. A discussion section at the end of each session allows participants in the course to interact with each other and ask questions of the session instructors. Once enrolled in the course, you can start at any time and learn at your own pace. There are no deadlines.
Session 1: Getting Your Farm Started
This session provides information on oyster seed purchasing, site and other start-up considerations including gear selection and installation, planting strategies, start-up costs, risk factors and business plan development.
There are 13 videos with a completion time of 3 hours, 40 minutes for Session 1:
- Welcome and Introduction of Instructors (2:26)
- What to Consider in Farm Site Selection (13:17)
- How to Obtain an Off-bottom Lease by State (10:58)
- What to Know about Buying Seed (22:34)
- What is Triploidy? (14:04)
- Oyster Seed Importation Rules by State (5:50)
- Gear Selection and Installation (26:51)
- Know your Knots (9:22)
- Planting Your First Crop (25:22)
- Financial Considerations in Starting Your Farm (15:50)
- Risk Factors in Operating Your Farm (14:36)
- Introduction to the 12 Steps of a Business Plan (33:53)
- Developing Your Farm Business Plan (10:01)
- Oyster ABCs: Anatomy, Biology, Classification (13:25)
Session 2: Meet the Gear Suppliers
Manufacturers and suppliers of off-bottom culture gear are featured in this session. Learn about the various gear types available to grow oysters.
Session 3: Growing a Crop of Oysters
This session focuses on oyster farm management with topics on biofouling control, stocking densities, common mistakes, and predators, pests and diseases. Additional topics include land-based nursery options, financial planning, inventory tracking, and storm preparation.
Session 4: Harvesting a Crop of Oysters
Harvesting and processing regulations for product safety are introduced in this session, along with marketing and product branding strategies.
