Wildlife and nature

Animal shelters and rescues

Theater and dance

Rivers, parks and trails

Hunger and food

Schools and learning

Housing and homelessness

Community health

Mental health

Mentoring and foster care

Legal help and rights

Jobs and money help

Atlanta

The Triangle

Everywhere

The Collective Workshop

Royal Animal Refuge

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta

Georgia Advancing Communities Together

Atlanta Writers Club

Cobb Collaborative

Bosleys Place

Jewish Fertility Foundation

The Marine Advisory Board provides guidance to the Board of Directors about issues in Southern oyster aquaculture. They are the program committee for the annual Oyster South Symposium, and review applications to Oyster South programs.

Landlocked 10

Give

The Oyster Aquaculture Revolution in the Southern US

Beth Walton

Adrienne Anderson

Elina Guerrero

Brooke Morris Rasheed

Nicole (Nikki) Saulnier

Marcos Guerrero

Sandra Brooke

Last call! Nominations for the 2027 Oyster South Awards close this Sunday, Nov 8. Last year Leslie Sturmer took home the Jules Melancon Award, and Dr. Sandra Brooke received the Environmentalist Award. Who should we celebrate next? You can nominate a person, a farm or an organization, and you can nominate yourself too. Everyone who submits a nomination goes into a drawing for a $100 Oyster South gift card 🦪 Link in bio! #OysterSouth #OSSympossium2027

Know someone who’s made southern oyster farming better? It’s time to nominate them for the 2027 Oyster South Awards! This year we’re looking at impact over the last 3 or 4 years. You can nominate a person, a company or an organization, and you can nominate yourself too. 🦪 Jules Melancon Award for improving production 🦪 Jim Gossen Award for growing appreciation of southern oysters 🦪 Environmentalist Award for a healthier coast (with a new name coming soon) Everyone who submits a nomination goes into a drawing for a $100 Oyster South gift card. You can use it on merch or toward Symposium registration. Winners will be honored at the 2027 Oyster South Symposium, March 4–6 in Wilmington, NC. Nominations close Nov 8. Link in bio! Rob McDaniel, chef and owner of Helen and Bayonet in Birmingham, AL, received the 2026 Jim Gossen Award for championing Southern farm-raised oysters and the farmers behind them. #OysterSouth #OSSympossium2027

Favorite day of the year, anyone? 🦪 Landlocked 10 is officially in the books, y’all! Thank you for the oysters, the cocktails, the hugs and the friendships. What an unforgettable tenth anniversary. We’ll see y’all right back here in Decatur next October for Landlocked 11! 🧡 📸: @andrewthomaslee + @komich #OysterSouth #Landlocked10

What a way to celebrate ten years! 🦪✨ Thank you so much to everyone who came out to LANDLOCKED 10 at Legacy Park. It was so good to see so many familiar faces (and plenty of new ones, too!). Thank you to our farmers, chefs, shuckers, bartenders, brewers, MC, volunteers, DJ, Rocktioneer, band, and every single ticketholder for making this such a memorable day. An extra special thank you to the farmers who couldn’t bring oysters this year after the storms and red tide, but showed up anyway to lend a hand. Y’all are the heart of this community. 💙 A BIG shoutout and an even bigger THANK YOU to our headlining sponsor, Evans Meats & Seafood, who’s been with us since year one. And huge, heartfelt appreciation to our other generous sponsors: @biggreenegg @delta @kimballhouse @sarahclawrence @bowmanandclark The Strulez Firm, LLC @arcturis_ @studiowythe @opentable @visitdecatural Savannah Distributing @h2allofficial Champagne Tuesday @andrewthomaslee @tybeeoyster @openairdesign @bonvinselections @avantpartirwine @rivegauchewineco @winebow @highwirechs @topochicousa @press.shop In Loving Memory of Nathan Martinez from The Daugherty Family NetFinancials Inc. @polsinelli_law @climbingkites @creaturecomfortsbeer @mathesonoyster @murrellsrowspirits @otherhalfnyc @georgiaaquarium @vivian.bencich.interiors @allagashbrewing @tiptoppropercocktails @southstatebank Williams Teusink @gacoast.uga @sprouthouseagency @slotkin @newcityproperties @wkndebikes Team Rehab Thank you all for the many tags, stories and comments. Keep ‘em coming! We love everyone’s enthusiasm! The online auction is open until Tuesday at 9pm ET if you’d like to place one last bid. Link in bio! Here’s to the next ten. 🧡 📸: @sarahclawrence #OysterSouth #Landlocked10

Y’all, we are so grateful for Big Green Egg! 🦪🔥 They’ve been with us since the very first Landlocked, firing up the grills for our guest chefs and bringing the fun with our Rock Paper Scissors showdown. Ten years in, Landlocked wouldn’t feel like Landlocked without them. As our friends at Big Green Egg put it: “Both organizations are anchored in a purpose-driven belief that food has the power to connect, inspire, and strengthen communities.” We couldn’t agree more. Thank you, BGE, for showing up for the Oyster South community since day one! 💚 FOUR Eggs are up for grabs at the Rock Paper Scissors showdown today at 5 PM! And if you’ve had your eye on an Egg of your own, swipe to see a special Landlocked offer – with part of every sale going right back to Oyster South. See y’all at Legacy Park! ✨ LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.2026 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #Landlocked10 #OysterSouth #BigGreenEgg

Keep an eye out for the film crew tomorrow! 🎬🦪 A huge shoutout and thank you to Greg Harding Films for capturing all the magic at Landlocked 10! Greg and his team will be floating around Legacy Park tomorrow, filming the party and chatting with our incredible farmers, chefs and guests. If they pop over with a camera, don’t be shy. Tell ’em what you love about Southern oysters! We can’t wait to see the final recap. See y’all tomorrow! ✨ LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.2026 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #Landlocked10 #OysterSouth

Y’all, we could not do Landlocked without Evans Meats & Seafood, our Headlining Sponsor! 🦪 Every year the Evans team takes on the job of keeping thousands of oysters cold and in good shape on site, and they make it look easy. They’re based in Birmingham, AL, and all year long they connect so many of our farmers and chefs with great product and even better service. A big thank you to JT McKissack, Addam Evans, and the entire team at Evans Meats & Seafood for ten years of showing up for the Oyster South community. We love y’all! LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #knowyourdistributor

Last category, and it’s the one for the oyster people. 🦪 Bolo ties, brass keychains, oyster feasts, and packages from The Oyster Bed, plus two one-of-a-kind pieces from our designer Sarah Lawrence: a tote made from a Symposium banner and a bowl made from crushed oyster shells. Some of these have more than one available, so swipe to see the details. Bidding closes Tuesday, Oct 20 at 9pm ET. Link in bio. Every bid supports Oyster South. Thank you Fossil + Hide, Row 34, SharkBite Oysters, The Oyster Bed, and Sarah Lawrence These solid brass oyster keychains are cast from one of the first oysters grown by the team at Shiny Dimes in Spring Creek, FL. Fossil + Hide makes each one in Atlanta from recycled brass scrap, using sand casting, a technique that dates back to 1300 B.C. That means no two are exactly alike. 🦪 Three available, mailed to the winners with taxes and shipping included. Value $68, bidding starts at $20. Thank you Fossil + Hide! Link in bio. A New England seafood feast, shipped to your door. 🦪 This Row 34 feast isn’t on their menu and isn’t for sale anywhere. It’s exclusive to the winning bidder. It feeds up to 10 people and includes lobster rolls (some assembly required), clam chowder, crab cakes, stuffed clams, fish pate and oysters. Detailed instructions come with it, plus a signed Row 34 cookbook for when you want to make your own feast. Row 34 has five restaurants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Shipping and taxes are included. Two available. Value $1,000, bidding starts at $500. Thank you Row 34 for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. Up your oyster accessory game. 🦪 Sam Walsh of SharkBite Oysters in New Smyrna Beach, FL kept some of the shells from his oysters and wondered why not give them a second life. The result is a handcrafted, farmer-made oyster shell bolo tie, one of a kind and not sold anywhere else online. Each one is shipped to the winner’s address. Three available. Value $45, bidding starts at $20. Thank you SharkBite Oysters for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. Cooking and serving a dozen oysters at home just got easier. 🦪 The Oyster Bed’s American-made platters go from the grill or oven st

Gift cards, certificates, and one family portrait session, all up for bid in the Landlocked 10 online auction. 🦪 Great for your next night out or an early holiday gift. Bidding closes Tuesday, Oct 20 at 9pm ET. Link in bio. Every bid supports Oyster South. Thank you Gigi’s Italian Kitchen, Little Bear, Holland Fine Art Portraits, Bomb Biscuit, and Malagón Mercado y. Taperia LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #onlineauction One of Atlanta’s tiniest and hottest Italian kitchens. 🍝 At Gigi’s, the chef who made your food brings it right to your table. Start with an aperitivo at the bar, then see where the night takes you, whether it’s a seasonal salad or a pasta made just for you. Save room for dessert, which is made from scratch daily. This $250 gift card is yours to use however you like. Value $250, bidding starts at $125. Thank you Gigi’s for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. Fine dining that’s approachable and a little less pretentious. 🐻 Little Bear in Atlanta’s Summer Hill neighborhood is all about hyper-seasonal cooking, as chef and founder Jarrett Stieber describes it. Order à la carte, or take the four-course fixed-price menu and let the team guide you. The menu changes with the seasons, so you’ll want to go back. This $250 gift certificate is yours to use however you like. Value $250, bidding starts at $125. No expiration. Food, beverage and tax are covered, gratuity is not. Thank you Little Bear for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. Photo credit: Gabriella Valladares A family portrait you’ll actually hang up. 🖼️ This gift certificate from Holland Fine Art Portraits covers a fully guided portrait session for up to 8 people with their photographers. Afterward you’ll sit down with a designer to go through the images and choose your favorites. Then you’ll receive a retouched 14” canvas portrait for your home. Candy Cuilla and her team have been creating family portraits in the Atlanta area for over 10 years. Their studio is in Marietta, GA. One available. Value $1,000, bidding starts at $199. Thank you Holland Fine Art Portraits for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. “Spread Love Lik

Hungry, y’all? Three dining items are up in the Landlocked 10 online auction. 🍴 From Charleston to New Orleans, swipe to see which table you’re bidding on. Bidding closes Tuesday, Oct 20 at 9pm ET. Link in bio, and every bid supports Oyster South. Thank you Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar, Mister Mao, and The Ordinary. LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #OnlineAuction A nine-course seafood tasting menu, right in Decatur. 🦪 Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar takes you through the culinary traditions of Europe and the southern coast of the US, with local, sustainable ingredients and wine pairings for two. Dishes might include a warm oyster confit with salsify, or a dry-aged pompano with chanterelles and black garlic fish jus. The room is dark, intimate and made for a long night out. Value $390, bidding starts at $165. Thank you Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. A six-course chef’s counter tasting menu at Mister Mao in New Orleans. 🌶️ Come as you are, sit at the chef’s counter, and let them take you through six courses, with beverages for two included. Mister Mao is unpretentious, a little loud, and known for big, bold flavors that take you to the edge with spice. It’s a place built for celebrating with family and friends. Value $1,000, bidding starts at $375. Thank you Mister Mao for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. A bespoke seafood dinner for four at The Ordinary in Charleston. 🦪 The team will put together a three-course seafood dinner with wine pairings for you and three guests. The Ordinary celebrates the “merroir” of the coastal Carolinas and the East Coast, with some West Coast favorites too, and supports local fishermen, growers and farmers. Menu and wine are chosen by the restaurant, with allergies considered. Reservations are needed at least 2 weeks in advance. Tax is included, gratuity is not. Value $600, bidding starts at $250. Thank you The Ordinary for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio. Hungry, y’all? Three dining items are up in the Landlocked 10 online auction. 🍴 From Charleston to New Orleans, swipe to see which table you’re bidding on. Bidding closes Tuesday, Oct 20 a

Bidding is open on the first of our Landlocked 10 online auction categories: experiences. 🦪 A farm tour and clam dig on Virginia’s Eastern Shore with Lambert Shellfish, or a dinner designed just for you at St. Vito Focacceria in Nashville. Swipe through to see what’s up for bid, and know you don’t have to be at Legacy Park to take part. Bidding closes Tuesday, Oct 20 at 9pm ET. Link in bio. Every bid supports Oyster South. Thank you Lambert Shellfish and St. Vito Focacceria! LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #OnlineAuction A farm tour, a clam dig, and dinner by the water at Lambert Shellfish. 🦪 Winners get an evening tour of the farm, hand harvest clams, and sip bubbles along Hungars Creek on the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Then it’s happy hour drinks and dinner on picnic tables overlooking the longlines, for you and up to five guests. It’s a great pick if you want to learn about environmentally positive cultivation or just want fresh seafood in a beautiful spot. Valid October to November 2027. After losing 4 million oysters to a harmful algal bloom this year, Alex and Allison are still generously hosting this experience for Oyster South. Value $600, bidding starts at $300. Thank you Lambert Shellfish! Link in bio. Dinner for two at St. Vito Focacceria, designed just for you. 🍴 The winner gets a custom meal experience at this Michelin Bib Gourmand spot in Nashville, with food and beverages all on St. Vito. You can let the kitchen cook a special meal for you, order à la carte, or do a bit of both. It’s a one-of-a-kind evening in their small, intimate space. Value $250, bidding starts at $125. Thank you St. Vito Focacceria for supporting Oyster South! Link in bio.

IT’S TIME! The Landlocked 10 online auction is officially LIVE! 🦪⚡️ You don’t need a ticket to Legacy Park to join in. We’ve got exclusive chef dinners, bucket-list farm experiences, gift cards, and oyster gear up for grabs from the farmers, restaurants, and makers we love most. Tap the link in our bio to browse and bid right now! Bidding closes Tuesday, Oct 20 at 9pm ET. Popcorn bidding is ON: a bid in the last 2 minutes adds time, so keep an eye on your favorites. Every bid supports Oyster South. We’ll be sharing highlights from each category throughout the week! LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #OnlineAuction

The Landlocked 10 online auction is almost here, y’all! 🦪 Twenty items from restaurants, farms, and makers we love, and you do not have to be at Legacy Park to bid. Swipe for a first look. We’ll be sharing more all week. Bidding opens Wednesday, October 14 at 9am ET and closes Tuesday, October 20 at 9pm ET, so you can keep going after the party. Popcorn bidding is on: if a bid lands in the last 2 minutes, the clock adds a minute, so nobody gets sniped at the buzzer. Link in bio to preview. Every bid supports Oyster South. Thank you to our featured donors. More coming all week. LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #liveauctioneer Lambert Shellfish | Farm tour, clam dig, and dinner for 4-6, Machipongo, VA | Value $600 | Bidding starts at $300 The Ordinary | Three-course dinner for 4 with wine pairings, Charleston, SC | Value $600 | Bidding starts at $250 Mister Mao | Chef’s counter 6 course tasting menu for two, New Orleans, LA | Value $1,000 | Bidding starts at $375 Row 34 | Oyster feast shipped to you and signed cookbook | Value $1,000 | Bidding starts at $500 Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar | Nine course seafood tasting menu, Decatur, GA | Value $390 | Bidding starts at $165 The Oyster Bed | LePetite: Value $165, bidding starts at $75. LeGrande: Value $350, bidding starts at $175 SharkBite Oysters | Farmer crafted oyster bolo tie | Value $45 | Bidding starts at $20 And more from Gigi’s Italian Kitchen, Little Bear, Bomb Biscuit Co., St. Vito Focacceria, Malagón, Fossil & Hide, Holland Fine Art Portraits. Swipe the next posts all week. Link in bio. Bids in the last 2 minutes add time. Bidding opens Oct 14, 9am ET. Closes Oct 20, 9pm ET.

Y’all... we told Kevin he only got ONE word to describe his oyster, and he almost made it! 🦪 He’ll be hanging out in the Farmer Tent at Landlocked 10 running One Bite / One Word. All you have to do is take a bite of a fresh oyster, step up to the camera, and tell us what you think in a single word. Come say hi to Kevin on Oct 18 at Legacy Park and tell us yours! 🎙️ (P.S. We’re still looking for someone to help him host and capture the fun! Check our last post if you want to join in.) LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #Oysterology

Volunteers wanted at Landlocked 10! 🦪 We’re looking for 1-2 people to help Kevin Cox, host of the OYSTER-ology podcast, run One Bite / One Word in the farmer tent. A guest takes a bite of a freshly shucked oyster and answers one question: “One word?” Each one takes about 30 seconds, and the clips will become social content for Oyster South and part of a Landlocked 10 podcast episode. On Sunday you’ll keep the camera and audio rolling and invite guests over for their turn. No tech experience needed, since Kevin will walk you through it. If you’re free Saturday, you can also follow Kevin with an iPhone during pre-shuck while he interviews the shuckers. Outgoing, comfortable talking to strangers, and curious about oysters? Shoot us a DM! LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10

Thinking of our entire Oyster South community as severe weather impacts our waters. To our friends and farm families in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi preparing for Hurricane Isaias, and those along the Texas coast navigating red tide: we’re sending strength to everyone pulling gear, securing leases, and looking out for their families right now. Hoping for minimal damage across the board. Take care out there, OS family. 💙

Y’all remember the Virginia Oyster Experience from last year’s live auction?? Let’s just say the winner is STILL talking about it. . Three days on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, personally hosted by Bill and Beth Walton! A private tasting at Laughing King Vineyard, clam digging with Lambert Shellfish, a behind the scenes look at VIMS, and a hands-on visit with the Mathesons. Oh, and Gardner Douglas, the Oyster Ninja himself, was there to share some of his best shucking tips. . Our live auction returns October 18th at Legacy Park, and the next experience like this one could be yours. We cannot WAIT to see what this year brings. 🦪 . 📸: Elizabeth Trice, Brad Smith, Bill Walton . LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA #OysterSouth #Landlocked10 #LiveAuction

A recent harmful algal bloom hit Lambert Shellfish on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, destroying 4 million oysters. While regional partners pursue relief for affected growers in the area, family friends have organized a GoFundMe to help Alex and Allison rebuild over the coming months. We wanted to share this with the Oyster South community for anyone who would like to show support. Link in bio to read Alex’s full statement or donate. 🦪

It’s #AquacultureWeek! 🦪 . All week long, NOAA is celebrating the incredible people growing sustainable seafood across America. Today, we want to introduce you to the Guerrero family. . In 2013, they saw an ad in the paper, took a leap of faith, and launched Grand Isle Sea Farms. When Hurricane Ida wiped out their farm in 2021, the family pushed forward and rebuilt from scratch. . “The people of Louisiana are very resilient, just like an oyster.” — Marcos Guerrero, Grand Isle Sea Farms . Grand Isle Sea Farms is a proud member of the Oyster South community and featured in ShellBound, streaming now on YouTube! . Watch the full story at the link in our bio. . #AquacultureWeek #TideToTable #OysterSouth #LouisianaSeafood

Oyster farmers are perhaps the most invested people in coastal health. A cleaner coast means a better oyster. . Every September the rest of the world joins in. Since 1986 the International Coastal Cleanup has brought together more than 19 million volunteers across 150 countries to remove trash from beaches and waterways. Find one near you and join the world’s largest cleanup. 🌊🦪 . #CoastalCleanupDay #OysterSouth #ICC2026 #HealthyWaters #SouthernOysters

Our tenth in-person Symposium is set for March 4-6, 2027 in Downtown Wilmington, NC. Growers, dealers, chefs, shuckers, researchers and more - can’t wait to bring this community together again. More details coming soon! 🦪 . #OysterSouth #SouthernOysters #OSSymposium2027

Oyster South is what happens when farmers, chefs, scientists, food writers, and oyster lovers all end up in the same room. . We’re a nonprofit founded in 2016 with a simple belief — that Southern oyster farmers deserve more support, Southern waters deserve more protection, and Southern food culture deserves more celebration. . We do that through farmer resources, education, the annual Oyster South Symposium, storytelling initiatives like ShellBound, and every October, Landlocked — our annual fundraiser and the event that brings this whole community together. . If you care about where your food comes from, the health of our coastal waters, and the people doing the hard work of growing it — stick around. 🦪 . #OysterSouth #SouthernOysters #OysterFarming #CoastalCommunity #Landlocked10

Not everyone who finds oysters was looking for them. . “I have a career I’m proud of. I was in pretty rough condition before I found oysters. Until I met Oyster South, I didn’t know what to do with them. They put all the pieces together. I found a purpose.” – Crystal Coast Oysters, Newport NC . Kyle and Phil – we are so glad oysters brought us all together. 🦪 . #OysterSouth #SouthernOysters #Landlocked10 #OysterFarming #10Years

Landlocked 10 is SOLD OUT. 🦪🎉 . If you didn’t get a ticket, head to Eventbrite and jump on the waitlist. . Ten years ago we didn’t know if anyone would show up. They showed up. And they’ve been showing up ever since. THANK YOU for the incredible support, Oysterland! See you in October! 🦪 . LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA . #Landlocked10 #OysterSouth #NationalOysterDay

Can we entice you a little more? We know you’re setting your alarm for tonight, but take a look at who’s showing up for Landlocked 10. 🦪 . LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA . #Landlocked10 #OysterSouth #NationalOysterDay

Happy National Oyster Day from Oysterland. 🦪 . Tickets for Landlocked 10 go on sale TONIGHT at 8pm EDT on Eventbrite and we are so ready for Year 10. Come hang with the whole Oyster South family and spend an October Sunday surrounded by the oyster farmers growing some of the South’s finest, the chefs and pitmasters cooking it all up, incredible drinks, and the kind of good energy that only this community can bring. . And yes — every ticket goes right back to supporting Oyster South’s mission. It’s a party, but it’s always been about so much more than that. . Get yours tonight and we’ll see you October 18th at Legacy Park in Decatur, GA. 🦪 . LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA . #Landlocked10 #OysterSouth #NationalOysterDay #SouthernOysters

🦪 Ahoy! Tomorrow’s the day. 🦪 . Tomorrow is National Oyster Day — and around here, that means one thing. Tickets for Landlocked 10 drop at 8pm EDT. Set your alarm. . Year 10 brings together the finest oyster farmers, chefs, pitmasters, cocktail pros, brewers, and the community that loves them — all at Legacy Park in Decatur, GA on October 18th. . Every ticket goes directly back to the work of Oyster South — supporting Southern oyster farmers, connecting coastal communities, promoting healthy waters, and celebrating the food and culture of the South. . We can’t wait to see you there! . LANDLOCKED 10 10.18.26 Legacy Park, Decatur, GA . #Landlocked10 #OysterSouth #SouthernOysters #NationalOysterDay

Every Landlocked ticket directly supports the work of Oyster South year round. . Peer to Pier funds travel for Southern oyster farmers to connect with growers, chefs, and industry partners across the country. The Oyster South Symposium brings together producers, researchers, distributors, and chefs to tackle the real challenges facing Southern aquaculture. Our community programs keep that network strong between events. And our storytelling initiatives – including ShellBound docuseries – help bring the world of Southern oyster farming to wider audiences. . Landlocked is a really good afternoon. It’s also how Oyster South keeps the work going all year. 🦪 . 📸: @instaoffish_lisa . #OysterSouth #SouthernOysters #Landlocked10 #OysterFarming #10Years

The Southern coast is full of people doing quiet, essential work that the rest of the world rarely thinks about. Oyster farmers are among them. . “Oyster farming at sea can feel isolating. Landlocked brings together our community to celebrate why we do this and remind us we are never alone.” – Pelican Oyster Company, St. Marks NWR, FL . That community is what we’ve been building for 10 years. 🦪 . 📷: @giseafarms . #OysterSouth #Landlocked2026 #Landlocked10 #OysterFarming

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Oyster South. Hope your day includes good people, open sky, and a few of these on the grill. 🦪🇺🇸 . 📸: @andrewthomaslee . #FourthofJuly #July4th #OysterSouth #grilledoysters

Ten years ago we threw a small party. We didn’t know if anyone would show up. They showed up. And they’ve been showing up ever since. Landlocked 10 - October 18th, Decatur GA. 🦪 . #Landlocked10 #OysterSouth #southernoysters #TBT

We extended our community survey because we want to hear from as many of you as possible! . If you haven’t taken it yet, please do - it helps us make better decisions for the future of Oyster South. 2 minutes, link in bio 🦪 . 📷: @andrewthomaslee . #OysterSouth #OysterCommunity

The OS membership boat is about to leave port! . Our 2026 membership drive closes on Monday, June 15 at 5pm (EST), so join now! . Click the “join” link in our bio to find the full list of perks! . #oystercommunity #landlocked10

HEY oyster lovers! Our Admiral membership level is officially sold out. Thank you to everyone who joined.🛥️ . Anchor spots are still available! Join the OS family today and unlock benefits including early access to buy 2 regular admission LANDLOCKED 10 tickets. . 👆Click the “join” link in our bio to find the full list of perks! . #oystercommunity #landlocked10

ALERT! Both the Admiral and Anchor levels of Oyster South membership have limited spaces available, and they are already going fast! . 👆Click the “membership” link in our bio to find details on joining and benefits, including early access to buy your admission to our always quickly sold out land LANDLOCKED event. . Don’t miss the boat!! 🦪🛥️ ⚓️🦪 . #oystercommunity #landlocked10

The ocean produces more than half of the oxygen on Earth. More than all the forests combined. . Most of us will never see it, touch it, or think about it. But the people farming oysters on the Southern coast are in it every single day. Keeping their corner of it clean, healthy, and alive. . Happy World Oceans Day from Oyster South. 🌊🦪 . #worldoceansday

⚓️🛥️🦪All aboard! TODAY IS THE DAY!🦪🛥️⚓️ . JOIN Oyster South and help us continue supporting Southern oyster farmers and promoting Southern oysters! . The link with membership details is in our profile, and at NOON (EST) TODAY, memberships open! . Become an Admiral member and get early access to 2 VIP tickets for our always quickly sold-out LANDLOCKED event. (Spots are LIMITED!) . Or, join at the Anchor level, which comes with early access to buy 2 regular admission (not VIP) LANDLOCKED tickets. (Spaces are LIMITED!) . #oystercommunity #oysterlovers

We’re kicking off the 2026 Oyster South membership on Monday, June 8 at noon (EST), and we want YOU to be join us as an Anchor Member! . Why should you hop on this boat? . Our Anchor members get early access to LANDLOCKED 10 tickets, in addition to other super shucking’ benefits! . Plus, membership dues help us fulfill our mission: connecting communities and providing resources to support oyster farmers, cultivate thriving communities, promote healthy waters and celebrate good food in the southern United States. . Find details at the link in our profile! 🦪 . #oystercommunity #oysterlovers #landlocked10

We want YOU to be an Oyster South Admiral Member! . We’re kicking off the 2026 Oyster South membership on Monday, June 8 at noon (EST). . Why become an OS Admiral? . If you LOVE LANDLOCKED (and we know you do!), our Admiral members get early access to LANDLOCKED 10 tickets, in addition to other super shucking’ benefits! . Plus, membership dues help us fulfill our mission: connecting communities and providing resources to support oyster farmers, cultivate thriving communities, promote healthy waters and celebrate good food in the southern United States. . Find details at the link in our profile! 🦪 . #oystercommunity #oysterlovers #landlocked10

Ahoy, oyster lovers! Mark your calendars: On Monday, June 8 at noon (EST), the Oyster South public membership drive sets sail again. . Grab one of the LIMITED Admiral memberships and get early access to buy 2 VIP tickets for the always quickly sold-out LANDLOCKED, this year on October 18. . Or, check out our LIMITED Anchor memberships, which come with some super shucking’ benefits, too, including early access to buy 2 regular admission (not VIP) Landlocked tickets. . Find details at the link in our profile. Y’all come on aboard!🛥️🦪⚓️ . #oystercommunity #landlocked10

LANDLOCKED 10 brings our fab Oyster South community together again on October 18, and tickets go on sale August 5! . Want to make sure you don’t miss out on this always sold-out event? . Pro Tip: Be a sponsor! (Or get your company to sponsor.) . OR, join Oyster South as an Admiral or Anchor member. The 2026 membership drive kicks off on June 8. . Sponsors get tickets, and our Admiral and Anchor members get first dibs on tickets! . Find full membership details at the link in our profile! . #oystercommunity #landlocked10 . 📷: @andrewthomaslee

Hey Oysterland! 🦪 . We could really use a couple minutes of your time. Oyster South is working on a strategic plan to help guide our future, and your input makes all the difference. . Whether you’re a farmer, a chef, a supporter, or just someone who loves Southern oysters - we want to hear from you. It only takes 2 minutes. . Complete the survey by June 2nd and you’ll be entered to win an Oyster South hat pack. With your help, we can all get there together. . Link in bio! . 📷: @andrewthomaslee

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Oyster South. Hope someone’s shucking oysters for you today. 🦪 . #MothersDay #SouthernOysters #TreatMom . 📷 @andrewsherman

We’re turning 10 and we’re doing it the only way we know how – oysters, BBQ, and the best community in the South. . Landlocked 10 – Sunday, October 18th, 2026 Legacy Park, Decatur GA . A decade of showing up for Southern oysters. Save the date – tickets drop August 5th. . Want to support as a sponsor? Link in bio. . Stay tuned 🦪🦪🦪🦪🦪 . #OysterSouth10 #Landlocked10

Oysters build their shells from carbon pulled straight out of the water. They protect coastlines from storms. They clean the bays they grow in. . They take time to grow, and even more time to build reefs. But those reefs become places where other life gathers - fish, crabs, plants that depend on clear, healthy water. . In the South, oysters have always been part of both the land and the culture. Investing in them is slow, long-term work. And it pays off in stronger coastlines and more resilient communities. . As Earth Month comes to a close - eat more oysters. Support a Southern farmer. It’s good for the water too. 🌊🦪 . #EarthDay #EarthMonth #HealthyWaters . 📷: @giseafarms

These little guys do more for our coastlines than most people realize. This one’s barely the size of a thumbnail and already getting to work. Grateful for them today and always. Happy Earth Day. 🌊 #EarthDay #EarthDay2026 #cleanwater #oysters #ecosystemengineers

#TBT to an unforgettable Oyster South LANDLOCKED 9 Live Auction experience on the Forgotten Coast — the auction trip took place last weekend in Spring Creek. This weekend-long package brought donors and oyster lovers together to taste fresh oysters, enjoy craft cocktails by Miles Macquarrie, spend time on the water with Shiny Dimes Oysters and Pelican Oyster Co. learning about local aquaculture, and share unforgettable meals with the crew from Kimball House and Chef Julia Sullivan of Henrietta Red & Judith. Through experiences like these, our live auction raises vital funds to grow the Oyster South community and support our mission of connecting communities, supporting oyster farmers, and promoting healthy waters across the South. Grateful to everyone who helped bring this experience to life! . 📷: @post_neopet . @miles_macquarrie @shinydimesoysters @pelicanoysterco @kimballhouse @juliasullivan @henrietta_red @biggreenegg @lodgecastiron

We are super grateful to everyone at Kimball House and the Atlanta location of Todd Snyder NY for their support of the Oyster South community! . Their generosity continues today FRIDAY, MARCH 20th through SUNDAY, MARCH 29th. When y’all visit any Todd Snyder store, 10% of your purchase will be donated to Oyster South when you share the code: TODD-LOVES-OYSTERS at checkout. Todd Snyder and Kimball House support Oyster South’s ongoing vision to champion Southern farm-raised oysters, healthy waters, and the preservation of historic foodways. . Cheers to the weekend! 📷: @toddsnyderny

We conclude our celebration of the 2026 Oyster South Award winners by recognizing one final outstanding member of our community. . The 2026 Oyster South Environmentalist Award was presented to Sandra Brooke of Florida State University. 🌊🦪 . This award honors someone who has taken extraordinary steps to advocate for and protect the coastal environments that sustain Southern oyster aquaculture. . Since 2018, Dr. Brooke has led restoration efforts in Apalachicola Bay, guiding science-based solutions to address oyster population decline while balancing the needs of farmers, researchers, and the community. Her leadership helped establish a hatchery in St. Teresa, strengthening both restoration and future aquaculture opportunities. . Following recent hurricanes, she also secured funding to purchase oysters from farmers who couldn’t bring their product to market, providing critical relief during a time of hardship. . We are deeply grateful for her dedication to healthy waters, resilient communities, and the future of Southern oysters. . Join us in congratulating Dr. Sandra Brooke for her outstanding contributions to the Southern oyster community. ✨ . We are honored to celebrate this year’s award winners as part of the Oyster South community and look forward to continuing to recognize the people whose commitment and collaboration move our industry forward. . Photo credit: Emily Riewestahl, Florida Sea Grant . #knowyourscientist #ossymposium2026

We’re continuing our celebration of the 2026 Oyster South Award winners with another incredible member of our community. . The 2026 Jules Melancon Award was presented to Leslie Sturmer of the University of Florida. 🦪 . This award, named for Jules Melancon, a fourth-generation oysterman who helped pioneer off-bottom oyster farming in Louisiana, recognizes someone who has made significant contributions to commercial oyster aquaculture in the Southern U.S. and helped growers thrive by improving oyster production. . Leslie Sturmer’s decades of research, extension work, and mentorship have strengthened Florida’s shellfish industry and supported farmers at every stage of growth. Known for her thoughtful, science-based approach, she has helped ensure the industry moves forward in ways that truly work. . Her impact extends beyond production metrics and into communities like Cedar Key, where aquaculture has become part of the local identity and economy. We’re grateful for her leadership, humility, and lasting influence on Southern oyster farming. . Learn more about Leslie’s work and this recognition in the article by @floridaseagrant — link in bio. . Join us in congratulating Leslie for this well-deserved recognition. . Photo credit: Emily Riewestahl, Florida Sea Grant; Tyler Jones UF/IFAS . #ossymposium2026 #knowyourscientist

At Oyster South’s 2026 Symposium, we were proud to once again recognize individuals whose leadership, innovation, and dedication continue to shape the future of Southern oyster aquaculture. These awards celebrate the people who strengthen our industry from the water to the table and within the communities that sustain it. . Each of the 2026 award recipients reflects Oyster South’s core vision of successful farmers, healthy waters, and good food. Through research, advocacy, culinary leadership, and environmental stewardship, their work supports oyster growers, advances coastal resilience, and deepens appreciation for Southern farm-raised oysters across the region. . We are pleased to announce that the 2026 Jim Gossen Award was presented to Rob McDaniel, chef and owner of Helen and Bayonet in Birmingham, Alabama! 🦪 . This award is named after Southern food champion Jim Gossen and is given to an individual who goes above and beyond to promote Southern farm-raised oysters and the people and culture behind them. . From co-founding the Alabama Oyster Social in 2015 to promoting Southern oysters on his menus, Rob has helped build momentum for the industry and spotlight the farmers behind it. His restaurant Bayonet was recently awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2025 Michelin Guide’s first edition for the American South, recognizing exceptional food and genuine hospitality. . Rob continues to celebrate Southern oysters in a way that strengthens the connection between farmers, chefs, and community. . #ossympossium2026 #knowyourchef . Photo credit: @evansmeatsandseafood

Hey Oyster South community! The talks from our recent Houston Industry Symposium are now LIVE on our YouTube. A very special THANK YOU shoutout to Bill Walton for editing these and sharing them! . Be sure to view them all at the link in our profile - AND subscribe to our channel. We are already looking forward to next year’s big TENTH Symposium! @doctor_oyster . #oystersouth #ossymposium2026

Oyster farmers, you are our Valentines this year and forever!🦪❤️ . Without you, Valentine’s Day would just be chocolate. And while we love sweets, we definitely need oysters too, today and every day.🤍🌊 📸: @n.sea.oysterco @cypresspointoysterco @oyster_bros @mathesonoyster @pelicanoysterco @bayourosaoysters @brightsideoysters @giseafarms @wildisleoysters @steamboatwharfoyster @merabrothersoysters @sharkbiteoysters

Collective

Collections

Account

Oyster South staff