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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⚓️🛥️🦪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

#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 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

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

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