Aquaculture Farm Tour: From the Water to the Table

Duration: 10 am - 3:30 pm | Cost: $30 | Limit: 40 participants

Join Sandy Macfarlane, long-time NEERS and CERF member, and Bob Rheault, former aquaculturist and current Executive Director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, on a full-day trip to Matunuck Oyster Farm on the south coast of Rhode Island near the port of Point Judith. On the bus Sandy and Bob will give an overview of the shellfish aquaculture industry in general and Rhode Island in particular. We will then tour the farm with owner, Perry Raso to see first-hand how an enterprising, ambitious, and energetic entrepreneur developed a vertically integrated oyster farm beginning with just one acre that he expanded to a seven-acre farm producing hundreds of thousands of oysters every year. Perry not only works his oyster lease but he also grows organic vegetables on his land-based farm that he uses at his shore-front restaurant, the recently-named “Best Oyster Bar in the Country,” employing over 200 people, where we will have lunch (off the menu, on your own). We anticipate having enough time while at lunch to hear Perry tell his inspirational story that has been recorded as a TED talk. Bus transportation is included and the tour will return in time for participants to have dinner prior to the Keynote Presentation.