The UF/IFAS Extension Shellfish Aquaculture Program and Florida Sea Grant are sponsoring a pair of free workshops focused on harvesting and marketing cultured oysters.
The first workshop will be Wednesday, May 6 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in St. Teresa at the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Hwy 98.
The workshop will be repeated on Thursday, May 7 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in Cedar Key at the Senator George G. Kirkpatrick Marine Laboratory, 11350 SW 153rd Ct.
The topics to be covered are:
- Niche marketing cultured oysters for the raw bar—what top chefs demand and how to ensure you get paid for your hard work.
- Learn to differentiate your product on qualities other than price in the marketplace and adapt your marketing pitch.
- Marketing strategies to target key buyers and get maximum return.
- Promotional materials available for marketing Florida oysters.
- Rules of the Road: Harvesting and processing requirements for oysters during summer months.
The speakers include:
- Martin May, Bureau Chief, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture Marketing
- Kim Norgren, Environmental Administrator, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture
To ensure there are enough handouts available, please confirm your attendance by contacting:
Leslie Sturmer, UF/IFAS Extension Shellfish Aquaculture, (352) 543-5057.
Portia Sapp, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (850) 617-7600.
Download the workshop flyer.
