Glidden Point Oyster Farm in Edgecomb held its first Farmer Friday featuring Ferda Farms of the New Meadows River in Brunswick on Friday, July 28. “Farmer Friday was introduced as a way to spotlight other oyster farms, besides our own in the region, and provide an opportunity for the public to mingle and talk with the farmers,” explained Mae Kreig, farm store manager at Glidden Point Oyster Farm.

Chris Burtis, co-owner of Ferda Farms, and Trixie Betz, farmhand and marketer for the farm, shucked their signature oysters, Bombazines. “They have a powerful brine up front that fades to a sweet and buttery finish,” he described. “I would describe them as ‘just happy,’” he said.

Burtis began oystering in 2018 with his son, Max Burtis, and two of his son’s friends. Over the years, he and his son bought out the other partners. “It’s truly a family business.”

“We are also experimenting with clams, and we grow skinny and sugar kelp,” he said. The farm will be looking to increase its lease for greater kelp production next season. “New Meadows River is a baby compared to the Damariscotta River, but production is good,” he added. Each year, Ferda Farms hosts an open farm day, inviting the public to learn about oyster, clam and kelp farming. “People launch kayaks and canoes and paddle over to our island, they come in droves,” he said.

Betz is also working on a line of Ferda Farms merchandise. She designed its t-shirts and screen-printed them.

Son and co-owner Max Burtis recently graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine and is pursuing a degree in data science from the Roux Institute. Max helped found the farm in his senior year of high school after growing up digging clams and spending most of his time in and around the water. Heading the innovation and design aspects of the farm, Max is always looking to improve the automation and sustainability of the farm. He designed and modeled our oyster tumbler using SolidWorks, which increases culling productivity and gives the oysters a deeper cup. The tumbler is also solar powered, according to Ferda Farms’ website.

Ferda Farms’ dedication to sustainability and responsible aquaculture can be read in its impact statement.

Farmer Fridays continue each Friday through Sept. 8, featuring Mere Point Oyster Company of Maquoit Bay, Blackstone Point Oysters of the Damariscotta River, Maine Oyster Company (Nonesuch) of Scarborough, Mimi’s of Bremen, and others. The oysters come pre-shucked, in raw bar format, paired with wines and beers if you like. The events are held in the barn/patio from 3 to 5 p.m.