In this episode of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Talmage Petty, Founder and President of Hollywood Oyster Company. Talmage is an oyster farmer. He jokes that at times, he considers himself to be an "Oyster Whisperer."
Talmage recalls his youth, born in New York City, then raised in Washington, D.C. He and Ted discuss his connections to nature as a child, particularly at his family's 300-acre family farm on the Chesapeake Bay. The farm is now the home of Hollywood Oyster.
Ted and Talmage are family friends that go back generations. Forced to play as kids, they later connected at University of Vermont. Talmage dove into commercial real estate, and then a few other career steps, before his major pivot to oyster farming.
Hollywood Oyster began with Talmage experimenting with growing oysters at the farm. He was among the first to get a Maryland tax credit for oyster farming. For ten years he growing and harvesting oysters, up to 15,000 oysters a year. A chef noted how good the oysters are, sweet with a mineral finish.
Talmage discusses the sustainable aspect of oyster farming, digging into the topic of aquaculture versus wild harvest. He shares that his operation at Hollywood Oyster farm sustainably contributes to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, with its millions of oysters filtering waters, and by its creation of habitat in and around its thousands of growing cages.
What is Flanigan's Eco-Logic?
Flanigan's Eco-Logic, hosted by Ted Flanigan, provides cutting-edge information and insights in sustainability and the clean energy space. Episodes address alternative energy -- featuring solar, storage, microgrids, vehicle grid integration, and energy access. In addition, the podcast covers resources issues -- like water and food issues, and even slow fashion. Flanigan’s enthusiasm, vast experience, and deep network in the energy and environmental arena are palpable as he brings exciting and encouraging green developments to the fore, interviewing and engaging leading policy makers and practitioners throughout the United States and in many countries around the world.