MATHEWS––Looking for a cool experience where science leads to sustainable culinary bliss? Embrace local aquaculture and learn how oysters get their start.
Go on a hatchery tour of the Oyster Seed Holdings (OSH) facility, 425 Callis Wharf Road, Hudgins. It is one of Virginia’s largest oyster seed hatcheries. Tours run every other Friday, May through August, with one of OSH staff scientists. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put oyster seed in the hands of farmers.
Tickets, $20 each, are available at www.oshoyster.com/tours.
A ticket includes a 30-minute guided tour of the hatchery, plus a complimentary sampler of local oysters. Afterwards, guests can enjoy access to a pop-up oyster bar. They are welcome to come before and stay after the tour to enjoy the sunset views on the Milford Haven and local oysters, beer and wine for sale.
Six tours run every half hour starting at 5 p.m. and are offered on May 5, May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25.
Tours are weather-dependent, and tickets will be reimbursed if bad weather causes a cancellation. The facility is not currently ADA-accessible and guests should be able to navigate gravel areas. Parking and tour capacity is limited, so tickets are required in advance. The floors in the hatchery can be wet and slippery, so patrons should wear appropriate, “grippy” footwear.
For information, call 725-3046.
