There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of St. Jerome Creek. That’s okay with us. Because that means it hasn’t been overpopulated, overdeveloped, over-anythinged.
Here our farm sits. Nestled in this picture-perfect, remote enclave of the Chesapeake in southern Maryland. It’s special. Actually, it’s beyond special when you consider what we’re doing below the surface.
Locals knew of these wondrous eco-conditions hundreds of years before we did. In the late 1800s researchers found that St. Jerome Creek—a broad but shallow lagoon—is an ideal site for oyster breeding. And boy, does that stand true today.
Oyster farming is more than sustainable, it’s restorative
It’s no secret that marine life in the Bay has been in decline for generations, with over-harvesting and habitat loss largely to blame. The challenge is to find a way to continue to enjoy delicious and nutritious seafood without pushing wild fisheries even closer to the brink. By growing our own oysters, we not only provide a premium sustainable oyster, we also support the rich ecosystem of essential marine life, playing a small role in the fight to restore the Bay’s ecosystem to its former glory.
‘Oysters of excellent quality abound.’
We could go on and on about the beautifully brackish waters of St. Jerome that give our oysters their unique flavor. Or how there were no oysters when we got here. Zero. Now, at any given time, we have more than 5,000,000 in the water – all responsibly and sustainably harvested. They provide critical habitat for the surrounding ecosystem.
Or we can put it like this: our water is damn-near perfect. Our process is meticulous. Our people take their craft seriously, but very little else. Those three things together? When it comes to oysters, that’s as good as it gets.
Want to know more about the science behind what we do? Or maybe you’d rather just pop a few Skinny Dippers or Huckleberries and experience it firsthand? Either way, come visit us. We’ll show you how amazing our farm is, and we’ll eat the best oysters on the Chesapeake. Win-win.
Our Story
True Chesapeake began with a simple mission: to produce exceptional oysters while actively restoring the waters we love.
Every True Chesapeake oyster is a reflection of this pristine ecosystem and our dedication to keeping it healthy for generations to come. Watch below to see our story: