Episode 15: Navigating the Maine Oyster Trail With Trixie Betz

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In this episode of OYSTER-ology, host Kevin Cox talks with Trixie Betz, Outreach & Development Specialist for the Maine Aquaculture Association, who is responsible for managing the Maine Oyster Trail. Trixie shares her background, from her upbringing in New York and summers spent in Maine to her initial foray into aquaculture. She explains the evolution of the trail from it’s genesis as a paper map to it’s growth into the first digital interactive, incentive-based oyster trail/guide in the United States. The trail connects oyster enthusiasts with nearly 100 destinations including farm tours, restaurants, tastings, retreats, boat tours and charters, promoting the diversity and sustainable practices of Maine's oyster industry. The trail's interactive features, such as an online map, trip itinerary planner and Oyster Passport for tracking visits and earning prizes reinforce its educational and promotional aims. Trixie highlights the trail's community-driven approach, her visual storytelling of Maine’s oyster world and the deep fulfillment she finds in the aquaculture industry. Her commitment and passion for the work she does and the part she plays in sustainable food production shines through the entire conversation, rendering her wise beyond her age. If you want to be inspired by the youth of today, this conversation with Trixie is for you.

00:00 Introduction to Oyster Eating

00:36 Guest Introduction: Trixie and the Maine Oyster Trail

01:02 Trixie's Background and Journey into Aquaculture

03:35 Falling in Love with Oyster Farming

08:15 The Importance of Visual Storytelling in Aquaculture

13:09 Exploring the Maine Oyster Trail

18:34 Interactive Features and Incentives of the Oyster Trail

38:09 Challenges and Future Plans for the Maine Oyster Trail

41:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links:

Maine Oyster Trail (https://maineoystertrail.com/)

YouTube video for Maine Oyster Trail (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHGD7Dt9TEg)

Maine Aquaculture Social Media videos (https://maineaqua.org/video-gallery/)

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