Send a COMMENT to OYSTER-ology here!

In this episode of OYSTER-ology, Kevin talks to Aaron Pinnell, the innovative mind behind FlipFarm, his semi-automated oyster farming system which is changing the way oysters are grown. Aaron shares his journey from sheep and dairy farming to aquaculture, detailing how a serendipitous encounter led him to oyster farming. He discusses the creation of Marlboro Oysters with his wife, Debbie Pannell, and their development of a revolutionary oyster farming system that enhances efficiency and productivity. Aaron explains the unique features of FlipFarm, including the specialized machinery and how it is transforming the oyster industry globally. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes of implementing the system, its impact on the oyster quality, and the future potential for scalability and international expansion.

00:00 Introduction to Flip Farm

00:20 Meet Aaron Pinnell: The Man Behind Marlboro Oysters

01:35 Aaron's Journey from Sheep to Oysters

06:38 The Birth of Marlboro Oysters

12:14 Challenges and Innovations in Oyster Farming

16:09 The Eureka Moment: Birth of Flip Farm

20:07 Developing the Flip Farm System

24:08 Understanding Flip Farm Line Lengths and Spacing

25:53 Innovative Loading and Unloading Efficiencies

28:08 Sorting and Grading Oysters on the Water

29:19 Revolutionizing Oyster Farming with Flip Farm

31:31 Adapting to Challenges and Continuous Improvement

32:50 Global Expansion and Scalability

33:10 Handling Storms and Site Considerations

34:22 Flip Farm's Versatility in Different Environments

35:59 The Journey of Developing Flip Farm

39:00 Team Dynamics and Growth

41:10 Work-Life Balance and Retention

41:49 Investment and Adoption of Flip Farm System

42:59 Scalability and Contracting Opportunities

45:14 Quality and Consistency of Oysters

48:30 Global Adoption and Future Prospects

50:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links:

https://www.flipfarm.co.nz/ (FlipFarm website)

https://cdn.slp.nz/flipfarmtour/ First FlipFarm farm tour videos (a must-see)

https://www.marlboroughoysters.co.nz/ (Marlborough Oysters website)

Please be sure to Like and Follow OYSTER-ology wherever you listen to podcasts, and tell others about it. Every positive mention of it helps more people find the podcast!

Send a COMMENT to OYSTER-ology here!

In this episode of OYSTER-ology, photo stylist Adrienne Anderson takes us inside the creative chaos behind Rowan Jacobsen’s The Essential Oyster, where she and photographer David Milosh spent a year transforming oysters into expressive portraits — tilting shells by fractions of an inch, battling over artistic style and learning to see each oyster as its own unique character. Adrienne explains how flavor, place and mood guide her styling choices, how visual stereotypes shape the way oysters are perceived, and why tension and limits are essential to making honest, compelling images. Her path — from washing dishes in New York to collaborating with Rowan Jacobsen to running the retail operations at one of the Pacific Northwests's most beloved oyster farms — is full of unlikely decisions, chance encounters, and relationships that quietly redirected the course of a life. And through it all, she leaves us with one unforgettable truth about photography and maybe life itself.

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Meet Adrian Anderson: From Janitor to Food Stylist

01:34 Journey to Photography and Food Styling

03:17 The New York Times Cooking Studio

04:48 The Oyster Connection: Meeting Rowan Jacobson

11:44 The Essential Oyster Project

15:16 The Art of Oyster Photography

21:28 The Influence of Oyster Photography

23:33 The Evolution of Gulf Oyster Farming

24:35 Creating Dynamic Photo Books

26:27 Transitioning Careers and New Projects

27:15 Life at Hama Hama

30:47 Oyster South and Community Involvement

33:30 Quickfire Questions on Photography

37:27 Memorable Oyster Experiences

40:19 Future Plans and Reflections

Links:

• Adrienne's website: https://www.adrienne-anderson.com/
• The Essential Oyster (Amazon link) – Rowan Jacobsen’s book featuring Adrienne’s styling and studio work
• Hama Hama Oysters – Adrienne’s current home base on Hood Canal
• Oyster South – Organization supporting southern oyster farmers and their annual symposium
• Rowan Jacobsen – Writer of The Essential Oyster and Apples of Uncommon Character
• Billion Oyster Project – New York Harbor restoration nonprofit
• Holding Back the Tide – Film that deeply moved Adrienne and reshaped her oyster path

If you enjoyed this episode, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE the show. I

Please be sure to Like and Follow OYSTER-ology wherever you listen to podcasts, and tell others about it. Every positive mention of it helps more people find the podcast!

Send a COMMENT to OYSTER-ology here!

Julie Qiu is a globally recognized oyster educator, writer, strategist, and industry advocate. She is the creator of the influential website In A Half Shell, a founding partner of Oyster Master Guild, and a longtime champion of elevating oyster appreciation and oyster service around the world. Kevin Cox sits down with Julie to unpack OMG’s mission to elevate oyster culture through education and certification. Julie shares her journey from brand strategist to renowned oyster sommelier, discusses the concept of merroir, the creation of her In A Half Shell website, and reveals how OMG aims to make oysters accessible to all. With insights into tasting techniques, global oyster trends, and the four-level certification process, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about oysters and seafood.

00:00 Introduction to Oyster Textures and Podcast Welcome

00:37 Diverse Perceptions of Oysters

00:54 Introducing Julie Qiu: The Oyster Sommelier

01:30 Julie's Journey and Philosophy

16:31 The Concept of Merroir

21:29 Tasting and Appreciating Oysters

31:14 Introduction to Oyster Master Guild

33:28 The Four Levels of Oyster Master Guild

35:31 Oyster Service Excellence and Certification

37:20 The Importance of Storytelling in Oyster Culture

40:27 Global Reach and Community of Oyster Master Guild

41:57 Oyster Sommelier and Accessibility

45:20 Gen Z and the Future of Oysters

48:00 The Evolution of Oyster Dining

49:57 Quickfire Questions with Julie Qiu

56:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links:

Oyster Master Guild (https://www.oystermasterguild.com)

In A Half Shell (https://www.instagram.com/inahalfshellist/)

Julie on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/inahalfshell)

Credits

• Guest: Julie Qiu
• Host: Kevin Cox
• Digital Deckhand: Chet Jipty

Production of: OYSTER-ology Podcast

Please be sure to Like and Follow OYSTER-ology wherever you listen to podcasts, and tell others about it. Every positive mention of it helps more people find the podcast!