Sussex Conservation District’s new program will help funding for farming oysters

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Sussex Conservation District will start a new program, that approves funding totaling $67,500 for the oyster aquaculture cost-share program.

Siobhan Kelley, SCD communications and outreach specialist said, this program will benefit farmers and waterways. “Farming is a way of life in Sussex County and typically we think of farming with soil and tractors, but that’s not the only way producers can grow crops in Sussex County, so we don’t want to single out a single group in Sussex County.”

The program will provide incentive payment for up to 1.35 million harvested oysters that support nutrient reductions in the Inland Bays Watershed.

Kelley thinks the benefits, outweigh the cons. “The benefits that oysters provide to the watershed because they can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, and that alone with this program could offset about 70,000 pounds of nitrogen from the inland bays watershed.”

Science Technician, from the Delaware Center for inland bays Morgan Krell hopes this program can help encourage people to start farming. “I think a program like this can reduce those barriers to entry and make it more attainable for people to start their oyster farms.”

The road to cleaner water quality for Delaware is ongoing, but Krell believes the state is on its way to meeting its goals. “It will require a more collaborative effort, between landowners, land managers, farmers, and waterman, everyone has to work together at this point to make small incremental steps towards improving water quality.” Said Krell.

Applications for the oyster aquaculture cost-share program are accepted year-round. Cost-share payments will be made quarterly, at $0.05 per harvested oyster, with a maximum annual payment for 150,000 oysters totaling $7,500 per grower. You can apply on the website here.