Founder & Owner

Born and raised in Damariscotta, Brendan first worked on a farm on the river in 2008. From there, he ran raw bars catering at weddings and all kinds of events. In 2015, after graduating from the University of Maine (and a short stint as a ski bum out west), Brendan started his first business: BP’s Shuck Shack. By retrofitting an old Oscar Mayer hotdog cart, Brendan created the first oyster food cart in Portland, Maine. He started the farm In 2016 and opened a restaurant, the Shuck Station Raw Bar in Newcastle, Maine, in 2017. Find him at the restaurant, with friends, solving problems, slinging oysters, or, of course, out on the water.

Farm Manager

Ryan grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He headed north to attend the University of Southern Maine where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Chemistry. Always enjoying working with his hands and boating on the Chesapeake Bay, he chose to work in aquaculture right out of college—at Mook Sea Farm, as a hatchery technician and farm hand, starting in 2017. Next, after a short stint at Running Tide Technologies, Ryan joined Blackstone as the farm’s first farm manager. Find him fishing for striped bass at the end of the day with friends on the river, searching for ducks and deer in the Fall, catching an occasional wave, or shredding the pow at Sugarloaf when he has time in the winter. And, of course, out on the water.

Assistant Farm Manager & Farm Tour Guide

Farm Crew

In Tiger’s words: I grew up in Newcastle and started oystering during summers in college. After graduating last year I started at Blackstone full time. You’ll often find me tumbling seed and wading through our Zapcos. One of my favorite parts about Blackstone is being able to work on the water in the best and worst of Maine weather, and if I’m not on the water, there’s a good chance you can catch me at Fernald’s for a town snack. Fun fact: I can build a Zapco with my eyes closed.

Communications, etc.

Originally from an island in Casco Bay, Anna took the long way back to Maine, living and traveling near and far. Studied at Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Oxford. She has worked in the Maine oyster scene since 2021. Former full-time crew and nursery member, now find her focusing on our sustainability commitments and sharing the farm’s story. Ask her about art, her former street pup, Sauvie, and why she’s obsessed with oysters.

She loves questions from friends & future friends of the Blackstone family. Drop her a line on our IG.

Farm Crew/Aquaculture Apprentice

Nursery Crew/Aquaculture Apprentice