Homegrown Oysters

Homegrown Oyster Company got its proverbial start when owner Kevin Brown and his wife, Cyndi, completed the Shellfish Academy at Carteret Community College in 2021. But the seeds that would grow into the White Oak River’s newest oyster farm were planted much earlier. Kevin, a North Carolina native, has always been drawn to the water. His love for the coast stems from his childhood spent on area waterways — from fishing as a child with family members to exploring the sounds, rivers and marshes on his own as a teen. If there was a boat nearby, Kevin was going to be on it. He decided to formalize his passion for the marine environment by earning a degree in marine biology from UNC-Wilmington. He then moved to Alaska to work with NOAA’s National Observer Program and later to Florida where he worked as an aquarist at Sea World. But he always planned to return home and hoped to one day work for the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. He attained that goal when he was hired by NCDMF to work in the shellfish mapping program. He will soon be retiring from his current position as the state’s gear development biologist to focus on growing his oyster farm — located in the pristine waters of the White Oak River, a location that provides a call back to Kevin’s high school alma mater, Jacksonville’s White Oak High School. Kevin’s plan for Homegrown Oyster Company is to engage in sustainable aquaculture practices and to protect and enhance the natural environment. He remains committed to using only the best techniques to grow his oysters, from carefully monitoring the water quality to exploring new methods and gear to ensure minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, Kevin has seen firsthand the importance of taking care of our oceans and waterways. This passion for sustainability and conservation is at the heart of Homegrown Oyster Company. Kevin and Cyndi look forward to sharing their love for oysters — and their oysters — with you!