08/13/2026
Meet Greg and Weatherly Bates, the family behind Alaska Shellfish Farms in Halibut Cove, just south of Homer. 🌊
What started in 2007 as a vision for sustainable, high-quality shellfish has grown into a thriving 23-acre mariculture operation in the pristine waters of Kachemak Bay. Today, Greg and Weatherly, along with their two children, produce and sell oysters, blue mussels, and dried kelp products. Their dedication to the craft was recognized in 2020 when they were named Alaska Farm Family of the Year by the Alaska Division of Agriculture.
Alaska Shellfish Farms has been a recipient of multiple loans through our Mariculture Loan Program, which helped them invest in critical equipment like oyster cages, expand their product lines, and create two full-time and two seasonal jobs for their community.
And speaking of that... our team is coming to Homer! Amy and Kendra will be on-site at the Westward Building (1529 Homer Spit Road, Suite 4) to meet with current and prospective borrowers and discuss Commercial Fishing and Small Business Loan programs.
📅 Monday, August 17: 9 – 11:30 AM and 2 – 5 PM
📅 Tuesday, August 18: 8:30 – 11 AM
📅 Wednesday, August 19: 8:30 – 11:30 AM
If you're a commercial fisherman, small business owner, or entrepreneur in the Homer area, come say hi!
