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

Bree grew up in North Carolina sailing and working with oysters on the New River. At nine she was helping create oyster reefs to restore a polluted ecosystem: watching oysters work their magic is where her love for them began. Bree graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a B.S. in Marine Biology & B.A. in French. She got her Captain's license in 2025. Bree made her way back to oysters in 2022 when she moved to Maine, joining the BPO crew in 2023 after getting her start at Dodge Cove Marine Farm.

As Assistant Farm Manager, she manages day-to-day from planting to harvesting at our Hog Island homebase, facilitating classes and tours in between.

In her words: My favorite thing about oysters is that they're sustainable…and their positive impact on the environment.  I am fascinated by differences in taste, appearance, and color of our oysters, and love showing the crew my favorite oysters each day.  

When on the water, she keeps an eye out or seaweed to forage, seals, horseshoe crabs, and the (rare) whale…Off the water, find her in her garden until the sun goes down!

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.

Aquaculture Apprentice & Nursery Crew

Kate joined BPO as an Apprentice with the Maine Aquaculture Apprenticeship Program through the Gulf of Maine Research Institute + Maine Aquaculture Association. She grew up outside Chicago and has always loved the ocean and food. Previously Kate worked in bakeries or out with her hands in the soil landscaping. On the farm she loves hand-harvesting in the summer, flipping cages, appreciating oysters’ ability to filter-feed and grow, and grading seed up at the nursery (where you’ll most likely find her). It’s amazing to watch them grow from a tiny little grain of sand to a rock that’s nearly the size of your hand

When not on the farm, find her hiking, baking, running, or knitting—and exploring Midcoast! On the hunt for antique stores, coffee shops, and boutiques.

Farm Crew/Aquaculture Apprentice

Spotted by a sea farmer in his Xtratufs (from days commercial fishing in Alaska) while up at Saddleback Ski Resort, Pedro struck up conversation and has been in the oyster world ever since. As an Apprentice, Pedro does a little bit of everything on the farm, learning on the way and keeping spirits up with humor and storytelling. Pedro is fascinated by how oysters grow and the many unique styles and flavors that result. He says his favorite farm task is flipping cages (to dry out algae and other ‘biofoulers’) especially in the summer.

When not on the farm, find Pedro hitting the slopes, cheering on the Portland Hearts of Pine, or at home making soups.

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.

Every year we welcome seasonal farm crew, interns, and apprentices

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