Virginia Family Business Cleans the Chesapeake Bay One Oyster at a Time
Orange, VA (PRWEB) July 18, 2013 -- Ahyayha.com announces today the launch of its fundraising project for Seaford Oyster Company of Seaford, Virginia. A small family-run business, Seaford spent much of its start-up capital in legal fees as it successfully thwarted local zoning officials from withholding a permit for its operation. Now, they are generating expansion capital from individuals and businesses through http://www.ahyayha.com so they can grow their oyster farm, clean the Chesapeake Bay and provide fresh local oysters to local restaurants.
“Our plan is simple”, says Elyse Bavuso of Seaford Oyster. “Grow native Virginia oysters in cages, naturally absorb nutrient pollution, and through the farm to table movement, sell to local restaurants. Grow food and save the Bay.”
Funds will be used to purchase metal cages, each of which yields 500 oysters every 12 to 18 months. “Oysters naturally absorb nitrogen and phosphorous, two of the primary pollutants affecting the health of the Chesapeake Bay”, says Michael Collins, Director of Development for Ahyayha. “We estimate each cage over its lifetime can reduce 8 pounds of nitrogen and 1 3/4 pounds of phosphorus from the river and Bay.”
Every contribution to Seaford’s project has a measurable impact on pollution and helps restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Individuals and businesses interested in reducing their pollution footprint are invited to visit and make contributions at http://www.ahyayha.com.
Contributors receive rewards from Seaford Oyster Company that include hats, t-shirts, up to 50 fresh Virginia oysters, and a One Oyster at a Time project Nitrogen and Phosphorus Reduction Certificate.
About Ahyayha:
Ahyayha is a program of the Center for Natural Capital, a non-profit applied research and education organization focused on the use of economic development to achieve ecosystem health through four program areas - energy, rivers, landscape, and people. Learn more at http://www.conservationrealestate.org/.
About Seaford Oyster Company:
The Seaford Oyster Company is owned and operated by Anthony and Elyse Bavuso. Their oyster farm is in the Poquoson River in Seaford, Virginia.
Michael Collins, Ahyayha, 540-308-9897, [email protected]
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