ABOUT US
OUR STORY
GROWING THE UPPER/MID BAY’S BEST OYSTERS SINCE 2015
Raised on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Orchard Point Oyster Company founder Scott Budden grew up surrounded by the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. After college, Budden found himself in corporate jobs, but he longed for a way to leave the world of cubicles behind. His dream was to find a way to make a living on the water and get back to his roots in Kent County, Maryland. In 2009, when the path was cleared for oyster farming in Maryland, the concept resonated with Budden deeply. Here, he felt, was a way to help restore the Bay, revive a once thriving product, and earn an honest living.
It took a few years of planning, and a few more years to jump the hurdles presented by the new industry. But in 2015, Budden planted his first crop of oysters along the northeast side of Eastern Neck Island on the Chester River. Historically the location of a rich natural oyster reef, the Orchard Point oysters steadily grew in the sandy, light-filled waters of the Chester River. The farm prospered under Budden’s care and stewardship, with help from friends, family, and eventually, farm manager Sean Corcoran. In 2018, the company expanded to several new Middle Bay locations in Eastern Bay when partner Brian Connelly joined the team.
Today, Orchard Point Oyster Company is proud to be the Upper Bay’s premier producer of farm-raised oysters. We stand behind our commitment to making the Chesapeake Bay better with every oyster we farm, and to growing the freshest, most delicious product possible. Every oyster we sell has been raised with care by hand and wave-tumbled to produce a deep cup, and we’re proud of the distinctive buttery sweetness of our Chesapeake oysters—unique to Orchard Points.
OUR TEAM
Scott Budden (Partner)
An Eastern Shore native, Scott started farming oysters in 2015 after a decade in Washington, D.C. as a corporate financial analyst. A 2007 graduate of Bucknell University, Scott enjoys all things “oyster”— especially oyster puns. When not at the farm, you can find him serving on boards, freestyle amateur shucking at parties, and telling terrible dad jokes.
Brian Connelly (Partner)
Known to us as “Big Brian,” he’s the lone non-Eastern Shoreman on the OPO team. He more than makes up for it though, with constant 150% physical output and sheer intellectual force. He graduated from UMBC in 1985 and personifies their mascot, the retriever. Big Brian loves spending time on the Shore, Irish beverages, and the Baltimore Ravens.
Stephen Gerike (Production Manager)
A true jack-of-all-trades, Stephen joined OPOC in spring 2021. Prior to: he served as a USCG coxswain, crewed on a tall ship, captained a charter yacht, was exec chef at Mohonk Mt. House, and farmed oysters in Great Bay, NJ. He also nationally marketed for SYSCO, the Nat’l Pork Board, and AK Seafood Marketing Institute. He sprinkles his experience over farm, chef, and event management like the seasoned salt he is.
OUR PARTNERS AND AFFILIATES
