About Us
Our Story
Serenoa Shellfish is an aquaculture producer focused on sustainably providing the highest quality shellfish while improving the environment we love. The name comes from Serenoa repens, the Latin name for saw palmetto. It is a plant that covers the pine flatwoods where we live in Sopchoppy, Wakulla County, Florida. Driving from the house to the bay it is in the understory of the woods the whole way; coming off the water you know you've made it to the hill when you are in the palmetto. The name is a reminder that we're working for and in the place we love. We call the oysters Skipper Sweets... Grown in the pristine waters of Skipper Bay, Try them and you will understand: Skipper Bay makes them sweet.
Who We Are
We're a small family outfit working and living in Wakulla County--John, Emily and Ruth Prairie. Reach out, come meet us and eat some oysters!
Farming in the Bay
Aquaculture in the Florida panhandle has been a slow rise... Being the forgotten coast has gone a long way toward keeping our natural areas intact, and the natural bounty of the Apalachicola and Apalachee Bay systems has been a steady part of our lives for generations. The potential and the importance of learning to farm the Gulf sustainably was imprinted on us by working with and looking up to visionary pioneer Alligator Harbor clam farmer Van Lewis. It's our goal to live and work according to the same ideals gifted to us by Van. The addition of oyster aquaculture in the area has been an exciting opportunity to build natural resources and sustain them for generations to come. At the farm we use an Australian developed longline oyster farming system; we can be hands on with our oysters from seed to sale. The water and the oysters do the amazing work naturally, and we love to help them along the way.
Oysters for good times
New Year's Eve Eve
Oysters are the best thing to get together over with family and friends....see above - my Dad and Conrad getting full bellies together up on the next level at Posey's in St. Marks. Almost every year of my life on New Years Eve Eve a big group of friends and family would start the celebration early at Posey's with smoked mullet and oysters. Somehow a tradition that started with a flash of green at a particular sunset continued until Hurricanes sadly took Posey's away. How it really got started and all the stories made over oysters on the half shell, are best told... over oysters on the half shell... so get a story started!
Make Your Oyster Story
Share with us a photo, tradition, story or anything good times and oysters @serenoa_shellfish - let us know if we can share in this Oysters For Good Times section. Seeing happy oyster people is what keeps us going - click below to get started with some Skipper Sweets.
How to Get Your Skipper Sweets
How to Get Your Skipper Sweets
Contact us below or at (850) 508-1631. Contact directly for delivery to let us know when and where you need them...We will work with shipping partners to find best available options to get the Skipper Sweets to you. At this time we are offering local delivery to your coolers on Wakulla, Leon, and Franklin County porches with total social distancing. We harvest to order whenever possible: you won't have had a fresher oyster... unless you are a stone crab. If you are an oyster-loving first responder or know someone who is let us know; reach out we want to give a chance to relax with a bag on us. John handles all orders from harvest through distribution to ensure quality and single person supply chain while still utilizing local processing houses. We are a small outfit trying to adjust to the changes everyone is due to the pandemic; thanks for your patience and support!
Learn To Shuck With Oysters XO
Learn a great party trick while supporting your local Oyster Farmer. #1 Oyster Chef Rifko teaches you how to open your own oysters in just 6-7 minutes!