Sadie Flateman, the grower behind Great Salt Pond Oysters began her journey into oyster farming as a visitor to Block Island’s Sun Farm in 2003,originally captivated by the process as an oyster enthusiast. What started as a one-day experience turned into a lifelong passion, eventually leading her to take over the farm’s leases in 2023. She uses a traditional top culture grow-out method, which suits the farm’s unique location with its shallow, muddy-bottomed areas and strong tidal forces. This hands-on approach, influenced by the farm’s remote island setting, keeps the oysters tumbling in the wind and accessible, even at low tide. The oysters thrive in Block Island’s Great Salt Pond, a marine lagoon known for its exceptional water quality, clarity, and high salinity. Sadie finds fulfillment in working outdoors, responding to the rhythm of nature, and contributing positively to the pond’s ecosystem, including through a shell collection initiative for reef restoration. She takes pride in being a steward of this remarkable waterway, producing oysters that reflect the purity and vitality of Block Island’s marine environment.