About

The Farm

Our farm was established in late 2024, well, I was lucky enough to be able to call my lease my own in late 2024. Lea-Hutaff island has a long history of fishing and shellfish harvest, and I am certainly not the first person to cultivate shellfish in, what I consider to be, the most beautiful part of southeast North Carolina. 

Our oysters are grown and nurtured on the bottom. This is where most oysters naturally occur, and where most traditional harvesting methods target them. Throughout the year, following the varying tidal ranges of the different seasons, we position our oysters strategically to where they can be exposed to sunlight at low tide. Exposure to air and sun gives them a hardy shell and a great shucking experience.

Our approach to farming is minimally invasive, and unlike many others, involves no mechanical gear at all. Every oyster harvested from our farm is grown with intention and has been handled a number of times before it is harvested. 

The Farmer

Ben Chipley was born at New Hanover Regional Medical center in 2000, which makes it really easy to remember how old he is. After being raised in a naturally beautiful area so rich with resources, he knew that working inside wasn't for him. 

After finishing school he worked on a commercial boat out of Hampstead, and through this found out that it was going to be work on the water or bust. Seeing all of the working oyster farms on a daily basis, and learning of all the benefits shellfish mariculture brings lit the path in front of him to create a working oyster farm out of an old shellfish lease that was previously unproductive.

Our goal at Chipley Oysters is to respect and benefit the environment we are using, because it takes care of us. We respect the ocean because we know how quickly it can humble you.