Oyster South nonprofit supports Southern oyster industry

Oyster South, a nonprofit organization led by executive director Beth Walton and her husband Bill Walton, works to strengthen the oyster industry across the Southern United States. The organization aims to connect a diverse network of oyster farmers, scientists, chefs, and coastal communities to foster a more robust ecosystem.

Recognizing the involvement of three different coasts, the nonprofit focuses on the entire community rather than just the farmers. The initiative seeks to support the environmental, economic, and cultural value of oysters while celebrating regional foodways. The organization’s origins stem from a combination of hospitality and aquaculture, rooted in connections between Atlanta’s restaurant scene and oyster-farming education at Auburn University.