Big Tree Oysters is a five-acre oyster mariculture operation in Texas' Copano Bay. Owned by conservation biologist Amy Belair and her husband Seth, Big Tree's goal is sustain the vital role of oysters in the gulf ecosystem, while protecting wild oyster populations and ensuring oysters continue to be part of the gulf coast food culture.

Big Tree produces delicious local oysters without the need for feed, fertilizer, or chemical inputs of any kind.The oysters feed exclusively on nutrients that exist in the water around them while improving water quality, enhancing habitat structure, and reducing pressure on wild oyster reefs.

After a very successful first harvest in 2023, Big Tree is gearing up for growth. To support their expansion, Big Tree was awarded a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture, which will receive $11.2 million from USDA to support Texas farmers in the middle of the food supply chain. The grant funding will allow Big Tree to purchase essential processing equipment, cold storage, and machinery to scale their operation.

Our first ever loan in Texas, Foodshed Capital supported Big Tree with a low-interest bridge loan to cover upfront costs ahead of grant reimbursement.