Colby-Sawyer requires all students to complete an internship related to their area of study. Here’s how Doug Foley ’15, an environmental science major from Newbury, Mass., met that requirement this summer: The field studies class Marine Environments, which I took as a sophomore, offered students the opportunity to spend Fall Break on Martha’s Vineyard studying the ecosystems of the area. The trip included a visit to an aquaculture farm called Sweet Neck Farm, which is where I fulfillled my internship requirement. Sweet Neck Farm, an oyster farm located in Katama Bay, Edgartown, Mass., is a family-run aquaculture operation owned by Jack and Sue Blake. Sweet Neck was established in 1995 when Jack received his aquaculture license and was allotted his portion of the one percent of Katama Bay that makes up his one-acre farm. The farm operates under the direction of Jack Blake, who is a licensed wholesale oyster dealer, certified interstate shipper, and is Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety trained. Sweet Neck Farm operates 365 days a year. Jack buys oyster seed at 1.5 mm and cultivates the oysters to the marketable length of a 3.5-4 inch perfectly cupped oyster. Aquaculture on the island has proven to help decrease the pressure on wild fishery stocks while providing a sustainable occupation for fishermen. Jack has spearheaded the oyster aquaculture movement in Katama Bay and has developed a sustainable and profitable operation. I found Jakes Blakes work to be extremely inspiring. The time I spent at Sweet Neck Farm taught me how an individual can create his or her own career path with a successful and environmentally friendly small business.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:00:00 +0000
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