Welcome to TOGA
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The Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA) is a non-profit organization established in 1997 to promote the environmental health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries through oyster cultivation and by other means, and as a way of enjoying Virginia oysters. Being filter feeders, oysters remove bacteria and sediments, making the local environment cleaner habitats for marine life, and the improved water quality encourages seagrass growth, which creates better habitats for fish. Our main goal is to educate interested citizens of all ages in oyster aquaculture methods. Join TOGA today, and learn how you can grow oysters and/or help the Chesapeake Bay.
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TOGA News
Upcoming Events
SEPTEMBER
9/4-10/16 Thursdays, 9AM–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Spring Float Sale
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock, VA. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.
Event Coordinator: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org
First-time volunteers, please email Jim before attending this event
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9/9 Tuesday, 10AM-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
River Counties Community Foundation, 834 Rappahannock Dr, White Stone, VA
Contact Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org for access
9/20 Saturday, 9AM-1PM: TOGA Exhibit at Heathsville Farmers Market - Promoting launch of Volunteer River Counties Volunteer Portal
Northumberland Court House, 73 Monument Pl, Heathsville, VA
Event Coordinator: Doug Schaefer dougs@togaboard.org
9/20 Saturday, 10– 11:30 AM: Basic Oyster Gardening 101 Class
Lancaster Community Library, 16 Town Centre Dr, Kilmarnock, VA, Sm Meeting Rm Downstairs
LAST class before Fall Float Sale! Event Coordinator: Richard Siciliano richs@togaboard.org Register
OCTOBER
10/1 Wednesday, COB: FALL Float Sale Member Order Deadline
Contact: Vic Spain vicspain@togaboard.org and Laurie Slone lslone@togaboard.org
10/2-10/16 Thursdays, 9AM–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Spring Float Sale
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock, VA
Event Coordinator: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org
First-time volunteers, please email Jim before attending this event
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10/4-10/5 Sat. and Sun. Noon–5PM: TOGA Booth at Yorktown Wine and Oyster Festival
Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, VA
Contact: Laurie Slone lslone@togaboard.org
10/4 Saturday, 1–4 PM: Northern Neck Land Conservancy Boots and Barbeque 2025
Historic Wheatland and Saunders Wharf in Essex, Lorreto, VA
Event Coordinators: Sue Borra sueb@togaboard.org; Doug Schaefer dougs@togaboard.org
10/14 Tuesday, 10AM-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Davis Hall Rm 101, 1370 Greate Rd, Gloucester Point, VA 23062
Contact Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org for access
10/18 Saturday, 9AM – 1PM: TOGA Fall Oyster Float and Spat Sale
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Event Coordinator: Brian Wood brianw@togaboard.org
10/18 Saturday, 10AM–4PM: TOGA Exhibit at the Taste of Middlesex
Deltaville Maritime Museum, 287 Jackson Creek Rd, Deltaville, VA
Event Coordinator: Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org
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NOVEMBER
11/6 Thursday, 9AM-2:30 PM: Urbanna Oyster Festival Education Day
City Marina, Urbanna, VA
Contact Richard Siciliano richs@togaboard.org and volunteers Doug Schaefer, Jim Dall, Mike Ballato, and Debra Pratt (an oyster shucking champion!)
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Donate to TOGA
We greatly appreciate donations. Your gift puts more oysters in the Bay... Those oysters clean the water and help the environment, if you're an oyster gardener, or not.
Friend of the Chesapeake License Plates
TOGA activity, getting more oysters in the Bay, is funded by the sale of this VA license plate. For each set sold, $15 goes to the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
