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
Just released: the new
Virginia Oyster Gardening Guide
(80 pages)
Upcoming Events
OCTOBER​
10/11 Saturday, 10AM:1PM TOGA Members Build Your Own (BYO) Float Workshop
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock, VA
Contact: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org
10/14 Tuesday, 10-11:30 AM: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Davis Hall Room 101, 1370 Greate Rd, Gloucester Point, VA 23062
Contact Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org for access
10/18 Saturday, 9AM – noon: TOGA Fall Oyster Float and Spat Sale JOIN US!
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Please Note: TOGA has additional floats that will be for sale at the event. Must be or become a TOGA member to purchase them!
Contact: Brian Wood brianw@togaboard.org
10/18 Saturday, 10AM–4PM: TOGA Exhibit and Seaglass Wine at the Taste of Middlesex
Deltaville Maritime Museum, 287 Jackson Creek Rd, Deltaville, VA
Contact: Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org
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10/25 CANCELLED : Oyster Jeopardy! at Pumpkins Illuminated
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10/26 Sunday, 2PM:The York River Revolution
The Gloucester Historical Society hosts Dr. Martin Gallivan from William and Mary who presents archaeological research on 1,400 years of Native settlement along the lower York River. Beginning around AD 200, Indigenous communities pioneered oyster fishery management and founded permanent villages long before agriculture. His talk highlights their sustainable practices and enduring lessons in environmental stewardship. Read more.
Event Coordinator: Philip Page philpage396@gmail.com
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NOVEMBER
11/1 Saturday, 10AM-2PM: TOGA Exhibit at the Mariners Museum in Newport News
100 Museum Dr, Newport News, VA 23606
Contact David Singletary davids@togaboard.org
11/6 Thursday, 9AM-2:30 PM: Urbanna Oyster Festival Education Day (prior to the festival)
City Marina, Urbanna, VA
Contact Richard Siciliano richs@togaboard.org with volunteers Camille Grabb, Doug Schaefer, Jim Dall, Mike Ballato, and Debra Pratt (an oyster shucking champion!)
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11/8 Sat. 10am-2pm: Booth at STEM Exploration Community Event in Hampton
Learn More: https://sites.google.com/view/3rdannualstemexplorationcommun/about
Professional Workforce Development Center, 600 Butler Farm Road, Suite A Hampton, VA 23666
Contact: Vic Spain vicspain@togaboard.org
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11/8-9 Sat. and Sun. 12–4PM: TOGA Exhibit at Good Luck Cellars Oyster Crawl
Good Luck Cellars, 1025 Goodluck Rd, Kilmarnock, VA
Contact: Doug Schaefer dougs@togaboard.org
11/11 Tuesday, 10AM-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
Deltaville Maritime Museum, 287 Jackson Creek Rd, Deltaville, VA
Contact: Carl Zulick, carlz@togaboard.org for access
DECEMBER
12/6 Saturday, 10AM-1PM: TOGA Exhibit at Community Conservation Day - Mathews and Middlesex
Williams Wharf Landing - 1039 Williams Wharf Rd, Mathews, VA 23109
Contact: Carl Zulick, carlz@togaboard.org
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12/9 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
JANUARY (2026)
1/13 Tuesday, 10AM-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
Virtual Google Meet, Contact Carl Zulick, carlz@togaboard.org for access
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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.
