Welcome to TOGA
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. Oysters, being filter feeders, remove bacteria and sediments, making the local environment cleaner habitats for marine life. 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.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
TOGA News
Upcoming TOGA Events
SEPTEMBER 2026
9/1/2026 Orders for fall float sale open.
Thursdays, 9am–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Fall Float Sale
Join us to help build at Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock
Contact: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org
First-time volunteers, please email Jim before attending this event
9/8/2026 Tuesday, 10am-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
River Counties Community Foundation, 834 Rappahannock Dr, White Stone Contact: Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org for access
9/10/2026 Thursday, 9am -10:30: Oyster Education for Homeschoolers, Gloucester Boys and Girls Club, closed event. Coordinators: Annie Hogge, mrs.anniehogge@gmail.com; Vic Spain, vicspain@rocketmail.com
9/26/2026 Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, OYS-101: Basic Oyster Gardening, Deltaville Maritime Museum, Holly Point Market, 287 Jackson Creek Road, Deltaville, VA 23043. Waterfront property owners will learn every step necessary in becoming a Virginia oyster gardener: assessing water suitability for oysters; acquiring seed oysters (spat) and supplies; applying for a Virginia Non-Commercial Oyster Garden permit; choosing an oyster float or cage (available for sale to TOGA members); and pro-tips for maintaining an oyster garden, harvesting oysters to help restore the Chesapeake Bay, or for personal (noncommercial) consumption. Seating is limited, so sign up in advance. Contact Richard Siciliano, text: 240270-1439, or email: richs@togaboard.org
OCTOBER 2026
Select Thursdays, 9am–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Fall Float Sale
Join us to help build at Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock
Contact: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org
First-time volunteers, please email Jim before attending this event
10/1/2026 Orders for fall float sale close.
10/3 - 10/4/2026 Sat. and Sun. Noon–5PM (Sun. 4): TOGA Booth at Yorktown Wine and Oyster Festival Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Contact TBD
10/3/2026 Saturday 1- 4 pm Northern Neck Land Conservancy Boots and BBQ - TOGA Educational Exhibit, Lawson Bay Farm in White Stone, VA.
Contact: Sue Borra sueb@togaboard.org or Douglas Schaefer subiceguy@hotmail.com
10/10/2026 Saturday, 9am-noon: TOGA Members Build Your Own (BYO) Float Workshop
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock. Pre-orders for BYO required by Oct. 1
Contact: Jim Dall, jimd@togaboard.org
10/13/2026 Tuesday, 10am-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Davis Hall Rm 101, 1370 Greate Rd, Gloucester Point
Contact Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org for access
10/17/2026 Saturday, 9am – noon: TOGA Fall Oyster Float and Spat Sale Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock. Pre-orders required by Sep. 1 and will close on Oct 1. Walk-ups welcome. Membership required to purchase floats.
Contact: Jim Dall, jimd@togaboard.org; Vic Spain, vicspain@rocketmail.com
10/17/2026 Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon: OYS-101: Basic Oyster Gardening: Camp Kekoka,
1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock, in the blue/green meeting hall. To reserve a seat, contact Richard Siciliano, (text or call): 240-270-1439, or richs@togaboard.org (NOTE: TOGA’s Oyster Float and Spat Sale is held on this date and at this location from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon).
10/24/2026 Saturday 9 am–2:00 pm, 35 Lovers Lane, Deltaville. TOGA Information Booth-“Oysters and the Chesapeake Bay and Community Conservation Day”, Deltaville Library, 287 Jackson Creek Rd, Deltaville VA. Join York River Steward, Virginia Cooperative Extension and Middlesex County Public Library and other community organizations to learn about conservation and recreation efforts on the Middle Peninsula and how you can get involved! Registration suggested- free shrubs and trees to Mathews and Middlesex County residents.
Contact: CarlZulick carlz@togaboard.org, leslieanne.hammond@yorkriversteward.org (for registration)
.png)
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.
