Our Mission
South Fork Sea Farmers inspires our community, especially young people, to become stewards of the marine environment. Through education, hands-on mariculture and collaborative reef restoration, we work toward a healthier bay and support the next generation of marine leaders with real-world experience and scholarships.
Our vision is a thriving, resilient marine ecosystem cared for by an informed, engaged community of residents and visitors alike. Together, we protect our coastlines and marine life for generations to come. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we turn that vision into action.
How We Got Here
Since the 1980’s, East Coast waters have experienced devastating shellfish losses due to overfishing and damaging algae blooms. In response, the Town of East Hampton established the East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery to replenish depleted shellfish stocks.
In 2006, recognizing the growing interest in shellfish cultivation, the hatchery launched shellfish culture workshops. These workshops catered to a diverse group of participants, including visitors, students and local community members, offering a hands-on five part educational program that included tours of the facility.
Our Commitment to Marine Conservation
Building on this foundation, in 2016 a group of eco-conscious residents from South Fork formed a cooperative to expand existing programs under the East Hampton Shellfish Education and Enhancement Directive (EHSEED). This initiative included an oyster-growing community cooperative–or oyster gardening program–that connected with the hatchery to offer additional educational opportunities and support for the Peconic Estuary’s threatened ecosystems.
Building a Sustainable Future with Reefs
Today, South Fork Sea Farmers has broadened its initiatives to include reef construction. By advancing from mere oyster seeding to the actual creation of oyster habitats, we are bolstering the sustainability and resilience of our marine ecosystems. This comprehensive strategy not only lays a robust foundation for oyster populations but also boosts biodiversity and fortifies our natural defenses against coastal erosion and climate change, protecting our environment for future generations.
Join Our Community of Eco-Volunteers
We have come a long way but there is still a critical need for ongoing education and continued action to maintain water quality, protect the shoreline and increase sustainable food sources, which is vital not just locally, but globally. We’re actively looking for volunteers to support our shell recycling program by collecting buckets from local restaurants. We also welcome volunteers with diverse skills from underwater photography to education. If you’re interested in contributing, we’d love to connect.
Join Our Community Gardening Program
The EHSEED Program gives East Hampton town residents the opportunity to grow their own oysters. Gardeners receive training, gear, and up to 1,000 oyster seed each season. The program includes hands-on workshops, hybrid educational lectures, nursery tours, and structured maintenance sessions from spring through fall. Current community garden sites are located at Three Mile Harbor, Hog Creek, Accabonac Harbor, Napeague Harbor, and Lake Montauk.
Grow Oysters in Your Own Private Garden
Through our own-grower program, you can garden oysters off your own private dock, bulkhead, or underwater land. Own-growers receive training, gear, and up to 1,000 oyster seed.
Local Commitment to Ongoing Effort
The start-up and growth phases are financed by a combination of individual and family memberships in the project. The EH Town Shellfish Hatchery staff implements the educational program and provides training. Lectures and workshop offerings take place at the Shellfish Hatchery’s facilities in Montauk and Springs. The South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) provides a meeting venue and enhances awareness and membership in the program by disseminating information to its membership. Veterinarians International, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the health of humans, animals and the environment, promotes the project to its affiliates and local residents. South Fork Sea Farmers helps facilitate further education programs and handles fund-raising.
Subscribe to Our Marine Conservation Efforts
Keep yourself informed and connected with our community by checking out our newest blog posts and resources, and stay current with upcoming events.
Meet Our Board
Meet the dedicated individuals behind our mission.
Jeff Ragovin
Jeff Ragovin is Board President of South Fork Sea Farmers and an avid oyster gardener. A tech entrepreneur, he co-founded Buddy Media, which grew into the world’s leading enterprise social marketing platform before its $745M acquisition by Salesforce, and later served as CEO of Semasio through its acquisition by Samba TV.
He has spoken at events including SXSW, Cannes Lions, CES and Forbes. Today Jeff is the director and executive producer of Bounty Uncharted, an ocean-to-table series filmed on the waters of the East End.
John Barley Dunne
Barley Dunne is the current Director of the Aquaculture & Habitat Management Department (commonly known as the East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery) at the Town of East Hampton. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries & Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont in 1994. Shortly afterward he married and spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Solomon Islands where he and his wife worked on a blacklip pearl oyster research project. Upon return to the US in early 1999 he went to graduate school at Auburn University where he received a Master’s degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture. His thesis research focused on oyster reef restoration and the study of a common warm water oyster disease called dermo. After graduating Auburn he took a job at the Town of Islip Shellfish Culture Facility where he worked as their algae culturist for 2-1/2 years. He began working at the East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery in 2004. He took over as Director of the operation in 2011 after John Aldred retired. Along with his work with East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery, he assists the non-profit Conscience Point Shellfish Company, is founding member of South Fork Sea Farmers and owner of Shellworks, LLC, a family-owned sea farm, known for their Salty Dog oysters, in Little Peconic Bay, Southampton, NY.
Alina Lundry
Alina Lundry is a founding member of Highline Stages, a premier creative
production space in New York City’s Meatpacking District, renowned for
supporting innovative projects in film, photography, and fashion. With an early
career as a CPA, Alina seamlessly transitioned her analytical expertise into
entrepreneurial leadership, building a hub that blends creativity and functionality.
Growing up between New York City, Rome, and Florence Italy, Alina brings a
rich, multilingual, and multicultural perspective to her work and community
involvement. She is an avid oyster gardener committed to marine restoration and
serves on the boards of Westbeth Corporation in New York City’s West Village,
supporting the artistic community, and South Fork Sea Farmers, promoting
sustainable aquaculture. An enthusiastic traveler, Alina enjoys exploring remote
destinations, seeking inspiration and connection through diverse cultures and
landscapes. Her passions for art, environmental stewardship, and global
exploration continue to shape her dynamic contributions across various fields.
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Bob Tymann
Bob worked as a home improvement contractor until age 35 when he began his career as an educator. Before becoming an administrator, he taught social studies and biology in New York City. Bob was a high school assistant principal and middle school principal in Nassau County and then Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at a district in Suffolk County. He earned an EdD in Administration and Policy Studies from Hofstra University in 2003 and worked as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and SUNY Stony Brook. He retired as Assistant Superintendent of East Hampton Schools in 2020. He continues to be involved in education, consulting local school districts on innovations for education. After becoming an avid “oyster gardener,” Bob got involved with the South Fork Sea Farmers to help guide their education initiatives, which led to a series of entertaining and educational shows on LTV highlighting environmental issues on the east end of Long Island. The Education Committee has worked with high school interns to spearhead the development of oyster reefs in the waters of East Hampton. The first reef was built in Accabonac Harbor in September of 2022. Since then, interns have built two more reefs in Accabonac Harbor and two in Three Mile Harbor.
Frank Quevedo
Born in the Bronx and raised in Yonkers, New York, Frank has been the Executive Director of the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) located in Bridgehampton since 2010. He is a graduate of Long Island University, Southampton with a B.S. in Marine Biology and a degree in Business Administration from Iona College. Prior to his current position as the Director of the Museum, Frank worked for the Town of East Hampton for 12 years as a Bay Management Specialist restoring and enhancing shellfish populations on the east end of Long Island. The Museum produces over 250 nature education programs annually, including environmental and marine science summer
programs, environmental clubs for children and manages various scientific research initiatives.
Frank is passionate about sustaining the natural environment and educating people on becoming stewards of our planet. He also writes nature articles for local publications and enjoys wildlife photography. He is a co-founder and board member of the South Fork Sea Farmers Organization, advocating and educating the community on sustainable shellfish farming. He lives in Sag Harbor, New York.
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Kathleen Masters
Kathleen Masters is an attorney and non-profit professional. In her legal practice she represents non-profit agencies in New York City and the East End.
A full- time resident of East Hampton since 2013, Kathleen is an active member of Quail Hill Farm, a member of the Board of Directors of Changehampton and an oyster gardener in Accabonac Harbor. She previously served as Executive Director of the Amagansett Food Institute where she led the development of a food business incubator at Stony Brook Southampton College.
Prior to relocating to East Hampton, Kathleen had a career in non- profit management and legal services including serving as Executive Vice President and General Counsel to CAMBA, Inc a Brooklyn based non-profit, Executive Director of CAMBA Legal Services, Inc and prior to that as the Attorney -in-charge of the Legal Aid Society’s Brooklyn Civil Division office.
She is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo and the Boston University School of Law.
Marc Miller
Marc is the owner of Hampton Clambake, Food & Co. and Rita Cantina. He’s been a driving force in the food service business on the east end for almost 20 years. Recognizing the importance of food chain management led him to be a founder of SFSF and a leader in educating clients and foodies on the importance of sustainable aquaculture. In addition to his work with SFSF, his businesses work with local bay-men, fishermen, farmers and more to promote local products; farm to table and dock to table movements. An avid skier, Marc splits time between his home in Vermont and his businesses on the south fork. Marc has a business background having earned an MBA from Boston University and serves as the treasurer of South Fork Sea Farmers.
Irene Tully
Irene Tully is a longtime member of the East End community. She met her future commercial fisherman husband, Bill, when she was a college student and began working on his boat, picking fish. She banded lobsters summers when he returned to setting traps. Living on Shinnecock Bay for over half a century deepened her interest and commitment to helping keep our waters healthy.
Irene taught elementary school in independent and public schools since 1970, retiring from Springs School in June 2012. There she worked with the Group for the East End for 18 years with her fifth graders in the T.E.R.N. Program: Teaching Environmental Responsibility Now. By exploring the different ecosystems in the area her knowledge of the plants and creatures in the sea and land grew.
Her other board and civic involvement now include The Church, the Parrish Art Museum, the Watermill Center, the Group for the East End, Guild Hall, SAC, and SoFO. Irene is committed to organizations that protect the environment and share the arts. She works at cross-pollinating between area schools and the institutions and the museums she supports. Irene enjoys birdwatching, photography, and painting to share and encourage an appreciation for our east end. She supports and hopes the way of life working in or on our waters continues since it’s essential.
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