Farming a Dying Bay: Oyster farmers like Erin and her family are part of a network of Floridians working to save the oyster population in Florida. To put it plainly, we're screwed without them. A combination of over-harvesting, hurricanes, oil spill threats, and the reduction in freshwater thanks to the growth in Georgia's increasing occupancy, has led to a demise in the oyster population. In response, FWC shut down harvesting wild beds in 2020 in hopes that they will replenish themselves.

In 2014, Florida began issuing leases for individuals to cultivate floating oyster beds. This initiative not only provides people with an opportunity to start businesses but also contributes to the cleaning and filtering of water. Farmers lease a small parcel where they can grow oysters year-round. The work is grueling and time-consuming, but for people like Erin, it's worth it. She left a well-paying corporate job to assist her family with the farm. Many individuals must take on second or even third jobs to make ends meet, and like any business, it can take years of stress before turning a profit. Yet for Erin, it's worth it.