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The Oyster Man – Tom Farmer

Last modified on 2008-11-17 19:06:43 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

What better name for a farmer to have than Tom Farmer!  But while farmers who harvest their crops from the soil are mostly through for the season, Farmer harvests year ‘round because his crops come from the sea.

For 23 years the Allyn seafood farmer has been growing and harvesting oysters and clams from local waters and selling them at the Port Orchard Farmers market, the Boat House restaurant in Allyn, Amy’s in Port Orchard and to a wholesale San Francisco market. He sells 600 – 900 oysters and about 800 pounds of clams per week.  He also sells from his own retail stand on State Route 3 near Allyn.

“I’ve made a good family income with my clam and oyster business,” says Farmer. “But it’s a lot of hard work and even though I have two full-time employees, I need to put long hours in myself.”

Farmer has a 22-foot long aluminum boat that he can trailer around easily to his locations to check on and harvest his seafood crops.  All of his clams are Manila and his oysters come in several sizes – he say the two-three inch oyster is the most popular here but he says the giant ones, about 7 inches long are adored in Hong Kong.

“I picked Allyn for my home for a good reason – it’s just about half way between my major harvest areas in the Canal and south Sound,” said Farmer, who is originally from Renton.

He says the demand around here for his retail products has decreased slightly with the economic downturn but that his San Francisco wholesale market increased enough in September and October that his sales are up right now.

“But I’m glad my wife, Jean, works as a bookkeeper for St. Gabriel’s and Prince of Peace Catholic Churches because her job has benefits,” says Farmer. “And she’s a big help to me too – she also does all my bookwork and helps out with other parts of the business.”

Farmer grows his oysters on three owned acres and 28 acres of leased property, both in Hood Canal and south Puget Sound.  When the local oysters spawn and get milky in the summer months here, he buys a sexless triploid oyster from a trusted source in California who has been raising these oysters for many years.  His clams are grown on about two acres and the refrigeration and processing shed is on their property in Allyn.

Farmer sells his products under his own name because he will sell only quality products with his name attached to it and his customers, many of whom are second generation, expect that quality from him. Jean says they could have become a lot bigger but Tom wants to be personally involved with quality control.

“I always taste a sample of every product before it goes to market,” says Tom. “I want to know first-hand if it’s up to my expectations.”

At 52, he says he knows the back-breaking work and long hours may limit the number of years he has left so he and Jean plan to eventually sell business.   Both are very active in the community – Jean is port commissioner for the Ports of Allyn and Victor and is treasurer for the Port Orchard Farmers market. Tom is a recently elected Public Utility Commissioner and is president of the Theler Wetlands.

But this industrious couple is a big fan of their own products too.  Tom says they have oysters and clams at least once a month for dinner and enjoy going out to restaurants that serve their product to see what they do with them.  And they’ve concocted some recipes of their own that they love to serve to guests. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, these succulent bi-valves are an added treat for many Northwest families – oyster stuffing is very popular and they are always welcome as an appetizer.

“My favorite way to serve  oysters  as an appetizer is to cook them on the barbecue until the shells just open, top them with some butter melted with a little minced garlic , then top that with some freshly grated parmesan which seals the flavors in and helps to keep them warm,” says Farmer.

Tom Farmer Oysters retail outlet is located at 17001 State Route 3, about a mile south of Allyn.  Both products are available only in the shell – oysters sell for $5.25 per dozen and clams for $4 per pound.  Hours of operation are daily from 9 – 5 but customers are advised to call ahead to make sure they are open and have product available as store hours and supply are dictated by tides and subsequent delivery.  Telephone (360) 275-5832 or e-mail Tom Farmer Oysters

Port Orchard Farmers’ Market Newsletter-Issue No. 8 June 11, 2009

Last modified on 2009-06-11 18:53:49 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

In This Issue
Farmers’ Market Contest
Tom Farmer Oysters and Clams
Whirliwind Whirlies
Julies’ Secret Salad Dressing

Hamilton Farms Geraniums

From the Prez,

(distilled from 10 Reasons to Eat Local
by Jennifer Maiser, editor & founder
posted @ eatlocalchallenge.com website,)

Locally grown produce:

Is fresher
Just plain tastes better
Fruits & vegetables have longer to ripen

Buying & Eating local food:

Is better for air quality and pollution (less travel)
protects us from bio-terrorism (less contamination risk)
keeps us in touch with the seasons
is fodder for the wonderful story of where your food comes from (& your farmer!)
translates to more variety (you can’t get lemon cukes at the grocery store!)
supports responsible land development

note – This is extremely abbreviated.  Go to the website listed above to read the full article & find other interesting facts.

See you at the market Saturday — it’s going to be a lovely day!

Laura Pittman-Hewitt, Port Orchard Farmers’ Market President

America’s Favorite Farmers’ Market Contest!!

American Favorite Farmers Market logo
Do you love shopping at the Port Orchard Farmers’ Market? Isn’t our market the best farmers market in the country?

If you find our local farmers market to be a great source of fresh and locally grown foods, make sure to participate in America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest and let the world know why you love the Port Orchard Farmers’ Market!

Farmers markets are an asset to our communities and deserve our support. You can help your favorite farmers market gain the recognition it deserves and ensure that it and others like it continue to thrive. How can you help? Start by casting your vote at the link above.  If we win, we get some nifty bags that we can pass out to our customers.

Vote early!  Vote often!!

Tom Farmer Oysters and Clams

Geraniums from Hamilton Family Farms

Tom Farmer has been in the oyster/clam business now for 26 years and selling at the market all that time – he reports that he didn’t have any gray hair when he started!  Tom and his wife Jean own a farm in Allyn and farm oysters and clams from their own and leased tidelands.

Tom Farmer - Raw Oysters

Their business is split into 3 different segments.  The largest is the commercial end.  Twice a week, all year round, Tom Farmer Oyster Co. ships 800 dozen oysters and 600 pounds of clams to a broker in San Francisco.  From there they are sent out across the country from Maine to Hawaii.  Their two other segments are the Port Orchard Farmers’ Market and a retail store on the farm.  While the farmers’ market operates 6 months of the year, the retail store is open all year just like the commercial portion.

Tom and Jean encourage people to take the beautiful drive out to Allyn to see their farm, walk the gardens or meander down to the lake.  Don’t be surprised if Finnegan Farmer (their giant dog) wants to stroll with you, or Maggie (their kitty) rubs up against your leg.  While you are waiting for your order to be processed, enjoy the peacefulness of their lovely farm.

Whirliwind Whirlies

Whirligig

You can’t miss the Whirliwind Whirlies booth at the market, especially if the day is a bit breezy.  Hanging from a hook or mounted on a stake, the colorful, clever and energetic whirligigs by Olalla artists Jan and Bill Olson will catch your eye and your imagination.

The whirligigs are all wood, made from pine and plywood.  Bill does the cutting, sanding, and he paints the larger areas of each figure with acrylic craft paint.  Jan is in charge of the finer line painting, applying the two coats of sealer, and quality control.  The Olsons use only non-toxic paint.

Know someone who is putting in a garden this year?  The Olsons are also making cute and colorful garden stakes, which would make a nifty gift, especially if that gardener is you.

Recipe — Julie’s Secret Salad Dressing

Lettuce is coming into the market now, so here’s a great salad dressing recipe.  The acid in the dressing will wilt young lettuces, so toss it just before serving.  Extra dressing can be kept in the refrigerator in a sealed jar for a few days.

1 T. red wine vinegar
1/2 C. mayonnaise
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
good squirt of Worcestershire sauce
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 1/2 T. dry tarragon

Mix all ingredients together for dressing.  Add to a large bowl of mixed salad greens (use a colorful mixture from the market).  Add freshly-grated black pepper, salt (if needed, I usually don’t), and LOTS of grated Parmesan cheese.  Toss well. Guaranteed to get raves from your guests.

Port Orchard Farmers’ Market
9AM to 3PM
Every Saturday until October 10