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. 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.
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TOGA News
Upcoming TOGA Events
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AUGUST
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8/5 Wednesday 10am–3pm: Oyster Education Day with Campers ages 6-12 at Camp Kinsale, The Slips Marina and the Kinsale Waterfront Fund, 285 Kinsale Road, Kinsale, VA, Contact Sue Borra sueb@togaboard.org. (More info on Camp Kinsale a week long program in June, July and Aug.)
8/11 Tuesday, 10am-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
Virtual Google Meet, Contact Carl Zulick, carlz@togaboard.org for access
8/15 Saturday, 10-11:30am: OYS-101 Class - Basic Oyster Gardening: Lancaster Community
Library, 1st floor meeting room, 16 Town Centre Drive, Kilmarnock. Register Contact Richard Siciliano, Text or call: 240-270-1439, or richs@togaboard.org
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8/20 Thursday, 1pm to 3pm: York County Schools Oyster Garden set up and teacher training.
Back Creek Park, closed event. Cordinators: Veronica Warwick (Science Coordinator), Vic Spain, vicspain@rockrtmail.com.
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SEPTEMBER
Thursdays, 9am–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Spring 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 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
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9/8 Tues (tentative date), time TBA: OYS-101 Class - Basic Oyster Gardening: RCCF*, White Stone, Register Contact Richard Siciliano, Text or call: 240-270-1439, or richs@togaboard.org
9/17 Thursday, 12-2pm: OYS-101 Class - Basic Oyster Gardening: Northumberland High
School, 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville, Contact Richard Siciliano, Text or call: 240-270-1439, or richs@togaboard.org
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OCTOBER
Select Thursdays, 9am–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Spring 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
10/3 - 10/4 Sat. and Sun. Noon–5PM (Sun. 4): TOGA Booth at Yorktown Wine and Oyster Festival
Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown
Contact TBD
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10/3 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 Saturday, 9am-noon: TOGA Members Build Your Own (BYO) Float Workshop
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock
Contact: Jim Dall, jimd@togaboard.org
Pre-orders online under BYO required by Oct. 1
10/13 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 Saturday, 9am – noon: TOGA Fall Oyster Float and Spat Sale
Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock
Contact: Jim Dall, jimd@togaboard.org; Vic Spain, vicspain@rocketmai.com
Pre-orders will be availble online on Sep. 1 and will close on Oct 1. Walk-ups welcome. Membership required to purchase floats.
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10/17 Saturday, 10:30am- noon: OYS-101 Class - Basic Oyster Gardening: (tentative location) - Camp Kekoka*, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock, in the blue meeting hall, (NOTE: TOGA’s Oyster Float and Spat Sale is this date and location 9am-noon). Register Contact Richard Siciliano, Text or call: 240-270-1439, or richs@togaboard.org
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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.
