BCorp 1.0

Words by nolan anderson university of maine ‘25, who conducted research and interviews with the bpo team for his community learning course in sustainable agriculture ; with support from bpo team

Blackstone Point Oysters is proud to be a certified Benefit Corporation (BCorp). In 2025, we became the first oyster farm in Maine to seek out and receive BCorp certification.

What is a B Corp?

Our journey to become a Benefit Corporation has solidified in a legal designation administered by the state of Maine. Our certification demonstrates and holds us accountable to our commitments to sustainable flourishing for our environment, community, and team, alongside cultivating premium oysters.

This certification was the product of a two-year evaluation process, in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire and B Lab, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the global economy to benefit all of its stakeholders. B Lab holds companies to quantifiable standards of social and environmental sustainability, transparency, and legal accountability. Certification requires completion of a fifteen-step process including a Benefit Impact Assessment, Risk Review, Evaluation, Verification, and finally, Launch! 

Why B Corp? 

Sustainability has been at the forefront of our focus since our start in 2016: this B Corp certification recognizes and puts into language measurable goals and collective action practices already central to our mission and our day-to-day on the farm. We sought this certification because we wanted to better communicate our goals, while connecting our farm with a broader network of like-minded companies and communities. 

B Corp certification for a farm is a little…unconventional. While markers like ‘organic’ and ‘free-range’ are helpful tools in agriculture to inform consumers about the foods they are eating, BCorp works differently. Instead, BCorp designation is a holistic accountability and transparency system for our farm…and our lovely oysters. Oyster mariculture in Maine requires no inputs, making certifications, such as ‘organic’ and ‘free-range,’ futile to oyster farmers. Blackstone Point Oyster (BPO) is the first oyster operation to become B Corp certified in the state, and we hope to serve as an example of how B Corp might fit for small-medium scale growers and artisan food producers. 

What Does ‘Sustainability’ Mean to Us? 

While ‘sustainability’ has become a buzzword in business communities, our dedication to sustainability has cemented itself into the core of our philosophy, and policy. We have anchored our commitment to sustainability in two areas: environment and community. We are passionate about benefitting all of our stakeholders, including friends of the farm, oyster enthusiasts, our hard working crew, and all the creatures in and around the Damariscotta River. 

Our Environment 

BPO is dedicated to climate resilience and conservation in protecting the Damariscotta River, an area teeming with life. Our commitment to sustainable aquaculture ensures that this rich, biodiverse ecosystem thrives for generations to come.

As filter feeders, Oysters play a vital role in keeping the Damariscotta RIver clean, fostering a positive symbiotic relationship within the ecosystem. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, improving water quality and benefiting the wild populations they share the river with. Beyond filtration, oysters contribute to carbon sequestration, and biodiversity, where they store carbon within their shells as well as support habitat creation.  

Cleaner River Commitment 

As sea farmers in Maine, we lease the specific sites we farm from the people of Maine through the State. We share these waters with other farmers, fishermen, wild harvesters, recreational boaters...and plenty of seals, birds, and fish! The flavor and health of oysters is determined by their environment and the quality of the bodies of water in which they are grown. While the oysters play a big role in keeping our river clean, we are dedicated to doing our part. Our Cleaner River Policy is a commitment shared among our team, to be environmentally responsible; to pause our work and pick up loose gear if we spot it, for example. BPO helps coordinate and participates in annual community river clean-ups, and our crew is always keeping their eyes peeled for unwanted objects (like plastics) in our vibrant estuary.

Our Community

Our farm's location on the Damariscotta river joins us in a unique community of local farmers, anglers, and boaters. BPO takes pride in our investment in this community, and the crew is looking to establish and develop relationships with folks in town or on the water daily. Our crews participation in this tight knit network along the river is not only encouraged, but expected. Being surrounded by local farms provides us with good company, and the ability to exchange gear and collaborate on projects. Whether it be checking in on another farmer on their commute, or towing a stranded sailor to get their boat repaired, we are always happy to help…and maybe even make a new friend on the water! 

Supporting Local

We are committed to sourcing at least 50% of our farm materials from local suppliers and businesses. We locally source gear, equipment, repair services, fuel (gas for boats & snacks for crew) and especially your oyster seed. As part of our BCorp commitment, we will keep strengthening and contributing to these local networks. We do our best to give back to our communities, too. We sell 75% of our oysters to local and independent customers and clients. It keeps us close to our neighbors and customers…it also keeps our supply chain short and traceable. (Of course, we love and welcome visitors…we also love catching a glimpse of BPO oysters in situ in restaurants and raw bars across the country. Like a briny BPO postcard. Send them our way!)

Our B Corp Impact Score

The Benefit Impact Assessment consists of 250 questions. These questions evaluate a company's practices and outputs across five categories: Governance, workers, customers, environment, and community. In passing this rigorous assessment, we scored a 90.6, well above the 80 point benchmark that is required for certification. 

What’s Next? 

BCorp certification is a legally binding devotion to the environment and society, and certified companies are held accountable for years to come. Blackstone Point Oyster will be continually re-assessed, and will be applying for recertification in three-year cycles going forward. 

Innovations in aquaculture have opened the door to more eco-friendly methods of farming, and biodegradable alternatives to traditional gear and equipment. We are constantly exploring and experimenting with new technologies that improve our farm and benefit the planet. Stay tuned for more updates.

Contributor Note

My name is Nolan Anderson, and I am a fourth year student of Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Maine. I have partnered with Blackstone Point Oyster Farms through a community learning course that connects University of Maine students with local businesses and organizations, collaborating on a community project while gaining valuable professional experience. My partnership with BPO has piqued my interest in aquaculture, and encouraged me to pursue my position as an aquaculture apprentice at Glidden Point Oyster Farms following my graduation this spring. 

Working with BPO to communicate their B Corp certification has propelled me to explore the potential opportunities for certification within sustainable agriculture. Because B Corp certification is such a demanding process in terms of time and research, qualified farms rarely pursue it. B Corp certification can be a useful tool to better communicate forward-thinking practices within sustainable food systems, and to create a cooperative body of farms and companies as a resource for responsible growth. In becoming the first B Corp Oyster farm in Maine, BPO has opened the door for other producers to follow suit.