Ferda Farms

Ferda Farms is an oyster farm on the New Meadows River in Brunswick. Committed to sustainable farming practices, it specializes in cultivating fresh, high-quality Bombazine Oysters that capture the essence of the pristine Maine waters. Business owners Maxwell Burtis and his father Chris are experienced mariners with a deep-rooted connection to Maine’s working waterfront and coastal environment.

Seeking to expand and enhance their operations, Max and his father began working with former Maine SBDC Business Advisor Peter Piconi to refine their strategy and secure financing, positioning Ferda Farms to approach lenders and access grant programs. They secured a loan and a grant from the Island Institute to implement solar and battery power solutions, furthering their commitment to sustainable and responsible farming practices.

Max plans to double output in the next five years. He notes the biggest challenge of running a business is how stressful making financial decisions can be, but he feels confident in their future with resources like the SBDC by his side.

He comments, “You may be surprised by how familiar the [SBDC] advisors are to your industry and how many resources they have to help you plan the growth of your business.”