Our Family Heritage
Working the water has been a part of the Buck family heritage for many generations.
Andy is a 4th generation waterman, learning trade lessons passed down in his childhood from his great-grandfathers (George Horsman, David Elliott), grandfathers (Odie Buck Jr., John Pitcher Jr.), grandmother (Dixie Buck), and father (Louis Buck), the later of whom is still crabbing daily in the summer at the age of 79.
Andy and Jill married in 1984 after being childhood sweethearts. Andy would take Jill out on the water to fish and crab, something she still loves to do so many years later. With retirement in their not-so-distant future, it was decided that they would fulfill a long-standing dream to find an occupation where they could work together. Andy and Jill have U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain's licenses and Commercial Tidal Fish Licenses so they knew they were looking for an occupation that would put them on the water. It just so happened oyster aquaculture was making an introduction in the state of Maryland at the same time their plans were being made. With a lot of patience and perseverance, they now lease 15 acres of river bottom in the Patuxent River dedicated to raising and harvesting delicious oysters as well as catching blue crabs and local varieties of fish.
Andy and Jill are both members of the Maryland Watermen's Association, Calvert County Waterman's Association, the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, and the Southern Maryland Shellfish Growers Association, the later of which Jill is the secretary.
Andy and Jill have two children, Josh and Matt, who are currently learning the trade of oyster aquaculture along with their wives. With faith, luck, and dedication, the family tradition of working the water will be carried down for many future generations to come.
Andy is a 4th generation waterman, learning trade lessons passed down in his childhood from his great-grandfathers (George Horsman, David Elliott), grandfathers (Odie Buck Jr., John Pitcher Jr.), grandmother (Dixie Buck), and father (Louis Buck), the later of whom is still crabbing daily in the summer at the age of 79.
Andy and Jill married in 1984 after being childhood sweethearts. Andy would take Jill out on the water to fish and crab, something she still loves to do so many years later. With retirement in their not-so-distant future, it was decided that they would fulfill a long-standing dream to find an occupation where they could work together. Andy and Jill have U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain's licenses and Commercial Tidal Fish Licenses so they knew they were looking for an occupation that would put them on the water. It just so happened oyster aquaculture was making an introduction in the state of Maryland at the same time their plans were being made. With a lot of patience and perseverance, they now lease 15 acres of river bottom in the Patuxent River dedicated to raising and harvesting delicious oysters as well as catching blue crabs and local varieties of fish.
Andy and Jill are both members of the Maryland Watermen's Association, Calvert County Waterman's Association, the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, and the Southern Maryland Shellfish Growers Association, the later of which Jill is the secretary.
Andy and Jill have two children, Josh and Matt, who are currently learning the trade of oyster aquaculture along with their wives. With faith, luck, and dedication, the family tradition of working the water will be carried down for many future generations to come.
