IT'S CALLED 'THE FLIP SYSTEM'...... --NATS OF FLIPPING-- (04-39-00) "THE REASON YOU'D USE THIS SYSTEM TO GROW OYSTERS IS BECAUSE IT MAKES THE BUSINESS MODEL A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS." KEITH BUTTERFIELD CALLS THIS NEW FLIP SYSTEM - 'REVOLUTIONARY..'. THE FIRST MAINE OYSTER FARMER TO INSTALL ONE -- IT'S AN IDEA HE DISCOVERED IN NEW ZEALAND -- AN IDEA HE TOUTS WILL SIGNIFICANT LY SAVE ON LABOR... (04-42-13) "THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS YOU TO STAND UP RIGHT, THE BASKETS ARE ON A SWIVEL, YOU CAN OPEN THE BASKETS UP WITHOUT LIFTING ANYTHING." FARMING OYSTERS THE TRADITIONAL METHOD MEANS A LOT OF LIFTING -- EVERY DAY..... EACH BASKET CAN WEIGH 1-HUNDRED POUNDS -- AND ONE BY ONE, NEED TO BE PULLED UP,, EMPTIED AND FLIPPED OVER... (04-26-17) "BUT THE AMOUNT OF LABOR TO DO THAT IT MAKES IT NOT A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS FOR A SMALL FARMILY FARM." A SMALL FAMILY OPERATION HIMSELF,,, BUTTEFIELD CAN NOW DO MECHANICALLY IN ONE HOUR WHAT USED TO TAKE HIMN A ENTIRE DAY TO ACCOMPLISH BY HAND.. THE BOTTOM LINE,, ALLOWING HIS COMPANY TO PRODUCE MORE OYSTERS AT A CHEAPER COST PER OYSTER.. (04-39-58) "THIS SYSTEM, THIS FLIP FARM SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR Y OU TO INCREASE PRODUCTION (04-39-58) "THIS SYSTEM, THIS FLIP FARM SYSTEM ALLOWS FOROU Y TO INCREASE PRODUCTION TO WELL OVER A MILLION OYSTERS PER WORKER PER YEAR AND THAT GIVES YOU THE PROFIT TO RUN A FARMING OPERATION." THOUGH RIGHT N OW BUTTERFIELD'S IS THE ONLY MAINE FARM USING THIS EQUIPMENT -- HE HOPES IT'S AN IDEA THAT CATCHES ON.... MOST MAINE OYSTER FARMS, HE SAYS DON'T CONSIDER THE OTHERS AS COMPETITIO, N, INSTEAD THEY WORK AS A COOPERATIVE (04-43-53) "I DON'T SEE THEM AS MY COMPETITOR AT ALL, WHAT SO EVER (BUTT TO 04-44-05) SO NOT ONLY WOULD I LIKE TO SEE THEM USE THE MECHANIZATION OF FLIP FARM BUT I'M WILLING TO SHARE AND I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CLUSTERS OF FARMS TO SHARE EQUIPMENT." BUTTERFIELD BELIEVES THIS FLIP SYSTEM IS ONLY HELPING TO MAKE "HIS" A MORE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL -- FROM THE 2- HUNDRED THOUSAND OYSTERS HE'LL SELL THIS YEAR, HE PREDICTS IN TWO YEARS, ONE MILLION PLUS.... MORE PROFITS,, NOT TO MENTION, A CLEANER CASCO BAY.. (04-42-56) "WE'RE FARMING AN ANIMAL THAT ACTUALLY HELPS THE WATER QUALITY AND THE MARINE ECO SYSTE WM,E NEED TO REBUILD OUR COMMERCL IA FISHERIES,, THIS IS ONE COMPONENT IN THAT WE'RE IMPROVING OUR WATERS ." BY THE WAY,, BUTTERFIELD'S FARMS I LOCATED BETWEEN MOSHIER
