Cherrystone Aqua-Farms is a division of Ballard Fish and Oyster Company, Inc., which has been in the shellfish business since 1895. Our president and general manager is Dr. Michael Peirson, who holds a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from North Carolina State University. Dr. Peirson has built on the pioneering work of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to develop a hatchery program that assures the consistent quality of Cherrystone Aqua-Farms littleneck clams.

Our clams are grown in the high-salinity, ocean-flushed waters of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Growing waters and packing facilities are inspected by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Shellfish Sanitation. Finally, Cherrystone Aqua-Farms clams are carefully handled, immediately refrigerated after packing and shipped fresh.

Littleneck refers to the size of the most popular grade of clam. They usually are best suited for appetizers and entreés. Generally, the smaller the clam, the more tender it is. This benefit makes smaller clams such as littlenecks very desirable because they can be served in a variety of ways.

Grading
Clams are graded by size into four general categories. The categories, listed largest to smallest with their recommended uses, are below.

Cherrystone Aqua-Farms produces only littleneck clams and grades them into the four sizes* below.

1. Buttons 0.75" - 0.9"
2. Littlenecks 0.9" - 1.05"
3. Middlenecks 1.05" - 1.2"
4. Greatnecks 1.2" and larger