Shrimp: Alternative Crop for Kentucky Farmers

By Michelle Rauch

The long, hot, dry summer took it's toll on a lot of Kentucky's crops.
Except one.
While others suffered in drought like conditions, shrimp were thriving.
Freshwater shrimp farmers have found an alternative to tobacco and a future with a lot of growth potential. One shrimp farmer took his catch of the day to the Lexington Farmer's Market for the first time. The lexington farmers market has something for everyone...now more than ever.
" Today we have certified organic vegetables along with eggs, free range poultry, heritage turkeys, angus beef... it's different than what we did when we originally started." Scott County farmer Ann Stone has been selling at the farmers market for nearly 14 years. she's learned the value of diversification.
" Keep the family on the farm and keep the farm on the farmland and provide a sustainable income," says Stone.
Joe McCord is diversifying too. Except he is selling at the market for the first time.
After farming tobacco more than 40 years, he's turned to shrimp and tilapia.
" I wanted to find something I could grow and if i got hung out with it... I could eat it. Tobacco you got hung with it you threw it away," McCord says.
McCord is part of a growing industry and living in a state that's leading the way. Kentucky was one of seven states represented when the U.S. Freshwater Prawn and Shrimp Association was formed nearly 6 years ago.
" I like it fried, its good broiled, good on the grill," McCord says.
Global production from aquaculture is increasing 11% a year and is the worlds fastest growing food producing sector.
" We've sold more pond side this year than we've ever sold," McCord says.
The demand has increased and concerns about disease in the overseas supply of shrimp is only helping our hometown farmers.
" They can get it and they can get it cheaper, but Lord only knows what kind of water it's coming out of. I'd love to see more labels here in groceries and where it comes from and have a few tests of the water where it came out of here," McCord says.
It's a farm fresh guarantee in Kentucky that almost sells itself.
But there is one distinct difference Joe McCord has discovered since he made the switch from tobacco to seafood.
" You've got to learn to market. Tobacco you just took it to the warehouse. Most who fail in the shrimp business don't market or can't market."
His first experience at the Lexington Farmers Market has inspired him to return.
The number of people producing shrimp in Kentucky is growing. There are about 40 people across the state raising them now.
The average American ate four-point-four pounds of shrimp last year according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The U.S. is the third largest consumer of seafood in the world, but only 11th in aquaculture producers. Annual domestic demand for seafood is projected to increase 3.3 billion pounds by 2010.
That will be up nearly 50 percent and may have to come from overseas because the aquaculture industry is still relatively underdeveloped in this country.