Free aquaculture workshops in the making
Individuals interested in starting a new aquaculture facility or expanding an existing facility will find plenty of advice and answers to their questions at two Summer Aquaculture Workshops taking place this July, reports InsideIndianaBusiness;
Hosted by the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Purdue University Extension, these free workshops will be taking place July 14 at the Farmstead Inn and Conference Center in Shipshewana, Ind., and on July 17 at the Birdseye Masonic Lodge in Birdseye, Ind.
Each of the workshops will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. EDT and is designed to bring together both public and private industry partners to provide participants with a real wealth of information. Program highlights will include insight to current Indiana aquaculture initiatives and opportunities, guidance on permits and regulations, instructions on preparing a business plan by species and production system, and tips on setting economic projections and managing cash flow. “Last year was the first time we were able to offer a series of aquaculture workshops like this and we had lots of people attend and their feedback was so positive we opted to continue this year by taking the program to some new locations,” said Steve Hart, aquaculture director for ISA. “By incorporating a tour of a local aquaculture facility, the workshop is a good mix of classroom learning and firsthand knowledge.”
The July 14 workshop will focus on recirculation systems and include an optional tour of Biard Fish Taxidermy in Ligonier, Ind., while the July 17 workshop will focus on ponds and cages with an optional tour of Andry’s Fish Farm LLC in Birdseye. In addition, each participant will take home a resource guide of area suppliers of fingerlings, feed, production systems and more. A DVD featuring an overview of aquaculture production systems currently being used around the state will also be available.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. for each workshop, with seating limited to 50 attendees at each workshop. Lunch will be served at noon, and the optional tours will depart at 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register online, visit www.indianafishfarming.com or call the ISA office at 800-735-0195.
The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of biodiesel, livestock, new soybean uses, aquaculture, and research. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the ISA’s 900 dues-paying members.
