Aquaculture workshop coming to Menomonie

Menomonie (News Release) - The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (UWSP NADF), the University of Wisconsin Extension (UWEX) and the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association (WAA) are sponsoring three Beginning Aquaculture Workshops.  The first workshop will be held on Saturday, June 26, at Bullfrog's Eat My Fish Farm, Menomonie, with registration starting at 8 am.  The workshop, which will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, is tailored to introduce people to the Wisconsin Aquaculture Industry and provide an overview from a small business perspective on how to start and operate a fish farm.  Herby Radmann started Bullfrogs' in the early 1990's in what was a sandy farm field and since then it has grown to a well known trout farm, whose focus is raising "Smokin' Good Trout" and being a part of the community through environmental sustainability. 

The workshop will begin with morning presentations and include sessions on: Wisconsin Aquaculture, Starting a Fish Farm, Economics/Business Planning and Rules & Regulations.  Participants will receive packets of information and a CD containing the presentations and economic worksheets.  The workshop will be conducted by Wisconsin's three Aquaculture Specialists; Jim Held, Ron Johnson, and Sarah Kaatz.  Bullfrog's famous "Hobo Chefin' Shorelunch" will be provided and in the afternoon there will be a tour of the farm, giving participants the opportunity to see first hand how a fish farm operates and the ability to ask questions about the operation.  This workshop is part of an ongoing series that incorporates farms which specialize in pond culture and raceways, and is a unique opportunity to get an inside look at the business end of aquaculture. Wisconsin's $14 Million aquaculture industry, comprising 125 business fish farms, is very diverse, consisting of farms raising fish for food, stocking, bait and recreational fee fishing.

Who should attend: Anyone with an interest in fish and who would like to find out what fish farming entails.  Emphasis will be placed on providing information that will help participants make informed decisions on the business of aquaculture.

Cost: The registration for the all day workshop is $35.00 per person and includes breaks, lunch, tour of the hosting fish farm, handout materials and a one year Associate Membership with WAA.

Online registration and brochure found at www.WisconsinAquaculture.com

Locations: June 26, Bullfrog's Eat My Fish Farm, Menomonie; August 7, Coolidge Springs Trout Ranch, Fifield, and September 25, Woods & Waters Enterprises, Juneau.

Contacts: To register contact Cindy Johnson, Wisconsin Aquaculture Association, 715-373-2990 or email Cindy@WisconsinAquaculture.com . For additional information contact Ron Johnson, Aquaculture Outreach Specialist at 715-779-3189.