Aquaculture Extension Capacity in the USDA North-Central Region: Results from a Survey

We surveyed Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension staff across the USDA North-Central Region about aquaculture programming. Overall, 47%, 35%, 15% of respondents indicated that stakeholders had contacted them aquaponics, finfish aquaculture, shrimp respectively. Approximately 8% they offered or aquaponics programming; 45% 55% did not offer programming, respectively, but were interested in offering it. These results indicate there is interest increasing capacity fish farming either by hiring new through train-the-trainer models.