When you think of farming in Kentucky, tobacco, horses or corn might come to mind. You may not think of something like this.
"We actually raise fresh water shrimp or prawns," says Lucas Price, Owner of Bluegrass Shrimp and Fish Company.
The Price family has farmed their land for 35 years, mostly raising alfalfa hay for race horses.
Fourteen years ago Lucas Price saw an ad placed by Kentucky State University. They wanted farmers to raise shrimp.
The goal was to help diversify farmers who traditionally raised crops like tobacco. Lucas was hooked.
"It pays for itself. We're just not a big commercial outfit," says Lucas. "It's more of a family atmosphere, a family run deal all of our help is friends."
Lucas and his family started draining the three ponds Friday to begin the harvest. They raise around 2,000 shrimp per year.
Ten dollars will get you a pound. The next two weekends you can get all you want at the farm just of Decoursey Pike.
"Weigh your shrimp out. Put 'em on ice, put 'em in your cooler, and you can stay and hang out, or get in your car and go home," says Lucas.
Lucas says these freshwater shrimp are meatier with a texture like lobster.
Business has grown by word of mouth over the past 14 years, but Lucas has bigger plans.
"We're trying to go to the next level where we can broaden the horizons for us and the industry in Kentucky, as far as putting them out there on the market where you see
see 'em in stores," says Lucas.
You can get a share of the harvest Sept. 19-20 from 11 a.m. to dark. Price is $10 per pounds.
September 26-27 you can go from Noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Noon until sold out on Sunday.
The farm is located at 4425 Ernst Bridge Road in Ryland Heights.
For more information call (859) 635-9426 or (859) 653-6048.
