From the breeding ponds to the final packaging, FFA members saw it all at Ozark Fisheries on the fourth day of their National Convention trip to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ozark Fisheries is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated fish farm that started in 1926 with locations in both Missouri and Indiana. Aside from the fish farm, the family business also has a cattle/calf operation called Cirle F Cattle.

When the students first arrived at Ozark Fisheries, there was immediate curiosity at the sight of several large ponds covering a shocking amount of land. The FFA members learned how the parent fish are placed in ponds for breeding. The eggs are then hatched on mats that look similar to turf that are later taken out of the pond. The mats with the eggs are put into large tubs indoors for temperature regulation and initial hatching. ‘I think it’s crazy how the tiny fish eggs can make it long enough in the growing ponds with not much protection to grow into full-size fish,” a Nicollet FFA member said.

When the eggs have hatched, they are grown in the growing ponds and once large enough, brought into the sorting and packaging building, which was the next stop for the students. During sorting, the fish are put into different containers based on their species and color. Once categorized, the fish are sorted for defects. After seeing where the fish were sorted, the students were able to take their shot at catching and holding one of the koi fish from the tanks.  For most, it was harder than it looked, and for others, there was no issue getting a hold of the slippery creatures. “I could not grab one of those fish for the life of me!”, Sophmore, Zelli Kamm said.

In the packaging process of the fish, lots of thought has gone into it. Many factors determine how the packaging is done, the main one being the climate of where the fish are being transported.

Ozark Fisheries is not usually open for tours to the general public but opens a schedule during the time of the National Convention for FFA chapters all around the country to see their unique way of farming. “When I heard we were going to a fish farm, I was not sure what to think, but after the tour, I think fish farming is pretty interesting,” Megan Berenek said.