Enhancing experiential learning and professional growth for largemouth bass producers in the great lakes region abstract largemouth bass (LMB), micropterus nigricans (formerly known as micropterus…

Purdue University received a $112,500 Cooperative Agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417), effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The award funds an experiential learning and professional development initiative designed to enhance the capabilities of largemouth bass (LMB) aquaculture producers in the Great Lakes Region. The primary deliverables include organized learning journeys to vertically integrated LMB aquaculture operations in the western United States and structured workshops addressing critical production areas including breeding, hatching, larval rearing, fingerling rearing, and culture systems management.

The project addresses a significant supply chain gap for Great Lakes Region LMB producers who currently rely on feed-trained fingerlings sourced from sportfish hatcheries outside the region rather than operations managed specifically for food fish production. Through farmer-to-farmer technology transfer mechanisms, the initiative will disseminate best practices and cost-effective production options to establish a regional LMB supply chain foundation for food fish producers in the Great Lakes Region.

Enhancing experiential learning and professional growth for largemouth bass producers in the great lakes region abstract largemouth bass (LMB), micropterus nigricans (formerly known as micropterus salmoides) is an economically important species poised for growth in the great lakes region (GLR) of the US. One of the challenges for LMB producers in the GLR is the lack of hatchery facilities that supply fingerlings. The majority of GLR producers purchase feed trained fingerlings from sportfish hatcheries outside of the region. These fish are not bred or managed for food fish production and recreational buyers are often prioritized, none of which benefits the farmed raised seafood sector. This project aims to provide GLR farmers with experiential learning and professional development through learning journeys to visit vertically integrated LMB aquaculture businesses in the western region and workshops focused on LMB breeding, hatching, larval rearing, fingerling rearing, and culture systems. Farmer-to-farmer technology transfer can benefit GLR LMB producers by providing best practices and practical cost-effective options which if adopted could be a step toward building the foundation of the GLR LMB supply chain for GLR food fish producers. 1