Alabama Fish Farming Center

Alabama Fish Farming Center The AFFC is funded by Auburn University and is helping the US catfish industry by contributing servi

The Alabama Fish Farming Center (AFFC) was created in 1983 as an entity under the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALS & WCC). The purpose of the AFFC was to provide technical assistance to Alabama's rapidly growing catfish farming industry in the area of pond design: disease and water quality analysis; and farm management. To accomplish this, the ALS & WCC contracted with Auburn Uni

versity's Cooperative Extension Service (ACES) to provide and equip and aquaculturist; Auburn's Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) to provide and equip a fish health specialist; and with the Soil Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide and equip an agricultural engineer. The ALS & WCC the provided an administrative assistant and a technician employed through the Hale County Soil and Water District and provided funding to house the center in Greensboro. The Center's annual budget came from the General Fund through the ALS & WCC which was the Center's parent agency. At that time there were approximately 8,000 acres of catfish production in Alabama. By 2001 the Center was servicing 25,000 acres of catfish production and had moved into a larger facility. Then in 2002 a combination of events and circumstances starting with a 9/11 recession and continuing with import pressures from Asia reduced the demand for the US farm raised catfish. In 2003 severe budget cuts to ALS & WCC from the General Fund resulted in major cuts in funding to the Fish Farming Center. In 2004 NRCS terminated its involvement with the Alabama Fish Farming Center due to lack of demand for its services. The end result was that in 2005 Auburn University assumed budgetary control and administrative oversight through the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures as its funding was transferred from the General Fund to the Educational Fund. In late 2005 Auburn added an Agricultural Economist to the staff to help farmers cope with the difficult economic conditions the industry was facing. Auburn's Department of Fisheries has also conducted a significant amount of research through the Alabama Fish Farming Center by use of grants (i.e. Blackbelt Initiative and Pond-to-Plate projects) to help improve the efficiency and productivity of the industry as well as help diversify the industry for the future.

01/23/2025

Catfish producers- don't forget to vote! Today is the day to vote on whether to extend the feed check-off for another 5 years. Voting locations are:
Fish Farming Center in Hale County
ALFA office in Selma (Broad St) , Eutaw, Linden, Marion, and Livingston.

We had a great Catfish Conference yesterday in Marion Junction! New research was shared with our farmers and industry le...
01/10/2025

We had a great Catfish Conference yesterday in Marion Junction! New research was shared with our farmers and industry leaders. Delicious catfish was cooked to perfection and enjoyed by all.
Thank you to our sponsors: AerCon, Alabama Catfish Feed Mill, AMR PEMCO, Consolidated Catfish Producers, Dombhart Catfish Supply, Harvest Select, Merck Animal Health, Phibro, SouthFresh Feeds, and Sun South.
Also thanks to Alabama Farmers Federation and Auburn University’s School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences.

Aubie want YOU to join us this Thursday, January 9, for the 2025 Alabama Catfish Conference! You will get an update on c...
01/06/2025

Aubie want YOU to join us this Thursday, January 9, for the 2025 Alabama Catfish Conference! You will get an update on catfish industry topics, enjoy a delicious catfish lunch and you might win a door prize! Registration is at 8am and the conference starts at 8:45am. This year's location is the Black Belt Research & Extension Center in Marion Junction (60 County Road 944).

10/16/2024
Auburn University’s AFFC staff will be present at the WOW event Wednesday and Thursday to familiarize high schoolers wit...
10/02/2024

Auburn University’s AFFC staff will be present at the WOW event Wednesday and Thursday to familiarize high schoolers with careers in aquaculture. Stop by our booth!🧡💙

WOW Varsity is a hands-on experience where 10th-12th grade students and those in the West Alabama community can learn about different careers, like healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and more.

Join us Wednesday, October 2 from 2:00-5:30pm at Shelton State Community College, Martin Campus. Discover high-paying, competitive jobs and meet industry leaders. Pre-register at the link below.

→ https://tr.ee/pHcJwfI_zh

08/14/2024
08/02/2024

Some catfish are rapidly growing too large, so Auburn researchers are stepping up to help the Alabama farmers who produce one-third of the nation's catfish.

We had a packed house today at the Blackbelt Research & Extension Center! Catfish farmers and industry leaders gathered...
01/11/2024

We had a packed house today at the Blackbelt Research & Extension Center! Catfish farmers and industry leaders gathered to learn more about research and economic issues and shared a meal of delicious fried catfish. Pictured are graduate students, James Tuttle and Sarah Knutson who gave updates of their ongoing research.

01/11/2024

Reminder:
2024 Alabama Catfish Conference
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Blackbelt Research & Extension Center
60 County Rd 944
Marion Junction, AL
Registration starts at 8am
Meeting starts at 8:45am
Fried Catfish lunch will be served.

This Thursday, January 11 is the Alabama Catfish Conference! Join us to get an update on catfish industry topics. Regis...
01/08/2024

This Thursday, January 11 is the Alabama Catfish Conference! Join us to get an update on catfish industry topics. Registration is at 8am and the conference starts at 8:45am. This year's location is the Black Belt Research & Extension Center in Marion Junction (60 County Road 944). A fried catfish lunch will be served and there will be door prizes given away.

01/08/2024
01/05/2024

Address

529 S Centreville Street
Greensboro, AL
36744

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(334) 624-4016

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Alabama Fish Farming Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category