Tilapia offer challenges and rewards at Freedom Fish Farms

By Matt Reese

With the whooshing of water and the whirring of pumps, upon entering Curtis Gram’s barn it is immediately apparent that the livestock he is raising diverges from traditional farm animals. At any given time, Gram’s Freedom Fish Farms in Muskingum County is home to 30,000 to 40,000 tilapia fish of different genetic backgrounds for the food market and for re-stocking private ponds.

Gram first had an interest in fish production after learning about an aquaculture operation in northeast Ohio.

“It just kind of got me thinking about it and life went on. It was 2016 when we bought the farm and we got started here at this property in 2018. The opportunity came back up to dive back into it learn about aquaculture. We felt it was a direction our family was heading to do something like this,” Gram said. “Ohio State University Extension got a grant opportunity to start what they call a ‘boot camp’ program.… Continue reading