At a shrimp farm in Indiana, rising shipping costs are the biggest barrier to business

At RDM Aquaculture, co-owner Karlanea Brown raises saltwater shrimp thousands of miles from the nearest ocean.

Every day, she runs nine different tests on her tanks to maintain the water system. “If you work with dogs or anything like that, you get to go out and get to see your dog,” said Brown. “I get to go out and see my shrimp.” The farm sells about 500 pounds of shrimp per month right out of their facility.

One recent challenge facing the business is the rising cost of shipping. “I'm spending less than maybe $700 to get 60,000 [baby] shrimp, but it cost me $2,000 to get them shipped here.”

Brown hasn’t had to increase her sale prices just yet, but she’s keeping a close eye on how things progress.

And while she runs the majority of operations at the farm, Brown never imagined she’d be a farmer. “I have no farming inkling, I have no desire, but I love what I do. I love working with the water, and I actually love working with the shrimp.”

To hear the rest of Brown’s story, click the audio player above.