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Stocking freshwater shrimp in Franklin County

With the decline of the tobacco industry farmers who want to stay on the land need new ways to generate income. Some are looking to alternative crops like switchgrass that can be used for bio-fuels or the versatile soybean. But one Franklin County tobacco farm is going in an entirely different direction with an idea that's taken hold over the past few years in some gulf coast states but is still new to Virginia. WVTF's Fred Echols reports. Listen.

This is one of six ponds used for raising shrimp on the Angells' property in Franklin County.

The shrimp grow in this and five other ponds on the Angell's farm.

Aerators continually operate to keep oxygen in the water for the shrimp.

Aerators help maintain the proper oxygen levels in the water.

Johnny Angell is a native of Franklin County and long-time tobacco farmer with his wife Sharon.

Johnny Angell and his wife, Sharon, started raising shrimp on their farm three years ago.

This cattle trailer hauled the juvenile shrimp to the ponds.

The young shrimp arrived in Franklin County in this trailer.

Eddie Cochran of Chatham pumps pond water into the tank of shrimp.

Eddie Cochran checks a tank holding juvenile shrimp.

(Photos by: Fred Echols, WVTF News)