Indiana Lt. Governor Rebecca S. Skillman and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) have recognized Bell Aquaculture LLC for excellence in progressive farm practices. Bell Aquaculture recently completed the voluntary ISDA Certified Livestock Producer Program (CLPP) in order to qualify for the review and is the first aquaculture facility in Indiana and one of only a few in the nation to receive this type of designation.

1. Bell Aquaculture's Yellow Perch Operation Is First In Indiana
To Receive 'Excellence in Progressive Farm Practice'
Recognition From Lt. Governor's Office and ISDA
Indiana Lt. Governor Rebecca S. Skillman and the Indiana State
Department of Agriculture (ISDA) have recognized Bell Aquaculture LLC for
excellence in progressive farm practices. Bell Aquaculture recently
completed the voluntary ISDA Certified Livestock Producer Program (CLPP)
in order to qualify for the review and is the first aquaculture facility in
Indiana and one of only a few in the nation to receive this type of
designation.
Redkey, IN ‐ August 25, 2010 ‐ Indiana Lt. Governor Rebecca S. Skillman and the
Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) have recognized Bell Aquaculture
LLC for excellence in progressive farm practices. The announcement is made by
Norman McCowan, President & CEO, who says Bell Aquaculture recently
completed the voluntary ISDA Certified Livestock Producer Program (CLPP) in
order to qualify for the review and is the first aquaculture facility in Indiana and
one of only a few in the nation to receive this type of designation.
"We are thrilled that our operation has received this recognition," McCowan says.
"The yellow perch that we’re raising, the Bell Perch™, is a higher quality product
from the standpoint that there is no real possibility of contaminants entering into
their food chain during their growth. We have absolute control over our water
supply, since they are raised in‐house there is no opportunity for bird predation,
pesticides or herbicides to get into the flesh of the fish that you and I might sit
down to eat.”
Bell Aquaculture was founded in 2005 in Albany Indiana. Sitting on 53 acres this
yellow perch farm is the largest in the country. The production facility
incorporates 43 acres of ground and is located in Albany Indiana, with the vision of
processing over 6 1/2 million fish by 2015.
“Our Indiana livestock and poultry producers’ personal values embody integrity,
responsibility and accountability,” Lt. Governor Becky Skillman said recently in a
prepared statement. “These values and more are required to complete this
program. I congratulate Bell Aquaculture who now joins other exceptional
NEWS
producers who have demonstrated their commitment to these values through
using progressive practices and procedures.”
To be recognized by ISDA as a Certified Livestock Producer, participants must
complete the highest industry standards in environmental protection, animal
RELEASE health, bio‐security, emergency planning and good neighbor relations. They also
agree to sign the Producer Promise, committing to meet or exceed the high
standards of the Certified Livestock Producer Program as a commitment to the
citizens of the State of Indiana.
PO Box 85
“We commend Bell Aquaculture for being a leader and spokesperson for the
Redkey, IN 47373 industry,” said Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay. “We believe this program
765.369.2718 will continue to serve as an invaluable tool to increase awareness of Indiana
FAX 765.369.2517 livestock producers’ commitment to provide high‐quality and wholesome food.”
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Bell Perch™ Yellow Perch
Yellow perch is one of the most popular of all North American pan fish. It has a mild, sweet flavor with firm white
flesh and low fat levels, making it a favorite in residential and commercial kitchens alike. There’s no taste difference
from wild‐caught like some other farmed species. In years past, yellow perch was the fish typically served at Friday
Night Fish Fries in the Great Lakes region, particularly during Lent (the period prior to Easter).
"The greatest difficulty in recent years has been the availability of yellow perch out of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie –
the two predominant lakes for the supply of wild‐caught yellow perch," explains McCowan. "Which means
restaurants that were typically serving customers who enjoy the taste of yellow perch and individual consumers, just
couldn’t get the supply. Or, in some cases, they are getting lesser quality fish and selling it as yellow perch."
The vision for a yellow perch farm was born when Founder Michael Miller became personally interested in
aquaculture in 1994. After studying this science and becoming involved in the Indiana Aquaculture Association, Inc.
(IAAI), he developed a dream to bring the local and personal favorite, yellow perch, back to the area.
As McCowan says, “What started out as an idea on a Post‐it note, ended up being 17 file cabinets of information.” So
after more than 12 years of research, consulting fish experts and a lot of hard work, Bell Aquaculture was formed in
2005.
Bell Aquaculture is committed to these four guiding principles in producing its fish:
1) Controlled indoor environment
2) Toxin & mercury free – no hormones used
3) Healthy growth
4) Gentle to the environment
About the Certified Livestock Producer Program
Lt. Governor Skillman launched the Certified Livestock Producer Program in July 2008. Since that time, 29 Hoosier
farmers have earned the certification. Indiana is one of only a handful of states to have a voluntary program that
recognizes farmers for their commitment to innovative and top industry standards. For more information, visit
http://www.in.gov/isda/2400.htm
About Bell Aquaculture
Bell Aquaculture, headquartered in Redkey, IN, is a producer and processor of farm‐raised fish for restaurants and
consumer use. Initial production facilities, dedicated to yellow perch, are located in Albany, IN, and comprise the
nation’s largest yellow perch farm. More information about Bell Aquaculture is available at
http://www.bellperch.com.
Bell Aquaculture also is found on these social media sites:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BellAquaculture ‐ http://twitter.com/INYellowPerch ‐
http://twitter.com/FriNightFishFry
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/bellperch
News Feed Blog: http://indianayellowperch.blogspot.com
# # #
Contacts:
Jodi Bertram, Realistic Marketing ‐ http://www.realistic‐marketing.com ‐ 913‐484‐7361, jodi.bertram@bellaquaculture.com
Jeannie Keating, Indiana Dept. of Agriculture, 317‐ 696‐9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov
Maggie Holben, Absolutely PR ‐ http://www.absolutelypr.com ‐ 303‐984‐9801, maggie@absolutelypr.com