Catfish farm planned

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

She met with staff from the St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management last week to get the process under way.

It is the first foray of this kind for Hooper. ‘‘Catfish seem to be the easier, least resistant route to take,” she said.

She will have to construct a pond on the property, which will need approvals from the Soil Conservation District. She’s thinking a storage shed or barn might have to be built for ice and packing.

Harry Knight, permits coordinator, asked if the fish would be processed on site or transported live. Hooper said she didn’t know yet.

But she said she plans on selling the catfish locally, perhaps at a roadside stand. It would be similar to other operations in St. Mary’s. Circle C Oyster Ranch in Ridge sells locally grown oysters to local restaurants.

‘‘I think this is something very doable,” said Dave Berry, planner with the department.

JASON BABCOCK