Thompson's Prawn Farm is located in Cedar Grove North Carolina. Cedar Grove is a small rural community in northern Orange county about twenty minutes from Chapel-Hill. We're the only Freshwater Prawn producer west of I-95 in North Carolina. We currently have two 2 acre prawn ponds and we will begin construction of our third pond in the fall of 2007.
The prawn growing season in North Carolina only lasts for a few months in the summer (May - September). This is due to the moderately colder climate in the southern/mid-atlantic region. Because of this North Carolina prawn producers are limited to only one growing season per year.
There are several stages involved with preparing a pond for raising prawns. These stages include:
- Site Survey
- Clearing and prepping the land
- Digging and grading the pond
- Filling the pond with water
- Treating the water ensure the pond has a self-sustaining echo system. This includes fertilization, liming and constant monitoring of oxygen content, PH, Alkalines, and other compounds.
Performing these steps help the pond grow a healthy green zoo-plankton bloom. The zoo-plankton bloom is the base of the ponds echo system. It helps cleanse the water, feed insects, create oxygen and provide cover for the prawns.
Filling The Pond With Water.....![](images/pond5.jpg)
The Orange Screens Help The Prawns When Molting....![](images/pond7.jpg)
The Pond Filled...
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The Prawn Pond Post Construction....![](images/pond4.jpg)
Feeding The Prawns... Feeding The Prawns...![](images/tractor1.jpg)
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