 Jim Kahrs was an Ozarks pioneer in aquaculture who exported his products and his know-how all over the world. He was honored posthumously Thursday night by the University of Missouri College of Agriculture. |
From its meager beginnings as a minnow hatchery, Jim Kahrs guided the company into an international business that supplies markets all over the world while gaining the reputation of leading the state's aquaculture industry.
In 1953, when Jim Kahrs and his wife, Liz, bought the land on Turkey Bend down Route KK near Osage Beach, it quickly became the first private warm-water fish hatchery in Missouri to produce channel catfish for commercial purposes. What was once known as Turkey Bend Minnow Hatchery became Osage Catfisheries.
Just two years before coming to the lake area, he had graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor of science degree in fish and game management and a bachelor of arts in zoology.
Today, the business includes three farms, 200-plus acres and more than 15 different kinds of fish are raised and shipped worldwide.
He also was the catalyst for the development of Sycamore Creek Golf Club, which is built around ponds used in the hatchery business.
Through diversification with a large number of other special species, the Osage Catfisheries has become the Midwest's oldest and largest multi-species hatchery.
Source: Lake Sun Leader.com