center to the city. Trimble’s current term expires at the end of this year. When you think of farming, you typically think of soy or corn or pigs. But new tonight- One Iowa farmer is bringing part of the ádeep sea to the state. <‘”THEY’RE NICE. I MEAN THEY’RE JUST BEAUTIFUL SHRIMP RIGHT NOW.””> Randy and Kathy Harter started a shrimp farm in Dubuque County. They used to own a port-a-potty business… but sold it four years ago. Harter heard about midwest shrimp farming on the radio. Right now, he has about 40-thousand white-leg shrimp. He says these kind of shrimp are sweeter than store bought. <:53-1:01″COOK THEM WITH THE HEAD ON. THEY GOT A POCKET OF POCKET OF FAT IN THEIR HEAD, WHICH WHEN YOU COOK THEM IN THERE, IT SPREADS THROUGHOUT THE BODY.”> Harter has seven tubs on his property. Each one holds 90-thousand gallons of wate
Why a porta-potty owner sold the family business to start a shrimp farm … in Iowa
Updated: 9:28 PM CDT Apr 16, 2025
An Iowa couple is growing shrimp in their backyard after selling their porta-potty business in 2021, KCRG reports.Randy and Kathy Harter own Shrimp Down Yonder. From Highway 3, the rural Dubuque County shed blends into the rolling hills of northeast Iowa, but the Harters have converted the farm into an aquaculture facility, featuring about 40,000 whiteleg shrimp.“They’re nice! They’re just beautiful shrimp right now,” says Randy Harter.In 2021, Harter drove more than 200 miles daily, checking in on his portable restrooms. He says it was hard on his body.“I had problems with pains in my shoulder, my knees,” explains Harter, who says he struggled to stay awake behind the wheel. “I was going to get killed or kill somebody, and I didn’t want that to happen, so I had to find an alternative. I heard about this, and here we are.”Harter heard about Midwestern shrimp farmers on the radio. Inspired, he sold his porta-potty business to change industries.The new shrimp farmer has invested more than $300,000 to build 7 tubs, collectively holding at least 90,000 gallons of water.Harter says producing caring 40,000 whiteleg shrimp, with room to grow more, takes more work than he thought. To keep the shrimp healthy, he constantly monitors the water’s carbon dioxide, nitrates, pH, and more.Did Harter make the right call, selling his porta-potty business to take up shrimp farming? The 57-year-old shrimp farmer says he doesn’t know.“I really, truly don’t know. I kind of like it, but it’s almost worse than milking cows,” says Harter. “You got to be here all the time.”The Harters are getting interest from local restaurants, but struggle to grow enough shrimp to meet demand.“I gotta learn. I had a restaurant come and wants 50 pounds a week. I can’t promise them 50 pounds a week because I can’t do 50 pounds a week, so I don’t want to come across as that guy,” says Harter.Shrimp Down Yonder’s product is sweeter than store-bought shrimp, Harter claims.“Cook them with the head on. They got a pocket of fat in their head, which when you cook them in there, it spreads throughout the body,” notes Harter, describing the strategy to maximize quality.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
An Iowa couple is growing shrimp in their backyard after selling their porta-potty business in 2021, KCRG reports.
Randy and Kathy Harter own Shrimp Down Yonder. From Highway 3, the rural Dubuque County shed blends into the rolling hills of northeast Iowa, but the Harters have converted the farm into an aquaculture facility, featuring about 40,000 whiteleg shrimp.
“They’re nice! They’re just beautiful shrimp right now,” says Randy Harter.
In 2021, Harter drove more than 200 miles daily, checking in on his portable restrooms. He says it was hard on his body.
“I had problems with pains in my shoulder, my knees,” explains Harter, who says he struggled to stay awake behind the wheel. “I was going to get killed or kill somebody, and I didn’t want that to happen, so I had to find an alternative. I heard about this, and here we are.”
Harter heard about Midwestern shrimp farmers on the radio. Inspired, he sold his porta-potty business to change industries.
The new shrimp farmer has invested more than $300,000 to build 7 tubs, collectively holding at least 90,000 gallons of water.
Harter says producing caring 40,000 whiteleg shrimp, with room to grow more, takes more work than he thought. To keep the shrimp healthy, he constantly monitors the water’s carbon dioxide, nitrates, pH, and more.
Did Harter make the right call, selling his porta-potty business to take up shrimp farming? The 57-year-old shrimp farmer says he doesn’t know.
“I really, truly don’t know. I kind of like it, but it’s almost worse than milking cows,” says Harter. “You got to be here all the time.”
The Harters are getting interest from local restaurants, but struggle to grow enough shrimp to meet demand.
“I gotta learn. I had a restaurant come and wants 50 pounds a week. I can’t promise them 50 pounds a week because I can’t do 50 pounds a week, so I don’t want to come across as that guy,” says Harter.
Shrimp Down Yonder’s product is sweeter than store-bought shrimp, Harter claims.
“Cook them with the head on. They got a pocket of fat in their head, which when you cook them in there, it spreads throughout the body,” notes Harter, describing the strategy to maximize quality.
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
