Minnesota Sea Grant and Texas Sea Grant have teamed up to host the Aquaculture Leadership Academy in 2026 and 2027. This initiative is specifically designed to train the next generation of aquaculture professionals, building a stronger national support network for trout producers and the broader industry.

The Aquaculture Leadership Academy aims to tackle these hurdles head-on. By helping early- and mid-career extension professionals build deep technical knowledge, leadership skills, and professional networks, the program will ensure that the experts supporting our farms have the practical tools they need to help our industry thrive.

Cross-Country Collaboration

The academy is expected to train approximately 60 aquaculture extension professionals from Sea Grant programs, Land Grant universities, and federal agencies.

Participants will get hands-on experience by interacting directly with fish farmers, hatchery managers, seafood businesses, researchers, educators, and policy experts across two distinct regions: the Great Lakes and the Gulf Coast.

“This partnership with Texas Sea Grant allows participants to experience the diversity of aquaculture across the country while building relationships that will strengthen the industry nationwide,” said Julia Grenn, project lead and fisheries/aquaculture extension educator at Minnesota Sea Grant.

“This program demonstrates how Sea Grant programs work together across regions to solve problems and support emerging industries,” added Amy Schrank, associate director and co-project lead at Minnesota Sea Grant. “Participants will leave with practical skills, new professional connections, and a broader understanding of how aquaculture supports communities and economies throughout the country.”

By fostering stronger collaborations between researchers, extension agents, and boots-on-the-ground producers, the Aquaculture Leadership Academy is a major step forward in securing robust, nationwide support for American aquaculture.