From Shrimp to Diesel

An example of shifting capital resources (both physical and intellectual) from the production of one product to another.

When Gary Wood's family began experimenting with shrimp farming near Gila Bend in the mid-1990s, he said they kept things low-key because people would think they were "crazy."

But the tasty crustaceans eventually produced by Desert Sweet Shrimp turned into a sort of culinary sensation, garnering lots of attention and selling across the region despite their premium price.

But the farm has drastically cut shrimp production in the past few years. Sales have been hurt by imports from Asia, Wood said.

So the farm is making another bold move.

On Saturday, the farm turned on the water for several ponds where they will begin growing algae, with hopes of eventually raising enough green goo to refine their own biodiesel on site.

As they say, read the whole thing.