NM Shrimp Co. utilizing NMSU-based crowdfunding campaign to raise product awareness

NM Shrimp Co. utilizing NMSU-based crowdfunding campaign to raise product awareness DATE: 03/14/2016 WRITER: Dana Catron, 505-358-4039, dderego@ad.nmsu.edu Tracey Carrillo, assistant director for Campus Farm Operations at New Mexico State University and co-owner of New Mexico Shrimp Co., is participating in CrucesKick, a crowdfunding campaign sponsored by Arrowhead Center and Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA). The NM Shrimp Co has been making waves in southern New Mexico and is sought-after for their locally produced, farm-fresh shrimp. Their shrimp are grown without antibiotics, preservatives or chemicals, and provide a healthy alternative to imported, frozen shrimp. Carrillo heard about CrucesKick through his involvement with Arrowhead Technology Incubator, where he is a client. CrucesKick, a partnership between Arrowhead Center and MVEDA, launched Feb. 29. This year, four companies are participating in CrucesKick, a fast-moving crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise funds and awareness of local companies’ products and offerings. “We want everyone in the U.S. to be able to get fresh shrimp produced locally in an all-natural manner using a sustainable, environmentally conscience method,” Carrillo said when asked about his campaign. “We want to create a system to harvest and ship overnight fresh salt water shrimp to consumers so that people even remote areas can have access to a fresh seafood product, never frozen and produced in the US.” NM Shrimp Co. is creating a nutriponic system that uses the nutrient-rich waste produced from shrimp processes. The waste will be used to grow all-natural vegetables and produce in an aquaponic-like system. The plants absorb the nutrients and also filter the water in an all-natural system. This creates another added value product created from waste, emphasizing NM Shrimp Co’s sustainability mission. “This leaves little waste,” said Carrillo. “We know exactly what goes into our water so that we can produce a product free of chemicals.” NM Shrimp Co. is increasing its shrimp harvest capacity through the creation of a new production facility, located in Mesquite, N.M., that will use NMSU cotton and aquaculture technology. The new facility will house 12 above-ground pools for shrimp production in a 12,000 square foot building. “Our shrimp are a healthy alternative to imported frozen shrimp,” Carrillo said. “Shrimp are a good source of nutrients and are loaded with protein, vitamin D, vitamin B3 and zinc, and shrimp are an excellent, carbohydrate-free food for anyone determined to shed pounds.” To follow NM Shrimp Co.’s campaign, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/freshmarketshrimp/all-natural-farm-fresh-locally-grown-shrimp To follow the crowdfunding campaigns, visit the CrucesKick page at http://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/cruceskick/.