06/18/2026
Ted Hammes has spent his life rooted in agriculture and committed to supporting the communities that shaped him. He was born and raised in rural southeast Iowa, where his family operated a diversified 120-acre farm. From an early age, Ted developed a deep appreciation for farming and the importance of strong rural communities.
Ted attended Iowa State University, earning a degree in animal science before returning to Keswick to begin his career in agronomy. After many years working in agriculture, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to begin opening small businesses. Over the years, Ted has launched a number of ventures, many with the goal of creating jobs and strengthening rural Iowa communities.
Ted’s journey into shrimp farming began unexpectedly. While driving down the road one day, he heard a radio advertisement for an aquaculture workshop in Iowa. Curious, he attended the event and, as Ted puts it, “drank the Kool-Aid.” After meeting Jackson and learning more about the opportunity, he saw shrimp farming as a chance to reconnect with his agricultural roots while bringing something innovative to his community.
Though Ted owns the farm, shrimp farming is very much a team effort. He relies on the help of a local couple who oversee the day-to-day operations. Joann Hoover handles the daily chores, including feeding the shrimp, monitoring water quality, and making sure the shrimp are healthy and thriving.
For Ted, one of the most rewarding parts of shrimp farming is seeing the finished product. Raising shrimp involves many moving parts and careful attention to detail, making it especially satisfying to harvest high-quality shrimp with no additives. He takes pride in producing wholesome, delicious food that people can feel good about serving to their families.
When it comes to enjoying the shrimp himself, Ted laughs and says his favorite preparation is “whatever my wife makes.” While he enjoys shrimp prepared in many ways, fried shrimp remains his favorite. As he puts it with a smile, “You can’t live forever, right?”
Hampton community, you can purchase Midland shrimp at the local downtown Fareway Stores Hampton, located just one block from the farm.
