ELKHART — An alternative type of farming could help Elkhart County get back on its feet. They're hoping to cast a wide net for revenue and jobs through fish farming, and it could fill up vacant RV plants.

“It’s something new, we can use existing buildings, it’s not new technology,” said Mike Yoder.

Yoder is not only a county commissioner; he's a farmer. He’s cultivating a plan to bring the aquaculture industry to Elkhart County. That industry raises fish and sells them to restaurants and grocery stores.

“I'm on the Indiana Soybean Alliance Board and we have put research together to feed fish with soybean meal,” he said. “I've joined the soybean alliance to actually apply for federal stimulus to purchase equipment for buildings.”

Part of the plan includes using vacant RV plants around the county.

“I think it would be a win-win with us because it diversifies the economy which we’re looking at in Elkhart County,” Yoder continued. “The fish industry as a whole in the United States is a $9 billion industry. A vacant RV plant might lend itself easily to being refitted for aquaculture, raising fish in tanks.”

Not only would this prove to be an economic shot in the arm for Elkhart County; if the idea takes off, it would also do wonders for the local real estate trade that handles many of the vacant buildings that formerly housed RV makers and suppliers.

Realtor Lori Snyder says there is around 9 million square feet of vacant industrial space in the county.

“This not only would be beneficial to the commercial brokers, as well as property owners, to get some activity in their buildings; it helps them pay their property taxes which again goes back to our area,” she explained.

“We're looking for local interested parties to help buy the buildings and manage the operation,” Yoder said.

Yoder says he is looking to set up a three-way partnership between the Soybean Alliance, some local businessmen and the county to get the project started. They should know more about when it could start in the next few months.