Press release · September 2, 2026
Shrimp Raised in Minnesota? PurBlu Shrimp Makes It a Reality
New Jordan farm pairs sustainable aquaculture technology with experienced leadership and young entrepreneurship to bring locally raised shrimp, raised without antibiotics in the feed, to the Twin Cities.
For immediate release
Media contact
Macy Reynolds, Marketing & Sales Manager
Midland Co.
macy@midlandseafood.com · 515-478-4606
Farm contact
Tim Gregory
PurBlu Shrimp
tim@gbros.net
JORDAN, Minn. — September 2, 2026 — More than a thousand miles from the nearest ocean, PurBlu Shrimp is preparing to harvest Pacific white shrimp raised just southwest of the Twin Cities. The farm's first harvest is expected in mid-September, giving Minnesotans a rare opportunity to buy fresh shrimp raised close to home.
PurBlu raises shrimp indoors in warm, recirculating saltwater without antibiotics in the feed. The closed system reuses water and avoids the fertilizer runoff associated with pond- and ocean-based farms. Customers will be able to buy directly from the farm, with future opportunities expected to include events, farmers markets and restaurant partnerships.
The farm operates at Morning Glory Valley, a discipleship and mentoring community for young adults in Jordan. PurBlu brings together the deep business and technology experience of Morning Glory Valley founder Jean Spencer and the hands-on energy of young entrepreneur Tim Gregory, who leads the farm's day-to-day operations.
Seasoned Leadership Meets Young Entrepreneurship
Spencer is a global business and technology leader, executive coach and mentor with more than 30 years of experience guiding organizations and leaders through growth and transformation. Her career has ranged from neurology nursing to senior leadership roles including chief technology officer, business unit president, head of engineering, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and senior managing director at Accenture.
Today, Spencer invests that experience in executive coaching, international ministry work in India and Morning Glory Valley. PurBlu reflects the community's larger mission: helping young adults develop the character, confidence and practical skills to build meaningful careers and businesses. A significant portion of PurBlu's profits will support international ministry in India, extending the venture's impact beyond the farm and its local community.
Gregory, a Bloomington native and one of eight siblings, first met Spencer through their church and began doing landscaping work for her about four years ago. He later became PurBlu's first employee and helped design and build the shrimp-growing facility from the ground up. His varied background includes restaurant work, ski instruction, landscaping and a pallet-liquidation business he built with Spencer—experience that prepared him to manage the farm's systems, data and daily operations.
“The technology isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I find it so fascinating,” Gregory said. “I love watching the systems come together and seeing how fast the shrimp grow.”
A Midwest Partnership for Fresh Seafood
PurBlu works in partnership with Midland Co., an Iowa-based land seafood technology company with a network of shrimp farms across Iowa and Minnesota. Midland's proprietary Algae-Based RAS™ recirculating aquaculture system uses algae to help clean and oxygenate the saltwater while providing a supplemental food source for the shrimp.
Through the Midland network, PurBlu exchanges production data and practical experience with other Midwest growers. The partnership combines Midland's aquaculture technology and grower network with PurBlu's local leadership, facility and community-centered mission.
“The Twin Cities has one of the strongest local food cultures in the Midwest, and until now, seafood has been the missing piece,” said Jackson Kimle, founder and CEO of Midland Co. “For the first time, people in the metro can buy shrimp that was swimming in clean saltwater that morning, just 40 minutes down the road.”
Pacific white shrimp in the Midland network grow in tropical-temperature saltwater for approximately 90 to 100 days before harvest. Because PurBlu raises its shrimp locally, customers can enjoy a sweet, clean-tasting product without the long ocean journey typical of imported frozen shrimp.
PurBlu Shrimp's first harvest is expected in mid-September 2026. Customers can follow PurBlu Shrimp on Facebook for harvest announcements and details about purchasing directly from the farm.
About PurBlu Shrimp
PurBlu Shrimp is an indoor shrimp farm at Morning Glory Valley in Jordan, Minnesota. The farm raises Pacific white shrimp in clean, recirculating saltwater without antibiotics in the feed. Founded by Jean Spencer and operated day to day by Tim Gregory, PurBlu combines experienced business leadership, young entrepreneurship and a commitment to locally raised food. Its first harvest is expected in mid-September 2026.
About Morning Glory Valley
Morning Glory Valley is a discipleship and mentoring community for young adults in Jordan, Minnesota. Founded by Jean Spencer, the community helps young people grow in faith, character, leadership and practical business experience. PurBlu Shrimp is its newest business venture.
About Midland Co.
Midland Co. is an Iowa-based land seafood technology company raising Pacific white shrimp through a network of partner farms across Iowa and Minnesota. Its proprietary Algae-Based RAS™ makes it possible to raise shrimp in recirculating saltwater systems in the Midwest. Learn more at midlandseafood.com.