Who We Are

High Prairie Farms is a family owned business. Not only are family businesses run a little bit differently than big public companies, in our case...when you are in the "cool fish" business, enjoy talking, appreciate the environment and habitats, and have a craving for new information...wrap that into a package and you could have a fair picture of High Prairie Farms. It's really about working with fabulous fish, meeting good people, sharing information and of course having a good time.

The firm created environments for about 20-30 new species of fish to spawn over the course of each year in a flexible environment of tanks and equipment. The fishroom is capable of producing an array of water types to cater to the fishes that the team chooses for the annual breeding projects. Each year a research-type project is designed to further the knowledge of a special breeding concept. The tank and pipe systems allow for a flexible set of tools and arrangements that gives near complete control of dozens of environmental and breeding issues. The firm's special interest in the use of live foods has been a hallmark of the fishroom's success.

High Prairie is a place in the Cascade Mountains, not far from Westfir, Oregon. Westfir is more or less a village now, but when Jim was born in Oakridge, the town right next door, Westfir was a small tight knit logging community. Everything in the town revolved around the lumber mill, the school and the community. Even though his parents moved from Westfir when Jim was very young, he still has fond memories of the area and the people...in some ways he still feels as though it's home. The Farm is named High Prairie Farms because of Jim's love of the area.

Jim Atchison, the dude behind the Farm, has kept fish off and on since he was 6 years old. He can still remember watching a Guppy give birth in a jar on the window sill of an apartment that his parents were renting at the time. While a teenager, Jim kept aquariums in his bedroom, the garage and the family room. Multiple tanks have always been part of the experience for Jim.

A graduate from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, Jim has his degree in Art (Ceramics and Education). Jim's wife, Brenda (currently an MBA candidate), holds her bachelors degree from Moscow in Music Education, an MBA from Domincation University of California and during the day is a Technical Recruiter.

Not long after graduation, Jim and Brenda founded High Prairie Pottery, a National design firm in Blackfoot, Idaho. After a number of years of designing, manufacturing and marketing their ware to a National audience, Jim and Brenda operated a personnel agency in Marin County, California.

Not all that long ago, Jim was seeking an artistic endeavor and decided to work his love for environment, animals and art into some sort of project. His migration towards Killifish was only natural because of their inherent beauty. Later, as he became more familiar with other fish and they became interesting, Jim began to be involved in breeding fish. Soon, while doing volumes of research, a deeper understanding of environmental issues. The art project...the thing that brought fish back into Jim's life?...well he dabbles in that from time to time.

When not in the fishroom or working with the maggots and worms in The Bug Farm, Jim is involved in his community of San Rafael as a Planning Commissioner. He is a Past District Governor with The International Association of Lions Clubs as well as an Eagle Scout. Jim is active in his church, enjoys working with schools and students, fly fishing for trout, he is a frequent speaker and presenter, enjoys playing Enlish Handbells in his church Bell Choir and as a soloist, and...every-so-often finds time to sleep.