Arthur Keyes, 40, owns and operates Glacier Valley Farms

After only 8 years of farming I can say that we have unlimited possibilities in agriculture here in Alaska. With just three acres, I have taken my experimental hobby farm of 180 zucchini plants (in 2003) to a full-scale vegetable farm servicing five farmers markets and shipping fruits and vegetables from Homer to Juneau while employing up to 12 seasonal workers. 

Agricultural opportunities abound in this state, but we need the land resources to turn these opportunities into a reality. We also need these lands to provide a sustainable, secure source of food for our Alaskan communities.

Prior to starting my farm operation, I worked in the produce retail industry for over 20 years.  Through managing produce I found that the rhythm of our food system does not reflect the real world. We can have five feet of snow outside and be eating asparagus from Peru, lettuce from Mexico, and pineapples for an evening snack.   But here is the reality check: when we lose sight of where our food comes from, we put ourselves at a greater risk, both for our health and for our food security here in Alaska. 

By supporting farmers in our communities, we invest in our food system, bolstering our ability to feed ourselves in an increasingly food insecure world. 

Buying local means investing not only in this food system, but in our local economies.  As a farmer, I like to think that our dollar is your dollar.  Every time you buy local produce you give a farmer revenue to further invest in his business and support other local businesses through our farming operations.   Our dollar is truly your dollar.  Keep investing in us and we will keep strengthening our local economies.  Help us protect our lands, and we, as farmers, will continue to provide you with local, healthy, superior Alaska Grown products.

The Alaska State Legislature saw the value in investing in agriculture by investing in our land this past legislative session when they approved a $500,000 designated legislative grant to protect agricultural lands.   As a board member with the Alaska Farmland Trust, these funds mean that we can actively protect critical at-risk agricultural lands.    More land protected means more agricultural opportunities yet unexplored.  The future of agriculture is bright.  Invest today in farmland protection, and I guarantee we will reap dividends in food security and economic development for our future generations.  

Cheers,  
Arthur Keyes