Thursday, November 26 • 6:00 PM

Rebarchek Farm, Palmer

Farmer Social Hour
Legislative Deep Dive + Find Your Voice Training
Thursday, February 26
6:00 PM
Rebarchek Farm
What’s happening in Juneau — and how does it impact farmers?
Join us for:
• A deep dive into state-level bills impacting agriculture
• Discussion on what these policies mean for farm operations
• A quick “Find Your Voice” training on engaging with legislators
Learn how to:
Track bills
Communicate effectively with lawmakers
Share your story in a way that makes an impact
Get informed. Get confident. Get engaged.

The post Farmer Social Hour appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Wednesday, November 20 • 6:00 PM

Bleeding Heart Brewery, Palmer

This month we’re focusing on Finding Farm Labor for the 2026 season.
We’ll share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and discuss real strategies for hiring and keeping good help.
Representatives from the Mat-Su Job Center will join us to offer resources and answer questions.
Hosted by Alaska Farmland Trust
Light snacks provided.

Details:
• When: November 20, 6:00 PM
• Where: Bleeding Heart Brewery
• Who: Alaska farmers — new and experienced
• Topic: Finding seasonal and long-term farm labor
Come to connect, compare notes, and help strengthen Alaska’s farming community.

RSVP / Info:
farmlink@akfarmland.com

The post Farmer Social Hour appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 5 – 10 pm.

Hosted at Briarwood Farm

This event is generously brought to you with the help of Country Financial, Brad Daggett.

[button link=”dbsfbriarwood.eventbrite.com” type=”big” color=”red”] TICKETS ON SALE NOW![/button]

Live music from Blackwater Railroad and The Ken Peltier Band.

• Doors open at 5pm. Event concludes at 10pm. Music will begin around 5:30pm.
• This is an outdoor event that will take place rain or shine. We use hay bales as seating, but please feel free to bring a chair or blanket of your own.
• There is NO on-site camping available. Please make sure you have a designated driver in your group.
• Beer from your favorite local breweries and food available for purchase.
• Alcohol will only be served in a reusable cup – bring your own pint glass – or buy one of our commemorative steel pints on site.
• Please leave your four-legged friends at home.

ALSO, we will have raffle tickets for purchase. What’s the raffle prize? An amazing vacation to Hawaii!! Air fare and lodging are included! Raffle tickets are $20 each and we will pick a winner during the 2022 Alaska State Fair. Participants have the whole summer to purchase raffle tickets at our various events, so make sure you capitalize on this opportunity by joining us at Happy Hour!

**Don’t forget your VALID ID.**

Every guest will be carded prior to entrance to comply with State of Alaska law. Youth 21 and under must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. No exceptions

Ticket prices:

Adult (21 and over) – $40 (1 free drink ticket included)

20 and under – $20

Children of all ages are welcome however the ticket price is firm as this event is a fundraiser for Alaska Farmland Trust. Tickets are non-refundable.

[button link=”dbsfbriarwood.eventbrite.com” type=”big” color=”red”] GET YOUR TICKETS HERE![/button]

Thank you to our Partner and Supporting Sponsors :

Craig Taylor Equipment

Alaska Farm Bureau

Fred Meyer

Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center

Have questions Email us at info@akfarmland.com

The post 2022 Drink Beer, Save Farms! appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Friday, April 22, 2022 from 5 – 7:30pm.

This event is generously brought to you with the help of Country Financial, Brad Daggett.

[button link=”www.eventbrite.com/e/happy-hour-at-hamilton-farms-tickets-307375457267″ type=”big” color=”red”] TICKETS ON SALE NOW![/button]

Live music from Bob Parsons.

• Doors open at 5pm. Event concludes at 7:30pm.
• Heavy appetizers featuring mostly Alaskan grown ingredients and catered by Carol Kenley and Denise Statz.
• Beverages available for purchase. Featuring beer from Odd Man Rush Brewery; cider from Double Shovel Cider Co.; wine from Alaska Berries and Bell’s Nursery; and kombucha from 203 Kombucha. Ticket price includes 1st drink ticket.
• Live auction hosted by Scott Mugrage will feature beautiful flower baskets from local greenhouses; local farm products; hand-made quilt; and an overnight farm stay.

ALSO, we will have raffle tickets for purchase. What’s the raffle prize? An amazing vacation to Hawaii!! Air fare and lodging are included! Raffle tickets are $20 each and we will pick a winner during the 2022 Alaska State Fair. Participants have the whole summer to purchase raffle tickets at our various events, so make sure you capitalize on this opportunity by joining us at Happy Hour!

**Don’t forget your VALID ID.**

Every guest will be carded prior to entrance to comply with State of Alaska law. Youth 21 and under must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. No exceptions

Ticket price = $50 (food and 1st drink included)

[button link=”www.eventbrite.com/e/happy-hour-at-hamilton-farms-tickets-307375457267″ type=”big” color=”red”] GET YOUR TICKETS HERE![/button]

Every attendee MUST purchase tickets, including children. Tickets are non-refundable.

Thank you to our Supporting Sponsors :

Double Shovel Cider Co.

Odd Man Rush Brewery

Alaska Berries

Bell’s Nursery

203 Kombucha

Have questions Email us at info@akfarmland.com

The post Happy Hour at Hamilton Farms – Earth Day Fundraiser appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

The Alaska Farmland Trust Corporation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is seeking a highly motivated leader to serve as its Executive Director.  The Farmland Trust’s mission is to protect Alaska’s farmlands for future generations through land conservation.  The Alaska Farmland Trust is committed to educating Alaska’s residents on the importance of local agriculture and farmland preservation, and maintaining Alaska’s agricultural infrastructure. The Farmland Trust is on the cusp of a tremendous growth period with the addition of new staff members, more easement activity, and the implementation of our 3-5 year strategic vision of transforming our donor base, establishing and funding an endowment, and gaining accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance.  The new ED needs to have the non-profit experience and vision to lead us through this transition to a self-funded organization with the support of state and local governments, and the financial backing to secure conservation easements to protect Alaska’s precious soils. The Executive Director (ED) serves the AFTC Board of Directors with subject matter expertise, political acumen, and organizational skills in order to deliver results aligned with the strategic plan.   The ED is accountable for maintaining a healthy organization with sound financial backing, and creating a positive, growth-minded working environment for staff members.  It is expected that the ED will work approximately half-time in the AFTC office in Palmer, and about half-time from an appropriate home office.

Primary Goals and Responsibilities

The primary deliverables and expectations for the new ED will be the stewardship and implementation of our capacity-building grant, the creation and funding of an endowment for land preservation, and the accreditation of the AFTC with the national Land Trust Alliance.  In order to accomplish these objectives, the successful candidate must create relationships with major foundational donors and build alliances with other land preservation organizations.  

Other Important Job Duties

• Serves as the primary spokesperson for and champions the strategic vision of the organization. 
• Develops and maintains various planning documents and systems in alignment with board direction to carry out AFT programs/projects.
• Manages and leads AFTC staff, contractors, and volunteers to carry out the AFT programs/projects prioritized and funded through board direction. 
• Maintains an active outreach and education program to promote land protection and Alaska agriculture via speaking engagements, events, and social media.
• Reaches out to local businesses, larger corporations, and foundations for grant funding and event sponsorship.
• Maintains good, cooperative partnerships with other organizations supporting Alaska agriculture, land conservation, and food security in Alaska such as the Alaska Farm Bureau, the Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District, the Alaska Food Policy Council, the Great Land Trust, and others.
• Advocates for the importance of protecting agricultural land in Alaska in a myriad of forums, and lobbying State and Local Governments for policies that support land preservation.
• Creates an energetic and supportive work environment for AFTC staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Stays current with the latest USDA conservation programs and policy rules, the Land Trust Alliance standards, and best practices for land trusts.
• Bi-weekly reports to the Board of Directors that summarize activities and status of ongoing projects, funding, and outreach efforts.
• Manages the Trust’s conservation easements land conservation efforts, including development of conservation easements, land donations, land purchase, and cooperative projects with other organizations.
• Develops organizational policies and procedures and oversees compliance. 
• Manages all fundraising efforts of the organization including donor development; Federal, State, Local and Foundation grant requests; and event coordination.
• Develops and manages an annual budget of $250,000+, ensuring systems are in place for meeting financial management standards and achieving program success. 

Minimum Qualifications

In order to be considered for this position, a candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited university. Prior experience in non-profit management is preferred.  10 or more years of working experience and 5 or more years of professional working experience. Strong written and oral communication skills and public speaking ability. 

Additional Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic individual who is deeply passionate about the inherent value of agriculture to a healthy community and who understands the challenges faced by farmers today.  This person will be a tireless advocate for preserving agricultural land in Alaska and create strong partnerships based on mutual respect with all stakeholders; working with the Board of Directors to advance the mission of the Alaska Farmland Trust.  The ideal candidate will be a problem solver and a team-builder, and will prioritize action because time is of the essence when it comes to land preservation. A demonstrated track record of building foundational relationships and funding endowments, writing successful grant applications, and prior supervisory experience is preferred.

Compensation & Hours

Start date: As soon as possible. Position is full time, 40 hours/week.  Salary: $72-92,000, depending on experience Benefits include mileage reimbursement, paid holidays, health coverage and retirement contributions. Paid leave is also provided. 

How to Apply

Submit resume, cover letter, three references with contact information (at least one each professional and personal) to Phoebe Autry by close of business Wednesday, April 13, 2022.  Applicant information should be sent via email to phoebeautry@akfarmland.com with the subject line: Executive Director Position Opening. 

The post Executive Director Position Opening appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

You probably know Alaska Farm Tours as the incredible local tour company that provides you behind the scenes access to farms in South Central Alaska. Due to Covid 19, their strategy and business model for this summer has changed. Tune in as Amy interviews Kristi about her plans.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/04/09/agmatters-alaska-farm-tours-2020-4-8/

The post Alaska Farm Tours – New Direction appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Where do your greens come from Grizzly Greens offers fresh, local hydroponically grown greens with a weekly subscription service. Nothing fresher!

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/04/22/agmatters-grizzly-greens-2020-4-22/

The post Grizzly Greens appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

How is Covid 19 impacting the local food system, farmers markets and agricultural production Amy chats with Arthur Keyes, local farmer, farmers market owner and agriculture advocate about how the pandemic is changing our industry.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/04/30/agmatters-farmers-markets-and-covid-19/

The post Update with Arthur Keyes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Covid 19 has brought to light the importance of shopping as locally as possible. In this episode of Ag Matters you’ll learn about hair and skin care products made with natural, wild Alaskan products by our neighbors to the south at Alpenglow Skin & Hair Care.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/05/06/agmatters-alpenglow-2020-5-6/

The post Alpenglow Skin & Hair Care appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration to launch a garden for personal food production or to break into commercial farming, there’s no doubt that you’ll be inspired by Amy’s conversation with Jennifer and Seeds and Soils Farm.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/05/27/ag-matters-seeds-and-soil-2020-5-27/

The post Seeds and Soils Farm appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

The State of Alaska, Division of Agriculture Plant Materials Center(PMC) is an incredibly valuable resource for commercial agriculture producers across the State. From seed cleaning and variety trials to the State’s new Hemp Program, in this episode Amy chats with PMC Director Rob Carter about services available to farmers this year.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/06/03/ag-matters-plant-materials-center-2020-6-3/

The post Alaska Plant Materials Center 2020 Update appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

The demand for local meat is at an all-time high and in this interview Amy chats with Steve Linden about what sets his business apart from other options.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/06/10/ag-matters-lindens-meats-2020-6-10/

The post Lindens Meats appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

There are two USDA Farm Services Agency regions in Alaska, the northern region headquartered in Delta Junction and managed by Lloyd Wilhelm and the southern region based out of Palmer and managed by Erin Sturdivant. Both regions are seeking nominations for their upcoming County Committee Elections and in this interview Amy learns about the qualifications, application process and responsibilities of the positions.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/06/17/ag-matters-fsa-2020-6-17/

The post USDA Farm Services Agency seeking County Committee Nominees appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Amy interviews Jodie Anderson, Director of the Mat Su Experiment Farm & Extension Center about recent events impacting the Agriculture community.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2020/04/15/agmatters-alaska-grown-in-the-shadow-of-covid-19-2020-4-15/

The post Mat Su Experiment Farm Director appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

2016 marks my 49th anniversary of immigrating to Alaska from Holland. My wife Suus and I came here with very little, but we were fortunate to have the opportunity to be sponsored by Max and Dorothy Sherrod, a Palmer colonist and longtime farming family who took us under their wing and taught us everything they knew about farming in Alaska. They even let us experiment with our own lettuce growing operation on their property. Without their support, guidance and land, we never would have gotten our start.

Read on adn.com

The post Bringing new opportunities to farmland across the state appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Development Pressure in the Valley is a Threat to Our Food Security

Whether you are an occasional visitor to the Valley or have made the area your home for 50 years, you are probably enchanted by the sweeping views of farm fields against the backdrop of rugged peaks and glaciers, our small town feel, and the relaxed pace of life. At the same time, you’ve probably noticed the increasingly rapid pace of change in our communities. Every day for the past 5-10 years, I have seen construction when I leave my house near Palmer. And most days, that construction involves an excavator or a backhoe digging up 8-10 ft. of some of the richest and purest topsoil in the country. Where there were once farms, dairies, and hayfields now stand literally hundreds of houses with great lawns.

Let me be clear, I chose to live in Palmer because I know that the Valley is a wonderful place to be. But the secret is out and the biggest toll of this change is coming to our farmlands. Developers are drawn to the flat, already cleared farmland to build subdivisions because it’s easy and they are offering huge sums of money for the land. This inflates the cost of land per acre and makes purchasing a fee simple property unattainable for young people looking to start a farm.

This is not the only option for developers looking for potential home sites. The Valley has hundreds of acres of gravelly moraines that are perfectly suited to building foundations. You don’t need level, fertile soil to build a house but you do need it to grow food. We must encourage our developers and folks looking to call the Valley home to build on infertile grounds and make hilly-building a priority.

This may seem like a big request or lofty idealism, but what is at stake is our ability to feed ourselves. Alaska’s produce is fantastic. Our peas and carrots are sweeter, our spuds are heartier, and the variety of local food available to us rivals anyplace on the planet.

Alaskans are a self-sufficient bunch, so why should we be comfortable relying on the Lower 48 for something as fundamental as food?

The Valley once was Southcentral’s pantry with scores of farms and dairies and is now poised to expand its farming operations in a big way, with new farms popping up every year. We need to continue to encourage the agricultural industry by keeping our premium farmlands affordable for future farmers.

We can give those farmers a fighting chance by supporting organizations like the Alaska Farmland Trust who seek to preserve access to our amazing soils for generations to come. We can encourage new development on infertile soils. And we can buy local food at every opportunity. Because you can’t have local food if we don’t have local farms.

-Leslie Senden, AFT Director; pictured second from right in photo.

Leslie grew up in Alaska, is a resident of Palmer and makes her home on the Springer system.  She recognizes the value of protecting farmland and wanted to ensure that the agriculture industry remains a viable choice for the next generation of Alaskans.

The post AFT Director Talks About How Development Pressure Threatens Our Food Security appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Listen on Radio Free Palmer >

The post Farragut Farm appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

This 4th Annual Summer Drink Beer, Save Farms! event will be held at Paradise Alaska Venue & Accommodations, a private farm property on the Springer Loop in Palmer. Enjoy an evening with Alaska’s premier country band, dancing under the midnight sun all for the great cause of permanent farm protection!

Farmland Trust has partnered with FFA (Future Farmers of America) to provide a BBQ dinner for purchase (not included in the ticket price). It will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and as many local products as possible.

There will be locally brewed beer, cider & (limited) wines for purchase.

Drink Beer, Save Farms! swag will be available for sale.

This event is PLASTIC.FREE! Bring your own pint or buy our commemorative Drink Beer, Save Farms! steel cup!

NEW THIS YEAR – we’re supporting Food Bank of Alaska! Bring a jar of peanut butter and your name will be entered to win a FREE TRACTOR RENTAL thanks to our partner sponsor Craig Taylor Equipment!

This event is family friendly, but please leave your four-legged friends at home. NO DOGS ALLOWED::this will be STRICTLY enforced by the property owner. No exceptions. {Not even Dirk, the Alaska Farmland Trust Office Dog is allowed!}

No outside food or drink will be permitted, but bring a blanket or camp chair for the lawn if you’re so inclined. Hay bales will be utilized as seating & tables.

This outdoor event will take place regardless of weather…so do your sunshine dance, but dress accordingly.

Thanks to our generous sponsors Fred Meyer, Alaska Farm Bureau and Alaska Mill and Feed Inc., we’re keeping ticket prices LOW – but know that this event sold out last year – so get your tickets soon!

[maxbutton id=”11″ url=”https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4236174″ text=”TICKETS!” ]
**Admission is $10/per person for those 13 & older on tickets purchased through May 31st.
**Admission is $5 for kids 12 and under on tickets purchased through May 31st.

DAY OF TICKETS:
**Admission is $20/per person for those 13 & older on tickets purchased day event.
**Admission is $10/per child 12 and under on tickets purchased day of event.

The post Drink Beer, Save Farms! 2019 appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

On Saturday June 1, 2019 join Alaska Farmland Trust and The Ken Peltier Band for an evening of great music, local food & beverages & family fun…all for the good cause of continuing to protect farmland across Alaska.

This 4th Annual Summer Drink Beer, Save Farms! event will be held at Paradise Alaska Venue & Accommodations, a private farm property on the Springer Loop in Palmer. Enjoy an evening with Alaska’s premier country band, dancing under the midnight sun all for the great cause of permanent farm protection!

Farmland Trust has partnered with FFA (Future Farmers of America) to provide a BBQ dinner for purchase (not included in the ticket price). It will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and as many local products as possible.

There will be locally brewed beer, cider & (limited) wines for purchase.

Drink Beer, Save Farms! swag will be available for sale.

This event is PLASTIC.FREE! Bring your own pint or buy our commemorative Drink Beer, Save Farms! steel cup!

NEW THIS YEAR – we’re supporting Food Bank of Alaska! Bring a jar of peanut butter and your name will be entered to win a FREE TRACTOR RENTAL thanks to our partner sponsor Craig Taylor Equipment!

This event is family friendly, but please leave your four-legged friends at home. NO DOGS ALLOWED::this will be STRICTLY enforced by the property owner. No exceptions. {Not even Dirk, the Alaska Farmland Trust Office Dog is allowed!}

No outside food or drink will be permitted, but bring a blanket or camp chair for the lawn if you’re so inclined. Hay bales will be utilized as seating & tables.

This outdoor event will take place regardless of weather…so do your sunshine dance, but dress accordingly.

Thanks to our generous sponsors Fred Meyer, Alaska Farm Bureau and Alaska Mill and Feed Inc., we’re keeping ticket prices LOW – but know that this event sold out last year – so get your tickets soon!

TICKETS!
**Admission is $10/per person for those 13 & older on tickets purchased through May 31st.
**Admission is $5 for kids 12 and under on tickets purchased through May 31st.

DAY OF TICKETS:
**Admission is $20/per person for those 13 & older on tickets purchased day event.
**Admission is $10/per child 12 and under on tickets purchased day of event.

The post Drink Beer, Save Farms! 2019 appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

**This event has sold out three years in a row – so don’t hesitate to get your tickets!

Enjoy all-Alaska Grown appetizers, music by the Carhartt Brothers, and a variety of beers, cider and wine from local breweries.

50 VIP tickets are available for a one hour behind-the-scenes tour with farmer Ben VanderWeele beginning an hour before the doors open to General Admission attendees.

VanderWeele Farms is one of the largest commercial vegetable farms in Alaska, celebrating 50 years of feeding Alaskans in 2017. Ben VanderWeele was a founding Board Member of the Alaska Farmland Trust and is excited to host Happy Hour for the fourth year. Enjoy a rare glimpse of their production greenhouse, whilst enjoying incredible all-Alaska Grown appetizers, local beverages and the unique and entertaining music of The Carhartt Brothers!

This fundraiser will include one-of-a-kind door prizes, live & silent auctions featuring incredible gift baskets procured from local businesses and mouth-watering desserts.

230p Doors open for VIPS
330p Doors open for General Admission; Music, Food & Beverages available
400p Auction
530p Last call
600p Doors close

General Admission is $50/person which includes your first drink and one door prize ticket.
VIP Admission is $75/person which includes a 1 hour behind-the-scenes tour hosted by Ben VanderWeele, beginning at 230pm; price also includes your first drink and one door prize.
The nature of this venue (working farm & production greenhouse) make this event not suitable for children; tickets are available for patrons 21 and over.
The Greenhouse will be warm & dry regardless of the weather outside, though the parking area may be muddy, dusty, icey, snowy, etc.
We’ll see you in your favorite SPRING ATTIRE, but maybe pair it with your most comfortable extra tuffs!

***NOTE: This a standing room only event; very little seating is available and only upon request. Again – wear your comfortable and weather-appropriate shoes.

Tickets available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4190893

The post Happy Hour in the Greenhouse! appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

AFTC Budget Cut Talking Points – document coming soon

The post Budget Cuts Threaten Alaskan Agriculture appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Issue: State Budget Cuts Impacting Alaska Agriculture

Talking Points:

• Agriculture is one of the only renewable resources in the State and our industry is growing!
• Programs slated for reduction or elimination from the State Division of Agriculture (Division) include: the Alaska Grown program, the Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund, the Farm to Institution program, and nearly all of the services of the Plant Materials Center. In addition to providing marketing and promotion, access to lending, development of new markets, and research on varieties and diseases, these programs also bring in millions of dollars in Federal funds. While the entire Division budget is ~$1.3 million State dollars, programs are supported and matched with between $2 and 3 million fee for service and federal dollars annually. Without the Division team to provide support however, these dollars will be turned away and growers will not have access to essential programs.
• The proposed cut of the Department of Environmental Conservation, Dairy Sanitation position would eliminate Alaskans access to grade A milk and put at least one multi-generational farm out of business.
• Services provided by the Division should be considered “core” services. Not only are the dedicated staff incredibly knowledgeable about Alaska agriculture issues, they are highly efficient, budget conscious and committed to supporting the industry as a whole. Alaskans have benefited from a Department or Division of Agriculture since Territorial Days; industry members are dependent on the knowledge, expertise and unbiased support that Division staff provide.
• The Division of Agriculture, Plant Materials Center (PMC) provides vital services for continued resource development within Alaska. The PMC is tasked with protecting the State from invasive species of plants, insects, animals and disease. Their efforts support natural resource development statewide, for example, Canada Thistle was recently discovered along the roadway north of the Alaska Range, 100 miles south of Prudhoe Bay. This invasive species is a threat to native plant vegetation and wildlife as well as a potential problem for future natural resource development. It is noteworthy that hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually treating Canada Thistle in the lower 48; this is only to keep it at bay, as eradication is now considered impossible. The PMC staff treated the Alaskan outbreak of Canada Thistle with the intent to eradicate it from the North Slope, maintaining Alaska’s pristine environment.
• Alaskans’ import 95% of the food they purchase, but have demonstrated their support of Alaska Grown products through their commitment to shopping at Farmers Markets, participating in the $5 a week Alaska Grown Challenge at retail grocery stores, and encouraging growers of all
  products to increase production. To cut off the valuable services provided by the Division now, during this time of incredible momentum, would be devastating to our immature but thriving industry.
• We urge you to support full funding for the Division of Agriculture. Everybody eats and therefore we are all “involved” in Agriculture. Support the industry that can both help strengthen our food security and grow our economy.

The post Budget Cuts Threaten Alaskan Agriculture appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/10/24/ag-matters-10-23-2018

The post Ag Matters 10/24/18 with UAF CES SARE appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/10/17/ag-matters-10-16-2018/

The post Ag Matters 10/17/18 with Wild Scoops Ice Cream appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/10/09/ag-matters-10-08-2018/

The post Ag Matters 10/10/18 with Al Poindexter of Anchor Point Greenhouse appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

The post Ag Matters 10/3/18 with Amy Pettit of Alaska Farmland Trust appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/09/12/ag-matters-09-11-2018/

The post Ag Matters 09/12/18 with Seeds of Change appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/09/05/ag-matters-09-04-2018/

The post Ag Matters 09/5/18 with Alex Papasavas of Turkey Red in Palmer appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/08/29/ag-matters-08-28-2018/

The post Ag Matters 8/29/18 with Denali Meat Company appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/08/24/ag-matters-08-22-2018/

The post Ag Matters 8/22/18 with Division of Agriculture Director Arthur Keyes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/08/17/ag-matters-08-15-2018/

The post Ag Matters 8/15/18 with Emily Garrity of Twitter Creek Gardens appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/08/08/ag-matters-08-07-2018/

The post 8/8/18 Ag Matters with Scott Mugrage of Mugrage Hay & Cattle appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/07/25/ag-matters-07-24-2018/

The post 7/25/18 Ag Matters with Don Berberich appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/07/18/ag-matters-07-16-2018/

The post 7/18/18 Mat Su Farm Bureau Farm Tour with Margaret Adsit appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/07/02/ag-matters-06-30-2018/

The post Ag Matters 7/4/18 with Jason Croft of Fire Island Bakery & Turnstone Farm appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

The post Ag Matters 6/27/18 with the Kentucky Farm Bureau appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/06/20/ag-matters-06-19-2018/

The post Ag Matters 6/20/18 with Rob Carter and Ember Haynes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

The post Ag Matters 6/13/18 with Janet Dinwiddie of Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/06/06/ag-matters-06-05-2018/

The post Ag Matters 6/6/18 with Representative Geran Tarr appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/05/30/ag-matters-05-29-2018/

The post Ag Matters 5/30/18 with Dr. Bob Gerlach, State Veterinarian and Amy Seitz, Alaska Farm Bureau appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/05/23/ag-matters-05-22-2018/

The post Ag Matters 5/23/18 with Jenny VanderWeele of Fresh Starts Farms appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/05/18/ag-matters-05-16-2018/

The post Ag Matters 5/16/18 with Division of Agriculture Director Arthur Keyes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/05/09/ag-matters-05-08-2018/

The post Ag Matters 5/9/18 Agriculture Lending in Alaska appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/05/02/ag-matters-05-01-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) envisions a future in which all agricultural education students will discover their passion in life and build on that insight to chart the course for their education, career and personal future. Alaska State FFA Advisor Kevin Fochs and newly elected State FFA Officer Skye Reimers discuss how the Alaska FFA Association has evolved and what’s in store for its future.

Steering Towards Prime Beef

Skye lives with her family on a diversified micro farm in Palmer. They raise different animals including chickens, pigs, ewes and a horse. May is the time of year for kids to start raising animals for the 4-H Junior Livestock Auction at the Alaska State Fair. In addition to caring for the animals on her family’s farm, Skye will be busy raising a steer for this year’s auction.

Raising an animal for auction demonstrates all of the responsibility and hard work it takes to achieve a quality product. Skye points out that it also takes a lot of record keeping – too much, in her opinion. Though she’s quick to reflect on that fact that she’ll probably appreciate it more when she’s older. If only we all had this foresight at her age.   

Darth Vader, the steer she raised for the previous year’s auction placed and sold higher than she expected. His meat evaluation made choice steak. Katie & Mike from Pioneer Peak Orthopedics bought the steer. They made sure to let Skye know that he was in fact, delicious. On the menu for this year A steer named Optimus Prime. With a name like that, Skye is hoping to get a meat evaluation of prime beef.

Alaska FFA Association Is More Than Riding Tractors

When she’s not busy tending to her animals, Skye turns her focus on her new role as FFA Officer. She was elected as State Reporter for 2018-19. Her responsibilities as reporter revolve around getting the word out about FFA in Alaska through social media, updating the FFA website, and outreach such as guest speaking on Ag Matters Radio. She’s quickly learned it’s a lot of work, but she really enjoys it.

Her goal as an officer is to meet as many other FFA members as possible. She wants to teach them that you need to have a set of goals to get to your dream. She’d also like to get at least 500 more kids involved in FFA during her term. Her specific target is ‘city folk’, because there are so many parts to FFA that aren’t all farming or ag. She herself has no plans to become a farmer. There are many careers related to farming that don’t involve getting on the tractor.

Building Leaders Today For Our Future Tomorrow

FFA works to develop kids into the leaders of tomorrow. It gives kids the ability to become involved with a myriad of different events and leadership opportunities, giving them a leg-up in preparation for careers in agriculture and beyond.

There are different degrees that kids can earn in FFA in order to achieve their goals and gain invaluable skills. They can begin by earning their Discovery degree in middle school, working up the ranks through Green Hand, Chapter and State degrees in high school.

It doesn’t stop there. The highest, most esteemed FFA accolade is the American degree, which can be earned after completing high school and the State degree. It involves hours of community service, participation in events at the state level, completion of several leadership activities and successfully earning $7500 from a work project that includes a business plan.

FFA youth also have the option to compete in both State and National FFA Conventions each year. The Alaska State Convention holds competitions from technical agricultural skills to mock interviews and public speaking events. State winners move on to compete in the National Convention. Kids can go to Nationals whether they compete or not to take advantage of leadership sessions and events, tours and career fairs.  

State Advisor Kevin Fochs reflects on last year’s National Convention. It was an amazing event, with record-setting attendance of over 80,000 including 56,000 kids from FFA chapters all over the United States. “People say ag is dying,” he says, “it’s not dying.” Nationwide there are over 560,000 kids who participate in the organization.

Harnessing The Power Of Invaluable Experience

Kevin came up to Alaska from his home state of Montana three years ago when he accepted the position as advisor. He brought with him 32 years of experience in teaching high school agriculture and technical education. His broad range of skills taught students everything from plant and animal science to mechanics, sales and marketing – to name a few.

He has received multiple awards from the National Association of Agricultural Educators including the Teacher of Teachers Bronze Award. That, paired with his rich teaching career makes it safe to say that Alaska is lucky to have him here. Lucky for the kids, and for the future of our state.

Since he landed, Kevin has already helped to expand Alaska’s FFA chapters from 6 to 17. Chapters can be found all over the state from Fairbanks to Kodiak. The seventeenth chapter in the works is Tok. Kevin was able to talk to the new teacher, a former FFA advisor in Wyoming. That, and a new advisor hired for Palmer makes him excited to have new people with different experience on board.

A Growing Alaska FFA Association Brings More Opportunity

So why all the sudden new growth Kevin’s outreach has paid off. The program is to the point where it’s starting to feed into itself. He used to have to really sell the program to schools, now he gets phone calls from schools who want to start programs. People are seeing what kids are doing and what great educational opportunities FFA brings, and want to introduce that into their own communities.

Don’t worry, homeschoolers aren’t left out. Alaska has more homeschool chapters than any other state. To get involved, kids can join chapters at their nearest school. If there isn’t a chapter at the nearest school, Kevin encourages kids to create their own sub-chapters.

Ten members are usually needed to form a chapter, but he’s willing to work with kids however he can to provide the same opportunities as those in public schooling.

This year’s State Convention in mid-March reflected the influx of FFA membership. 170 members participated, and Kevin is continually impressed by the caliber of kids coming through to compete. He also happily reports that it was the smoothest convention yet, having been able to build up a solid volunteer base and returning past officers – who come during their spring break, no less.

Building Strong Community Through Service

FFA strives to show kids how important it is to become good citizens by giving back to the community. You can often find them volunteering at various fundraising events, including the Valley Garden Club’s annual Memorial Day plant sale.

In addition, they do a Day of Service at each annual convention. This year was committed to the Magic Yarn Project, an organization that crochets wigs and hats for children who have lost their hair to cancer. Project founder Holly Christensen is not only from Palmer, but is a former State FFA Officer as well. She came up to show convention participants how to make these amazing gifts. The goal was to make 500 hats, and they made a whopping 650!

Growing Alaska Ag Grows Our State’s Potential

Kevin’s mission is to grow agriculture and grow ag education in Alaska. He’s trying to get all of the students involved in Supervised Ag Experience (SAE). SAE focuses on giving kids work experience with ag related business to build entrepreneurial skills they don’t typically get in the classroom. There will also be trainings in Palmer, and students will even have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. for more intense coaching.

In the short time he’s been up here, Kevin is amazed at what he sees as a lot of opportunities in agriculture. He tries to relay that message to the kids. There’s a lot of room for growth, and he sees ag as a component to expand on. If it’s supported it can lift us up as a state. Not only for the economy here, but or our food security as well.  

Interested in learning more, or starting an FFA chapter in your area You can give Kevin a call at 907-707-9710, or stop by his office at the Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center for a visit!

The post Ag Matters 5/2/18 with Skye Reimers & Kevin Fochs of Alaska FFA appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

This 3rd Annual Summer Drink Beer, Save Farms! event will be held on a private farm property on the Springer Loop in Palmer. Enjoy an evening with Alaska’s premier country band, dancing under the midnight sun.

Farmland Trust has partnered with FFA (Future Farmers of America) to provide a BBQ dinner for purchase (not included in the ticket price). It will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and as many local products as possible.

There will be locally brewed beer, cider & (limited) wines for purchase.

Drink Beer, Save Farms! swag will be available for sale.

This event is family friendly, but please leave your four-legged friends at home. No outside food or drink will be permitted, but bring a blanket or camp chair for the lawn if you’re so inclined. Hay bales will be utilized as seating & tables.

This outdoor event will take place regardless of weather…so do your sunshine dance, but dress accordingly.

Buy your tickets in advance and SAVE!
**Admission is $5/per person for those 13 & older on tickets purchased through June 1st.
**Admission is FREE for kids 12 and under on tickets purchased through June 1st.

DAY OF TICKETS:
**Admission is $10/per person for those 13 & older on tickets purchased day of event.
**Admission is $5/per child 12 and under on tickets purchased day of event.

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3426119

The post Drink Beer, Save Farms! Summer Concert with The Ken Peltier Band appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/04/30/ag-matters-04-25-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

For the past thirty years, the Valley Garden Club has played an active role in the growing community of the Mat-Su region. Established in 1988, some of the club’s very first plant sales took place in the front yards of the original founders. Coming a long way since, members Dan & Sue sit down to discuss the club’s mission and popular annual plant sale.

Retiring Into Active Valley Garden Club Duty

Sue has been a Valley Garden Club member since retiring five years ago. Her Alaskan adventure began when she relocated from South Dakota to be close to her siblings. There must have been something really special about Alaska, seeing as all six of them had moved to the state but her. Becoming a member of the garden club was a natural decision for her, having married a farmer and being a gardener all of her life.

Dan was stationed in Alaska during the 90’s while serving in the Air Force. When the force moved him out ‘kicking and screaming’, he vowed to come back someday. He made good on that vow and moved back up here with his wife when they retired. The house they bought needed a lot of landscaping work. After a few years of planting perennials and watching them die, the two admitted to their need for help and became members of the garden club.

Valley Garden Social Club

One of the Valley Garden Club’s main goals is to share knowledge with its members and the public. You do not need to have any prior gardening experience or even have a garden to become a member. Container gardeners are also welcomed. Many people do not have access to good soil or adequate space for in-ground gardens or raised beds.

Most of the club’s members are new to Alaska and have tired of having dead gardens each year. “Gardening up here is so different than anywhere else,” Sue explains, “joining the club is a stepping-off point for getting help from each other.”  Even avid gardeners who come up from the Lower 48 often need guidance.

Membership is $20/year, which includes monthly meetings and events. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month in the basement of the First Baptist Church of Wasilla at 10:30am. Each meeting features a local speaker, and an annual calendar is published with insight on meeting topics. June’s meeting takes the form of their annual picnic, and July’s offers a garden tour. Most wrap up around 1:00pm, and members are encouraged to bring a  potluck dish to share.

As a civic and social organization, Sue points out that the emphasis often lands on the social part. One of the main reasons that people come to monthly meetings is to visit and catch up with each other. Of course, a lot of tips and tricks are passed back and forth too. With 114 members, there’s certainly plenty of knowledge to be shared.

Valley Garden Club On A Beautiful Mission

The second goal of the Valley Garden Club is to provide community Beautification Grants. Each April, grant applications are available for any local 501(c)(3) organization or public agency to fill out. A different group agrees to make up the grant review committee each year. Awards are granted to varying types of community projects within a month of applying.

They look to fund organizations who are seeking to create visually pleasing spaces that also serve a positive function in the community. Past awards have been granted to Grow Palmer, helping the free edible garden spaces in downtown Palmer get their start. Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska received a grant last year to install a fairy garden in order to provide patients at Mat-Su Adult Day Services a sense of purpose and peace. Funds were awarded to develop a memorial rose garden at My House in Wasilla, an organization who helps homeless youth.

Popular Plant Sale Benefits All

Funds are raised with an annual plant sale to make the Beautification Grants possible. The sale initially began to cover club expenses. Since membership has increased and the sale has gained popularity, the club has been able to put money back into the community.

The sale takes place each year on Memorial Day Saturday, 9-3 at the Boys & Girls Club of Wasilla. Valley Garden Club members from Lazy Mountain to Willow to Big Lake bring plants to sell. Thousands of plants are available and include varieties of herbs, veggie starts, houseplants, container plants, perennials, berries, flowers, trees & shrubs. Dan mentions something about a “wall of tomatoes.” That seems like reason enough to check it out!

Beyond supporting the local community, purchasing plants from local growers benefits your garden efforts. Plants that these members have brought to sell are tried and true. The chance of finding varieties that do well in Alaska’s climate is greater than making that purchase from a big chain garden center. Plus, you’ll find many unique options from all of the different growers and their combined years of experience.

Recycling Back To The Community

The Valley Garden Club has recently partnered with the Valley Community Recycling Center to help recycle garden plastic. Last year, the club ran a trial for a month in which they picked up old plastic and redistributed it to small growers who needed it. The response was overwhelming – they were able to keep 1,000 pounds of plastic from going into the landfill.

This year, the recycling center will have a designated space for people to drop off their garden plastic from May through September. The garden club will pick it up each week for redistribution to other growers. It can be any type of garden plastic – from pots to black plastic mulch. Not only will small growers have access to free supplies, Dan estimates that it will save 3-4,000 pounds from being added to the landfill this time around. It’s a win-win!

The Valley Garden Club represents so much more than garden and plant enthusiasts. It’s a group of people who are deeply in tune with Alaska’s natural cycles and capabilities. It is a melding of curious minds and years of experience. It’s people who have love for their community and strive to give back to it. It is community.

The post Ag Matters 4/25/18 : The Valley Garden Club appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/04/13/ag-matters-04-11-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

Mel Sikes came up to Alaska in 2006 when her husband decided to chase the job of Curator of Insects at the University of Alaska Fairbanks museum. Another story for another day, perhaps. She herself became the Natural Resources Education Specialist at Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District. Part of FSWCD’s work involves solving issues in agriculture and working closely with local farmers. Mel shares how she fell into the role of Alaska Ag in the Classroom Coordinator and what this incredibly important program entails.

Strong Support Builds Alaska Ag In The Classroom

Alaska Ag in the Classroom is a nonprofit educational program started by the Alaska Farm Bureau over twenty years ago. It’s mission is to provide Alaska’s students a better understanding of where their food truly comes from. Mel had already been instituting the lessons in an after school program when the opportunity to manage the program became available.

The role of Alaska Ag in the Classroom Coordinator is to teach teachers how to add the lessons into their curriculum. Like any nonprofit, you not only need money, you need a champion. Alaska Farm Bureau has been a strong supporter of the program since the beginning. Mel reflects on how it wouldn’t be there without them or the groundwork laid by her predecessor.

The Alaska Division of Agriculture has also supported Alaska Ag in the Classroom for many years. The first Tuesday in May is Alaska Ag Day. Each year, teachers and communities are encouraged to do something in the classroom to help celebrate it. If you are doing anything in your classroom or community, you can register with the Division of Ag to win a prize. Any activity that brings attention to agriculture in Alaska counts! The Alaska Ag in the Classroom website offers a handy list of suggested activities to prepare teachers for their next Alaska Ag Day celebration.

Alaska Ag In The Classroom Continues To Bridge The Gap

With a strongly supported foundation to lean on, Mel continues the important work of Ag in the Classroom alongside her role at Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District. FSWCD believes that it’s very important for kids to be connected to where their food, fabrics and fuels come from. Many children are detached from the concept. Most are now multiple generations removed from the farm. Families rely on large grocery stores to supply them with what they need. It was once commonplace to know your local farmer. It’s now accepted that our goods appear on the shelves somehow, with little understanding of the process.

Alaska Ag in the Classroom attempts to help bridge that gap. It gives educators access to completely free, certified lesson plans that fit within curriculum guidelines for both state and national standards. Plans cater to levels K-12, and include a variety of topics that range from gardening basics to the chemistry and composition of milk. A lot of the plans have been tailored to Alaska-specific agriculture, and new lessons are added each year. A newly released set of lessons on Alaska indoor gardening curriculum – including hydroponics and aquaponics – is now available!

The lessons try to take all of Alaska’s different ecosystems into consideration. That said, there may not be locally based resources in each town. If you are a teacher who wants to know more about ag in your area, Mel is the starting point. You can reach out to her at alaska.agintheclassroom@gmail.com.

Teaching The Teachers

Alaska Ag in the Classroom offers workshops to equip teachers on how to best integrate the lesson plans. In the beginning of each workshop there is an introduction to Alaska agriculture. Educators then explore what is happening in the community where the workshop takes place. In Fairbanks, for example, teachers will tour the garden at UAF and the Large Animal Research Station (LARS). The workshops always try to set up a visit to a place that teachers wouldn’t have thought to classify as a farm. Like their students, many teachers have never set foot on a farm before – it’s about connecting them too.

A different lesson is integrated each day as they visit farms and farmers, talking about the different ways of bringing it back into the classroom. At the end of each workshop, teachers walk away with a jump drive and a binder full of lessons to get them started. Mel plans to offer one near the end of August/early September in Fairbanks this year, pending funding. She’s also working on a number of other offerings. You can contact her at any time to help set up a workshop in your community!

Alaska Ag In The Classroom Is The Future Of Alaska

Alaska Ag in the Classroom is the perfect addition to all of the new indoor and outdoor school gardens popping up around the state. Kids are exposed to hands-on learning about something fun and unique to Alaska. They get to see and experience how amazing farmers are and how much goes into putting food on their tables. Mel believes that this will have an impact on kids to become Alaska Grown endorsers from the start, growing up to support our local farmers. It’s a win for our food security, economy and future generations. It’s a win for Alaska.

If you’d like to reach out to Mel, she can be contacted at alaska.agintheclassroom@gmail.com, or 907-479-1213 x105. You can also find her information through the National Agriculture in the Classroom website.

The post Ag Matters 4/11/18 : Mel Sikes of Alaska Ag in the Classroom appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/04/04/ag-matters-04-03-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

If you live in Palmer, you most likely already know the name Ben VanderWeele. Maybe you’re lucky enough to be a close friend. Maybe you’ve seen the picture of Ben and his family, hanging proudly above their produce at the grocery store. Or maybe you think you don’t know him – but you do. The food that Ben grows is literally an extension of himself. Chances are that you have bought and eaten a potato or carrot grown on his farm. That means you’re more than halfway there to knowing who Ben VanderWeele is.

A Dutch Couple Walks Into A Small Alaskan Town

Ben and his wife Suus landed in Palmer on July 2, 1967. The town was a far cry from their native Netherlands home, but it did have something that Ben was intimately familiar with; farming. A tenth generation farmer, his family’s long history of growing food is in his blood. Needless to say, the VanderWeele’s started farming almost immediately upon their arrival.

Back then, it was not economically feasible for a young family to farm in the Netherlands. Ben’s parents had lost their farm due to city expansion. Though they were compensated for it, land became so expensive that it didn’t make sense to start new. Ben was determined to make it his life regardless. He’s since reflected on this decision, joking that his siblings are “smarter than me – they didn’t get involved in agriculture.”

After high school, Ben went on to study ag. He spent some of that time as an exchange student in Canada, quickly realizing there was more opportunity for farming in North America than in Europe. His sister was working as a stewardess at the time for Royal Dutch airlines. In the sixties, planes could not fly over Russian airspace. So, Europeans flew over the pole from Amsterdam to Anchorage. Having spent a good amount of time exploring the town and surrounding MatSu Valley, his sister steered Ben towards Palmer to check out its farming potential.

The Family That Farms Together, Stays Together

Palmer was a very different place then. Ben specifically recalls the dust. Gravel roads wove the little town together with its many farms.  Most of those farms are long gone, making way for subdivisions and convenience food shipped up from the Lower 48. Ben is still here though. Over fifty years growing in Palmer has turned him into a patriarch of farming in Alaska.

As a father of farming, Ben is lucky to have fathered three children to pass his skills onto. Three children who came back to the farm after leaving the nest. The gene was passed on. You can tell how proud Ben is with this outcome. Each manage their own roles, but they all still pitch in together to seed, transplant and harvest. “They have pretty much taken over,” Ben says, adding “they like to boss their parents around.”

Ben has always maintained a successful farm, but his family’s involvement has really helped to push it to the next level. During the summer, they work long days, seven days a week – a normal life for any farmer. In the winter, they are still working five days a week thanks to their small packaging operation. They are able to offer year-round employment, a rarity for most farmers. Workers pack up the root crops stored all winter for distribution to grocery stores and restaurants.

VanderWeele Farm Is No Small Potatoes Or Carrots

VanderWeele Farm grows a lot more than potatoes and carrots, but they are the real stars of the field. Ben is known for his love of potatoes. In 1968, a year after his arrival in the state, he joined the Alaska Potato Growers Association. He was member number twenty-five. Fifty years and countless potatoes later, it’s safe to say Ben has mastered the art of growing the tasty tubers. You can decide for yourself by picking up a bag at your local grocery store.

Potatoes are easier to store over the winter than carrots are, but that didn’t stop Ben from finding a way to keep them stocked in stores and better than ever. To keep fresh the famous sweet flavor Alaskan produce is known for, Ben and his team built a state of the art storage facility. Carrots are very picky about their weather. They need a particular temperature and humidity level to be happy, resulting in hundreds of gallons of water pumping through the storage each day.

Giving them all that love is worth it. They taste like they were just picked that morning. The last bags of carrots just hit the shelves at local grocery stores, and they’re all gone. They will start harvesting this season’s crop in September. You’ll just have to wait patiently. Or very, very anxiously.

Sweet Hobby Is Leading To Sweet Future

Because farming for Ben is a true passion, he always tinkers with a new crop each year. The latest crop VanderWeele Farm is becoming known for is their strawberries. Already in the greenhouse this year with new leaves and a few flowers, the berries are grown in long gutters a few feet raised off the ground.

In his seventies, Ben really enjoys his new ergonomically friendly hobby, spending a lot of time experimenting with different varieties. He tries something new each year, but the two he loves are Albion and Seascape. Both are everbearing day-neutrals, producing very flavorful red fruits with multiple harvests.

The strawberries you normally find on Alaska store shelves are from California. They are purposely bred for shipment in exchange for flavor and color. If Ben can keep this new strawberry venture going, he’ll make an awful lot of locals happy. He needs to get better at growing them before making the jump to stores, though. In the meantime, you can find the juicy summer treats at the South Anchorage Farmers Market (be forewarned, they usually run out in the first hour), or look out for Palmer parking lot sales posted on social media.

VanderWeele Wheat Making Waves Of Grain

Another new VanderWeele adventure starting to make an appearance is wheat. Historically, Southcentral Alaska has never been able to grow wheat because of its climate. That’s been changing, and in recent years farmers have been able to experiment with grains in the Valley and Delta Junction like never before. The Plant Materials Center in Palmer has been working with Ben to find him good varieties of wheat to try. Though still in the sampling stage growing on two acres, he’s found a variety good for bread, one for cookies, and one for alcohol.

Breweries have taken a real interest in local wheat, barley and rye because it’s so hard to find here. Farmers may be starting to grow it, but there is no malting facility in the state. There may be a remedy to that soon, as Ben’s oldest son has taken an interest in doing some malting of their grain crops. In the meantime, you can find VanderWeele wheat in unmalted AK Farmland Wit beer at 49th State Brewing Co. in Anchorage, and in a new brew out of Palmer’s Bleeding Heart Brewery available April 14th.

If you’re looking for some VanderWeele produce to add to that dinner being washed down with Alaska Grown beer, the wait is getting shorter. Seeding has started on the farm, and crops will be on the shelves as soon as they’re ready. Don’t worry, Palmer doesn’t hog all the goods. You can find Ben’s veggies statewide. Carr’s-Safeway, Fred Meyer’s and Wal-Mart all carry VanderWeele produce, distributed from Fairbanks to Kenai and everywhere in between.

Out Of Crisis, A Farmland Trust Is Born

Ben became a board member of the Alaska Farmland Trust (AFT) a decade ago. He was already a member of the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corp. He and the other members of the organization saw the handwriting on the wall in the early 2000’s. Farmland was being lost at an alarming rate to development in the area.

Deciding they needed to do something about it, the group formed AFT in 2005. It didn’t do much at first. They ran into the nightmare of trying to come up with the millions of dollars needed to save these properties. After losing more ground and realizing the threat was even worse than previously thought, the Trust sprang into real action.

Fighting the good fight has started to see some victories. To date, AFT has placed 300 acres into a permanent farmland conservation easement, with 70 more acres in the works. That acreage is expected to double in the next five to seven years, or however long it takes to raise the funds needed. Once in trust, the land will always be protected from development other than farming – saving our precious fertile soils for generations of Alaskans to come.

Happy Hour In The Greenhouse

With so many great organizations doing good work out there, Alaska Farmland Trust has gotten creative in its fundraising approach. Everyone loves a good party, so AFT has responded by becoming one of the main hosts. Drink Beer, Save Farms! events have really taken off, helping to further the Trust’s mission of saving farmland.

Another annual event that has gained popularity is Happy Hour in the Greenhouse, hosted by none other than Ben VanderWeele himself. This year’s event is Saturday, April 14th from 3:30-6pm. Ben’s greenhouse is transformed into a really fun afternoon of sampling Alaska Grown appetizers, beer, cider and wine while listening to live music from the Carhartt Brothers. There’s also a live auction with a ton of great locally donated goodies, and of course, Alaska Farmland Trust schwag will be available for sale. Tickets are $50 and include all appetizers and your fist beverage!

NEW THIS YEAR – VIP Tickets: $75 gets you a special farm tour with Ben before the event! This won’t be just any farm tour, be ready to get your hands in the dirt. You’ll get to fill up a tray with soil and seed it, see plants at different stages, and talk about tips and tricks. Ben is sharing his 50+ years of knowledge – a rare opportunity not to be missed. His first tip: “Don’t wear your church clothes, come put your farm clothes on and fit in with the rest of us!”

Tickets are almost gone, so hop on it and come hang out amongst the strawberries in a warm greenhouse to support a good cause. Hope to see you there!

The post Ag Matters 4/4/18: Ben VanderWeele appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/03/28/ag-matters-03-27-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

Hard work, contagious passion and pure grit only scrape the surface of Allie Barker’s character. She and her husband Jed own Chugach Farm, an off-grid commercially producing homestead twelve-hundred feet up a mountainside in Chickaloon. When host Amy Pettit first learned of what it took to run the unique operation, she suggested that Allie write a book about it. She’d make more money off of that than farming, after all. Allie was quick to respond – “I’m not into money Amy, that’s not my thing!”

Guiding Her Way To Growing Food

Allie got her first glimpse of Alaska on a ski mountaineering trip at age eighteen. She knew then that she had found her future home. After mountain guiding in the state for over a decade, Allie decided to study sustainable agriculture at Evergreen College in Washington. Falling in love with her studies, she stopped guiding to farm instead.

It seems inevitable that Allie’s path would lead her to growing food. Though she did not grow up on a traditional farm, her family grew their own food back in Amish country, Ohio. She recalls how her mother always had “way more tomatoes to put up than anyone could ever eat in an entire lifetime.”

She took to reading The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing’s Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living, peaking her interest in homesteading. So, she and Jed made that dream happen, carving out a homestead of their own on the mountain. The real connection to growing food began through a necessity to be self-sufficient. Soon they were not only growing for themselves, but for people in the community. The pieces fell into place, and Chugach Farm now enters its ninth year at Spenard Farmers Market  in Anchorage.

Chugach Farm Beats To Its Own Systems

Chugach Farm is not what comes to mind when picturing a typical operation. Allie grows on about one acre rested between two eskers next to the glacier that used to run through Chickaloon. Limited horizontal space has prompted south-facing terraced beds, inspired by Fairbank’s Calypso Farm & Ecology Center.

You can see the evolution when you look at the farm. Allie and Jed have tried a little bit of everything through trial and error. They’ve spent almost ten years refining systems, sometimes building more than they can handle to manage. The farm is a closed system, and there’s not a lot they don’t do themselves. If a part of the system fails, it’s overwhelming. She enjoys it though, accepting “that’s life.”

Off-Grid Farming Requires Off-Grid Innovation

Farming is already challenging on the grid. Off-grid takes it to another level entirely. Everything is heated by wood. The winter is spent logging for firewood and building supplies. Wood ovens can be found everywhere; the main house, greenhouse, seedhouse, and sauna – even Allie has to relax sometimes.

A solar system runs the well pump, lights and outlets. It also runs the pump needed to run radiant heat under the greenhouse soil beds. The solar panel at the well allows for water to be pumped to the top of the hill above the terraced beds. Once there, it warms up and is then gravity-fed to all the different systems and zones of the terrace. DC pumps help the water along to feed the greenhouse and seedhouse. The final stop for the water lies at the lowest part of the land where a pond waits to catch it, saving it for backup if needed.

A Winter Paradise Of Picking Peppers

The greenhouse system that Allie has built allows her to actively grow from the beginning of March through December. She was inspired by farmer Ana Eddey, former college mate and author of Solviva: How to grow $500,000 on one acre, and Peace on Earth.  She based the design for her greenhouse off of Eddey’s, who grew year round in Massachusetts with no additional heat.

Built like an earthship, the greenhouse sits two-thirds underground with a very insulated roof and triple polycarbonate south face. Even with the dwindling light of winter, radiant heat from the wood stove inside goes under the beds to keep the soil and plants warm. It can be twenty below zero outside and she’ll still be picking peppers. Her and Jed usually end up closing it down out of sheer exhaustion rather then an end in production.

Tunnels and hoop houses provide additional growing space. There’s even one on skis that gets moved to new soil each season. To help clear the land and improve soil health, Allie has used pigs for several years. She also employs duck mobiles and chicken tractors, using the birds to fertilize the soil.

The farm grows traditional crops that do well in Alaska such as carrots, beets, lots of cabbage, turnips and hardy greens like arugula, spinach, and mustards. They also grow onions, garlic, pumpkins and squashes. In warmer tunnels you’ll find the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and a myriad of herbs.

The Key To Good Health Is Fermented

What Allie has really become known for though, is ferments. Fermentation is a big operation on the farm. With a root cellar for main food storage, preservation is essential for putting up crops all year. It’s also health driven for Allie. After realizing she was celiac, fermented foods became an essential part of her diet.

Fermenting preserves food while retaining all of its nutrition. The natural process changes lactic acid to good bacteria, feeding your gut microbes and improving gut bacteria. Allie has seen her health transform over the years of eating and drinking ferments.

Kombucha is a large part of her fermentation operation. She brews hers with black tea and organic sugar, striving for nutrients over sweetness. The combination creates the highest amount of glucuronic acid, similar to what our livers produce. The result is a detoxifying, nutritious drink. Some of her flavors include spruce tip, pepper, blueberry, cranberry, apple and sage. She makes a rotation of twenty different kinds, all using produce grown on the farm or harvested nearby.

You can find the delicious health tonics at the Spenard Farmers Market  May through October, or by contacting Allie: chugachfarm@gmail.com. She also offers Alaska’s very first CSF – Community Supported Ferments. Working off of the same model as CSA (which the farm also offers), you pay upfront for eight months of ferments every other week. Each pick-up includes two different flavors that may include sauerkraut, kimchi, lacto pickles, kombucha, and kvass among others. Poke around on the Chugach Farm website or facebook to learn more!

Chugach Farm Harbors Future Author?

Though market season is still a month away, Allie gives us a glimpse into what she’ll have come first market. Expect to find mixed greens of arugula, spinach, tatsoi and mustard, turnips, radishes, vegetable starts, eggs, ferments, kombucha, and medicinal & herb vinegars.

While we anxiously wait to get our hands on the farm’s goodies, Allie waits for her parent’s old alpaca trailer. It will be turned into a commercial kitchen, allowing her to easily process more ferments for us. “Nothing is ever perfected,” she reflects, “it’s a work of art, an addiction to keep creating and evolving…there’s no blueprint for any of it” Maybe she’ll end up writing that book after all.

The post Ag Matters 3/28/18 with Allie Barker of Chugach Farm appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/03/23/ag-matters-03-22-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

In 2008 Dr. Petra Illig of Alaska Rhodiola Enterprises stumbled across an article in Science News that would set her on a life-changing adventure. It was about an herbal medicinal plant called Rhodiola rosea – roseroot, golden root – used for centuries as folk medicine. Research conducted on Rhodiola had turned up a lot of actual scientific evidence of its various health benefits.  As a doctor, Petra’s interest was peaked. A few years later she would cross paths with host Amy Pettit while applying for a grant. Amy recalls thinking, “who is this doctor trying to grow this plant?” The two sit down to answer just that.

The Doctor Of Rhodiola Rosea Is In

Petra attended med school at the University of Washington Seattle. She enrolled in what today is known as  WWAMI, a regional medical education program serving the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Alaska became the selected state she would spend time training in. Always knowing she would eventually come back after completing her studies, she opened her practice in Alaska sixteen years ago.

She was amidst establishing her medical career and enjoying life as an Alaskan when she read the article on Rhodiola. A casual conversation with a state auditor revealed to her how hard it is for farmers to grow in the state. The common crops our society has grown accustomed to typically aren’t well suited for the environment here, requiring a lot of added infrastructure. Petra couldn’t help but wonder if Alaska could successfully cultivate the Rhodiola rosea she had been reading about. It’s sister species – Rhodiola integrifolia – grows wild on the northern side of Hatcher’s Pass.

Her research of the plant had her convinced it was very useful for human health. She wasn’t alone – demand for Rhodiola rosea has increased in recent years. Most supplies of it come from wild harvest in the mountains of Siberia and northern China. Because Rhodiola takes so long to grow in the wild, the increased demand has caused an over-harvested, decreased supply. Petra thought of how Alaska could take advantage of this as an opportunity to make an economically feasible plant for farmers to grow in the state.

Russians, Rhodiola Rosea And Rosavins

A succulent, Rhodiola rosea grows as a small bushy plant reaching eighteen inches tall. It’s fragrant yellow flowers sit atop a long stalk of thick fleshy leaves. The name ‘rosea’ is inspired by the strong rose-like odor that emits from its root when sliced into. The root, or rhizome, is where all of the magic lies.

Rhodiola rosea contains rosavin – a specifically unique chemical not found in any of the plant’s 200 other species. It has the ability to act like caffeine without the side effects of a racing heart or increased blood pressure. Historically, the plant has been used by circumpolar peoples for the last 1,000 years for its stimulating effects, giving athletes and warriors more stamina and focus.

During post WWII, the Russians began looking at Rhodiola rosea for its ability to enhance mental and physical activity in their athletes and military. They found that the plant contained what they labeled ‘adaptogens’. Adaptogens help support the normal biochemical functions in our body. They have the ability to fortify normal pathways that may be suffering from stress or illness.

Today, known beneficial effects include enhanced physical endurance and performance, anti-fatigue, anti-depressant, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-aging, decreased stress, countered high altitude sickness, and restorative female & male reproductive functions. There is also no known toxicity, meaning you need not worry about overdose.

Front Yard Crusade Spreads To Farmers Fields

Armed with the laundry list of reasons to grow Rhodiola rosea, Petra was ready to begin her experiment. She had discovered scientists in Alberta, Canada were researching ways to use Rhodiola rosea to diversify their crops. She reached out to one, he sent her some seeds, and two years later she had over two hundred Rhodiola seedlings in her front yard – worrying her neighbors a bit.

With her yard covered in successful seedlings, the next step was to put them to the test in a field. To start, she needed a bit of money to pull together the resources needed to research the plant as a crop. To her luck, Rhodiola rosea qualified for Alaska’s USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant. She applied, and got the funding she needed.

Up until then, Petra had not been part of the ag community. She needed to find farmers who were willing to put a plant that had never been cultivated in Alaska into their fields. This is where that grant money came in handy. She convinced Mark Rempel of Rempel Family Farm in Palmer, and Shelly Rainwater of Glacier Peonies to take the first plunge. They needed to take care of them for at least five years, after all, since that’s how long it takes for the root to reach harvestable maturity.

She also used the grant money to bring up the researcher from Alberta for a few talks on the project’s start and what exactly this Rhodiola rosea was all about. The direct line to Alberta’s research on cultivating Rhodiola was much appreciated, but Petra knew something more was needed to support Alaskan farmers. Not only did Alberta have different growing conditions than Alaska, they also had a fully funded government program in place for their farmers to learn from.

So, a farmer’s coop was formed to bring Alaska Rhodiola growers together and learn from each other. A handful of growers are pretty serious – some for personal use and others for economic opportunity. Together, they figure out how to navigate best growing practices for a successful crop.

The Experiment Takes Root

With the Rhodiola rosea plants now scattered into the fields of farmers, the experiment had really just begun. In 2013, the first harvest was pulled out from a farm in Point MacKenzie. They now had to determine if the rosavin productivity in the root mass would be high enough as a cultivated plant. This would require lab support and testing to determine when to literally pull the plant out by its root.

Of course, it meant more funding was needed. Petra secured a little grant from University of Alaska Fairbanks. She was granted a field at the UAF Experiment Farm in Palmer to grow in. A few summers of sample collection taught her the best time to harvest seems to be four years into the plant’s maturity for optimal rosavin levels.

She’s still trying to work out the details for each individual farmer, since Alaska has such different growing environments. What works in Delta is different than what works in Kenai. With yet another grant secured to help harvest plots, pay farmers, and do more marketing research, the project continues to grow – with four successful harvests under its belt.

Rhodiola Rosea Is An Excuse To Try Local Vodka

So, how exactly does one reap all of those great health benefits from Rhodiola rosea Once harvested, it’s processed quickly to maintain its adaptogenic ingredients. Traditionally the root was taken out of the ground as needed and made into a tea. The Russians – perhaps unsurprisingly – chipped up the root and threw it into a bottle of vodka for use as an extract.

Processing the root for later use is a rather methodical process. The dirt is carefully washed by hand out of its gnarly nooks and crannies. Banging them around can deactivate that precious rosavin production. They are then dehydrated at 125 degrees F for 24 hours, resulting in a dried bulk chipped root material that stores well in cool dry conditions.

Once preserved, you need to extract it. Hot water is a good extraction method. Petra explains that you get even more out of it if you add a little ethanol to the process. For Alaska Rhodiola Enterprises to offer it as a commercial supplement, she plans to dry it into a powder. This way, she can determine what the rosavin concentration is and ensure that each capsule contains the industry standard of 3% by weight. Her goal in the coming years is to create a standardized capsule and dosage of Rhodiola rosea so that health providers and homeopaths can prescribe it.

For now, she offers it as a tincture or dried root chips. You can make a tea or try your hand at making your own extract with some vodka. Might we suggest vodka from a local distillery to make it a truly Alaska Grown experience?

Come Take A Ride On The Rhodiola Express

Her products can be found on the Alaska Rhodiola Enterprises website or Amazon.  It sits on the shelves of Natural Pantry in Anchorage, NonEssentials in Palmer, All About Herbs in Wasilla, Sunshine Foods in Fairbanks, A Rogue’s Garden in Valdez, and Rainbow Foods in Juneau. You can also email Petra at akroseroot@gmail.com or give her a ring at 907-301-7276.

She especially wants to hear from you if you’re interested in growing Rhodiola. Currently, Alaska’s raw production of the plant sits just above a hundred pounds per year. Botanical companies interested in buying it are looking for thousands of pounds per year. Based on that, it’s pretty safe to say without a doubt that Alaska could seriously benefit from hopping on the Rhodiola train.

Petra believes that if the state can get just 100 acres per year in production, it has the potential to bring in more money to farmers in Alaska than all other crops combined. Let that sink in for a minute. So, who’s ready to grow Rhodiola rosea?

The post Ag Matters 3/21/18: Dr. Petra Illig of Alaska Rhodiola Enterprises appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Ag Matters 3/14/18 | Radio Palmer

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

Celebrating its 29th harvest this year, Kahiltna Birchworks was born out of a hobby of tapping birch trees on Dulce Ben-East’s Alaskan homestead. Host Amy Pettit sits down to learn how Dulce and her husband Michael turned their hobby into what became Alaska Wild Harvest, the largest birch syrup producer in the world.

Homesteading Dreams Lead To Sweet Living

Like so many, Dulce’s Alaskan story began with a youthful adventure. An education in biogeography and environmental studies brought her up to the state from Delaware in 1978. She settled down in Homer with a position at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. After meeting her husband Michael, the couple decided to live out their homesteading dream on the Kahiltna River in the middle of the Susitna-River Valley.

The homestead lifestyle brought a closeness to the land and a love for the seasonality of harvesting the bounty of wild food Alaska has to offer. Tapping the birch trees around the property went hand-in-hand with fishing for salmon and picking wild berries. Realizing that they needed to find a way to make a living 30 miles off the road system, Dulce and Michael started tapping. They sold 700 bottles of birch syrup at the Alaska State Fair after their second harvest on the homestead. This marked the beginning of their unplanned journey – a familiar story for most Alaskans.

As the endeavor grew, Dulce and Michael realized they would need to move the operation to keep up with demand. In 2009 they purchased land in Talkeetna, becoming the present home of Kahiltna Birchworks-Alaska Wild Harvest. This year they will tap 10,000 trees – a far cry from the 3,000 tapped when they started on the homestead.  Sap starts to flow in the spring and the harvest is collected on average in mid-April. It’s a result of the process of photosynthesis – where roots will begin to pull nutrients into the tree that are converted into sugars for leaf production.

Labor Of Love, Taps And Tubes

Of the 10,000 trees tapped 8,000 are harvested using a tubing and vacuum system. The tap in the tree drops into a lateral line which runs to a mainline. Mainlines run into a pump that creates a vacuum which helps the sap flow more easily. Tubing and vacuum systems are more ecologically fuel efficient – reducing the need for snow machines and four wheelers that impact the forest floor.

This method replaces the traditional tap and pail system that keeps the sap isolated to each individual tree. Dulce still taps a few thousand trees this way because, well, she just likes to. There are two “sap suckers” that go around from tree to tree collecting sap from each pail. She wants to keep the tradition alive for herself and the community, because it maintains the knowledge and skill that go into birch tapping on a non-commercial level.

The harvest lasts for a very short, very intense three weeks. On its own, sap does not keep for long once tapped. Making it into a syrup is how it’s preserved and, luckily for us, why it tastes so delicious.  The 10,000 trees Dulce taps produce roughly 10,000 gallons of sap per day. It is run through a reverse osmosis system that takes it down to 1,000 gallons before being boiled into the final product. This takes 4-5 hours on top of the time it takes to harvest each morning, turning it into a 24 hour process – a true labor of love.

Good Grades And How To Get Them

Birch syrup is graded based on the timing or “run” of when it is harvested. The later the run, the darker and more complex the flavor profile will be. The coveted first day of syrup tapped known as the “reserve” boasts the lightest and sweetest flavor. First run is by far the most popular and familiar grade. By late run the syrup is more robust with common notes including coffee and cherries. Much like wine, each year will taste slightly different. This versatility allows the syrup to be used in many ways, from topping your stack of pancakes to using it as a marinade.

A visit to Alaska Wild Harvest will give you a first-hand look and taste of how birch syrup is produced during the touring season. It is also home to a gift shop filled with a whole line of value-added birch products: birch caramels, mustards, jams and sauces. Birch water is their newest product – bottled birch sap infused with wild blueberries, lingonberries or chaga.

If you can’t make it to Talkeetna never fear!  You can find Alaska Wild Harvest products at NonEssentials and Turkey Red in Palmer. In Anchorage  Natural Pantry and Summit Spice and Tea Co. carries a good variety. Or, you can always visit the Alaska Wild Harvest website to get your goodies online. 

When Birch Syrup Producer Becomes Researcher

Alaska Wild Harvest is only one of three commercial birch syrup producers in the state. Historically there has been little research done on birch syrup. The producer becomes researcher – an all too familiar theme in Alaska agriculture. Self-proclaimed natural “data freaks”, Dulce and Michael readily share their records of production with Cornell University for a study being done on birch. They are the only ones who have been tapping birch commercially for long enough to have the data needed for proper research. Some research has been done at University of Alaska-Fairbanks, but nothing significant. With birch being over twice as hard to tap as maple, research is essential to its continued sustainable success.

Where There’s Lack, Alaska Wild Harvest Sees Potential

The new birch water that Kahiltna Birchworks rolled out has a lot of potential to grow. The drink has been popular in Europe for many years and traditionally consumed in northern climates around the globe. Dulce and Michael saw the upward trend of functional beverages – those that taste good and are good for you. Logistics are tough though, and to take full advantage of the trend they need a bottling facility. There are none in Alaska that could fulfill their needs. So for now they are just testing the water – literally and figuratively.

Beyond lack of research and facilities, Dulce sees plenty of room for more producers of birch syrup in the state. The syrup is already in high demand from chefs and breweries are starting to concoct special brews using the sweet treat. Denali Brewing Company’s OneTree Birch Beer uses Kahiltna Birchworks syrup to make a seasonal session ale. Dulce admits that there is a steep learning curve, but she is more than happy to share her knowledge that has paved the way for the industry. She is also a supplier of the equipment needed to get started. So if you’re looking for a new economic adventure – or tasty treat – pay Alaska Wild Harvest a visit!

The post Ag Matters 3/14/18: Dulce Ben-East of Alaska Wild Harvest appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/03/09/ag-matters-03-06-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

Robbi Mixon must really love supporting the future of agriculture in Alaska. It’s an assumption that can be comfortably based on the many roles she has played since her arrival here. She didn’t grow up on a farm. She grew up in front of one, down in her home state of Georgia. It was enough of an influence to eventually lead her to work at Twitter Creek Gardens, a small farm in Homer. Entering her eighth year as Director of the Homer Farmers Market, Robbi also runs the Kenai Peninsula Food Hub and is Director of the Alaska Farmers Market Association. It’s enough to make even the most highly productive person feel lazy.  

Alaska Farmers Market Association Brings State’s Markets Together

Robbi is leading the initiative to restart the Alaska Farmers Market Association, first established in 2009. AFMA held its first conference last year in which half of the markets in the state attended. Getting everyone into one room seemed to be the ticket. That, and the burgeoning local food movement sparked the revitalization needed for AFMA to support its mission of promoting vibrant and sustainable farmers markets throughout Alaska.

Farmers markets have grown dramatically here in the last decade. In 2005 there were thirteen markets on record. This year, AFMA estimates that number will reach up to forty-five. While the bulk of them are located in Anchorage, the rest of the state has followed suit. Alaskans can find locally grown produce from Fairbanks to Glennallen, Bethel to Valdez. Robbi feels it speaks to the need and desire for local products.

AFMA holds conferences for market vendors aspiring or seasoned. It’s been found that all farmers markets have very similar challenges, and creating a mutual support system is very beneficial. Conferences can be found on the AFMA YouTube Channel for those who cannot attend in person or need it as a future resource. Robbi also likes to bring up market directors from the Lower 48 for consultation since most have many years of experience beyond what Alaska has gathered – yet. Hopefully the day will come when market managers from Alaska are travelling to the Outside to share their unique skill sets.

It’s All About The Funds

That hope is closer to being realized. This past October, AFMA was awarded funding for the next three years through a Farmers Market Promotion Program grant. The grant supplies the funds needed to support staff, conferences, marketing, and partnerships with organizations to provide training. Sponsored by the USDA, the FMPP grant falls under the Farm Bill – a bill that impacts farmers every five years upon its revision. The USDA decides how much money each state receives based on its census of agriculture, which is all the more reason to fill it out if you own a farm.  

Robbi has big plans to put the new funds to work. She and Tanana Valley Farmers Market manager Brad St. Pierre have been working all winter to relaunch support for Alaska’s markets. They have partnered with the Kenai and Homer Soil & Water Conservation Districts to send farmers to conferences and trainings. These opportunities will provide insight into topics like tracking data, insurance, growth, and marketing. If you are starting a new market, get in touch with AFMA – they want to help you!

Data Is Power

Another resource that Robbi has tapped into is the Farmers Market Coalition. As a national organization, the FMC has been able to create a data collection software system that it shares with its state members. AFMA will be using the FMC’s metrics program to standardize data collection around Alaska. The more data you have, the easier it is to get grants. Showing a grantor the real impact markets can have on a community economically will increase the chance of being awarded funds. All AFMA market managers have access to data sharing with FMC, an added bonus to becoming a member.

Alaska Farmers Market Association Aims Towards Access For All

AFMA is also constantly seeking to help more markets accept SNAP EBT benefits. It’s a difficult and arduous process for vendors. Only five of the over forty markets in the state accept SNAP. Robbi is working on a research project that seeks to find ways in which markets can receive funding to make it easier to offer the service. In the meantime, she will be compiling a resource list outlining the SNAP process for managers who wish to see the benefit accepted at their markets. There is also a modest piece of funding within the FMPP grant for a small market to hire the staff needed to start a SNAP program.

Growing Food Hub Outgrows Its Name

Robbi also runs the Kenai Peninsula Food Hub. Food hubs are the latest local food trend to hit Alaska. So what are they Food hubs can take many different forms, but they all have the same end goal: get more locally produced food into local hands. The Kenai Food Hub is a partnership between Cook Inletkeeper and farmers, fishermen, soil and water conservation districts, Alaska Marine Conservation Council and Seldovia Village Tribe. Together they have helped to create an online farmers market that serves the peninsula.

Online ordering opens up depending on season and location, which can all be found on their website. At the click of a button customers can choose what they want and which designated location they’d like to pick up at. Tapping into the age of technology has gone well. So well, the hub has expanded into Anchorage and hopes to add Ninilchik, Nanwalek and Port Graham as future locations.

This welcomed growth has compelled Kenai Food Hub to search for a new name. Since it’s no longer tied solely to the peninsula, Robbi decided it was time to revamp and rebrand. She’s looking for public input for a new name, in her words “fantastic or mediocre.” So even if you don’t have a way with words, throw your idea at her!

She urges farmers who would like to learn more about selling online to get in touch with the food hub. Trainings will also be held for potential food hub vendors starting in April. Dates and information will be posted on the Kenai Food Hub facebook page. Robbi can be contacted at robbi@inletkeeper.org.

The post Ag Matters 3/7/18: Robbi Mixon of the Alaska Farmers Market Association appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/03/09/ag-matters-03-02-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

Palmer has Jan Newman to thank for the addition of edible garden spaces that have popped up in town over the last few years. Grow Palmer is a community project championed by Jan that transforms the downtown area in the summer and provides food for the community to sample and enjoy. Started in 2013, the project enters its sixth growing season this year with exciting new partnerships and potential.

Alaska Digs Into Girl With Maine Roots

Jan got her first glimpse of Alaska in 1988 while studying for her degree in Seattle. Having grown up on the opposite side of the continent in Maine, she decided to take advantage of being so close to a state many only dream of seeing. By the following year she had finished her schooling, accepted a job at the Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks and made her way up the Alcan. Alaska had dug in and not let go.

Eventually settling down on Lazy Mountain with her husband and children, Jan took to growing food for her family as they grew. The idea for Grow Palmer was planted after seeing a TED Talk about two women that had started growing food all over their small New England town. She had always loved the agricultural history of Palmer, and replicating this seemed like it would be such a nice extension of that.

Grow Palmer Gains Steam And Blazes Trails

Armed with a great idea but no background in community organizing, Jan talked to all of her family, friends and acquaintances. They thought it was viable endeavor and encouraged her to go for it. So, she got up the nerve to pitch her plan to then Mayor DeLena Johnson. That’s all it took. Mayor Johnson loved the idea and introduced her to the city gardener, who gave Jan a small plot usually used for ornamental plants. She applied for a small grant and started growing vegetables and edible flowers in her newly gifted space.

Growing every year since, the project now boasts multiple beds of food throughout downtown Palmer. Jan’s intent is to create areas that are both beautiful and informative. Everything grown is edible including the flowers, and free for anyone to harvest. Signs reading “growing food for all to share, take only what you need and take the time to pull a weed – please harvest responsibly” peek out between the crops. She hopes that people will try something new and become inspired to grow it themselves or contact a local producer. The edible goodies typically show up in early June. They can be found growing in various barrels along Alaska Street, in front of the Palmer Depot or in the jewel of the project – the Edible Rail Trail.

In 2015, Grow Palmer partnered with the Salvation Army to build an edible park. When the property was sold a short time later, Jan made arrangements with the City of Palmer and the Railroad to build the Edible Rail Trail. Located just north of the Depot, large round cement planters filled with vegetables, herbs and flowers line Palmer’s most used urban trail. Raspberries are planted along the trail spur as well, though they have faltered the last two seasons. Jan plans to give them one more shot this year. If they remain stubborn, she’ll replace them with another berry. Blueberries anyone?

Partnerships, Potential and Produce

The upcoming season for Grow Palmer will offer exciting new opportunities. APU’s Spring Creek Farm will be providing all of the vegetable starts that get planted, a sign of the project’s growth. In the beginning, Jan reached out to area home gardeners to donate their inevitable extra starts. Spring Creek has the greenhouse facilities to grow exactly what Grow Palmer needs on a larger scale.

This year you can expect to find a lot of good greens like lettuce, chard and kale along with the edible flowers. Heavier crops like cauliflower and broccoli take longer to mature, and can really only be harvested once. A crop like kale loves Alaska’s cool summers and will grow all season. Jan is also hoping to put in perennials that can over-winter along the trail, like strawberries and other greens.

A new partnership with Seeds and Soil Organics will provide expertise on soil amendments, soil building, companion planting, and perennials. The Plant Materials Center in Palmer will donate cover crops for use as green manure – a method Jan hasn’t tried yet in the planters. These new partnerships support the Grow Palmer project to grow its potential even further.

It’s All About Those Vibrant Volunteers

As incredible as Jan is, Grow Palmer has blossomed into what it has through donations and volunteers. Funds are needed to buy starts, soil and gardening supplies. Volunteers are needed to help plant the nearly 1,000 seedlings that will fill the planters. There’s usually one big planting day at the end of May. This year there will be another opportunity in early April to help plant the spring cover crops that will amend the soil for the new seedlings. Dates will be weather dependent, but volunteer opportunities will be announced on the facebook page and flyers posted around town. You can also contact Grow Palmer to get added to their email list for updates.

If you can’t make it to one of the big volunteer days, you can Adopt-a-Plot. Individuals, families or organizations can adopt an area of Grow Palmer and tend to it for the summer. This way the beds are weeded and monitored to keep them looking their best. Whatever your volunteer fancy is, contact Grow Palmer at growpalmer@gmail.com for more information and to stay involved!

Grow Palmer Grows Community

Grow Palmer is a civic association. Anyone and everyone who lives, plays or worships in Palmer and the surrounding community is included. That’s exactly why Jan started this project, to bring people together and provide an opportunity for community engagement. It also seeks to raise awareness about food security in Alaska and where our food comes from.

To make things easy, Grow Palmer posts various places where people can find local food on facebook. You can also find a market board in downtown Palmer.  Located in the parking lot directly in front of the visitor’s center, it lists weekly updates of local food sources. She encourages anyone with food for sale to get in touch to get a free listing on the board.

When asked what excites her most about Grow Palmer and its future, Jan’s answer is community. The community engagement and social interaction with people that she never would have crossed paths with gives her great joy. “I have met incredible people, it’s the best part about building a healthy and vibrant community – I never expected this part.”

The post Ag Matters 2/28/18: Jan Newman of Grow Palmer appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/02/23/ag-matters-02-21-2018/

The post Ag Matters 2/21/18 with Amy Seitz of the Alaska Farm Bureau appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/02/16/ag-matters-02-14-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

Arthur Keyes is entering his third year as State Division of Agriculture Director. He calls in from Juneau for his quarterly check-in with Amy, where he is in the midst of a legislative session. He’s also preparing for the upcoming reception dinner at the Governor’s Mansion, where he was named Director two years ago. The cheerleader of Alaska Agriculture, Arthur has had some pretty big success over the last two years. He’s quick to give praise to his staff for “working their tails off” to tremendously raise awareness of agriculture in the state. While he celebrates their successes, he also laments over how much work there is still to be done.

Major change always involves a revolving door of hard work. As a long-time farmer himself, Arthur has never seen such high level of industry participation from the State until recently. In February 2016, Governor Walker hosted the very first Alaska Grown reception dinner at the People’s House. The meal is composed entirely of products grown from across the state; this year’s dinner featuring chicken from Mat Su Farm Co-Op. Guests include lawmakers and legislators, kids from 4H and FFA, and others who put in hard work to boost Alaska’s food system and security.

Livestock Is The New Black

If you ask Arthur what the latest agricultural trend is in the state, his answer without a doubt will be livestock. There is a whole lot of interest right now in growing livestock production in Alaska. Raising livestock in Alaska is not for the faint of heart. Feed is extremely expensive, and local supply often runs short of demand. Providing adequate animal housing over the state’s long winters poses an additional financial challenge. Those who face these challenges have to jump the next big hurdle; processing. Historically, Alaska does not have a good track record of providing or maintaining meat processing facilities. The good news is, there’s change in the air.

Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage went into private ownership in 2017 after a long run of State ownership. As Southcentral Alaska’s only USDA-certified slaughterhouse, livestock producers in the Valley rely heavily on it. Without a certified plant, they would not be able to sell their product to restaurants or grocery stores. Arthur has heard good feedback on the facility, though there’s plenty of room for opportunity and improvement.

The plant is operating at a capacity it never has before. To achieve this, livestock is imported from out of state to keep the operation up to speed. There simply isn’t enough livestock being raised yet in Alaska for the facility to solely rely on. This points to a huge need for more livestock producers in the state. Every animal processed at McKinley Meat and Sausage may not be grown in Alaska, but the increased production at the plant means no more delay of services. Producers can call and bring in the number of animals they need processed within a day or two.

More Producers Means More Voices

Though Alaska’s livestock numbers aren’t where they need to be, production is at a record $40M high. Arthur hopes to see that number climb even higher once the most recent USDA agriculture census is reported. He uses a lot of USDA data to get a full picture of what’s happening in the state. The current data he’s working with is from the last census in 2012. The latest census circulated in 2017, so the anticipated numbers are right around the corner.

The Division of Agriculture just held its second Livestock Producers Meeting. The goal of the meeting was to get input from producers on a potential new position. The Governor’s 2019 budget takes two vacant positions focused on different tasks and refocuses them towards livestock. Seeing a sore need for a State Veterinarian to provide scientific support for the industry, Arthur proposed the idea to area producers. He found the right pulse.

Sixty people attended the meeting with outstanding reception and good input on moving forward with a State Vet position. This was mind-blowing to Arthur. In all fifteen of his years involved in agriculture, he hasn’t seen participation like this before. He’s looking forward to working with these enthusiastic producers to see where they can take Alaska agriculture together.

Livestock Growth Is A Gain For Alaska Grain

Arthur sees livestock as the cornerstone of the ag industry. When livestock numbers go up, grain numbers go up. All of the supporting segments rise with livestock. Nowhere is there a better example of this than what’s happening in Delta Junction. Delta grain production is expanding in response to the state’s livestock growth. In 2016 there were over 120,000 laying and meat birds – a staggering increase from the previous year’s 30-40,000.

All of these new animals need to eat. The grain production in Delta is currently feeding the entire state. Arthur recently visited a 17,000 acre barley farm, a scale of agriculture that is not often thought to exist in Alaska. He encourages anyone to take a Delta Farm Tour, because it will change your perception of what the state is capable of. Tours are typically hosted by the Salcha-Delta Soil & Water Conservation District  and Delta Junction Farm Bureau Chapter each summer.

Never Underestimate A Suitcase Full Of Carrots

Arthur sees a bright future in all corners of the ag industry in Alaska. The state is one of the lucky few to be growing farms rather than losing them. It’s also on the radar of being the top peony producer in the country, and there’s a big resurgence in eggs and poultry production. Arthur recalls this past summer to be the first time in decades that you could walk into a grocery store and buy local eggs.

To keep this momentum going, the official cheerleaders need to keep adding to the squad. A common question the Division of Ag gets from people is how they can help the state succeed. The answer is simple: talk, Shout, CHEER Alaska Grown. When you go to a restaurant, ask what menu items are Alaska Grown. If you don’t see any, tell them you would prefer to. When you’re checking out at the grocery store and the cashier asks if you’ve found what you are looking for – tell them what Alaska Grown products you haven’t found.

Arthur’s preferred method of cheerleading is ambassadorship. His chosen ambassador: Alaska Grown carrots. Their sweet, rich flavor profile makes them such a great example of what’s unique to Alaska agriculture. He has a general rule that he doesn’t go anywhere without a rolling suitcase full of carrots. It’s gotten to the point where people he meets out of state request them, and he happily pulls out a few sticks to hand over. You certainly don’t need to drag around a bag of carrots everywhere you go (though Arthur would never tell you not to). Next time you dust off your suitcase for that wedding or family holiday though, consider throwing in your favorite Alaska Grown product to brag about and share!

The post Ag Matters 2/14/18 : State Division of Agriculture Director Arthur Keyes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/02/09/ag-matters-02-07-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

In 2009, 49th State Brewing Company officially opened its doors to the Denali Borough community. Nine years and a second Anchorage location later, the full restaurant and brewery boasts a myriad of locally procured seasonal products on its menus and offers large selections of craft beer. Co-owner David McCarthy sat down with host Amy Pettit to share how he has utilized his business to become a major advocate for Alaskan farmers and the local food movement.

Chicago Boy With Big Alaska Dreams

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, David became aware of “the last farm in Chicago” when he was very young. It referred to a tract of land in his neighborhood that held the remaining semblance of agricultural production, a concept that really resonated with him. That, and having a professionally trained chef for a grandmother, David grew a passion and love for food that propelled him on the journey that brought him here to Alaska.

After obtaining his culinary arts degree at Kendall College in the midwest, David began work in the restaurant industry on the West Coast. Taking advantage of a small leave of absence, he hopped on his motorcycle and headed up to Alaska, somewhere he had always dreamed of seeing. Luckily for Alaska, he never left.

Struck with the state’s indescribable beauty and overwhelming sense of home David decided to stay, taking the opportunity to become involved with Prospectors Historic Pizzeria and Alehouse in Denali. The alehouse focused on highlighting as many local craft beer options as Alaska could offer. The demand was so high that his business partner suggested it seemed worth brewing their own beer. An avid home brewer for years, David decided to go back to school for a degree in brewing technology, and 49th State Brewing Company was born.

Strengthening Alaska’s Food System Starts with Drinking Good Beer

Moving to Alaska really heightened David’s connection to the food that we eat, and he really wanted to be an integral part of it. “The question wasn’t if I should get involved, it was when I should get involved”, he explains. As it turns out, beer became the catalyst for the connections he began to build with local producers. Recognizing the spent grains produced in beer manufacturing held value, David reached out to livestock farmers in the surrounding community to offer it as feed and they happily accepted it. This was just the start of what has turned into a mosaic of relationships with local producers that allows 49th State Brewing Co. to boast local farm-to-table offerings.

All of the small connections David made with local farmers eventually culminated into what he has deemed the ‘full circle identity’ of who they are as a brewery. Like any major change in the status quo, it’s a business model that has not come without challenges. It’s very difficult for any restaurant to coordinate bringing in local products the way customers have become accustomed to: streamlined meals offering the same produce year round. It’s easier for the restaurateur to click a simple key to order products from major distributors rather than deal with multiple farms. David decided this was a challenge he was happy to face in order to live up to their identity as a community driven business, and started to offer a seasonal menu at both locations.

Supporting Farmers Pays Off In Alaska

It paid off. For the farmers, and for 49th State Brewing Company. The actual cost of the local products are reflected in the prices on the menu to ensure the farmers are getting fair compensation. The more expensive, local menu items are being offered alongside less expensive, outsourced menu items. The customers are overwhelmingly choosing locally sourced, and the restaurant often sells out of its local offerings. The people have spoken – the demand for local food is real, the movement is catching on.

Perhaps people are also catching on to David’s keen sense of community. He takes great joy in sharing products that have been raised by someone in the community with other Alaskans and those who come to visit. To him, it makes good business sense. If you want to grow your local economy, it’s about moving the resources around within your community rather than outside of it.

David’s commitment to the local food movement is a true labor of love. He is using his business as a vehicle to educate consumers about where their food comes from. He is also creating a sorely needed additional outlet for farmers to sell to while tightening the learning curve between the restaurant and local farming industries. “Most people that are in the farming business are not in the restaurant business. It’s been a good lesson in communication between both,” he says.

What’s in store for the future of 49th State Brewing Company

David, of course, has a vision. As the brewery grows, he would love to see it expand into other Alaskan markets. Expansion of the brewing facilities in Anchorage is already underway, and adding operations south to Kenai or closer to Fairbanks would be ideal. The way he sees it, the closer they are to the product the easier it is for them to realize their ‘full circle’ identity.  More breweries means more outlets for farmers, and David never wants to hear about “the last farm in Alaska.”

The 49th State Brewing Company has also collaborated with the Alaska Farmland Trust as a  host for the upcoming Drink Beer, Save Farms! fundraiser on Tuesday, March 27th at 6:00pm. David and his staff are really excited to share a specialty beer brewed for the event that features unmalted wheat from VanderWeele Farm in Palmer, as well as a special menu item that will feature Alaska Grown. Come and grab a taste while you listen to local music from the Super Saturated Sugar Strings to support a good cause!

The post Ag Matters 2/7/18: David McCarthy of 49th State Brewing Company appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/02/06/ag-matters-01-29-2018/

AUTHOR | Kerry Nelson

When Ryan Wiswesser and his wife Emily started Alaska Artisanal back in 2012, he never would have dreamed the adventure would lead them to become owners and chocolatiers of Chugach Chocolates. The universe had its own plan. Amy sits down to learn how the two redefine what local Alaska chocolate looks like while continuing their search for Alaskan-made goods that reflect the unique tastes the state has to offer.

Love Of Alaska Turns Corporate Guy Into Local Entrepreneur

Alaska made it’s debut to the couple on a winter ski trip. A familiar love story, the two were smitten with the state and it’s entrepreneurial opportunity. During their first months up here, they spent a lot of time looking for small batch Alaska foods to send back to family. They found it to be more time consuming and difficult than they thought it should be. Why not make it easier for people here to share a piece of Alaska with those below or in other parts of the state The two set out to do just that, and Alaska Artisanal was born.

Ryan’s connection to agriculture is more peripheral than personal. He grew up in southeast Pennsylvania and central Michigan with a father whose life was spent in ag. Though Ryan didn’t grow up on a farm, he spent a lot of time around them. Deciding to take a different route, he ended up working for a public accounting firm in finance. Perhaps it is this blend of experiences that accounts for Ryan’s passion to start a business that benefits local producers.

A Curated Showcase Of Alaska Grown

An eCommerce company, Alaska Artisanal is entirely online. Trying to make it really easy for people to send things back home, Ryan takes the money saved from the overhead costs of a brick and mortar storefront and passes them onto the consumer – all shipping is free within the US. He offers pre-packaged gift boxes accessible to every budget, ranging from $19 to over $100. Each box contains information about the products and their producers, further connecting its recipients to what makes them so specially Alaskan.

The boxes are filled with a wide variety of Alaska Grown products. In 2017 the boxes included products such as pancake mix from Alaska Flour Company in Delta Junction, jams from Alaska Berries in Soldotna – the only commercially grown berry farm in the state, honey straws from Alaska Heavenly Honey in Willow, potato chips from the Alaska Chip Company out of Anchorage, salmon jerky from Smoked Alaska Seafoods in Wasilla, and biscotti from the ovens of Palmer’s Turkey Red, just to name a few.  

More products are added during the holidays, and Ryan always tries to add new offerings. He chooses Alaska foods that he really truly loves. His hope is that even if you don’t buy them from Alaska Artisanal, you’ll go out and find them for yourself.

Alaska Artisanal Paves Way To Chugach Chocolates

Ryan views his newest venture as a chocolatier to be serendipitous. Chugach Chocolates has been around for the last five years, and Alaska Artisanal was one of their biggest customers. When the two brothers who ran it decided to part ways, Ryan and his wife decided to purchase it. In the two years since they took over, they’ve repackaged and rebranded with a focus on infusing Alaska Grown products to offer uniquely Alaskan flavors.

For their Prince William Sound Sea Salt bar, they incorporate sea salt from Alaska Saltworks. The Alaskan Birch Syrup Toffee bar uses birch syrup from Bridge Creek in Homer, and the Espresso Beans bar features locally roasted beans from Black Cup Coffee in Anchorage. While not local, they also offer a bar with pink Himalayan salt.

More local flare is in the works. Ryan has been adding Alaska Chip Company potato chips into the bars. The chips stay crunchy within the chocolate while giving it that salty sweet combination that seems to work so well with our taste buds.

A more daring experiment of adding kelp and cayenne has been unfolding. Using kelp from Barnacle Foods out of Juneau adds an earthy flavor, and the cayenne pepper adds a little heat while the sweetness of the chocolate brings it all around. If it hits the shelves, the unusual concoction is bound to be a conversation starter.

Whatever your fancy, Ryan wants to know what you’d like to see, so don’t hesitate to speak up! To satisfy that sweet tooth, you can find a long location list of where you can find the bars on their website. Or, hop online to Alaska Artisanal for a package of all four flavors.  

Chugach Chocolates Becomes Labor Of Love

Beyond local products, Ryan’s focus is providing a high quality, proudly handcrafted chocolate. As a numbers guy, Alaska Artisanal naturally made sense to him. Chocolate seemed like more of a stretch. So, he constantly expands his knowledge of the trade by talking to the previous owners and going to trainings and tastings.

After processing the cacao beans, he takes the chocolate and tempers it. This requires a really close eye of taking it up to temperature and back down again, ensuring that clear crisp snap he’s looking for. Following each flavor’s recipe, it’s then poured and formed. He uses hand tools to cut and decorate it, making each bar a bit different. It’s what we look for in a handcrafted local product, afterall. Those little hints of a human touch versus mass produced machine.

Future Of Chugach Chocolates Lies In Crafty Experimentation

The future looks sweet for Chugach Chocolates and Alaska Artisanal, even with growing concerns over the sustainability of cacao bean production keeping up with current demand. Cacao only grows in tropical regions. Recent changes in climate and increased disease pressure has had quite an effect on the crop.

While Ryan admits it’s certainly a concern, as a small shop having a restrain on an import may actually benefit him. He doesn’t need to use the quantities that large chocolate companies do. This is where the transition from corporate life to running his own small business has its advantage. Ryan often draws on his previous job experience to guide him.

Ryan has tapped into Alaska’s up and coming small craft food surge. People are doing some really cool things up here, and he really wants to be a part of that. Chugach Chocolates has outgrown its former home in Girdwood. For now it’s housed in Anchorage until Ryan can find a suitable location to bring it back home. One might argue it’s a good problem to have.

For his chocolate to get that coveted Alaska Grown label, cacao would have to change it’s preference for tropical climates. He might try to grow the beans here someday. Amy jokes that Mike Mosesian at Bell’s Nursery in Anchorage is successfully growing wine grapes, so why not try We’ll anxiously wait to hear how that experiment turns out. But first – kelp flavored chocolate.

The post Ag Matters 1/31/18 with Ryan Wiswesser of Chugach Chocolates & Alaska Artisanal appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/01/24/ag-matters-01-23-2018/

The post Ag Matters 1/24/18 with Rachel Christy of Alaska Blooms Peony Farms appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/01/19/ag-matters-01-17-2018/

The post Ag Matters 1/17/18 with Heidi Chay of the Kenai Soil & Water Conservation District appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/01/12/ag-matters-01-11-2018/

The post Ag Matters 1/10/18 with Far North Fungi appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2018/01/03/ag-matters-01-02-2018/

The post Ag Matters 1/3/18 with Margaret Adsit, Program Director for the Alaska Farmland Trust appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/12/28/ag-matters-12-27-2017/

The post Ag Matters 12/27/17 with Sue Benz, Alaska’s Agricultural Statistician appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/12/20/ag-matters-12-19-2017/

The post Ag Matters 12/20/17 with Alex Davis of The Center Market appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/12/15/ag-matters-12-14-2017/

The post Ag Matters 12/13/17 with Todd Pettit of Little Pitchfork Ranch appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/12/12/ag-matters-12-6-2017/

The post Ag Matters 12/6/17 with Mary Smith, editor of edible ALASKA appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

The post Ag Matters 11/29/17 with Matt & Lia from Barnacle Foods appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/11/24/ag-matters-11-22-2017/

The post Ag Matters 11/22/17 with Division of Agriculture Director Arthur Keyes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/11/17/ag-matters-11162017/

The post Ag Matters 11/15/17 with Patrick Ryan of the Alaska Botanical Garden appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/11/10/ag-matters-11082017-2/

The post Ag Matters 11/8/17 with the Alaska Food Coalition appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

https://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/11/08/ag-matters-11082017/

The post Ag Matters 11/1/17 with Evie Witten of Evie’s Brinery appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/10/27/ag-matters-10262017/

The post Ag Matters 10/25/17 with AFTC Board Member & Farmer Michelle Church appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/10/20/ag-matters-10192017/

The post Ag Matters 10/18/17 with Robert Fithian of Alaska Yaks appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/10/13/ag-matters-10122017/

The post Ag Matters 10/11/17 with Kelly Eggleston of Arctic Harvest Distillery appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/10/06/ag-matters-10042017/

The post Ag Matters 10/4/17 with Lisa Sadleir-Hart of Anam Cara Family Garden appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/09/29/ag-matters-09272017/

The post Ag Matters 9/27/17 with Division of Agriculture Director Arthur Keyes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/09/27/ag-matters-09222017/

The post Ag Matters 9/20/17 with Chef Clayton Jones appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/09/15/ag-matters-09142017/

The post Ag Matters 9/13/17 with Chris Flickinger from Kodiak Island appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/09/08/ag-matters-09072017/

The post Ag Matters 9/6/17 with Nick & Leah of FoundRoot appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/09/04/ag-matters-08312017/

The post Ag Matters 8/30/17 with Mark Austin from The Musk Ox Farm – OxtoberFest! appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/08/29/ag-matters-08252017/

The post Ag Matters 8/23/17 featuring the Alaskan Bioshelter & Permaculture Design appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/08/20/ag-matters-08162017/

The post Ag Matters 8/16/17 with Susanna Pearstein, Director of the Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/08/11/ag-matters-08102017/

The post Ag Matters 8/9/17 with FFA Member Skye Reimers appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/08/04/ag-matters-08022017/

The post Ag Matters 8/2/17 with Bleeding Heart Brewery appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/07/26/ag-matters-07262017/

The post Ag Matters 7/26/17 with Brad St Pierre of the Tanana Valley Farmers Market appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/07/21/ag-matters-07192017/

The post Ag Matters 7/19 The Alaska Grown Program with Johanna Herron appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/category/programs/ag-matters/

The post Ag Matters 7/12/17 Overwintering Bees in Alaska with Nathan Broumley appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/07/04/ag-matters-06282017/

The post Ag Matters 6/28/17 with Integrative Wellness Solutions appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/06/27/ag-matters-06212017/

The post Ag Matters 6/21/17 with Division of Agriculture Director Arthur Keyes appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/06/17/ag-matters-06142017/

The post Ag Matters 6/14/17 with Mt McKinley Meat & Sausage Co LLC appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/06/09/ag-matters-06072017/

The post Ag Matters #28 6/7/2017 Drink Beer, Save Farms with Ken Peltier & “Rodeo Frank” appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/06/04/ag-matters-05312017/

The post Episode 27 5/31/17 Broiler Production & The Bogard Food Hub appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/05/26/ag-matters-05262017/

The post Ag Matters 5/26/17 with Margaret Adsit of Alaska Farm Tours appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/05/19/ag-matters-05172017/

The post Ag Matters 5/17/17 with Agronomist Rob Carter from the Plant Materials Center appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/05/10/ag-matters-05102017/

The post Ag Matters 5/10/17 with Brian Olson of Alaska Berries appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/05/10/ag-matters-05042017/

The post Ag Matters 5/4/17 with Misty VanderWeele from All Dahlia’d Up appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/04/27/ag-matters-04262017/

The post Ag Matters 4/26/17 with Mel Sikes from Alaska Agriculture in the Classroom appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/04/24/ag-matters-04192017/

The post Ag Matters 4/19/17 with Arctic Harvest & AK Cold Climate Permaculture Institute appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/04/14/ag-matters-04132017/

The post Ag Matters 4/12/17 with Kevin Fochs of the Alaska FFA appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/04/07/ag-matters-04052017/

The post Ag Matters 4/5/17 with Amy Seitz of the Alaska Farm Bureau appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/03/24/ag-matters-03222017/

The post Ag Matters 3/22/17 with Richelle Plummer of the Mat Su Farm Co-Op appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/03/16/ag-matters-03152017/

The post Ag Matters 3/15/17 an update from the Division of Agriculture Director appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/03/13/ag-matters-03082017/

The post Ag Matters 3/8/17 Hemp Production in Alaska appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/03/01/ag-matters-03012017/

The post Ag Matters 3/1/17 Wooly Pigs with Rayne Reynolds appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/02/26/ag-matters-02222017/

The post Ag Matters 2/22/17 with Robbi Mixon appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/02/16/ag-matters-02152017/

The post 2/15/17 Ag Matters with Representative Geran Tarr appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/02/10/ag-matters-02082017/

The post Ag Matters 2/8/17 with Dr. Steve Seefeldt of UAF appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/02/03/ag-matters-02022017/

The post Ag Matters 2/1/17 Farm to Institution Coordinator Jodie Anderson appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/01/27/ag-matters-01262017/

The post Ag Matters 1/25/17 Alaska Food Policy Council appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/01/20/ag-matters-01182017/

The post Ag Matters 1/18/17 Arkose Brewery & Alaska Beer Week appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2016/12/23/ag-matters-12212016/

The post Ag Matters 12/21/16 Including Alaska Grown in your Holiday Meal Planning appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/01/13/ag-matters-01112017/

The post Ag Matters 1/11/17 Spring Creek Farm appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

Director Amy Pettit and Alaska Farmland Trust Board of Directors Member Michael Williams converse about the *blooming* Alaska peony industry.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/01/10/ag-matters-01062017/

The post Ag Matters 01/04/17 Peonies in Alaska appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2017/01/03/ag-matters-12302016/

The post Ag Matters 12/28/16 appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2016/12/15/ag-matters-12142016/ 

The post Ag Matters 12/14/16 appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.

http://www.radiofreepalmer.org/2016/12/08/ag-matters-12072016/

The post Ag Matters 12/7/16 appeared first on Alaska Farmland Trust.