Food protection is a concern for all Alaskans . Approximately 95 pct of solid food purchased in Alaska is import , accounting for around $ 2 billion in sales sent out of state each yr , according to the Alaska Food Policy Council . Because of its remote location , extended winter climate , and short growing season , the logistics of induce food to Alaska comes with a high-pitched price tag .
" We ’re in rural Alaska . Everything that come into our community that we go and grease one’s palms in our foodstuff store is truck in or ship in , " say Margaret Johnson , a peony and berry grower in Homer .
" food for thought security is immense , just being able to have the quality of solid food that you want , and then also the affordability factor , " said Ryan Lee , Homer resident physician and backyard nurseryman .
Alaskans like Margaret and Ryan , and many others , are step up to the challenge and maturate their own food for thought through modest - scale agriculture . The issue of farms in Alaska continues to grow . allot to the 2022 Census of Agriculture , Alaska showed a 54 % increase in the full number of farms from 2012 to 2022 , and Alaska now ranks second in the Carry Nation for the percentage of distaff James Leonard Farmer and Modern / set about farmer .
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS ) has become a trusted resource for small - shell agrarian producers and backyard gardeners in Alaska . NRCS provides proficient and financial assistance to help raiser speak natural resourcefulness concerns on their dimension while also supporting local nutrient output .
Seasonal high tunnelsJared Baker , Homer resident , and backyard gardener , worked with NRCS to set up a seasonal in high spirits tunnel on his property . High tunnel are polyethylene , charge plate , or fabric - covered hoop structures that make a controlled uprise surroundings for growing plants .
Jared pronounce his gamey tunnel has extended his growing season , improved crop quality , and allowed him to develop a wider variety of harvest that otherwise could not be develop out of doors in Alaska .
" Winters are tenacious and so it ’s difficult to wait until Memorial Day to begin planting outside , " Jared pronounce . " I wanted to grow the season by a few months , so work up the high tunnel was one way that I could do that . "
A seasonal high burrow installed with assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Homer , Alaska
" High tunnels let our producers to wield the climate within their tunnel , " said Emily MacDonald , NRCS filth conservationist in Homer . " It can be anything from increasing the water to help the flora mature at the right time , to handle mold and pest issues by reducing the humidity around the industrial plant . It also increase the heating system during the day time of day . "
NRCS has worked with a multitude of cultivator in and around the Homer residential district to establish seasonal high tunnel using the Environmental Quality Incentives Program ( EQIP ) .
" NRC is like the theoretical account , literally and figuratively , that allows me to be successful raise a wider variety of crop than I ever could , " said Carey Restino , possessor and operator of Homer Hilltop Farm . " And being able to respond to a wide range of environmental condition in a place as extreme as Alaska is really all-important . "
Emily MacDonald , soil conservationist with NRCS , and Carey Restino , proprietor and hustler of Homer Hilltop Farm talk about works start inside a seasonal gamey burrow
" NRCS nonplus you to a decimal point where you have the helping paw of the cost of base and construction systems that work with natural elements as opposed to against them , and that ’s pretty sound , " Carey said .
Micro - irrigation systemsBecause high burrow keep direct rainfall from reaching plants , growers can apply accurate tools like drip mould irrigation to efficiently deliver urine and nutrients to plants . NRCS help growers design and establish micro - irrigation organisation , also using the EQIP program , to improve piss - habit efficiency which saves water , confinement , and energy .
Carey Restino grows salad greens in a seasonal high burrow
" Before this , I just had a hose buy the farm from my house down here [ to the in high spirits tunnel ] , and then water every row , or I would put the sprinkler out and endeavor to remember to move it after a half hr , " Ryan said . " have the system and being able to spot water and cognize just how much piddle I ’m place in the soil , that ’s huge . It ’s huge fourth dimension saving and money savings . "
Low tunnelsIn addition to high tunnels and irrigation organisation , another popular conservation exercise offer through the EQIP program is low tunnel . small burrow provide some of the same benefit as a high tunnel , but they are small , comfortable to install , and less expensive . Low tunnel are less than 4 feet marvellous and consist of a serial publication of basketball game clothe with credit card or cloth . They can help protect crop from frost , manage moisture , and mastery pest .
" I have see in these low tunnel the salad is just amazing under here , " Carey said . " It ’s warm and sozzled , like a little rain forest , and the harvest arise twice as fast . I ’m a big sports fan of the low burrow . "
Local cultivator Ryan Lee and his daughter Amelia , with Emily MacDonald of the Natural Resources Conservation Service inside a seasonal gamy tunnel
These are just a few conservation practices that can serve small - weighing machine growers and backyard gardeners . NRCS offers many other exercise that can direct the unique needs of each operation to conserve and protect rude resourcefulness . For more info , get through your local USDA Service Center .
Source : United States Department of Agriculture
