Alaska Industrial Hemp Program

08/14/2023

Congratulations to the 2023 Farm Family of the year Bo and Marja of Farragut Farm!

Congratulations to Alaska's 2023 Farm Family of the Year: Bo Varsano and Marja Smets who own and operate Farragut Farm! Bo and Marja started Farragut Farm in 2010 and co-manage the farm together. They farm vegetable crops using organic methods and focus on building rich soils sourcing local amendments such as seaweed, compost, and fish scraps. Farragut Farm is located in the remote Farragut Bay, approximately 35 miles by boat North of Petersburg. Bo and Marja use a 27ft catamaran to bring their produce to market, taking them 4-5 hours to make the trip from Farragut Bay to Petersburg. They sell from their farmstand in Petersburg to local customers as well as wholesale to schools, grocery stores, and value- added food producers in Petersburg, Juneau, and Wrangell. In addition, Bo and Marja are the founders of the Southeast Alaska Farmers Summit and continue to play a key role in the planning and ex*****on of the biennial event.

Bo and Marja love farming in Alaska because they can spend their days outdoors in a beautiful part of the world. They enjoy the freedom to choose the rhythm and flow of their days, making a living from home, and the creative problem- solving that is demanded by challenges inherent in farming. Bo and Marja said they love providing locally- grown vegetables to Southeast Alaska residents because there are not that many farms in their location, so the fresh vegetables are much appreciated. Bo and Marja hope to continue to provide healthy, fresh vegetables to their customers for many years to come. They are currently focusing on expanding their garlic and carrot crops and hope to someday provide fresh carrots to all the school districts in Southeast!

"Bo and Marja being recognized with this award is especially impressive when you consider that they're first generation farmers who only started Farragut Farm in 2010," says Division of Agriculture Director Bryan Scoresby. "I'm personally inspired by Bo and Marja's future goal of providing fresh carrots to all the school districts in Southeast Alaska!"

The Alaska Division of Agriculture and the Alaska State Fair will be celebrating our Farm Family at the Opening Day Reception, Friday, August 18th.

02/22/2022

https://www.alaskapublic.org/2022/02/01/usda-approves-alaskas-industrial-h**p-plan/

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Alaska’s plan to promote and regulate the production of industrial h**p. The head of the Alaska Division of Agriculture says that means Alaska farmers will be able to diversify by growing a different crop that can be made into product...

12/22/2021

Join us Live this Thursday at noon to enjoy the 12 Days of Alaska Grown! Learn some fun and interesting facts about AK Grown products watch with us a short video made by the awesome kids over at Heritage Farms in Kodiak that shows them preparing and enjoying an Alaska Grown holiday meal!
To watch Live or any time afterwards, click the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/dnr.alaskagrown/live

12/17/2021

🌲🦪12 Days of Alaska Grown🦪🌲
Going to a party and not sure what to bring? Impress your hosts with an iced platter of fresh AK Grown oysters! What do you like to pair oysters with? Send us your favorites at [email protected] for an opportunity to be featured on the Alaska Grown page.

12/17/2021

🌲🐝12 Days of Alaska Grown🐝🌲
Add a jar of Alaska Grown honey to your holiday gift basket or send some to a family member out of state for a sweet treat they will certainly enjoy!

12/17/2021

🌲🥒12 Days of Alaska Grown🥒🌲
This year’s Farm Family of the Year, Chugach Farms offers many different ferments as well as a Community Supported Ferments program. Support their business and others like theirs by adding a ferment to your holiday appetizer or meal. It will add a unique taste and extra health boost that will leave your guests talking!

12/17/2021

🌲🌊12 Days of Alaska Grown🌊🌲
Have you tried Alaska Grown kelp? If so which way did you eat it? Dried? Fresh? Pickled? Salsa? Incorporate Alaska Grown kelp in your Christmas party tray and send us pictures to [email protected] that will be featured on our Alaska Grown social media pages.

12/17/2021

🥕🌲12 Days of Alaska Grown🥕🌲
Share your favorite holiday meal that includes Alaska Grown carrots! Email us your recipe at [email protected] for a chance to have staff try your recipe during a Facebook Live!

12/17/2021

🎄12 Days of Alaska Grown🥬
Have you tried growing your own Alaska Grown cabbage? What is the biggest cabbage you’ve ever grown? Share photos in the comments below!

12/09/2021

Congratulations to the Roaming Root Cellar! Please join us online or in person if you are in Fairbanks to congratulate them and present them with the Golden Carrot Award!

Join us Live this Thursday at noon as we present the Golden Carrot Award to the The Roaming Root Cellar, winner of the 5th Annual Alaska Grown $5 Challenge! The $5 Challenge is a competition between participating stores to promote Alaska Grown products in an effort to encourage Alaskan's to spend $5 a week on Alaska Grown products including vegetables, dairy, meat, grains, and value-added products. The competition is held June through November of each year. If every household spent $5 a week on AK Grown, it would generate over $30 million.
If you are in Fairbanks this Thursday, please join us for the ceremony on location at the Roaming Root Cellar, we would love to see you there!
To watch Live or any time after the broadcast, follow this link.
https://www.facebook.com/dnr.alaskagrown/live

12/08/2021

CBD products are part of the Industrial H**p Program. When purchasing CBD in Alaska, look for retailers that sell products that are registered with the Industrial H**p Program. Registered products have been lab tested and certified to ensure they fall within quality guidelines.