Ag Matters Alaska

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guests, Karin Sonnen, an Alaska State Rangeland Management Specialist at USDA-NRCS and Lisa Ongtowasruk, a third-generation reindeer herder from Wales, Alaska. Listen in as they discuss rangelands and herding reindeer in Alaska.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Al Poindexter, owner of Anchor Point Greenhouse and winner of the 2026 Alaska Farm Family of the Year award

Join our new fill-in host Todd Bagetis as he welcomes his guests Alaska State Representative Garret Nelson and Andy Schmidt with the National Hay Association. The will discuss many of the challenges that farmers face here in Alaska, including the lack of usable farming land and getting more youth involved with agriculture.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, David Boortz, owner of Lekker Coffee and Baking Company. Listen in as David discusses his past businesses and his development of the Lekker Coffee and Baking Company.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guests Abby and Janice Raisanen of 5 Acres and Beyond Family Farm as they discuss small family farming in Alaska and the upcoming 4H and FFA farm auctions

Join host Mike Chielewski and his guest, Gabe DeGange of Far North Fungi, as they discuss mushroom farming in Alaska.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Dwane Ballou of Oceanview Gardens in Wrangell, Alaska, as they discuss agriculture in Southeast Alaska. 

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guests, Crystal Crawford and Drew Weber, both with the Brewers Guild of Alaska, as they discuss the guild’s work. Learn about this year’s Lagers on the Lawn and the Brewers Olympics being held in Palmer on July 12th, 2026

Auctioneer Seth Pifer with Wild Alaska Auction Company joins host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters.

Leah Corbin & Kiara Biggs with Spring Creek Farm on the Kellogg Campus join host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters to discuss ongoing activities at Spring Creek Farm.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, Michelle Church of Moonstone Farm, as they discuss the farm's history

Tim Huffman of the Midnight Sun Beekeeping Club joins host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters to discuss beekeeping in Alaska.

Tony Waliser, owner of the Tiny Homestead Farm in Chugiak, Alaska, joins host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters. Yay Goats!

Tara Loyd, the Executive Director of the Alaska Farmers Market Association, joins host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters as they discuss the Alaska Farmers Market Association.

Brandi Jo Nyberg joins host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters as they discuss the Spring Pop-Up Market at the Mat-Su Community Farmers Market.

Nick Thatcher and Bo Myers from Alaska Farm Supply join host Ken Hoffman on this episode of Ag Matters.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Sara Williams of Sacred Seeds Foundation/GreenBuild Composites, as they discuss industrial hemp farming in Alaska

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Rita Jo Shoultz from Alaska Perfect Peony and Fritz Creek Gardens in Homer, Alaska, as they discuss all things peonies. 

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Bryan Scoresby, the Director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture, as they discuss living and loving Alaskan Agriculture.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Alex Davis from AD Farms in Wasilla, as they discuss vegetable farming in Alaska.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guests as they discuss the upcoming FFA convention.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Dylan Blankenship of Blankenship Farms and the Alaskan Farm Bureau, as they discuss the use of social media in farming.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest Steve Minnema from Big M Farms in Nenana, Alaska, as they discuss the amazing Alaskan Honey-berries.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest Callen Christensen, the Agriculture Manager for Pilgrim Hot Springs, as they discuss the history of and the agricultural plans for Pilgrim Hot Springs in Northern Alaska.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Dr. John Sylvester, Vice President of Sales for Alaska Mill and Feed.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guests, Rachel Schoonover and Adam Crivello from Peak Feed and Seed, the new feed store in Palmer, and learn all they are offering.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guests, Christi Anderson from Ward Rugh & Terry Friesen from Natures Pride Nutrition, to learn about locally available feed and hay.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest Jenna Smith from The Quail Life to discuss all things Quail.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest to learn about the Alaska Farmer's Market Association.

Jeremy van Wulven talks about The Alaska Farm & Garden Show with host Ken Hoffman.

Tracy Robillard and Elizabeth Bezinque join guest host Mike Chmielewski on Ag Matters. They explain the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Programs. For more info, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/ak and or call the Wasilla Field Office at 907-373-6492. | 

Ken Hoffman interviews Gabe DeGange from Far North Fungi.

 Kelli Foreman from The Last Small Farm joins Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters.

Petra Illig of Alaska Rhodiola joins Kevin Hoffman on Ag Matters to talk about rhodiola.

Host Ken Hoffman interviews Meg  Bagetis on the family business, Alaska Farm Supply.

Mike Chmielewski flips the microphone on Ag Matters host Ken Hoffman to talk about the Mat-Su Farm Bureau and farming microgreens.

Ken talks with Max  Lyons from Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute  (KALI) and then Valentina Romanovskai from Northern Beauty Alaska

Alaska Farm Bureau President Scott Mugrage discusses the ways the Farm Bureau positively influences agriculture in Alaska while describing his own Mugrage Hay and Cattle ranch located in Delta Junction.

Ken Hoffman interviews former AG Matters host Cody Beus about his studies of Caribou and reindeer.

Ken Hoffman, President, and Amy Seitz, Policy Director, of the Alaska Farm Bureau, give us a peek at the 2025 Alaska Agriculture Conference and Grazing Lands Symposium to be held  November 13 – 15 at the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage.

Frank Bell from Palmer Brewing Company joins host Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters.Palmer Brewing Co. is located in Palmer's Industrial Park, where Arkose Brewery used to be. Frank got his start in home brewing and enjoyed not just the science but also the art of creating beer, as well as the camaraderie he has found with other brewers. Frank and his brewer, Jeremiah Boone, are hoping for 13 or 14 brews on tap for the opening. The opening will be in December or February. Keep tuned to the brewery's Facebook page for more news.

Dylan Blankenship of Blankenship Farms visits with Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters. Dylan says, "I'm a plowboy, not a cowboy." He explains to Ken the different levels of hay and their grading system. This knowledge helps set prices and allows the consumer to know the quality of the hay. Dylan discusses the growing season and the role of fertilizers. If you want to learn more, follow Dylan on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and the farm's webpage.

Dr. Julie Meer from Farm 779 Fermented Foods joins host Ken Hoffman.Ken asked Julie, "Where did you get the name Farm 779?" Julie explained that there had been many calls to the USDA about a grant for a high tunnel greenhouse. Julie had grown accustomed to hearing and using the name Farm 779, which was the number the government had assigned to the farm. Julie, aka the Kefir Lady, and Farm 779 are known for their fermented foods, including coconut kefir, along with other health-focused items. 

Chanel Pratt talks about the lambs she raises for FFA members, her other livestock, and her service work.

Nick Stern and John Smet, founders of the Pacific Kelp Co., join host Ken Hoffman.Nick and John are currently building their aqua farm just south of Ketchikan with Alaskan Giant Kelp. It grows year-round in nutrient-rich Alaskan water and provides an essential habitat for marine life; helps sequester carbon dioxide and excess nutrients; and even helps mitigate the effects of ocean acidification.Liquid kelp extracts have been used for decades to enhance crop and soil health, improve yields, and reduce reliance on fertilizers and other added nutrients. Kelpex, their kelp extract, is in trials in 100 farms and nurseries. For more information, their website is pacifickelp.co.

Host Ken Hoffman welcomes Mark Wolbers, the President of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association.You don't need to be a commercial grower to benefit from membership in The Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association. The association aims to share information with anyone interested in fruit growing through monthly meetings, guest speakers, workshops, and tastings.