Jo’s Table Alaska

Does tea really grow anywhere other than India and China? Well, it can! even when its cold, dark and temeratures are -35 to -50 degrees fahrenheit.  It can grow in Faiurbanks Alaska and quite successfully. Meet Jenny Tse, owner of Sipping Streams Tea Company in interior Alaska.  Her company is the only tea manufacturing company in Alaska, she has the only farthest north tea farm in the world, and of course now has successfully grown tea in Alaska using geothermal environment in high tunnels. Her teas are award winning. Her best seller is 1000 mile tea that travels with the Yukon Quest mushers.  Take a listen to her interview with me.  You will get to know a young entreprenuer whose passion and "lets try" attitude is infectious and inspiring.  If you can, get some of her teas, order online at www.sippingstreams.com or visit her retail store in Fairbanks.    

Meet 17 year old Liam Wade.  A senior in North Pole High School in Interior Alaska. He is self proclaimed Agriculturist, in fact he believes we are all Agriculturists in one form or another. His passion for Agriculture, Food Security and being a change leader in the agriculture revolution in Alaska is infectious and very inspiring. He is bright, articulate, opinionated, has a great sense of humor, gives presentations all over the state and country about Agriculture in Alaska, he is also very knowledgeable about hydroponics, he grows Kale, Swiss Chard, Lettuce and all kinds of herbs in his school Hydroponic lab. He is on the school’s cross-country ski and running teams, sits on Kids Voting board, represents the Fairbanks students on the Association of Student Government, active in Future Farmers of America, and he is a student representative on Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board. Somehow he finds time to even play video games.  He strongly believes that Agricultural farming in Alaska is the future of farming in America. Such passion can only mean good things for Agriculture in Alaska.  Take a listen!  You too will become a believer and be inspired.   

Chef George Easter not only creates magical cuisine that generates comments like, "he's a culinary genius", "his menus emulate the arctic skies", he is a strong food system leader. His focus is on being all that and also in creating upscale elegance in his restaurant where every plate tells a story.  And what a story it is!  He deliberately and thoughtfully chooses local ingredients in every dish he prepares, this not only makes his menus unique and unexpected, it also creates a strong connection to the local Farmers, Ranchers and Alaskan Fisherman.  George is Executive Chef at Latitude 65, a restaurant for the Borealis Base Camp in Fairbanks, Alaska.  George is also one of the top five chefs in Pacific Northwest.  George is a strong supporter of local food systems, strong believer in sustainability and supports the community by holding charity dinners where all proceeds are distributed to agencies like Meals on Wheels and Soup Kitchen.  He is a unique person that is strongly motivated and intrinsically inspired to give back to the community and believes that by supporting local farmers and ranchers he would strengthen their work efforts and inspire others to procure more, thus creating a demand so farmers can grow more.  His dedication is extraordinary!  Please take a listen and if you are inspired by his story, please nominate him for the James Beard Award at... https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/how-to-enter

It's a success story of creating a food and community focused market where community and vendors come together to provide locally produced and crafted food to the most insecure area in our city.    Vendors line up every Tuesday to offer abundance of produce, eggs, baked goods, preserves, flowers, mushrooms, salsa, meat and seafood to the community.  There are discounts available to those who need to use them, no questions asked.  There is a free community meal every week, free to all, no questions asked. Last summer 4000 meals were served. While this neighborhood is the most food insecure in our city, it is also a vibrant & active community with many members who participate in & support the Market.   Along with the neighborhood steering committee, Calypso Farm, and Breadline, the Southside Market is coming into its TENTH summer.  The Southside Market is dedicated to making quality, local food accessible to everyone. In their commitment to food justice, the Southside Market accepts SNAP (food stamps), WIC, Senior Farmers Market Coupons & offers “Pay What You Can” discounts – up to 50% off – to anyone in need.

A greenhouse rooted in tradition, Risse shows pride in what they sell. Their ongoing commitment and  focus on building relationships and education is exemplary.  Come meet this amazing family, listen to their story and aspirations. Risse Greenhouse was started 65 years ago in Fairbanks, AK by Lee and Greta Risse.  They were both homesteaders and evolved from growing vegetables and flowers for themselves, then for neighbors, then supplying to other greenhouses to transitioning into being a wholesaler for Fred Meyers, a retail store. That relationship, became burdensome as Fred Meyer's corporate started to dictate and create policies that Lee did not subscribe to.  He went his separate way and the greenhouse became more of a retailer, selling to the people in the community. Or to "anyone that would drive out to the farm" Lee and Greta's son Glen and his wife Crystal took the helm of the family business and it has evolved into what you see now as a large sprawling enterprise growing flowers, vegetables, as well as having a presence weekly at the Tanana Valley Farmers market.  Its a wonderful history and story of a family that is rooted in tradition, and pride in what they do.  You will be inspired. visit them at rissegreenhouse.com   

Meet Jodie Anderson, Director of Institute of Agriculture at UAF.  Don't let her laughing, bubbly and fun personality fool you, She is the force behind all good things that are happening at the IANRE.  She oversees the statewide complex IANRE, which is Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension. Do you care?  You should!  All great things happening at IANRE we are familiar with. Like, Georgeson Botanical Gardens, experimental farms in Fairbanks and Matanuska Valley, 300 plus classes on everything gardening and preservation,  youth development through 4H programs, Nanook Gardens, Music in the Gardens, Currant Festival, THE recognized and honored Peony Research garden.  What we don't see is the myriad of research that is going on behind the scenes in soils, forestry, crop management, root research, lighting research to grow better produce and plants, Its mind boggling.  UAF tomatoes and peppers anyone? All this work supports the ultimate recipient of this work, the producers, or the farmers or people who garden at small or large scale.  Her mission is to help families grow more food, farmers produce more crops, and all citizens live a healthier lives. Take a listen.  You'll fall in love with her and learn so much what's happening right here at UAF.  Visit, https://www.uaf.edu/ianre/

Georgeson Botanical Garden is the the farthest north accredited Botanical garden in the United States. Thousands of people from around the world have visited Georgeson Botanical Garden to look at the beautiful peonies that bloom 120 miles south of the Arctic Circle.   Display Gardens include Alaska’s famous giant cabbages, A spectacular children’s garden that boasts a hedge maze that spans two acres, a collection of peonies that showcase 118 plus cultivars and a food demonstration garden that showcases variety trial research of food plants that are most easily adaptive to climate of interior Alaska.  Thus answering the question, "what grows well here" ? Take a listen to the wonderful story of the original experimental farm in Fairbanks that started in 1906, and then transitioned in to the botanical gardens that started evolving in 1989. If you time it right, every Thursday evening there is Music in the garden from mid May to mid August.  Its free.  Bring your family, friends, a blanket and a picnic and enjoy some of the best music in Interior Alaska.  

On this episode I speak with Callen Christensen about his work with the AFFECT program. What started as a grant to teach hydroponics, evolved into a three year curriculum to teach farming to interested and upcoming farmers who want to start their own farm, or work on a farm.  Tuition free, this program selects students, age range 18+, to enroll in a 15 week program that blends classroom as well as hands on experience on farms. The focus is on unique challenges and opportunities in Alaska climate and geography. AFFECT provides an avenue for individuals interested in farming to gain the experience and knowledge needed to successfully start a farm business in interior Alaska. Being tuition-free, the AFFECT program is accessible to any and all individuals who are interested in farming, regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, etc. Students visit a multitude of local farms and receive hands on training from our local farmers. Additionally, students receive classroom training on business skills, and grow their own crops at various satellite farms. Students receive a Farm Pre-Apprentice Certification by the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District upon successful completion of the program AFFECT program has demonstrated many successes, lets keep the momentum going. visit https://affectfarm.com  

On this episode I sit down with Megan Schulze to learn about her small but diversified farm in Interior Alaska, called Frontieress Farm She farms only one and a half acre of land and grows the full gamut of vegetables and over 30 varieties of flowers including tulips. TULIPS! Yes, and they are ready for Mother's Day no less. There is no mechanization on her farm, its all done by hand. Seven years into working on her farm, she is making a satisfying and viable career on her organic small farm.  Megan is a huge proponent of small, diversified farming. Take a listen to her story and her settling in Fairbanks, Alaska after traveling all over the world. Her produce and flowers are wildly popular and gone within a couple hours of market opening. She says, this is fun! and listening to her, I don't doubt it at all.

On this episode, I sit down with Ron and Margi Illingworth of North Pole Peonies, a commercial peony farm that has been successfully growing and exporting peonies for twenty years. They started this venture after retirement.  They are in their 80's now. Impressive! Why Peonies? Because it turns out Alaska can grow peonies during June July and August when the rest of the world cannot.  There are no peonies to be found in the world except in Alaska.  This presented a huge opportunity for Illingworth family to grow and export peonies to lower 48 states and overseas.   This is a family business, Ron and Margi’s daughter, son-in-law and grandkids are all engaged in this enterprise.  It’s a wonderful story of focused farming, niche marketing and perfecting distribution and shipments of a very perishable commodity. 

Hawks Greenhouse is celebrating its 65th year of operation this year, It’s three generations working together to continue the greenhouse that was started by Angie’s in laws, Elaine and Charles Hawks in 1960. This podcast is the third in the Greenhouse series.  It's the inspirational story of Chuck and Elaine Hawks who traveled the ALCAN highway with three kids to Alaska in search for a better life for their family.  Chuck and Elaine were homesteaders and procured 160 acres of land where they lived, raised seven kids and embarked on establishing the ever growing, evolving the beautiful Hawks Greenhouse. Now in its 65th years, the greenhouse is going through another iteration. A new location, bigger greenhouses, bigger storefront and ability to keep expanding and supporting the community as only they can.

Putting Animals first.  That's the philosophy embraced by the young and energetic couple who along with their five kids have started a farm in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this episode I sit down with Michael and Jessica Shaffstall, to talk about their journey in starting a farm in this very cold climate.  It was a dream of theirs for many years.  Mike is Active Duty military and was stationed in Fairbanks where he and his family fell in love with Fairbanks and wanted to make it their forever home. They finally realized their dream in fall of 2021. Their farm is on six and a half acres, where they have utilized creative ways to build, heat and outfit shelters for the chicks and hens.  Adequate space is super important. The nurturing and care for all their animals is of great importance to them.   They raise pigs, chickens, turkeys and have egg laying hens.  They also bring Jessica's bread to the market which has become a best seller for them.  However, it’s not just what they bring to the market, but their happy, joyful personality that is so endearing.  The farm name comes from Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." The phrase "yellow wood" symbolizes a time of change or transition, representing a critical juncture in life where a significant decision needs to be made, often signifying the weight of choices and their consequences on one's life journey. Isn’t it a happy consequence that the Shaffstall’s choice in deciding their life’s journey and choices brought them to Fairbanks?  It’s is indeed a positive choice for them, and we benefit as well. You can find them at yellowwoodak.com or follow them on Facebook You can find this episode wherever you get your podcasts, and also on jostablealaska.com Please follow the Jo's Table Alaska podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Enjoy!  

As the year 2024 ends, I'm reflecting back to when I started this podcast, my reasons, my challenges, my journey.  The insights I gained. If not for this podcast, I would not have met the wonderful people who took time to speak with me and share their stories. If not for them, we would not know their journey and learn about this community of people who work hard to address food security and provide healthy food to the community. I learned so much!  And I continue to learn.  Join me as I travel back a year and a half to see how far I have come.  And how much is ahead for me to learn. Thanks for supporting Jo's Table Alaska.  Happy Holidays!

On this episode, meet Tom Zimmer.  He and his and co-founder Susan, started Calypso Farm twenty five years ago with mission to grow food ecologically, keeping mother nature in front and foremost focus and to educate the community of all ages in growing gardens, homesteading, blacksmithing and fiber arts. Their farm has kids camps, teaching indigenous farming and sustainability to rural communities, they grow food to share with those who cannot afford to pay for healthy nutritious food.  The focus of the farm has evolved over the years, but the main mission to grow healthy food and to keep the farm's focus as a teaching farm remains as vital as ever. You will love Tom and his vision!  You are always welcome to visit Calypso Farm and ask questions, share thoughts and also to take classes.  Having a special event?  The farm is an amazing place to host your special event. Go to their website to learn more, calypsofarm.org    

On this episode meet Mel Sikes, the imminent authority on food security, consummate educator and a tireless foot soldier helping farmers, educating students, and community of growing their own fresh food.  Her passion is beyond comparison and her energy endless.  She travels across the Interior Alaska to bring classes to everyone interested in gardening, farming and teaches kids the joy of eating lettuce that they grew! 

Fresh vegetables all year long? In Alaska?  Yes! Meet Sam Knapp. He is the only farmer in Interior Alaska that has a cold storage farm and produces winter storage vegetables, a niche that he has cultivated for himself and his farm that serves his passion for winter storage farming.  Everything he grows is meant for storage in his specially-designed, modern root cellar. After the veggies are washed and stored in the fall, he provides the Fairbanks area with access to locally grown food throughout the winter.  Take a listen to his story, and his journey to building this very scientific, modern cold storage facility on his farm that is unique, one of a kind and providing his customer an amazing variety of vegetables all winter long that are fresh, crisp and taste wonderful.

Pig Farming!  Its really more complex than that.  More diversified, and more challenging in Alaska. In this Episode I have a wonderful conversation with Mitch and Melissa Berggren, local farmers who always had raised pigs, not just for their own use but for others who wanted to buy pigs from them for 4H projects and to raise their own pigs.  But their story is not just about raising pigs, it’s a diversification of their efforts and work which has created more opportunities for them, while continuing to provide synergistic activities to their original pig farming. Yes, they still have pigs! But their world has spread out into Meat Processing, Hay Farming and possibly raising Cattle.  Their story defines the character of people who work hard, teach their kids how to live in a sustainable way and they also give so much of themselves to others who come looking for mentoring, guidance and help.  Wait, did I say they are actively engaged in 4H and FFA?  Now, I know I didn’t say that they both have full time jobs that are NOT ON THE FARM! Please take a listen and join me as we get to know Mitch and Melissa Berggren.

In this episode Hannah Hill, Executive Director of Breadline, Inc speaks about food security and the need to address and reduce hunger in our community.  Bread Line is an anti-hunger organization that has been serving the Fairbanks community since 1984 For almost 40 years, the Bread Line has helped feed people and affirm lives in the Fairbanks, Alaska. Our conversation brought home the issue of homelessness, hunger, food reliance and how organizations such as Breadline are helping those in need for food.  Often, its through the generosity of people, using surplus food and through private donations that this work can be done.  Its a serious and sobering conversation.  Its people who work every day to provide healthy nutritious meals to those who have nowhere to go and get food. Its about the kindness that is shown to those in  need and preserving their dignity. Its about bringing awareness about the very basic necessity for all people, FOOD. In this episode we learn about how Breadline is handling hunger and affirming lives via four different programs.  Hunger is a subject that is uncomfortable to learn about.  How can there be so much need?  This is not a third world environment, this is a community that has a lot of economic engines working to promote a quality of life and a place of culture, education and activities that attract tourism from all over the world.  And yet, there is a segment of our society that has no place to live and no food to eat.  It can't be ignored, or wished away or even not "seen". Its a sad aspect of our community where people are hungry and need shelter.  It is therefore, incredibly fortunate that we have good folks like Hannah Hill who are working everyday to take care of hunger and affirming lives.  

Lions Mane, Oyster, Black Pearl, Chestnut, King Oyster, And Pioppino?  What these are mushrooms? Yes! And all grown in a small Interior Alaska community of Ester. Boreal Woods is Interior Alaska's only year-round mushroom farm, growing a wide variety of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms for the Fairbanks community. Meet Matthew Meares who started this venture as a family project with his two young sons. His interest in year around farming and a desire to provide healthy nutritious food year has led him to produce 10-15 varieties of mushrooms.  Matt is a young, energetic and forward thinking farmer, who has taken mushroom growing to new levels in a vertical farm in a large building on his property in Ester Alaska.  The mushrooms he grows are beautiful, different than  those found in grocery stores and good for you.   Visit borealwoods.com for additional information. Or jostablealaska.com for blogpost.

The ever evolving Plant Kingdom.  An established greenhouse under new hands, venturing in expansion and new directions but keeping the essence of the much loved greenhouse intact.  Its a place to find flowers, vegetables, perennials, shrubs along with joy, peace and tranquility, and soon coffee!   Stephanie Bluekens is a young dynamic entrepreneur who has jumped in with great enthusiasm and focus to take over the greenhouse.  She is a mom, a role model for all young entrepreneurs, and to my delight, a passionate supporter of addressing food security and sustainability in Interior Alaska by teaching rural Alaska small towns to grow their own vegetables, as fresh produce is not always available there. This is a much needed effort. Plant Kingdom continues to evolve, and diversify so it attracts people to visit and relax, attend events, and participate in Easter Egg Hunts and Scavenger Hunts.  A beautiful sprawling setting that has become well known for weddings and special evets. This summer, if you are in Interior Alaska, please visit Plant Kingdom. www.theplantkingdom.com  

On this episode I speak with Mike Priebe, who started hay farming a few years ago and is passionate about addressing the food security issue in Alaska.  He is part of the conversation that will help other farmers, and supporting entities to share ideas, resources, knowledge so together everyone can succeed.  

Community Gardens are a place to garden, grow food, flowers and engage with other fellow gardeners. Community Gardeners grow food for their own needs, or to distribute to food banks, neighbors, families and to friends.  Its a place where gardeners come together to connect with the soil, people, find joy and peace.  On this episode we talk with Wendy Anderson who has managed the Fairbanks Community Gardens for nearly two decades! Listen to her journey and what makes community gardens and the people working the plots thrive.  Community gardens have a place in all cities, towns and even in rural villages. They are simple in their approach, and encourage grow your own philosophy.  Eating healthy nutritious food starts growing your own food and it can be done in a plot at community gardens.

Managing, the oldest established Tanana Valley Farmers market in Alaska that showcases Alaska Grown produce and running his own farm, Goosefoot Farm, that focuses on diversified produce. Brad St. Pierre certainly has his hands full.  Can one person do it all?  Brad St. Pierre can and does so with passion, enthusiasm and good humor. Solving food security, supporting farmers and encouraging consumers to eat differently, seasonally, and to eat healthy nutritious food is all part of what Brad St Pierre does every day.  He works hard to manage the Tanana Valley Farmers market and helps others start new farms, foster vibrant farmers market throughout Alaska through his work with Alaska Farmers Market Association. Join me as I speak with Brad and his work in supporting Interior Alaska Agriculture.

Running and successfully managing not one but two enormous interior Alaska Greenhouses and Nursery, Tacks Greenhouse and Plant Kingdom, Cyndie Warbelow is a horticulturist, a phenomenal gardener, a legend, a shrewd businesswoman and an author of a best selling book on Alaskan Perennials. Her passion for gardening and helping hundreds of people grow their own flowers and vegetables and teaching us all about perennials is so infectious.  Her enthusiasm for all things that she grows makes one want to start gardening and growing right away.   Join me as we talk greenhouses, the joys and challenges and about growing your own.

On this episode I'm speaking with Tom Gross, who takes us through the journey of his life and brings us finally to where he always needed to be.  We walk with him through growing up in a large family, college, military, tree cutting and land clearing business, opera, and now running a meat retail shop.  Throughout his journey, one sees the solid foundational pillars of hard work, dedication, passion and overcoming challenges with grace, faith, support and friendships.  He is the man with the Midas touch.  Everything he undertook, he excelled in. He is a community benefactor, supports local ranching, farmers and Alaska honey producers.  It's a journey that has brought him immense joy and many challenges.  He's is taking us with him in this incredible journey of hard work and passion. So, come along!

On this episode we talk with Callen Christensen who runs Alaska's only Chaga Cooperative. Chaga is becoming more mainstream.  There is awareness and use of it that is increasing.  However, this poses challenges as accurate information, benefits, problems and sustainability need to be upfront as more people "try it out".  People are drawn to it, whether its for health benefits or for actual interest in foraging. Chaga is complex and its efficacy not researched in US.  While Chaga is used effectively in other northern European countries to treat various ailments and diseases, in US, not so much, as there are no studies supporting its use and benefits. So, let's look at what Chaga really is and how one can responsibly forage, distribute and use it.  Updated Comment:  The interview may lead one to deduce that Callen is saying a subsidy to bring commercial fertilizer is the way to go.  Not true! The subsidy he would like to see is for small farms that grow high quality food using organic ways. He would like to see the government subsidizing local production of organic fertilizer, such as a composting program.    .

Food Security and Hunger.  Join me as we learn how a local Community Food Bank collects and distributes millions of pounds of food, annually,  to individuals and to the community.  Food security is a big concern in Fairbanks, Alaska where growing season is short and 90-95% of the food is shipped or barged in from out of the state. In this episode, meet the two women who have created a very successful program to address the food needs for individuals and for the community in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Local farmers, crafters and the shoppers under one roof. All year around in Alaska How is this one person bringing a diverse and large community of makers, creators, producers and growers and shoppers together under one roof.  We are talking with a visionary who has created a hub for all local growers and creators. It's all about local connections and bringing makers, creators and shoppers together. On this episode we are talking about the fairly new and extremely successful effort by one person to connect Alaskan people with those who grow vegetables, flowers, create art and provide multitude of products to interior Alaska shoppers. This is a hub for local entrepreneurs. And one person is driving this effort, quite successfully.  

On this episode we are talking about beekeeping!  Yes, beekeeping! There is a growing interest and engagement in beekeeping, not only in Interior Alaska but in the entire state. So why do so many people engage in beekeeping?  Let's find out.  Join me as I speak with Tammy Randolph, who is now in her eighth year of beekeeping.  Listen to her joys and challenges. My name is Jo, and this is Jo's Table Alaska