UAF showcases agriculture at Palmer event
July 29, 2013
Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day, set for Aug. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Matanuska Experiment Farm, will highlight the wide variety of agricultural endeavors in the 49th state. The event has the flair of a small county fair, open house and farmers’ market, with the added bonus of educational opportunities.
The day's agenda includes a goat-milking demonstration, old-fashioned games for children, a petting zoo, prize giveaways, hay wagon rides, a GPS activity and live music. Special activities include a “sheep to shawl” demonstration by the Mat-Su Fiber Arts Guild. There will also be demonstrations on how to grow peonies, deal with invasive plants, recycle and make tinctures and lotions from local plans. The event is free but attendees may wish to bring money to purchase food and crafts from vendors.
The farm started hosting the family-friendly day a few years ago to share the work conducted there with friends and neighbors, promote agriculture and provide a fun outing for people in the Matanuska Valley.
The farm, located at 1509 S. Georgeson Drive, is a research facility of the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. The school, along with the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, hosts the event.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Theresa Isaac, 907-746-9450, tmisaac@alaska.edu.
NT/7-29-13/017-14