Forum brings together Interior farmers, producers and market gardeners
Cows snack on leaves at a farm in Fairbanks. Farmers and people interested in farming are invited to the inaugural Interior Alaska Farm Forum to exchange ideas and network.
Laura Weingartner
907-474-6009
Jan. 14, 2025
A free two-day event will offer a mix of formal presentations and time for Interior Alaska farmers and growers to share ideas and knowledge.
The inaugural Interior Alaska Farm Forum will be held from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks. It is designed to connect local farmers with other farmers and with the resources they need to succeed. It’s also an opportunity for people thinking about becoming farmers to learn more.
“We hope to come up with new energy, new ideas and new connections,” said Ron Illingworth, co-owner of North Pole Peonies, who will talk about using ozone to extend the storage life of crops. “We have not had such an opportunity in the Fairbanks area in the past.”
Presentation topics include storing crops, farm property taxes, writing and receiving grants, starting a new farm, adapting plants to your region, wetlands regulations regarding farming, challenges of being a producer in Alaska, and more. Short updates from farmers, producers and market gardeners and facilitated discussions on various topics are included. Lunch is provided.
Registration is full, and any new registrations received will be added to the waitlist. All participants, including those on the waitlist, will be sent a virtual invitation to livestreamed presentations. Learn more and register online.
Tables for exhibitors and vendors are available at $100 for nonprofit groups and $150 for for-profit businesses. These funds will be used to give local farmers free soil sample analysis from the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District. If you're interested in a table, please email Mel Sikes at mel.fswcd@gmail.com.
This event is made possible by federal Specialty Crop Block Grant funds provided by the Alaska Division of Agriculture. For more information, contact Laura Weingartner at 907-474-6009 or lgweingartner@alaska.edu.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Weingartner. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris@alaska.edu.
ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Mel Sikes, mel.fswcd@gmail.com
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