Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
Learned 2 new things today. Austrolorp are great chooks.
Do peeps down under eat fried chook?
Do peeps down under eat fried chook?
Iowan saying hello to any Alaskans and fellow Iowans
- Thread starter North to Alaska
- Start date
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Sawyer Rob
Super Member
Farming in Alaska? Good luck with that!
Well, maybe you don't expect to actually make a living at it... lol
SR
Wagtail
Super Star Member
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- St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
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- JD 4105 / JD Z355E (48" deck)
We surely do! :licking: Either home fried or KFC style.
Then there's the ubiquitous schnitzel! Crickey, we'll load anything onto a schnitz. Parmigiana, 'Mexican', seafood... the list goes on. Great pub/RSL nosh. :thumbsup:
mddorange
Elite Member
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- Guin, AL
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- 2014 Kubota L3200 DT w/LA524 FEL, Loaded rear tires, LP RCR 1860 5' Cutter, LP RTA 1258 5' Tiller, LP PFL 2042 Pallet Forks w/60" Extensions, KK BB60 Box Blade, KK PHD-12" Post Hole Digger
Actually, the state will help you out with starting a farm as the state is trying to get more self-sufficient. I know that in the Palmer and Wasilla area there are small farmers. Because of the longer daylight in the summer, things grow much larger there. South of Wasilla on the north side of Knik Arm of the Cook Inlet, the state helped set up a dairy farm.
Up around Fairbanks, it get much warmer in the few summer months (3) but much colder and a lot more snow in the many winter months (9).
oosik
Epic Contributor
As a retired Alaskan - I really hope you don't expect much in the way of a farm/garden in the Delta/Fairbanks area. Growing season is too short. Now down in the Palmer area - totally different situation. In any case - a relocation to the Delta/Fairbanks area will be a real "life experience" for the both of you.
There is a TBN member - Doofy - who currently lives in Glennallen - roughly half way between Anchorage/Fairbanks. He could be an excellent source of information.
There is a TBN member - Doofy - who currently lives in Glennallen - roughly half way between Anchorage/Fairbanks. He could be an excellent source of information.
OP
North to Alaska
Gold Member
Yeah, I wouldn't just jump into this.
There are some 2,000 acre farms up there but mostly small farms. Some have a second job.
They are not going to make a living selling brome timothy bales. Lol
If I can keep a couple thousand or more hens and meat birds and raise my own feed (yes, I have that pretty much worked out), keep them from carried away by hawks (run a web of fishing line over their heads...it works) or freezing to death (half bury the large coops in the ground and run heat vents from the wood burner)
Sell the other produce I grow, such as potatoes, carrots, peas, and beets.
Have a greenhouse for the other produce that we want for ourselves.
Well anyway, Alaska's biggest problems are having to import everything and it costs a fortune.
Why import chicken feed made with soymeal and cirnmeal when a cheaper....and better mix can be grown rught there?
...and then there is the possibility of getting into the hatchery business. Last record I seen, Alaska imported over 125,000 chicks. There are only two hatcheries near Anchorage.
And if worse comes to worse, there is my wife, the future CPM.
There are some 2,000 acre farms up there but mostly small farms. Some have a second job.
They are not going to make a living selling brome timothy bales. Lol
If I can keep a couple thousand or more hens and meat birds and raise my own feed (yes, I have that pretty much worked out), keep them from carried away by hawks (run a web of fishing line over their heads...it works) or freezing to death (half bury the large coops in the ground and run heat vents from the wood burner)
Sell the other produce I grow, such as potatoes, carrots, peas, and beets.
Have a greenhouse for the other produce that we want for ourselves.
Well anyway, Alaska's biggest problems are having to import everything and it costs a fortune.
Why import chicken feed made with soymeal and cirnmeal when a cheaper....and better mix can be grown rught there?
...and then there is the possibility of getting into the hatchery business. Last record I seen, Alaska imported over 125,000 chicks. There are only two hatcheries near Anchorage.
And if worse comes to worse, there is my wife, the future CPM.
OP
North to Alaska
Gold Member
Yes, I seen his profile last night. Also seen AKfish too but it seems that he is closer to tge Anchorage area.
I am hoping to "talk" with anyone in the Delta Junction and Fairbanks area. Really curioys about who is tge "better" dealer in the area.
I will probably get a good used tractor here and haul it up. Seems to be the better route.
Oh, green mulch plastic can give you a earlier start on the growing season.
Thanks for the imput. :thumbsup:
OP
North to Alaska
Gold Member
My greatest worry is post harvest. Making sure everything has a destination, a market. Getting things organized so that I don't have multiple crops that need harvesting, possibly dried, and processed at once.
Finding a market/buyer for the eggs, meat birds, and produce. That is the scary unknown for me right now.
Finding a market/buyer for the eggs, meat birds, and produce. That is the scary unknown for me right now.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
Actually, I lived there 25 years. so I was speaking from experience...
Mostly he NEEDS to find the biggest truck he can find, FILL it with money as he will need it.
That should AT LEAST get him going!
SR
OP
North to Alaska
Gold Member
There is the Mt McKinley bank...how much cash do they have on hand?:laughing:
irate: