Jo’s Table Alaska

Two Successful Greenhouses and a woman behind it. Cyndie Warbelow

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.

Land Clearing to Meat Cutting, The man with Midas touch

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!

Chaga and its emerging popularity

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. 
 
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Food Surplus and Sharing with Community in Interior Alaska, a model Food Bank

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.

Roaming Root: Connect with Local Goodness

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.
 

Beekeeping in Alaska

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