Jo’s Table Alaska

Hannah Hill, Feeding People and affirming lives in Fairbanks, Alaska

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.  

Mushroom Farming in Ester, Alaska

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.

Plant Kingdom, a new focus.

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
 

Hay Farming and Food Security in Interior Alaska

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 helping community thrive

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.

Oldest Farmers Market in Alaska and Goosefoot Farms

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.

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!