Sustainable Alaska by Common Ground Alaska Farmstead (Tandy Hogate)

With the passage of the new farm bill, HB251, it seems there are more questions than answers so I figured the best thing to do was to download the bill and the summary, study it, and then talk to the folks who wrote and helped pass the bill.

In this interview, I talk back and forth with both Rep. Kevin McCabe who was a key player in making helping get this bill through to pass and Rep. George Rauscher who actually wrote the original bill.

I don't necessarily feel all of the questions were answered but there is some clarity in this podcast and I do also want to encourage you to download the bill and the summary itself before you make any changes to your cottage food business or your meat share program.

Link for HB251: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Text/33?Hsid=HB0251A

Link for summary: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/584221c6725e25d0d2a19363/t/65ea2be814b5de2e518d0352/1709845480517/ANALYSIS+OF+HB+251.pdf

If you're just getting started or are curious about the homestead lifestyle, I have some words of wisdom to avoid overwhelm and to help you find your passion. We are so honored to have the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life who are curious how to get started with this more self-sufficient lifestyle but aren't sure where to start. Or sometimes they take on way too much and they get overwhelmed. Check out our first of this series "GETTING STARTED HOMESTEADING". I hope it's a great encouragement to you!

In this podcast episode, we talk with Michele Deering of Palmer, AK about raising meat rabbits in Alaska. She digs into details like cost, sustainability, breeds, and so much more!

If you're considering raising meat rabbits or if you're just curious about why they are so popular here (hint: sustainability), this is a great episode to listen in on.

Today’s podcast is a super fun compilation of a couple of the questions that our Alaska Homestead Academy members asked Joel Salatin for our live Q&A. What a fun time we had - so informative! https://alaskahomesteadacademy.com/

Figuring out the cost to raise meat birds can seem a bit daunting, but it's actually really simple with our easy formula. And we know we can't use lower 48 pricing because things just cost more here in general.   

It can be a pricy project, so it's important to know your total cost ahead of time. It's no fun to run into surprises once you're into the project!   

So, let's dig in!   Also included in this video are some ways we are saving money and feeding our chicks incredibly well, and creating a premium meat bird on the cheap.   

Enjoy! As always, we appreciate your comments, shares, and follows. Thank you for supporting our little farm!

Today we had the opportunity to talk with Bob Van Veldhuizen from the Mat Su Experiment Farm about soil testing. Everyone knows that if you want to have a successful garden, you have to have good soil. But for many of us, we have no clue how to make that happen. Although this talk is public, it is part of a series of talks that is being made available to Alaska Homestead Expo ticket holders only. Upcoming talks for ticketholders only include: What is HAM Radio, Baking with Whole Grains, Homesteading when disabled or elderly, The cost of having a family milk cow, Gardening in Alaska, how to pick a breed of chickens (meat or egg layers), What is orienteering, and so many more! Get your Expo tickets here to join these talks: https://commongroundalaska.com/alaska-homestead-expo/ Important info Bob referred to in the talk are as follows: Brookside Lab in Ohio Mehlich 3 test - S001AN Soil Health - S019 Happy Gardening!

Today I spoke with Lisa Kristy about all things vermicompost, including how to get set up, what to feed, how to care for your worms, what to do with the compost, and so much more!

I am relatively squeamish, so the idea of worms in my house didn't really appeal to me until this chat with Lisa - now I'm super excited to get started!

OH! One thing I learned - it oftentimes isn't worth the money to get bags of worm castings at the store - she explains why ...

Thank you, Lisa, for taking the time to chat with us and share your knowledge of all things worms and composting. What a FASCINATING TOPIC!

If you are interested in getting worms or castings from Lisa - OR if you just have questions, you're welcome to contact her here:

Email: lnkristy@yahoo.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/lkristy

Also, in the show, we referred to the following resources:

Captain Matt making Wheatgrass Mats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC2UAbgpTV0

Also, she highly recommends the book "Worms Eat My Garbage" which can be found on Amazon: https://amzn.to/40fyMZm

Okay, off to research compost tea. Enjoy the show!

If you love the idea of preserving food you've grown in your garden, you might be wondering how much you should plant!

How many plants do you need to reach your goals?   

It can seem a bit tricky at first, so we've created a simple formula for you to determine just what you should plant based on your preservation goals.   

Now that you know how much to plant in your garden, let's get planting!

Have you ever made a bucket list? I honestly haven’t but when we were traveling this week I found myself with lots of time to ponder and pray about the winter and to start thinking ahead. I also realized that oftentimes I make goals in my head but I never write them down and I seldom accomplish them.

At first I thought about just making a list of goals but then the idea of a bucket list came up and I thought that sounded like tons more fun. So here is my list!

I would love a reply - what inspired you? What would you add to this list?

Oh! And if you’re interested in Azure Standard, check out this link: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=1tgPd1lZHA

Let’s make this winter a wonderful one filled with cozy moments and lots of memories!

This week we get to talk with Margaret Loew of Wholy Living - Margaret is a powerhouse when it comes to learning about - and getting set up for - whole grains! What a wonderful resource we have right here in the valley!

In this show, she talks about the benefits of whole grains and how you can use them to increase your health. So much good and helpful information!

One thing I love about Margaret is her unbounding energy. She also knows so much about grains - it's incredible! Also, she loves to teach and share what she knows. She's an incredibly generous and thoughtful person - you're going to learn a lot!

Margaret is having her semi-annual grain sale right now! If you want an incredible price on things like whole grains to sprout and mill, equipment to use to mill grains, make bread, and more - or if you're looking for baking supplies like chocolate chips that only have quality ingredients - check out Margaret's site.

Enjoy the show - I bet you learn something new! Check out Margaret's sale here: https://wholyliving.com/shop/

We have some changes coming as we begin season 2 of the show. Many of you likely know that I am now also the host of Ag Matters Radio which is a huge honor! It's been so fun to interview folks in Alaska agriculture! However, the messaging is the same as our podcast, and we are interviewing many of the same people. Because of that, we are changing up the show to be heavier on teaching. Our tagline is that we are A Teaching Farm that Feeds Alaskans so this is right in line with what we do and where our passion lies. We hope you enjoy this new season!

Today I had the opportunity to talk with James from Pluck Seasonings. I met James this summer at the Modern Homesteading conference and got to not just try Pluck but I also got to learn about the passion and mission behind his product. Want to know what makes his seasonings great? They are made with organ meat. Seriously. Pluck is like seasoning salt on steroids because they use only the best salt, responsibly sourced herbs and spices - and organ meat. Now if you’re like me and have been hearing all your life how you should be eating organ meat but aren’t quite ready to jump into liver and onions then this might be just the right answer for you. However, this isn’t a sales pitch for James’ business. I learned so much and was so encouraged listening to James as he told his story and helped me truly understand the “why” behind organ meats. Give it a listen and let us know what you think. And check out Pluck: eatpluck.com

I am so very excited about today’s podcast - partly because it is a subject that folks are curious about but don’t usually talk about.

Like, what the heck is all the hype about cod liver oil? And - why do people ferment it? Isn’t that taking things just a bit too far?

Today we talked with Addie Bartlett from Green Pasture Products and she not only shares the story of this tiny but might company but also, the why’s, how’s, and all things cod liver oil.

Here’s a little bit more about Green Pasture Products:

Green Pasture honors the tradition of Fermentation by including "fermented" in the name of our product. However, it's important to note that we ferment the liver itself, not the oil. Learn more about the benefits of our Fermented Cod Liver Oil here: https://www.greenpasture.org/nutrition/cod-liver-oil-benefits/

We are committed to providing a high-quality, safe product. Explore our quality standards and sustainability practices here: https://www.greenpasture.org/nutrition/quality-and-sustainability/

Green Pasture is an honored sponsor of the Alaska Homestead Expo - they helped pay to bring Holistic Hilda to Alaska!

Here’s the thing. If you listen to this podcast, I’m pretty sure you’re going to want to dig deeper and maybe even try this out for yourself. I HIGHLY recommend going with a product that you know is pure, clean, sustainable, and that is fermented for maximum absorption.

I started taking it a little over a month ago to replace my vitamin D pill (NOT giving medical advice, just sharing what I did) and I was amazed at the difference it made in my energy levels! That was a side effect I wasn’t anticipating but it sure is welcome!

Check them out here: https://www.greenpasture.org/

We've been studying permaculture for several years but the way most permaculture books are written, the concepts either don't apply to Alaska or they take some serious tweaking to apply.   

Today, I had the opportunity to interview Triffawna Witt of Alaska Traditional Preservation to learn what permaculture is, why it's such a beneficial way to garden (and live), and a few tweaks to make it work for Alaska.   

We even got to chat for a minute about hugelkultur beds which are my newest obsession!   

We do reference our classes coming up this week. You can find those at commongroundalaska.com/shop. We'd love to see you there!   I hope this video is inspiring and super helpful if you're interested in gardening sustainably in Alaska.

I had the incredible opportunity to interview Kelly Fishler about her Aeroponic system - it's incredible what you can grow! Way beyond a few herbs, she has eggplants, tomatoes, edible flowers, the list goes on and on! You can grow things like pumpkins, squash, full-size cabbage, beans, watermelon, and so much more! I had no idea what you can do with these systems. If you're looking into any of the aeroponic systems, you certainly will want to tune into this show. There are many different aeroponic systems - this show will answer many questions no matter which system you're interested in purchasing. Note from Kelly: If you would like to know more about Tower Gardens, including how to purchase one, please contact me directly at kellygrace.fishler@gmail.com, or go to kfishler.towergarden.com. Tower Garden offers shipping to Alaska, but this is a new development so the website is still getting updated, please contact me directly if you’re interested. Thank you!

Today I had the opportunity to talk with Elijah Lockwood, a farmer in the northern Matanusaka Valley.

In our talk he explains the legalities of Raw Milk Shares and how they work exactly. Spoiler alert: They are perfectly legal; it's not skirting the law.   

Also, he shares his thoughts on having a family milk cow. What to expect, etc.   

It was a great talk - super informative! I hope you'll give it a listen!   

In the talk he mentioned a book called The Family Milk Cow. That book can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Family-Cow-Garden-Publishing-Book/dp/0882660667

Okay, so we can't exactly GROW coffee in Alaska but we CAN roast it and drink it fresh. And let me tell you - drinking a cup of fresh roasted coffee is like eating a cantaloupe fresh off the vine. It'll ruin you for the old, mass-produced stuff - the flavor and aroma just don't compare! I got to talk with Zoe from Farm Loop Coffee - what a fun chat! Zoe is a soil scientist turned coffee roaster which gives her a super fun edge in her business because she understands how soil impacts everything about the harvested product, including flavor! What does this have to do with homesteading? I'm glad you asked! What homesteader do you know who doesn't drink coffee (besides me?). So, there's your connection. :) Besides, I thought it was just fun to learn about. Check it out! You can find Farm Loop Coffee at https://www.farmloopcoffee.com/ Farm Loop Coffee is also on Facebook and Instagram. Curious what we use to make amazing cups of coffee here on the farm? Grinder: https://amzn.to/41r0P85 Coffee Maker: https://amzn.to/43ubHE7 Aeropress: https://amzn.to/3L8vged And of course ... Farm Loop Coffee

In this podcast, Kelli Foreman shares her experience of first becoming a dairy farm in Alaska, then moving to a Grade A Dairy, then moving back to the raw milk space.

If you want to be encouraged about farming in Alaska, this is a podcast you do not want to miss!

Kelli owns a small farm in Kodiak called The Last Small Farm (formerly Kodiak Goat Dairy). She is also one of the keynote speakers at the Alaska Homestead Expo this April!

Kelli not only shares her farm story, but she gets personal and talks about the importance (and health benefits) of real food and supporting local farms.

This was one of my favorite podcasts to record and I think you’ll find yourself smiling and encouraged every second of the way!

Also, if you want to hear Kelli some more, you can find her at the Alaska Homestead Expo where she will deliver a keynote titled: The Realities of Farming in Alaska: Stories That Will Make You Think.

You can learn more about the expo and get your tickets here: https://www.tixtree.com/e/2025-alaska-homestead-expo-893d3c7f872c

Also, be sure to check out Kelli’s Instagram page @alaskagoatdairy

We had the opportunity to talk with Rachel from Abundant Life Farm, and she got very real about the challenges and rewards of having a family milk cow in Alaska.   

If you're considering a cow yourself, there is so much to consider. I hope this conversation with Rachel will help you make a decision that you will LOVE!   

As always, we appreciate your follows - it sure helps our farm!   

You can follow Rachel at:  
IG: @abundantlifefarm   
Website: Abundantlifefarm.us   
Books she recommends are:  
The Independent Farmstead: https://www.amazon.com/Independent-Farmstead-Biodiversity-Nutrient-Dense-Management
Natural Farming: https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Farming-Practical-Pat-Coleby

Enjoy! As always, we welcome your questions!

In this interview with Ben Adams of 4T% Ranch, we dive deep into several subjects having to do with ranching, raising beef in Alaska, and even important things to consider if you're planning to buy a side of beef from an Alaskan rancher this year.   

PACKED with information, this podcast is for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of Alaska-grown food, where your food comes from, and ideas on how we can all do better to bring our state to a place of true food independence.   

Here's how you can follow 4T% Ranch:  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fourtpct
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianne.adams78/  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@4tfarmandranchalaska577

If you're an Alaskan you may find yourself wondering how to source truly healthy foods and household items that we can't grow or make here. I completely get it. It is a frustration of mine, too! 
Today I had the opportunity to visit with David Stelzer, owner and founder of Azure Standard, and what an incredible interview! We talked about a bit of everything including how Azure got started, why their canning jars are made in China (listen up - the answer will surely surprise you), how Alaskans can use Azure as their main source of groceries after buying local, and so much more! 
(If you're interested in learning more about Azure Standard, create an account here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=1tgPd1lZHA and check it out. Take time to compare everything. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!)
A few quotes that really resonated with me: 
REGARDING SUBSTANDARD CARAB:
"We found that it was impossible so we had to do it ourselves." 
"We built our own carab factory - we were the only organic carob manufacturer in the country!"
REGARDING A PRODUCT THAT STARTED INCLUDING A GMO INGREDIENT
"I couldn't continue to sell it and pretend it's not happening."
"We are not going to sacrifice our soul for growth." 
There are so many more awesome nuggets but I would encourage you - just give it a listen. 
Create your free Azure Standard account here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=1tgPd1lZHA
Leave a comment: What is your favorite product from Azure Standard? 

Most often, when we talk about homesteading, we talk to young, healthy people who are all-in in this lifestyle. But there's an entire demographic we're missing. There are many, many elderly and physically challenged people who are also living this lifestyle - and thriving! I had the opportunity to chat today with Louetta Robinson - talk about an inspiring story! Not only is she ((ahem)) no spring chicken, she also has some pretty difficult health issues leaving her very physically challenged. However, when she was at her unhealthiest, she KNEW that her lifestyle had to change if her health was going to change so she moved back out to her off-grid homestead and dug in! Her story is inspirational and super informative. If you would love to homestead but wonder if you can physically manage it, she has some excellent tips and wisdom that might be of tremendous benefit. Anyone who has ever struggled in this homestead lifestyle is SURE to be encouraged through her story!

Raw milk seems to be in the news a lot lately - with proposed regulations and  questions about spreading bird flu. I see so many people asking if it’s safe.

In today’s podcast, I share how our family chose the dairy we get our raw milk from (How I determined it is clean and safe), why we drink raw milk, and how we use it.

This winter in the Alaska Homestead Academy, we are going to release a series of classes on processing milk - from butter to yogurt to kefir to cheese - we’re going to learn how to do it all! If you aren’t already part of the academy, you can join here: https://alaskahomesteadacademy.com/

If you’re curious about raw milk and bird flu specifically, here is an article I wrote about this subject in July: https://commongroundalaska.com/bird-flu-from-raw-milk-july-2024/

Also, if you have other questions about consuming raw milk, here are a couple of really good online resources for more information:

https://www.realmilk.com/

https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/

Today I had the honor of interviewing Jeff Chon from Genesis Coffee Lab and let me tell you, it was one of my favorite conversations EVER! If you're in a weird place and you're wondering where God is taking you. - you MUST give this show a listen. What an incredible testimony they have of following the Lord, even when it doesn't exactly fit with what you have planned. This isn't our usual show but it is such an encouraging story and that's also part of what we want to do - encourage every single listener to see where God is working and leading and jump in with both feet!

If you are new to egg laying chickens or are thinking about getting some but aren't sure where to start, Don Dyer of Polaris Farm shares his best tips from setting up a brooder, picking chicks, and caring for babies all the way to how to care for them once they are laying. Lots to learn here. Grab a notebook and listen in!

We can grow some BIG veggies (and incredible fruits) in Alaska but how can we possibly use them all up and preserve them in a way that will feed our family and save us money at the grocery store? This is SUCH a fun topic to talk about and over the years, we've learned to embrace our climate and we've learned to preserve all that Alaska provides us in nutrient dense and creative ways that are so tasty! I'm excited to share what I've learned and to help you brainstorm different ways to preserve and utilize all that Alaska offers. Also, we have several classes coming up like Canning, Fermenting, and Gardening in Alaska. You can check out the classes here: https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/classes/ Plus, be sure to check out the upcoming Alaska Homestead Expo: https://commongroundalaska.com/alaska-homestead-expo/

In today’s podcast, we talk with Darryl Patton AKA The Southern Herbalist (and also 2025 Alaska Homestead Expo speaker). Although he now specializes in herbal remedies using southern plants, Darryl is a former Alaskan and he knows Alaska plants!

Today’s topic is Chaga - we’ve all heard of it but there are many unknowns. Darryl shares his favorite ways to use chaga (from a continuous tea brew for everyday health to a double extraction for use when you have severe dis-ease.

Grab a pencil and paper because you’re going to want to take lots of notes on this one!

Darryl is going to be speaking at the 2025 Alaska Homestead Expo on April 4-6.

Darryl’s topics include:

- Herbs for Pandemics; Past, Present, and Future

- Medicinal Mushrooms

- Special Herbal Formulas for Common Ailments

- Modern and Folk Medicine - how Chemistry Validates Traditional Remedies

Grab your expo tickets here: https://www.tixtree.com/e/2025-alaska-homestead-expo-893d3c7f872c

Oh, the possibilities we have with food preservation in Alaska! Good golly, there are so many things we can grow and source to preserve for our family to fill our larders and prepare for winter!

But it can seem overwhelming, I know! This episode is a recorded class that we offered this week. In this episode we discuss the very basics of food preservation and what we can do with our Alaska bounty. There are some pretty good ideas in this one, if I do say so myself! :)

Let us know your thoughts and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode!

Having a root cellar is like the holy grail of homesteading. We all want one but few of us have actually figured out how to build it where we are at. If you need inspiration, wisdom, or even encouragement to think outside the box to get a root cellar at your Alaska homestead, then you definitely want to tune in to this interview with Andria Bond. Their journey to a root cellar certainly wasn't conventional (heck, it's partially above ground!) but it WORKS! If you want to learn more about root cellars, here are a few books we have enjoyed as we are learning more and planning our own root cellar: Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage for Fruits and Vegetables https://amzn.to/3GCKzJ5 Build your own Underground Root Cellar https://amzn.to/3mxdO9E The Joy of Keeping a Root Cellar: Canning, Freezing, Drying, Smoking, and Preserving the Harvest https://amzn.to/3MMtFfj The Complete Guide to your New Root Cellar https://amzn.to/41oA1p9 Andria owns Arctic Apothecary - what a tremendous resource that is! Be sure to check it out! www.arcticapothecaryherbs.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArcticApothecaryHerbs Also, Andria runs a super informative Facebook group called Roots & Shoots Gardening group. She's based in the interior but I've learned many things that are applicable to us in South Central, too. Just say you heard about it here and she will gladly approve you! Enjoy the show!

Homesteading, food security, and self-sufficiency; these are all hot topics in Alaska. But what if there we can have a better conversation? One that will actually move the needle forward for all of us?   

Let's talk about it!

In this video, I share what I've learned about getting started with this homesteading or self-sufficient lifestyle plus we also get to chat a bit about community building which I believe is a key element to a homestead lifestyle. Whether you're just getting started or you're not sure what to do next, I hope this will be beneficial for you. Links from the video: Azure Standard - https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=... (This is where I get my yummy fermented Bubbies pickles among so many other items for my pantry and home) If you would like to join any of our classes, those can be found here: https://commongroundalaska.com/produc... We'd also love to have you join us at our first Spring Social on May 5th. Tickets for that can be found here: https://commongroundalaska.com/produc... Also, our free Facebook Group, Sustainable Alaska, is a GREAT resource for learning sustainability in Alaska: https://www.facebook.com/groups/79383... Thank you for listening - what other tips would you recommend to those just starting out?

Today we had the opportunity to talk with Sierra Hammond of Hammond Urban Homestead.

Sierra raises rabbits for meat as she also loves to show rabbits.

She has so much knowledge about raising rabbits in Alaska - I'm really glad we got to chat!

I really enjoyed this chat with Ashley Waligura. She originally reached out to me to talk on the show about creative composting - which certainly piqued my interest! Then when she shared that she considers herself an accidental composter, I knew this would be a fun story to hear. This show is pretty laid back - there are some things that maybe should have been edited but in reality, it just goes along with the theme which is to do the thing, no matter how imperfect because you'll learn along the way - and what you end up with will still be useful! The moral of this story is that, if you're new to composting and using it in your garden, just do it. Do it imperfect and learn as you go. It's a worthwhile cause for sure! Enjoy the show!

Oh my word - what a WONDERFUL conversation I had with Ellen today and I can hardly wait to share it with you!

If you have any desire to garden in Alaska, you need to listen to this podcast because it’s packed with time-tested Alaska gardening wisdom!

Note: If you’re listening to the podcast, you may want to jump over to YouTube to watch this one because there are some really good graphics in it but even if you just get the audio, you’re sure to be encouraged!

Also, Ellen is leading a 6-week gardening course starting in February that is going to help you “grow” in skill and passion. Think of all the food you’ll learn to grow!

Link to Palmer Class: https://commongroundalaska.com/product/regenerative-gardening-in-alaska-palmer/

Link to Wasilla Class: https://commongroundalaska.com/product/regenerative-gardening-in-alaska-wasilla/

Space is limited in both so be sure to sign up in plenty of time!

In today’s episode of the podcast, I share some thoughts about common mistakes Alaskans make when buying (and planting) their orchard plants.

Listen, buying quality plants that will thrive here can be an expensive and time-consuming project but we’re here to help you make sure your investment is “fruitful” and that you can enjoy the “fruits” of your labor for years to come!

As a nursery, we’ve seen and heard stories of mistakes that well-meaning Alaskans make, simply because they didn’t know any better.

Things like buying the wrong variety for your area, not getting the correct rootstock, or even not buying proper pollinators.

If you have any intention of buying any kind of orchard plants this year, I highly encourage you to give this podcast a listen.

As always, we do ask that you click follow - every follow helps support our little farm and it doesn’t cost you a thing

Also, did you know that our plant presale is currently happening! Prices are in effect until December 31 - lock in the better price and ensure you will have everything for your orchard this summer!

https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/plants-shrubs-trees-bushes/

This talk with Dr. Patrick Jones is incredible. As the WHO is declaring a worldwide emergency with a new virus, we are all looking to protect our families. Herbalist Doc Jones gives practical wisdom for prevention and care if your family is exposed to viruses or ends up sick.

NOTE: No one is giving medical advice here - we are simply sharing what could work and what has worked for us in the past.

Boy did we ever dig deep today! Rayne Reynolds gave us the lowdown on many different aspects of animal nutrition. We talked about things like: - What are the nutritional requirements for cows, pigs, and chickens? - What are some cost-effective ways to feed them? - Can you feed Alaska-grown? - What about spent grains? - Plus we chatted about fermenting feed and growing (and feeding) Alfalfa in AK ... Plus so much more!

Today we’re talking home butchering with Andy & Doug from Hand Hewn Farms.

What tools are necessary (hint - if you’re going frugal the list is short), what tools are helpful, and what gadgets really aren’t very helpful at all.

Home butchering can save money plus you get the cuts you want - and you make sure you keep all of the parts you want! But it’s not for the faint of heart.

Having proper tools is a big part of your success.

Spoiler alert: Their #1 tool is a good knife - and not what you would expect. I was surprised to hear them say they prefer a knife made of high carbon steel which is exactly what Gene makes at Common Ground Bladesmith! If you want a quality knife to use around the homestead - that will double as a really good butchering knife, too - check out his selection!

https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/common-ground-bladesmith/

We also chatted a bit about the 2-day course they will be teaching this year at the Alaska Homestead Expo. They will be sharing how to butcher large game and livestock with a demonstration on butchering a pig from snout to tail.

Enjoy the podcast and be sure to grab your expo tickets because it’s a show you do not want to miss! https://commongroundalaska.com/alaska-homestead-expo/

Boy do we have a fun show today! Ken Hoffman from Mat Su Microgreens joined us to talk about growing (and enjoying) these amazing crunchy veggies year round in Alaska!

Microgreens are nutrient dense bundles of goodness that elevate any meal - and you can either grow your own or buy them!

Enjoy the chat - and start crunching!