INFO & IDEAS
Anchorage Office
Putting Knowledge to Work
Spring 2009 Vol. 13 Issue 2
Extension welcomes
new director
Fred Schlutt,
a 30-year veteran
of the Cooperative
Extension Service,
came to Alaska
May 1 by way
of the University
Fred Schlutt
of Maine, where
he served as a
4-H state program coordinator.
Extension roots run deep in his
family; both of his parents were
agents. Schlutt is looking forward
to meeting more Alaskans and
hopes to visit many communities
within the next six months. Pete
Pinney, who has served as interim
director since January 2007, will
help Schlutt with the transition but
has already returned part-time to
the UAF College of Community
and Rural Development, where
he serves as an associate vice
chancellor.
Join us!
Green Thumb Series,
“Chickweed and Beyond”
June 9, Tuesday, 6 – 7:30 p.m.,
McPhee Community Gardens
June 11, Thursday, 6 – 7:30 p.m.,
C Street Community Gardens
• Identify weed and insect pests.
• Learn how to manage them in your
garden plot.
Instructors: UAF Cooperative Extension
Service IPM staff.
Sponsored by
Anchorage Parks & Recreation and
UAF Cooperative Extension Service.
Free, ages 12+.
For more information 343-4217 or
timmermanma@muni.org
CSA: Community
Supported Agriculture
By Julie Riley,
Extension Horticulture Agent
I
f you’re not planning to “grow
your own” this season, there
are numerous venues for obtaining fresh, Alaska-grown vegetables. Mat-Su Valley farmers are
gearing up for a summer they
hope will be better than the last.
Their produce will find its way to
grocers and farmers markets but
there is another way to purchase
locally produced vegetables. It’s
called a CSA, which are the initials for community supported
agriculture.
The idea behind community
supported agriculture is to support farmers by sharing in the
risks of their operations and
reaping the rewards of a successful harvest. CSA supporters
purchase an annual “share” of
the farm early in the year and in
return, received a weekly box of
vegetables once crops come into
production. CSAs first got started
in this country in the mid-1980s,
but the idea originated earlier in
Europe and Japan. In Alaska,
River and Sarah Bean, Arctic
Organics, have sold produce as a
CSA through their Palmer farm
for the past 20 years.
America’s Arctic University
Nancy Stallings inspects the produce in her
weekly CSA box.
According to the USDA website on community supported
agriculture, www.nal.usda.gov/
afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml, when
community members provide
working capital to farmers in advance, they receive better prices
for their crops, gain some financial security, and don’t have to
deal with as many marketing
hassles. Community members
gain satisfaction from reconnecting with the land and, through
the farm they are supporting, become involved in the production
of their own food.
Continued on page 3
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service programs are available to all, without regard to race, color, age, sex, creed, national origin, or disability and in accordance with all applicable federal laws. Provided in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fred Schlutt, Director, Cooperative
Extension Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution.
Cooperative Extension Service
Anchorage Office
IPM Techs & Strategies for spring Gardening
A
new crop of returning seasonal IPM
techs means it is also time to think
about spring gardening techniques that encourage insect and disease-free gardens.
Early scouting of pests and diseases can go a long
way in keeping your garden pest free. Three practical alternatives to chemical pesticides: GOOD GARDEN SANITATION, PROPER PLANT CULTURE,
AND PEST AND DISEASE EXCLUSION.
Give beneficial organisms a chance to reduce pest
populations — practice IPM.
NEVER generalize by “preventively” spraying
the lawn, landscape, garden or greenhouse. Scout
and examine plants for pests and disease symptoms
once or twice a week. After following least toxic
IPM, apply pesticides only when pests are present
and doing damage. If you choose to use a pesticide,
choose carefully, read the label and follow all directions! Treat only the infested plants or plants identified as susceptible to an immediate problem. Consider timing. Never spray pesticides when beneficial
UAF Cooperative Extension Service
2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 118
Anchorage, AK 99508-4140
Phone: 907-786-6300 -- Fax: 907-786-6312
www.uaf.edu/ces
Alaska Master Gardener Association
organisms or pollinators are present. Contact your
local extension office. Our phone number for Anchorage is 907-786-6300.
Research technicians needed
Would you like to help in the investigation of
ecological effects that invasive species may have
on local waterways? UAF graduate student David
Roon is hiring two seasonal stream ecology field
technicians to help with his research on Bird cherry (Prunus padus).
Positions will be full time from May 20-August
20, 2009 and will be based in Anchorage. Interested candidates may contact Dave with questions
or for more specific information.
Contact information:
Dave Roon
Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife
Research Unit
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
d.roon@uaf.edu or (425) 760-7918
Anchorage Office Faculty & Staff
Sherry Lee Bottoms
IPM Technician
Susan Bybee
Administrative Assistant
Anchorage Chapter President
Beth Schlabaugh
Marci Johnson
Home Economics
Program Assistant
Family & Community Education
Marianne Kerr
4-H & Youth Development Agent
Anchorage Council President
Liz Rettke
4-H Leaders Council
Anchorage District President
Clarissa Smith
Subscriptions: Info & Ideas is the Anchorage Extension
office’s bi-monthly newsletter. To subscribe electronically,
give us a call at 907-786-6300. Hard copies are available
at our office, 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 118,
Anchorage, AK 99508
Page 2
Melissa Lowther
Nutrition Educator, EFNEP
Donna McDonald
Nutrition Educator, EFNEP
Michael Rasy
IPM Statewide Technician
Corlene Rose
Integrated Pest Management
Program Manager
Julia Sargent
Nutrition Educator, FSNEP
Hailey Scofield
IPM Technician
Leslie Shallcross
Home Economics Agent
Fred Sorensen
Resource Agent/Water Quality
Sarah Spurlin
Administrative Assistant
Julie Riley
Extension Horticulture Agent
Lisa Wedin
Water Quality Program Assistant
Donna Resnick
Administrative Assistant
Dora Wainwright
Administrative Assistant
INFO & IDEAS
Cooperative Extension Service
CSA
Whether you grow
your own,
support local agriculture or
purchase vegetables through a preorder
box system,
Continued from page 1
The Alaska Division of Agriculture’s Alaska Food & Farm
Products Directory includes a
listing of farmers in the state and
those selling as CSAs. The directory can be downloaded at http://
dnr.alaska.gov/ag under Marketing Services. This season, as well
as last, there are only two producers close to Anchorage listed
as CSAs, Arctic Organics and
Spring Creek Farm. In this part
of the state, the number of CSA
farms has dwindled from what it
used to be a few years ago.
In Anchorage, other entrepreneurs have weighed in on consumers’ interest in the CSA way
of shopping. Stopping to pick up
a prepaid box of vegetables once
a week is no longer the realm of
community supported agriculture. The traditional CSA has
now morphed into something
philosophically different from
original community supported
agriculture. No longer do those
wishing to receive a weekly box
of produce, have to share in
poor harvests because of pests
or weather. Consumers can now
purchase a box of vegetables, but
don’t have to buy a “share” in
the farm. In fact, the farm is no
longer the farm. Produce in the
box may have come from multiple farms or have been grown in
other countries. Through a “subscription vegetable box service”
you can now make selections of
items you don’t want included in
your box. You can add items to
your order, like coffee, that aren’t
produced on the farm. When you
Anchorage Office
expanding the
variety of vegetables
you eat is a good thing.
go on vacation, you don’t have to
worry about finding someone to
pick up your vegetables. You just
don’t order a box for that week.
The two businesses currently
serving Anchorage as CSAs that
don’t fit the traditional definition
are Glacier Valley Farm in Palmer and Full Circle Farm outside of
Seattle. Arthur Keys, of Glacier
Valley Farm describes his operation as a CSA hybrid. During the
summer, Glacier Valley Farm fills
its boxes with Alaska-grown produce and in the winter those Alaska-produced vegetables that are
available are included along with
those brought in from Outside.
As late as April, Alaska-grown
potatoes, carrots and onions were
part of Arthur’s mix, but differing from the CSA definition, they
weren’t necessarily produced
at Glacier Valley Farm. Full
Circle Farm mails weekly boxes
of produce all over Alaska from
its Washington base.
Page 3
The Full Circle web site states
that 80 communities currently
receive their organic produce.
Proponents of locally supported agriculture claim the title
CSA should not be utilized by
businesses whose practices differ from those outlined by the
traditional CSA. I agree that the
new-style CSAs could easily call
themselves vegetable box subscription services. Supporting local agriculture is inherent in the
definition of CSA.
No matter where you buy
your box, this type of shopping
is likely to expand the variety of
vegetables you eat. Purchasing
produce, sight unseen, will challenge you to become more creative in the kitchen. Gardening
often helps to do the same. You
might pass over kale and kohlrabi at the grocer, but plant them
in your garden because you know
they’ll grow well here. Whether
you grow your own, support local
agriculture or purchase vegetables through a preorder box
system, expanding the variety of vegetables you
eat is a good thing.
The use of brand names in
this publication does not imply
endorsement by the
Cooperative Extension
Service.
INFO & IDEAS
Cooperative Extension Service
Anchorage Office
Raise your children and your garden
By Marianne Kerr
4-H & Youth Development Agent
S
ummer is right around the corner. School is over;
everyone is looking forward to the long days and
time to enjoy our beautiful state. Parents who are looking for outdoor activities to do as a family will find
that having a garden offers so much more than planting seeds, watering them and seeing things grow. It’s
an education about everything surrounding us in the
world.
Plant a family garden this year. Who doesn’t like to
play in the dirt? There are wonderful benefits of having
your family plant and cultivate a garden. When using
the garden as the classroom, science, health and nutrition, community service, cultural studies, arts, history,
English and communication are just a few of the subjects that can be taught in the best “hands-on” style. A
few of the questions to be asked, then researched and
answered include:
• What is the best way to grow something?
• Which foods are the healthiest and how can they
be prepared?
• Are these foods native to Alaska or were they introduced from another part of the world?
• Can we share our food with others in our community who are in need?
Using the gardening experience as a classroom can
bring the world to your fingertips. The lessons learned
will be remembered.
Page 4
Activities done through gardening can involve life
skills also. The responsibility of taking care of a garden can be shared with children or assigned to them.
The hands-on experience of digging and planting and
taking care of the plants can be a rewarding experience
that can help children build self-esteem. Working in a
garden is an opportunity to gain pride in helping a family or helping others in need. Children can also learn to
identify insects, pollinators, worms and weeds.
Planning a garden involves mathematics and how to
turn a paper problem into a real world experience. The
science of soil preparation, garden location and timing of planting, watering and cultivation is visible to
any child helping. Everything each member of a family
does to help with the garden will be part of something
greater and good. The experience of learning to grow
food remains with people as a lifelong skill.
Junior Master Gardener Day Camp
June 8 - July 29, (Mon., Tues., Weds.)
9 a.m. - noon or 1– 4 p.m.
Hands-on group and individual activities for children ages 7-11 with a focus on botany, horticulture,
and ecology. Led by Patrick Ryan who is a certified
Junior Master Gardener Specialist, 1st grade teacher,
and a 1999 BP teacher of excellence. $125 per child.
Visit our website (www.alaskabg.org) or call
the ABG office (770-3692) for registration form.
INFO & IDEAS
Cooperative Extension Service
Anchorage Office
Hort Calendar
June 3, Wed., 5:30 pm– 6:30 p.m.
Perennial Garden Q & A with Julie Riley, Horticulture Agent, UAF Cooperative Extension
Service held at In the Garden Nursery, 7037
O’Brien St. Class is free but participants must
preregister at www.inthegardennursery.com or
346-4247.
June - September
Alaska Botanical Garden Exhibit, “An Alaskan Kitchen Garden,” entry beds planted and
maintained by Anchorage Master Gardeners.
Enjoy an educational display about edible
landscaping, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road,
www.alaskabg.org
Pillow Patrol, front row L-R: Jessica Smith, McKenzie Smith; 2nd row L-R:
Joe Biondich, Sylvia Biondich, Karen Biondich, Samantha Foster, Lynne Anderson, Clarissa Smith; back row L-R:Tammy Foster, Leisha Anderson, Evie
Anderson, CoRene Smith.
4-H Pillow Patrol receives award
June 15, Monday, 7 p.m.
Efforts of the 4-H Pillow Patrol were rewarded April
29 at the Anchorage Association for Volunteer Administration’s (AAVA) Golden Heart Volunteer Service
Awards. In 2008, over 700 pillowcases were made for
foster children and other youth in need by Anchorage/Eagle River
4-H’ers, volunteer leaders and members of the community. There
are approximately 900 youths in foster care in Anchorage and last
year pillowcases were distributed to Alaska Children’s Services,
Hospice of Anchorage, Providence Children’s Hospital, Catholic
Social Services and the Migrant Education Program of the Anchorage School District.
Volunteers also went to Covenant House with their sewing machines and taught the residents how to sew and make pillowcases
for themselves. Pillow Patrol Day is a day of community-shared
laughter, potluck, storytelling and helping each other. One outcome of the project has been the collaboration of 4-H with youthserving agencies in Anchorage.
Anchorage 4-H was recognized for its inclusive volunteer service project that encourages youth to help other youth. The Golden Heart Volunteer Service Awards dinner was sponsored by BP
(British Petroleum). A check of $500 and a beautiful engraved
crystal award were presented to 4-H members and their leaders on
April 29 by AAVA President Ronnie Brown. Marianne Kerr was
responsible for nominating 4-H Pillow Patrol for the award.
Page 5
Anchorage Master Gardener Association
field trip, “Girdwood Gardens” meet at the
Alyeska Resort. For information call Kathy
Feathergill-Calvin, 653-7673.
June 22, Monday, 5 – 7 p.m.
Anchorage CWMA (Cooperative Weed
Management Area) Annual Invasive Weeds
Fair, Invasive weeds related education and activities. For details, contact Michael Rasy, UAF
Cooperative Extension Service, Anchorage,
786-6300.
June 22, Monday, 7 p.m.
Anchorage Master Gardener Assoc. field
trip, “Composting,” demonstration by Dave
Junge, 500 Kayak Dr., UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Anchorage, 786-6300.
June 29, Monday, 7 pm
Anchorage Master Gardener Assoc. field
trip, to view MG Sandy Eherenman’s pond
water feature, 1607 Turpin St. and Verna
Pratt’s rock gardens, 7446 E. 20th Ave., 7866300.
INFO & IDEAS
Cooperative Extension Service
Anchorage Office
Look for new varieties this season
By Julie Riley,
Extension Horticulture Agent
O
ne of this year’s All-American Selection® (AAS)
winners is viola “Rain Blue and Purple.” The 1
½-inch flowers change color as they mature. Few plants
do this but viola “Rain Blue and Purple” flowers change
from purple/white to purple/blue. Plants are bushy and
spread from 10 to 14 inches across. This viola is so
packed with flowers, it should look good in any garden.
The plant’s trailing habit also lends itself to container
planting.
None of the other
three
AAS winAnchorage’s
ners for 2009 show
Mann Leiser Memorial
great potential for
Greenhouse at Russian
the Anchorage area
Jack Park has an area
but there is always
a gardener who can
planted as a
grow the imposAAS Display Garden
sible. Acorn squash
are difficult because
of their long season, but also because flower production seems to be inhibited by our long day lengths. AAs
winner Acorn squash “Honey Bear” might be worth
a try. It is one of the more compact winter squashes
growing 4-5 feet without vining. It is powdery mildew
resistant and is supposed to produce 3-5 squashes per
vine.
Eggplant “Gretel” is touted as the earliest white-fruited type. It requires day and night temperatures above
55°F and will need to be grown in a greenhouse if you
can find transplants available for sale this spring.
There is also a Christmas-type melon that was
awarded the AAS designation. “Lambkin” is an oval
shaped, white-fleshed melon weighing between 2 and
4 pounds at maturity. It was selected as an AAS winner
because of its flavor and short season of 65-75 days.
Gardeners with greenhouse space to spare might want
to give it a try.
These four 2009 winners are all F1 hybrids. F1 is a
plant breeding term that means first filial generation.
Page 6
These hybrids are produced through controlled handpollination involving parents with different characteristics. F1 does not mean that the seed has come from
parents that are genetically modified or bioengineered.
It does mean because of the extra work involved, that
hybrid seeds often cost more than nonhybrid, open
pollinated varieties.
Each year All-America Selections® introduces new,
tested flowers, vegetables and herbs that have superior
qualities. Alaska does not participate as a trial site for
AAS, but Anchorage’s Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouse at Russian Jack Park has an area planted as a
AAS Display Garden each summer.
INFO & IDEAS