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Common Ground Alaska Farmstead

Welcome to our page where we will talk about farming, gardening, and all things dirt - learning to thrive right where we are. Come join us!
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This is a site to help Alaskans work together to not just survive in Alaska but to thrive. Posting pertinent information for all Alaskans on farming locally, buying local, living frugal, etc.

07/07/2025

We have ANOTHER exciting announcement! This time it's all about the podcast, which is starting up again next week!

Kelli Foreman will be joining us as Tandy's Co-host! We're going to talk about all things Alaska including broad topics like agriculture, food security, and self-sufficiency. And we'll go deep and talk about things like raw milk, closing the loop on your homestead or farm, the realities of farming in AK, food preservation, managing winter darkness, and we'll even share some of our favorite tips and recipes!

Anything you’d like us to talk about? Comment below!

Be sure to follow Sustainable Alaska by Common Ground Alaska so you don't miss a single episode!

APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sustainable-alaska-by-common-ground-alaska-farmstead/id1675963752
SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5dsC4VkN4XglUYSC0IUGfw
YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXUKziU7Y1JKYv1sRMcyTnQ

This is going to be awesome!

04/07/2025

𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

We’re shining a light on some of the amazing voices inside the magazine to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who help shape our publication, and up next is our feature article author - Elaine Martin!

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚? 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏?
I was born in Alaska, but my parents divorced when I was three so I grew up in the midwest. When I left home at 15 to work on a horse ranch in Northwest Wisconsin I dreamed of returning to my birthplace, so when I turned 17 I moved to Alaska to stay with my estranged father and his new family near Homer. I got my GED and attended college classes while working in Homer and then at 21 met my husband. We both wanted a life somewhere between "Call of the wild" and "little house on the Prairie" so we set out to create the life we hoped for our children to have living closely with nature. We moved to South Central Alaska and raised four kids, homeschooling them and building a small house. We lived a homesteading life including hauling water and having an outhouse, growing gardens, honeybees, raising chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs and sheep. We also hunted, foraged and fished to feed our family as we lived off the land as much as a modern day family can. We built a remote cabin in Trapper creek where we had a trapline and I became a sled dog racing kennel owner with 25 of my own dogs and boarded another 25 dogs. My husband was a self employed carpenter and after our kids became teenagers we focused on starting our remodeling business. We now own 2 businesses Far North Craftsmanship remodeling and Mammoth Heating and we have built a new log home in the mountains north of Palmer. We continue to hunt, fish and forage with our adult kids and now 3 grand-kids, passing on love of the land and living closely with the seasons here in our beloved Alaska.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓?

Being intentional about making the most of each harvest-able resource during the short time it is available.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒆?

I love sharing what Alaska has to offer families for food and healing in case of hard times.

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒓, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆?

Be intentional. Seasons for plants, animals, mushrooms, stocking up, raising gardens are on a tight time-table up here. If you blink, you can miss planting/harvesting windows.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡, 𝐄𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬!

Subscribe here: https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

Enjoy the first two digital editions, on sale now, for only $5 each!

03/07/2025

This week we are thinning apples - it’s so fun to see how each tree is doing & to see how the apples are growing.

Folks often ask why we thin the apples. There are several reasons.

1. If we left all of the apples on, not only would it potentially be to heavy for the tree, it would also take more energy from the tree than the tree has to give. This would greatly compromise the health of the tree.

2. When we thin the apples, it makes the apples we do get much bigger.

3. If we are working with a bi-annual bearing tree (one that only gives a full harvest every other year), we can actually get it to produce yearly with proper thinning.

When we thin the apples, we are looking for a few things. In each cluster is a “king”. He has a bigger stem and is usually already a bigger apple. Usually the king is the one we keep out of the cluster, but not always. If there is an apple that’s bigger, looks healthier, or is more in the direct sun - we will choose for that one to stay instead.

A general rule of thumb is to keep one apple per cluster but to make sure each one is 5-6” apart so there are times when we will take all of the apples from a cluster if it’s too close to another one.

Also, if the saved apple is shaded by leaves, we tend to cut the leaves away so the growing apple is in full sun.

One final perk of thinning is each tree gets a good, thorough check over. We look for any signs of distress, pests, disease, anything that could be hindering the tree. It’s an excellent practice in plant husbandry.

In the end, thinning leads to better production, bigger apples, and a healthier tree but I’ll admit it’s hard to get rid of so many apples!

Below are some before/after pix for examples.

02/07/2025

Alaska Homestead Academy has lots going on this week like video drops and class deadlines for the in-person classes. Check it out!

If you're wanting to sign up for the Academy, this is a great time to do it! We just released a video showing how to make Ivan Chai (Fermented Fireweed Tea) and later this week is a class about Planning your Alaska Orchard. ((This video is available for all memberships.))

Also this week: If you are wanting to join either of the bulk pasta making classes or the canning 101 or 201 class, you need to get signed up by the 3rd. Check out the calendar for more info. ((These classes are for the Full Granny and Self Sufficient Alaskan memberships.))

Note: There is no live zoom class this week due to the holiday. However, next week in the live zoom class, I'll show you how to make your own cultured sour cream - it's easy and so so yummy - and it's way better for you than anything from the store!

Check out the academy at: https://alaskahomesteadacademy.com/

02/07/2025

Know what this means?

The honeyberries are close to ripening so they are now netted to keep the birds out. We are about 2 weeks from opening for u-pick!

Here’s the u-pick protocol:

🫐 We typically open for about 40 groups at a time depending on how much fruit is available. Picking is done by appointment only.

🫐 To make an appointment, you need to be signed up either for our text list, or email.

🫐 First, I send out a text. If you want to be one of the first to know about picking, you can sign up to receive texts by texting your name to this number: 206-759-8575

🫐 If we don’t fill all of the spots with our texting group, we send an email a few hours later. Go to https://commongroundalaska.com to sign up to be on our email list.

🫐 If we still have spots open (rare but it can happen toward the end of the season), then we post on social media.

A couple of notes:
🍎 We do charge $10 to hold your spot. That money holds your spot but when you come and pick, you get a $10 credit toward your order - so essentially you get your money back when you pay for your berries. If you don’t show up, that money is not refundable nor does it apply to future appointments.

🍎 Picking spots do sell out. But if it sells out before you get to make your appointment, don’t despair! We will have many, many openings this summer. You’ll get your chance! We do send the text first so if you’re wanting to make sure you get a spot, it’s best to sign up for texts.

Here is our U-Pick pricing for 2025:
Currants $5/lb
Saskatoons $6/lb
Raspberries $7/pint
Honeyberries $7/lb
Cherries $8/lb

We can’t wait to see you! It is a great honor to feed Alaskans, we are so proud and grateful for this opportunity!

01/07/2025

We created something fun for you!

Today, we are hiking a new trail so we are getting a head start! I also have some Ivan Chai sun tea in the works. Will sure be refreshing when we get home from the hike!

Recipes for Ivan Chai can be found both in several places. We have a recipe article in Sustainable Alaska Magazine and a how-to video in Alaska Homestead Academy.

Magazine: https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

Academy: https://alaskahomesteadacademy.com/

01/07/2025

Seaberries 🍊and Bing Cherries 🍒

Our sea berries (citrus berries aka sea buckthorn) look like they are going to produce a few berries this year - I can’t wait!

Also, we are going to get a couple of bing cherries off of the cherry tree in the greenhouse. They are almost ready!!

We won’t have either of these for u-pick for a few years but we’re working on it! And in the meantime, we sure enjoy the fruits of our labor!

01/07/2025

I've gotten several requests from folks to carry a "whole package deal" so you can have one subscription rather than buying several from us.

So - we've put the following bundle together. I have to admit, when I looked at it and saw all that it contains I got pretty excited at all that we've put together - this is such a cool life and I'm super excited to share with you!

https://alaskahomesteadacademy.com/join_us

So, here's what you get in this full bundle (available in a yearly package only - I can't figure out how to make it work monthly)

📚 FULL access to every video in the academy
👩🏼‍💻 FULL access to all of our live zoom classes
🙋‍♀️ CHOOSE one in-person academy class per month (lots of options & dates to choose from) (Combined for a $350 value)
📖 A one-year print subscription to Sustainable Alaska Magazine (a $60 value)
🎟️ TWO tickets to the spring Alaska Homestead Expo ($170 value)

https://alaskahomesteadacademy.com/join_us

No need to keep buying different things - just get this one and you're covered with most of the things we offer - isn't that so cool?

Save over $100 with the bundle over buying these all separately. Again, we are only offering this as a yearly plan - just one payment per year at a great savings!

Check out the calendar to see what all we having going on in the academy just in July! Learn to make pasta in bulk and take a bunch home, or learn all the things about home canning from hot water bath jams to canning meals and making your own recipes.

PLUS, you get the magazine AND two tickets to the 2026 Expo!

Gah - I'm excited! Are you?

https://alaskahomesteadacademy.com/join_us

29/06/2025

Sometimes I look out the front door and can’t help but be in awe of the massive blessing that it is to live here.

Yes, Gene did the work but God provided the opportunities - I am so grateful for their partnership to create such an incredible oasis for our family, friends, and customers. 🥰

27/06/2025

𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

We’re shining a light on some of the amazing voices inside the magazine to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who help shape our publication, and up next is Krista Petersen!

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚? 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏?

"We came up with the military, had to leave with the military, and after our last assignment we came back to Alaska to stay. Twenty-five years later we’re still here. Alaska is home."

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒂?

"Even after being in Alaska more than two decades, I still marvel at the beauty of Alaska. Being surrounded by green trees and snow-topped mountains, it never gets old. The second biggest surprise-Alaska has orchards and people actually grow fruit here! So cool."

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓?

"Curiosity and the belief that I can learn new things."

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒆?

"I attended a homesteading conference in Idaho. One of the presentations was given by Doc Jones. He shared how herbs and even weeds have amazing medicinal properties. It lit me up! I can’t wait to grow my own and build my apothecary."

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒂?

"The shortest days and the longest days-they’re both magical and annoying."

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒓, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆?

"Look for people who are successfully doing what you want to do, and learn from them. Build community and skills. Find the joy in the beauty of people and places in Alaska."

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡, 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬!

Subscribe here: https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

Enjoy the first two digital editions, on sale now, for only $5 each!

27/06/2025

The print version of Sustainable Alaska Magazine is hitting local shelves next week including Alaska Farm Supply and All About Herbs!

If you missed ordering your copy, you can still grab one as long as supplies last!

26/06/2025

PSA: Last week I canned up a bunch of salmon. I've been canning salmon for years and don't usually get out a book for directions but I wasn't positive on the processing time. I was pretty sure it was more than the usual 90 minutes for meat but I just wasn't sure.

So, rather than dig out a canning book, I thought I'd just google it quick.

I was totally surprised at the answer I got at the top of my phone - in very authoritative words saying that it's the overview of what was found when "they" scoured the web.

It suggested a time of 70 minutes to pressure can pints of salmon. That is NOT right! The correct time is 100 minutes. Furthermore, they quote U of Fairbanks making it appear that they are picking up the info from there.

This is NOT TRUE! To make matters even worse, I looked at the top 10 sites after this overview and none of them suggested a time of 70 minutes. They were all in agreement that the time is 100 minutes.

So where did this "smart overview" come up with 70 minutes? I have no idea! But I do know that this AI overview cannot be trusted.

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