Yesterday’s windstorm shook more than just the trees. It carried the scent of shifting seasons and the whispers of fall creeping ever closer. Fireweed is climbing high—its blooms creeping toward the top like nature’s seasonal hourglass. And in our garden? The potatoes are blooming. (Yes, I never thought I’d say that either.)
But here we are. Rooted in the soil, shoulders in the wind, hearts in the harvest.
Why Are We Growing So Many Potatoes?
Great question. This year, we joined our neighbors at Alaskan Homestead Education in a collaborative effort to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing our community: food security in Alaska.
In Anchor Point, and throughout much of the state, food insecurity is a growing concern. Our community is largely made up of low-income households, and access to fresh, reliable food can be unpredictable. Weather, wildfires, bad roads, and supply chain hiccups have all left our grocery store shelves looking more barren than bountiful.
So we asked ourselves: What can we grow, right here in our own backyards, that makes a difference?
Potatoes were the clear answer.
The Power of Potatoes: Simple, Storable, and Sustainable
Here’s why potatoes were our first big leap into community food growing:
- Wildlife leave them alone. No fencing required.
- They store well. Just a cool, dark space, and you’re set through winter.
- No processing needed. Just dig, clean, store.
- Self-sustaining. Reserve a portion for seed potatoes, and you’re ready for next season.
From clearing land to prepping soil with our trusty tractor, many hands (and probably more than a few sore backs) went into this “Potato Project.” But it’s more than just a harvest. It’s a movement. A return to roots—literally and figuratively.
A Look Back at Alaska’s Homesteading Heritage
Not long ago, our communities here were founded on homesteading and self-reliance. Everyone had a garden. Bush orders came once a year, and a lot of what we ate came from what we grew, raised, hunted, or foraged.
But with easier access to the Lower 48, and modern conveniences pulling us toward grocery aisles instead of garden rows, many stopped growing altogether.
Now, with rising costs and unreliable supply chains, we’re rediscovering what our grandparents always knew: the garden is a lifeline.
Harvest Season in Alaska: A Three-Season Affair
Here in Alaska, the growing and gathering season isn’t just a few short weeks. It stretches across three seasons—and starts while snow is still hugging the ground.
Here’s just a snapshot of what we’re harvesting and crafting:
- Cottonwood buds for our Balm of Gilead in early spring
- Fresh spruce tips for nutrient-rich salves
- Salmon in July for our pantries and freezers
- Fireweed, chamomile, and Devil’s Club throughout summer
- Berries galore: blueberries, raspberries, salmonberries, cloudberries, and nagoonberries
- Potatoes (of course) in late summer
- High tunnel crops that keep producing even as temperatures dip
What’s Next? Sharing the Harvest
As the leaves begin to hint at gold and the nights get a little longer, we’re preparing for more than just a potato dig. We’re preparing for long nights spent by the fire, at the kitchen table, and in the company of community.
We’ll share the harvest. The food. The knowledge. The warmth.
And if you’d like to enjoy the fruits of our labor, check out some of our lovingly crafted, wild-harvested products—made right here in Anchor Point, Alaska.Join us in growing more than just food. Let’s grow community. Let’s grow resilience. And yes, let’s grow some potatoes.
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If you’d like to support local food security efforts right here in Anchor Point, consider donating to our community partners at Alaskan Homestead Education. Your support helps fund projects like this one—and many more to come.
👉 Donate or learn more at akhomestead.org
