586 Farms In Alaska Are You On One Of Them?

[fantasymaker]

I was just reading the censes figures and came across this. I wondered if our little board might have anyone from this very limited pool?

[Pouncer]

Hmm, where did this statistic originate? Just curious

[fantasymaker]

I read it in a missuri state extension servise report It was quoting the ag census I think.
I just checked in the National Agucultureal satistics service site and they list newer and slightly diferent numbers going up to abot 640

[dagwood]

I have a cousin living north of Anchorage who is farming there. He also does a bit of panning for gold from the streams that are on his property.

[Pouncer]

I geuss my real question is this: What qualifies as a farm? There are quite a few things grown and produced here, but generally the farms are pretty small compared to Agri-biz in the Lower 48. I don't think I know but a handful of people personally, who actually "make a living" farming here...most are working to supplement their hobby interests.

[fantasymaker]

I think the ag census is pretty liberal in what it calls a farm.
Dagwood, Do you know anything about his operation? How he got into it obtained land and what he produces?

[blufford]

From Encarta.msn. -Alaska

"In 2005 there were just 640 farms in Alaska. Some 48 percent of them had annual sales of more than $10,000; many of the rest were sidelines for operators who also held other jobs. Farmland occupies 364,217 hectares (900,000 acres), of which 10 percent is cropland."


"Commercial agriculture today plays a significant role in the Matanuska Valley, Alaska’s leading agricultural area, and in the Delta region. The Delta is a significant producer of milk and milk products as well as potatoes, grass seeds for lawns and animal fodder, and barley. Cattle are raised on Kodiak Island, and a facility in Palmer processes pigs and some cattle from the Delta and Matanuska Valley."


http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpag...761569148&pn=4

[Pouncer]

LOL, Encarta needs an update

No milk production in Delta. No dairy farms there, just a few around Southcentral. Palmer is IN the Matanuska Susitna Valley....

[dagwood]

Originally Posted by fantasymaker

I think the ag census is pretty liberal in what it calls a farm.
Dagwood, Do you know anything about his operation? How he got into it obtained land and what he produces?

He has about 300 acres up there and he has built a lot of big greenhouses. He also is raising beef cattle but I don't know how many head of beef he's turning out.
He bought the land from the State shortly after he re-located there over 35 years ago.
He's been after me for years to come and visit and one of these days I hope to do just that. He's bragged a lot about getting a lot of gold from his panning operation.

[Pouncer]

Dagwood, you should do it if you have the chance. Alaska is vastly different from the Lower 48, to put it mildly.

If he has that size acreage, has some cattle, AND gold pans, I can only think of one or two local streams where that is done, hahaha! I hope he keeps quiet about it

[fantasymaker]

If hes getting a lot of gold I bet its more than a panning operation! If ya get the chance You should go I pet it will change your life!.
If he got that land from the state in 71 hes a VERY LUCKY guy that was nearly the ned of the large land dispoasal time.

[hoofinitnorth]

Hope he has a mining claim!

Yes, Pouncer is right on and she would know, having a bit of hay farming experience herself and lots of contacts with the local hay growing operations.

Heh heh, hey Pouncer, I wonder if Encarta is counting all the "atlernative growing operations" up here?

[Pouncer]

LOL, Hoofinit, that would boost the number into the 1000s!! Just here in the Valley they bust what? Over 300 a year?

[fantasymaker]

It used to be leagle and some folks aparently just havent kept up with the times....Maybe grandfather rights?

[kasilofhome]

Well I will confess I am one of the farmers and I too (like many people) pan for gold in the spring. we have about 600 chickens.

[fantasymaker]

Wow the average size farm in Alaska is about 1400 acres...that dont sound right I bet they are including a Lot of ranch land. Knocking that down to the 10% figure comes out to 140 acres in a farm....much more beliveable.

[fatrat]

dagwood,

I doubt he is getting "a lot of gold". You are probably right, he is bragging. Most people who brag are just that, just bragging. My guess is that anyone who actually gets a lot of gold in the streams on their property, keeps quiet about it for obvious reasons. If you decide to move there I'd say don't make the decision based on the hope of finding a lot of gold but it sounds like you got a pretty level head and already know that.

[jennigrey]

Originally Posted by Pouncer

LOL, Encarta needs an update

No milk production in Delta. No dairy farms there, just a few around Southcentral. Palmer is IN the Matanuska Susitna Valley....

Wait, what? No more dairy in Delta Junction? What happened to Northern Lights?