Sustainable Alaska by Common Ground Alaska Farmstead – Details, episodes & analysis

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/

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? 

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/

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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