Halibut Cove shellfish farmers are Alaska’s Farm Family of 2020
(Palmer, AK) – Alaska’s Farm Family of the Year for 2020 is the Bates family of Halibut Cove, whose determined operation of their shellfish farm in Kachemak Bay embodies the innovative, resilient spirt of Alaska agriculture even in the face of a global pandemic.
“Alaska agriculture is a growing, evolving industry, and nothing reflects that more clearly than the selection of oyster farmers as Farm Family of the Year, “ said Dave Schade, director of the Division of Agriculture. “Greg and Weatherly Bates have embraced the opportunities of aquaculture in Alaska, and their success in this new market sector points to a prosperous future for them and other farming families, as well.”
The Bates both grew up the coastal culture of a seashore Rhode Island town, and after successfully managing a growing oyster farm there together they married, then honeymooned in Alaska. Falling in love with the state and its opportunities, they moved north in 2007 and started Alaska Shellfish Farm. With the help of their children, Rockwell and Vera, their growing family operation produces and sells oysters and mussels, and recently expanded into the evolving kelp market.
When the COVID-19 pandemic closed off national markets, they met the challenge by refocusing on local sales, even loading oysters on a small boat tied to shore for sale to locals on honor system, according to those nominating the family, who added that “Weatherly and Greg are the hardest-working, most compassionate young couple we have ever met.”
The “Farm Family of the Year” award was established in 2000 by the Alaska Division of Agriculture and the Alaska State Fair with the intent to honor an Alaska farm family that best epitomizes the spirit of the industry that year, and to show appreciation for hard-working Alaskans committed to agriculture, including Alaska’s growing aquaculture segment.
With the COVID-19 pandemic driving many normal activities online, the division used online resources to increase the accessibility of the award and the visibility of the industry it supports, Schade said. Nominations, including the winning nomination, arrived online.
The Alaska Farm Family of the Year for 2019 was the St. Pierres of Ester, Alaska. Previous winners include the Olsons of Soldotna, and the McCollums and Pinklemans of Delta Junction.
CONTACT: John Whipple, (907) 761-3874, [email protected]
Allie Barker and Jed Workman are Alaska Farm Family of 2021
(Palmer, AK) – Alaska’s Farm Family of the Year for 2021 are Allie Barker and Jed Workman of Chickaloon, owners and operators of Chugach Farm, where they grow nutrient-dense food through sustainable and regenerative methods with a focus on living self-sufficiently.
“Chugach Farm is the perfect example of what growing the agriculture sector in Alaska looks like,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “I applaud the efforts of Allie Barker and Jed Workman in working to help Alaskans across the state achieve self-sufficiency with sustainable food for now and in the future.”
The lure of mountain climbing in Alaska drew Barker and Workman north separately 23 years ago when Barker, born in Ohio, and Workman, born in Connecticut, met during a 40-day mountaineering employment training expedition on the Nelchina and Matanuska glaciers. They eventually married and in 2002, driven by the desire to live off the land and grow their own food, purchased raw land out of pocket to build their off-grid homestead and farm from the ground up.
In 2010, the couple decided to share their nutritious food with others, and committed to farming, nutrition, making ferments, and putting up food full time. She is responsible for the farm operations, while he focuses on maintaining their off-grid systems, helps with building projects, mixes and ferments animal food, takes care of the animals, and is an avid cook.
Barker is drawn to the challenge and hard work of farming, and says it’s “the only thing that is harder than guiding on Denali.” The family’s focus is on producing nutrient-dense, single-origin, sustainable food by using regenerative agriculture, alternative energy, and no-till farming methods. The couple operate a program to donate food to hungry kids through the Kids Kupboard, and have hired people for intensive apprenticeships and many other positions.
“Allie and Jed embody the innovative, resilient spirit of Alaska Agriculture, even in the face of a global pandemic,” said Division of Agriculture director David W. Schade. “We are proud they were selected as Farm Family of the Year.”
The “Farm Family of the Year” award was established in 2000 by the Alaska Division of Agriculture and the Alaska State Fair with the intent to honor an Alaska farm family that best epitomizes the spirit of the industry that year, and to show appreciation for hard- working Alaskans committed to agriculture.
The Alaska Farm Family of the Year for 2020 was the Bates of Halibut Cove, Alaska. Previous winners include the St. Pierres of Ester, Olsons of Soldotna, and the McCollums and Pinklemans of Delta Junction.
CONTACT: Amanda Swanson, (907) 761-3869, [email protected]
