On May 27, NMS team members joined volunteers from UAF and UAA for a meaningful day of planting at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. Together, they prepared two community plots with Indigenous Tlingit and Haida potatoes, which will be harvested and served at the Kotzebue Long-Term Care facility and Pioneer Homes across Alaska.
This year’s planting featured three varieties: Tlingit, Haida, and a new Yukon Gold known for its high quality and disease resistance. The day was made even more special with a blessing by Gee Carlson, an Alaska Native elder and adoptive mother to the project’s lead organizer and our own Director of Indigenous Cuisine, Amy Foote.
Despite the rainy, muddy conditions, spirits were high as the group rolled up their sleeves—bringing garden tools, rubber boots, and plenty of smiles. Volunteers included Lulu, Melissa Chlupach from UAA, Morgean and Ogi Carlson, and a stellar NMS team: Lisa Von, Thomas Mickle, Craig Billingsley, Kerith Hawkins, Andrew Gajorna, Rizalyn Jueco, Thomas Dado (a potential TEC candidate), and Nelson from UAF.
Thank you to all who pitched in—many hands truly made light (and muddy) work!
