We're looking forward to seeing you in Wrangell!
2027 SUMMIT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All presentations will be held at The Nolan Center (296 Campbell Dr, Wrangell, AK) from Feb. 25-27, 2027
(Summit Schedule is subject to change)
Selected presentations throughout the Summit will also be available via Zoom throughout the weekend. Stay tuned for Zoom links closer to the start of the summit
WEDNESDAY • February 24, 2027
4:30 - 5:30pm Registration at Nolan Center
5:00-6:00pm Dinner
6:30 - 8:00pm - Summit Welcome
THURSDAY • February 25, 2027
10:00-10:30am
The Non-Profit Farm Model in Alaska - Susan Willsrud, Calypso Farm
Most farmers in Southeast have followed the typical sole-proprietorship business model. Susan’s experience running Calypso Farm and Ecology Center in Fairbanks brought light to all the benefits of a nonprofit farm model, and she’s ready to argue that perhaps you too should consider the path less travelled and switch to a nonprofit farm.
11:00-11:50am
“Welcome to Goosefoot Farm” by Christine & Brad St. Pierre, Fairbanks
Founded in 2013, Goosefoot Farm is a diversified vegetable farm in Fairbanks, AK. They nurture the whole farm ecosystem by using cover cropping, crop rotation, minimal tillage, and composting to help the soil stay healthy; insectary plants to promote the presence of beneficial insect populations and bees to assist in pollination. See the ins & outs of their thriving operation during this virtual farm tour.
1:00-1:50pm
“Accessible Grants & Loans for Alaskan Farmers” by Emily Garrity & Susan Willsrud
Feeling like a lack of capital is getting your farm stuck in a rut? Have a dream project to improve your farm but just not sure how to fund it? Emily and Susan, two well-seasoned Alaska farmers, will help decipher the small print and paint a bright (yet realistic!) picture of all the funding opportunities specifically available to farmers in the 49th state.
2:00-2:45pm
Small Group Discussions & Workshops
An opportunity to have an intimate discussion with a small group of fellow farmers. Topics will include expanding flower/nursery production, indigenous agriculture projects, cottage food production, integrating livestock on vegetable farms, leasing farmland and more!
3:15-4:05pm
“Welcome to Chugach Farm” by Allie Barker, Chickaloon
Nutrient Dense - Human Powered - Off Grid - Beyond Organic; these are the terms Allie uses to describe her small, productive, regenerative ag focused farm in Chickaloon, AK. Learn about her production methods, her sales channels, and her health-centered strategies during this in-depth virtual farm tour of Chugach Farm.
4:15-4:50pm
“Soil Test Decoder Tool” by Tom Zimmer, Calypso Farm
Ever submit a soil test, only to be sent back a pile of numbers and stats that are indecipherable to the common farmer eye? Tom will help you make sense of the senseless with a little help from the soil test decoder tool he created to help farmers across the state to read their soil tests with ease and understanding.
6:30-7:30pm
“Growing Community Film”, discussion led by Gatgyeda Haayk, Metlakatla Community Garden
Across the state, native Alaskan communities have been focusing on learning to grow more food for their families and tribal members in the face of changing climate and food security. This short film highlights our region’s own Gatgyeda Haayk, and shares her work with the Metlakatla Community Garden, while also giving a peek into the Indigenous led agriculture program hosted by Calypso Farm and the knowledge and inspiration it has spread across the state. An audience-inspired discussion will follow the film’s screening.
FRIDAY • February 26, 2027
8:40-9:30am
“Welcome to Sauntering Roots Farm” by Brandi Jo Nyberg, Palmer
Situated in the Matanuska Valley of Palmer, AK, Sauntering Roots Farm aims to grow nutritious food using sustainable and ecological farming practices, increasing food security in the state of Alaska. They grow primarily for a CSA program and the Matanuska Community Farmers Market. Learn about this small but mighty farm through this in-depth virtual farm tour.
9:40-10:30am
“Using Livestock to Build Soil, Manage Pests & Diversify Income Streams on a Mixed Vegetable Farm” by Tom Zimmer and Allie Barker
Dreaming of bringing animals into your farm mix (free manure!!), but not exactly sure how to do it? Both Tom and Allie have found creative ways to integrate livestock into their mixed vegetable farms systems. Hear about the benefits and challenges of their experiences incorporating pigs, chickens and even sheep on their small farms.
11:00-11:50am
“On Farm Food Safety; AK Case Studies” by Sarah Lewis, Cooperative Extension Service UAS
As providers of food for our friends and neighbors, it is critical that we keep food safety top of mind on our farms. In this session, Sarah will highlight what Alaska farmers are doing right when it comes to food safety through specific on-farm examples. Let’s learn from each other and continue to keep our customers healthy and safe.
1:00-1:30pm
“Small Farm Economics; How We Keep Our Small Farm Afloat” by Christine St. Pierre, Goosefoot Farm
Money matters, no matter how much we might not want to admit it. And making a profit from selling $3 heads of lettuce is not a simple equation. Christine has been running a successful small farm business with her husband since 2013 and in this presentation she will paint a picture of how all the pieces come together to keep the farm in the black.
1:30-2:20PM
“Alaska-Specific No-till Farming Techniques” by Brandi Jo Nyberg, Sauntering Roots Farm
We’ve all heard about the benefits of ditching the rototiller and caring for our soils using no-till methods, but how exactly can we do that up here in the cold, wet north where summer is short and slugs are plentiful? Brandi will share her tips & tricks, as well as other regional farmers’ tried and true methods for making no-till work in Alaska.
2:30-3:15pm
Small Group Discussions & Workshops
An opportunity to have an intimate discussion with a small group of fellow farmers. Topics will include expanding flower/nursery production, indigenous agriculture projects, cottage food production, integrating livestock on vegetable farms, leasing farmland and more!
3:45-4:30pm
“Creative & Clever Farm Efficiency Hacks” by Brad & Christine St. Pierre, Goosefoot Farm
Always feeling like there is never enough time in the day? Glean some great ideas from this session where we will learn about all the small and thoughtful ways Brad & Christine have dialed in their farming operation over the last 14 years, making daily work more efficient and farm life more enjoyable!
6:30-8:00pm
“Farmer to Farmer “TED talks”, Ideas Worth Sharing” facilitated by Tom Zimmer & Susan Willsrud
Sometimes the best ideas come from our peers, not the researchers or the specialists. This session is an opportunity for farmers to gather and share ideas and strategies that we’ve learned through personal experience. Participants are encouraged to prepare a short, inspirational talk about an idea they are passionate about. Susan will kick things off by exploring the idea of sustainable farm ecosystems, and from there the night will be determined by you! What idea do you want to bounce around with your fellow farmers?
SATURDAY • February 27, 2027
1-2:05pm
“Irrigation Ideas Panel” by Tom Zimmer of Calypso Farm, Katherine Ivy of Ivy Patch Produce and Dwayne Ballou of Oceanview Gardens
It seems a bit silly to be talking about irrigation in soppy Southeast, but many of us are now growing in high tunnels so this topic is surprisingly appropo. Learn basic irrigation principles from Calypso’s master waterer, and then see local examples when both Wrangell farmers outline the systems they use on their crops.
2:15-3:00pm
Small Group Discussions & Workshops
An opportunity to have an intimate discussion with a small group of fellow farmers. Topics will include expanding flower/nursery production, indigenous agriculture projects, cottage food production, integrating livestock on vegetable farms, leasing farmland and more!
3:30-4:00pm
“Small Farm Advocacy in the AK Legislature” by Emily Garrity & Brad St. Pierre
We tend to get myopic vision when sweating and toiling away on our small farms each season, but it’s important to remember there are high level decisions being made in state government that directly affect our operations each year. For years, both Emily and Brad have been active advocates for small farmers during legislative sessions in Juneau, and they will share with us recent news on policy and why we should care (and maybe even get involved!)
4:00-4:50pm
“Specific Crop Presentations” Four Winds Farm (Onions), Middle Island Gardens (Cut Flowers), Oceanview Gardens (Microgreens & Head Lettuce)
Learn the nitty gritty details of how three Southeast farmers are growing one specific crop on their farm. These presentations will cover topics such as cultivar selection, seeding methods, cultivation, harvest techniques, marketing channels and more.
6:30-8pm
“Fun Farmer Trivia & Closing Group Circle”
We’ll gather for a playful Farmers Summit wrap-up trivia session, followed by reflection on our time together as a whole. This is an opportunity to celebrate all of the connections that have been made at the 2027 SEAK Farmers Summit and to set intentions for the season that lies ahead.