|
|
About the Farm and the Farmers
Birch Creek Ranch was started by Leilani and Alan Kingsbury from their Agricultural Land Disposal Parcel acquired in 1981. The farm consists of 100 acres of hay fields, commercial greenhouses focusing on annual bedding plant production, and 2 acres of berry crops.
In 2010, the Kingsbury's son Brian established Talkeetna Grown, a market garden including 4 acres of vegetable production for a 35 member (and growing) CSA, farm stands and direct restaurant sales. Much of the strength of the vegetable growing operation comes from Brian's unique relationship with his parents and the family's many years of hard work establishing the farms' fields. Brian's co-ownership of Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe with his wife Anita helps Talkeetna Grown by creating a centralized location for CSA pick ups, farm stands, refrigerated storage and off-season over the counter vegetable sales - not to mention Flying Squirrel's creative use of farm products for soups, salads, wood fired pizza, baked goods, beverages and more. |
Birch Creek Ranch's greenhouses produce vegetable starts as well as annual and perennial flowers for both retail and wholesale. We struggle to put up 100 acres of hay each year between the end of June and early August for retail sale with some set aside for our one horse and compost and mulch. We have over two acres in berry production with black and red currants, raspberries and rhubarb.
Gardens and high tunnels are worked using organic and a variety of northern latitude growing methods to create an extended season and cold soil and short season issues. Several high tunnels are in production which allow us to offer products such as cucumbers, squash, and even pumpkins. Most field plantings use black plastic (IRT) covered hills to increase soil temperatures and control weeds. Greenhouse transplants enable early planting to high tunnels and fields. Our compost used on the farm is made from hay, brewery grains, garden and local food waste and horse manure.
The generational transition at Birch Creek Ranch presents many challenges and opportunities, especially challenges. We are working to upgrade greenhouse heating and farm energy systems to be more efficient and reduce costly fuel oil consumption which is the greatest challenge to the sustainability of the farm. Vegetable production and sales are expanding with CSA shares, restaurant sales, and farmer's markets and we are working toward more and better accommodations for interns and volunteers.
Click here or more information about when and where to find flowers and starts, vegetables, hay and berries.
Gardens and high tunnels are worked using organic and a variety of northern latitude growing methods to create an extended season and cold soil and short season issues. Several high tunnels are in production which allow us to offer products such as cucumbers, squash, and even pumpkins. Most field plantings use black plastic (IRT) covered hills to increase soil temperatures and control weeds. Greenhouse transplants enable early planting to high tunnels and fields. Our compost used on the farm is made from hay, brewery grains, garden and local food waste and horse manure.
The generational transition at Birch Creek Ranch presents many challenges and opportunities, especially challenges. We are working to upgrade greenhouse heating and farm energy systems to be more efficient and reduce costly fuel oil consumption which is the greatest challenge to the sustainability of the farm. Vegetable production and sales are expanding with CSA shares, restaurant sales, and farmer's markets and we are working toward more and better accommodations for interns and volunteers.
Click here or more information about when and where to find flowers and starts, vegetables, hay and berries.
Location
Always call the farm for directions, conditions, timing and availability - please let us know you're coming! Birch Creek Ranch is located at Mile 6.5 Mastodon Rd. in Talkeetna, Alaska. Turn north/right on the Talkeetna Spur Road at Mile 98 of the George Parks Highway. Travel 7.5 miles to South Birch Creek Boulevard. Turn east/right on South Birch Creek Boulevard which after about 3 miles turns into Mastodon Road. The farm is a total of 6.5 miles from the Talkeetna Spur on the left with a sign at the driveway. If you thought you were at the end of the earth, keep going, the farm is just around the corner!
Talkeetna is a small Alaska village popular for its access to recreational fishing, hiking, hunting, boating, and flight-seeing. It is the center of fly in access for mountain climbing in Denali National Park and has a small but active year round population with vibrant arts and educational activities, outdoor recreation, restaurants, historical museum, ranger station and much more.
Talkeetna is a small Alaska village popular for its access to recreational fishing, hiking, hunting, boating, and flight-seeing. It is the center of fly in access for mountain climbing in Denali National Park and has a small but active year round population with vibrant arts and educational activities, outdoor recreation, restaurants, historical museum, ranger station and much more.
