Alaskan agriculturists plow through weather challenges to enter in Alaska State Fair

PALMER — Dedicated Alaskans from across the state persevered through the ceaseless rainfall to enter the fruits, vegetables, honey, and flowers of their labor in the 2022 Alaska State Fair Farm Exhibit competition.

Gardeners, farmers, beekeepers, and other agriculturalists brought a variety of entries to be judged and displayed throughout the season.

Overall participation was lower than usual this year due to numerous gardens being affected by the heavy rain, according to ASF Superintendent Kathy Liska.

“All this rain has played havoc on the gardens,” Liska said.

Every summer is different and Alaska’s weather is incredibly unpredictable. Liska said that each season presents new challenges for growers to face. She said that gardeners had to get creative to save their crops and flowers this year.

“It’s always something,” Liska said. “That’s the thing about gardening, it’s about experimenting. We take it as it comes.”

Whether it was making tents to protect their plants from the elements or moving their operations indoors, Alaskan agriculturists came up with a variety of solutions to bring their high quality products to the Fair, keeping the cherished tradition going strong.

“Alaska growers never fail us. They’re tried and true,” Liska said “I’m just glad they come and share it with us.”

Liska noted that there’s a lot of new growers this year which is very encouraging for their overall participation rates.

“Once you do this once, you’ll be back next year especially if you win a ribbon,” Liska said.

Tom and Brenda Cruickshank enter the Farm Exhibit competition every year.

“This is an annual ritual my wife and I do. We’re both retired so we have nothing better to do,” Tom Cruickshank said with a laugh.

Tom raises the fruits while Brenda focuses on the flowers. He said the vegetables are a joint effort. He said they win awards every year they participate, but they’re here solely for entertainment.

“It’s awesome. We just do it for fun,” Tom said.

Tom entered the beekeeping competition for the first time this year. He earned multiple ribbons for a large observation hive and a smaller hive decorated by Brenda. He said that he’s donating both hives to the Reindeer Farm to use for educational purposes.

“It’s fun. Bees are fascinating little critters,” Tom said. “It’s a fun hobby that pays dividends.”

Brenda spent 20 years entering in the cross stitch contest and switched to flowers last year. She said that she’s met many amazing gardeners and crafters over the years and she thinks the Fair is a great place to showcase their talents.

“There’s a lot of people that do beautiful work… There’s a lot to this. For some of these people it’s a science,” Brenda said. “I try to encourage people to do it. You don’t know until you try.”

The 26th Annual Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off is scheduled for Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.

The 16th Annual Alaska’s Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off is scheduled for Aug. 29 at 2 p.m.

For more information about the 2022 Alaska State Fair, visit alaskastatefair.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com