​CHAMBER NEWS: Grow Palmer building on area’s agricultural identity

Grow Palmer began as a question. Regardless of one’s background, faith or beliefs we all need to eat. Why then can’t we – our entire community, come together and share the rewards of growing and eating great food?

It doesn’t need to be hard or expensive, take vast knowledge and skill, or require a huge tract of land. We can grow plenty of good food for everyone to share.

In 2016, Palmer was able to participate in Local Foods, Local Places, an EPA funded Technical Assistance program. Jan Newman of Grow Palmer applied to and was awarded the grant; she then assembled a steering committee that represented the City of Palmer, the Mat-Su Borough, Alaska Farmland Trust, AARP, and NeighborWorks Alaska.

Together, that group worked to define five areas of focus for the greater community to discuss over the course of a two-day workshop, held in July. Fifty community members, including local producers, attended the workshop.

The steering committee and the larger community agreed to focus on the following goals:

1. Support local growers, vendors, and processors

2. Promote farmland and wild food resources, stewardship, and preservation

3. Improve local food accessibility and food security by increasing availability of Mat-Su Valley food to local residents

4. Build on the existing agricultural identity to become a local foods destination

5. Increase collaboration and integration on efforts for a healthy, vibrant, and walkable community

Grow Palmer produces healthy food for residents and visitors alike.

By creating service and volunteer opportunities, and inspiring and supporting others to create change in their own neighborhoods, we empower families, local partners, and community organizations to shop and eat local.

We believe everyone has something to share. Whether you know nothing about gardening, or have been growing food for years…if you can draw, write, paint, plan, dig, build, design, plant, or learn – we could use your help. Would you like to help us create a thriving community? Come on out and play! For more information on the network, contact growpalmer@gmail.com

Ralph Renzi is Director for the Palmer Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at director@palmerchamber.org