Crowds Bloom at 2nd Annual Farm and Garden Show

As spring approaches, hundreds of local gardeners and farmers, hobbyists and people just starting to sprout their interest, traded in their shovels for trade show floor plans to catch a glimpse of the 2026 gardening trends, deals on equipment, find the newest options in feed and seed, and attend one of the free seminars during the 2nd Annual Farm and Garden Show over the weekend.

“This is such a great opportunity for us as a new business,” said Rachel Schoonover, co-owner of Peak Feed and Seed in the Butte. “Meeting people and customers who didn’t know we were open, and talking to other business owners has been great.” She and co-owner Adam Crivello opened Peak Feed and Seed in the Butte back in October, filling a need for a garden center in the area. “The needs can be so different here from Wasilla, even from Palmer,” she said. Their store carries a wide variety of products for home gardeners and hobby farmers, and also offers supplies for outdoor animal owners, including vaccines and feed.

Ken and Pam Fennell, owners of Ken’s Garden Center in Wasilla, reported they were getting more feedback and contacts than they expected during the show, from experienced farmers to those who may not have the greenest of thumbs. “It’s off the charts,” said Ken. They were selling everything from seeds to gardening equipment.

Likewise, Jenna Smith, owner of the Quail Life, was thrilled with the reactions and encounters from visitors to her stand, where people could hold and pet the tiniest of the birds, to some that were full grown. “This is great for networking and seeing that so many people are interested in getting quail.”

With agriculture such an important part of the Mat-Su Borough, exhibitors and vendors hope that the hundreds of visitors that came out to Raven Hall left with more than just purchased plants and tools—but with the inspiration to cultivate their own green spaces. “Ag is such a huge part of the Mat-Su, and for people coming in, this has worked out nicely. I really like seeing people stopping and talking about this stuff,” said Schoonover.

With spring just over a month away, it’s the Farm and Garden Show has set the stage for a fruitful year ahead.