Dinkel awarded for contribution to Alaska horticulture

PALMER — The Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association honored Dr. Don Dinkel with a lifetime membership award in recognition of his contributions to horticulture in Alaska. The award was presented by APFGA President, Doug Ott, at a Tea in Dr. Dinkel’s honor. According to the organization, Dinkel’s long career and careful research has created products, practices and techniques benefitting both home-orchard/gardeners and commercial growers of fruit, vegetables and flowers under short season, cold soil northern conditions.

The techniques developed enabled growers to produce vegetables otherwise unavailable to northern growers. Dinkel is credited as a teacher in various settings beyond the university, allowing formal networks to create lifelong mentorships for those who encounter his passion for horticulture. A convivial afternoon of fellowship and reflection was hosted by Dan and Marian Elliott, overlooking their orchards and extensive gardens nestled along Fairview Loop Road.

The members gathered shared stories reaching across Alaska and back to the early 1970s, including highlights such as controlled environment growth, hydroponics and experimentation with efficiency. A favorite recollection was of collecting wasteheat from the coal fire and electrical generation plant along the Richardson Highway, producing corn and roses in an otherwise unthinkable environment. “We were planting, in Fairbanks, in April.”

Dinkel summarized his legacy warmly: “I don’t think I would have wanted to go anywhere else. I had some awful good students, I think that’s my best accomplishment. The students.”