Experiment Farm to host ‘Day at the Farm’ Thursday

PALMER — There will be extra reason to celebrate during the fifth annual Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Matanuska Experiment Farm, as the event marks an important milestone.

The “Day at the Farm” themed celebration is Aug. 6 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Matanuska Experiment Farm on Georgeson Road, and while the day will focus on fun agriculture events, it will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the site selection for its current purpose.

Mat-Su Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss will make opening comments at the free event, before a day of presentations, live music and other activities kicks off.

The celebration will feature a number of agricultural demonstrations, including classes on soils testing, high tunnels and interactive trail maps. Farm Superintendent Angie Freeman Shephard, and agronomists Robert Van Veldhuizen and Craig Smith will offer expert advice during such classes at the event. The Cooperative Extension Service is also set to run sessions on cooking with different grains and vegetables, such as millet, beets, kale and rhubarb. Other demos include wool spinning and weaving, as well as a goat milking presentation. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center will also bring a porcupine and a reindeer for display.

The Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day’s musical performances are scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m., with the Colony Middle School steel drum ensemble and Ken Peltier set to play before a jam session later in the evening.

UAF has planned a number of agricultural activities for children and younger adults at the event, such as vegetable bobbing, a veggie harvest and hay wagon rides. Kids will enjoy searching for ‘gold’ in hay bales, while Mat-Su Borough School District Superintendent Dr. Deena Paramo has volunteered to sit atop a dunk tank. Families can also participate in self-guided tours through the Matanuska Greenbelt trails, look at farm equipment displays of tractors and explore the Matanuska Experiment Farm’s greenhouse.

Vendors include Husky Burger, a shaved ice stand, Becky’s Kettle Korn and a gyro truck, as well as multiple informational stands. And a local fire department also will bring one of its engines.

Event organizers expect the event to be well attended, as in past years it has averaged around 1,500 participants, according to Farm Administrative Assistant Theresa Isaac.

“(Participation) has increased every year,” Isaac said. “The enthusiasm for the day is really incredible.”

For more information, contact Theresa Isaac at 746-9450.