Matanuska Farm marks Agriculture Appreciation Day

July 28, 2015

Marmian Grimes

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Matanuska Experiment Farm in Palmer will host Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day on Aug. 6 with activities, live animals, tours and music.

The free annual event, from noon to 5 p.m., will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the site selection for the research experiment station. Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss will provide opening remarks.

Photo by Edwin Remsberg. A young girl learns about goat milking at the 2014 Alaska Agricultural Appreciation Day.
Photo by Edwin Remsberg. A young girl learns about goat milking at the 2014 Alaska Agricultural Appreciation Day.


The day has the atmosphere of a country fair with educational presentations and a number of kids’ and family activities. Presentations will be provided on soils testing, high tunnels and interactive trail maps. The Cooperative Extension Service will offer cooking classes on millet, beets, kale and rhubarb.

Demonstrations will feature spinning and weaving wool and goat milking. Kids’ activities will include vegetable bobbing, a veggie harvest, hay wagon rides and a dunk tank featuring Deena Paramo, the superintendent of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.

Vendors will showcase a variety of food and non-food products. Music from 4 to 7 p.m. will feature a steel drum ensemble, country music by Ken Peltier and a jam session.

The farm, at 1509 S. Georgeson Road, provides research facilities, classroom space and offices for University of Alaska Fairbanks research and Extension. Call Theresa Isaac at 907-746-9450 for more information.