Specialty Crop Grant Available

The Division of Agriculture today announced the availability of a new
grant - the Specialty Crop Competitive Grant. Check our web site
www.dnr.alaska.gov/ag and look for the link under "What's New" or under
"Grants."
IMPORTANT:
Application Deadline: Friday, 8/14/09
Amount: $20,000.00
Eligibility: Specialty Crop industry members/groups/organization

Read more on our web site!!!
Thanks, and have a great day!
Amy Pettit, Development Specialist

Alaska Division of Agriculture

907.761.3864

Beauty at Every Corner

 

Art replicates nature? Something like that. Doing an art piece for a friend, abstract of his hometown and Judith Mts. out of MT. Wonderful to see color everywhere with blooms of flowers, berries, and grasses.

Playing on the Farm

 

Grandsons Wesley and Wyatt enjoy days on the farm while the weather is nice. No playground here, just wide open space, corrals and buildings.

Sunsets in July

 

A "Mountain" of work = "iggi" in Inupiaq

Today my horoscope said something like, get my chores done before having fun. Well, that stinks! Family gone fishing, ready to bring back reds from Chitna. That leaves me with readying the jars and smoking the fish I have in the fridge to pack that away.

Just checked on blueberries, some are ready and in about a week, all will be ripe.
If I pick an hour a nite, I can put some away for jam to bring to the Peck reunion.

This is when the test of whether Alaskans put away their food for winter. Hard call at times. I see paperwork to do, kitchen and rooms to clean, laundry and dogs need a walk. The Deltana Fair is next week and I'll be busy helping out in the Exhibit Hall ... it'll be a long week, nap times in the truck.

There is a 10' walkway now that loops around the fair and right up to the halls. Great for strollers, wheelchairs, wagons and walkers alike!

"To Marry" = katitit" in Inupiaq

 

You know how I love home weddings, this was beautiful and very down-home.

Levi McLaren and Cassie Green are NOW husband and wife.

Checking the "Mail" = "tuyuun" in Inupiaq

 

What's the routine? Well, even in constant daylight-or maybe especially - it's good to have a routine. Exercise off the Dish Network station's VERIA 9575, load the dogs up and check the mail, check on the fireweed, Alaskans watch the fireweed sprout, bloom and fade with trepidation. Its the sure fire sign of fall when it heads out and blows away.

Oh yes, then its the "town run" to Delta. IGA got its parking lot paved-chip and sealed. Hoorah! The fair and the IGA parking lot plus most all the Delta side streets! That's progress!

The dogs love the "mail run" and if we're lucky, we happen upon a fox who is jumping through the fence on the homeplace. They get so excited when they get to play "hunting dog". Of course, they don't ever catch one but the chase is on!

"To eat all" from Alaska gardens = "nunuutchi"

 


What a wonderful opportunity we have to grow our own food in Alaska during our long summer hours.

Photo from Leslie in Chugiak....the kids and adults eat VERY well.

Family Gathers in the Heat of Interior Alaska

 



It's been VERY hot and very smokey from neighboring fires. I heard on the news that there is a fire near Cantwell. I know there was on up north also that was drifting gray skies with smoke to Delta. No mountains to be seen because of the smoke.

Delta lost a 4-H leader and a civic leader, Louis Stockwell. He will not be replaced, it'd be impossible. It will be difficult to see the Saddletramp 4-H Club at the Deltana Fair parade without Louie bringing up the rear with his pooper scooper.

For years when we first moved to Delta, Tracy spent time with the Saddletramps and the camp on the Stockwell's homeplace on Tanana Loop Road. The kids would barrel race, ride horses and participate in games. Louie had bleachers and an arena forged out of the wooded area near his home. He just gave and gave to this community, a quiet leader who worked tirelessly. I so enjoyed seeing that old beat up, dented and tired truck at the post office. If that truck could talk, where did those dents come from and where had it all been?

Louie worked the State DOT and recently left the job due to health issues.

Deltana Fair will be this weekend and I will be in the Exhibit Hall helping out. It will be difficult knowing that a Deltana Fair regular will not be around the barn and arena. Read more at http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=1040&NewsID=963395&CategoryID=19745&on=1

Tangle Lakes is Where Its At

 


Scott's got bales in, that's #1 for feed for the bison and elk. However, I was able to sneak away with Leslie, Mike and boys plus Russ and Hannah to Tangle Lakes. It was so peaceful. Our friends, the Holmstrom's have a place there and its terrific. We got to stay in the big cabin-outhouse near, fishing good and Russ' boat to treat us in style.

Looking for Exhibit Hall Volunteers

DELTANA FAIR NEEDS:

Hello, I'm looking for help for division supt. for the vegetables and fruits and other areas of the exhibit hall. It's really not alot of work. We'd like to have someone register the people with the entries and then need judges to come in and help us out.

If you can free up some time and contribute your down-home expertise, please give me a shout. Thanks. Ruby Hollembaek