Nature provides many cues to alert us to the arrival of spring, whether its the return of migratory birds, the appearence of stinging nettles, or the flow of birch sap. In this episode we visit with Bridge Creek Birch Syrup both in the birch grove and at the sugar shack to discuss the process of making birch syrup.

After a successful gardening season, you might wonder how to preserve your excess of vegetables. Our guest is the fabulous fermentista, Willow Jones. Willow chats about growing up with a subsistence lifestyle in the village of Ambler, the value of traditional and fermented foods, and making fermented foods using dry salt and brining methods.

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

On this final episode of the first season, we talk with Aryn Young and Beau Burgess of Blood Sweat and Food Farm about the benefits of pasture-raised meats, caring for animals during winter and ethical butchering. We discuss the big picture: how their integrated approach to agriculture presents numerous benefits to the quality of life of the animals, the consumer, the community and the farmer.

In the latest episode of Homer Grown:

In this episode we talk with Jon Kee of Spruce Top Farm, Linda Gorman on overwintering bees, Katherine Schake and Nicole Arevalo on Reed Canary Grass and Brad Casar on fall soil sampling.

We return to the garden (figuratively, of course) to discuss ways we can interact with plants despite recent

The focus for this episode is Alaska Native plant traditions and medicine. We talk with Elder Kathy Brewster of Nanwalek about medicinal plants within Supiaq/Alutiiq culture. King Island Inupiaq, traditional wellness consultant with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and founder of Indigenous Herbals, Tia Holley discusses the history of King Island and plants and practices used for healing.

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

As the end of the growing season approaches, gardeners and farmers might consider cover crops to improve soil health in their empty garden beds. Around Alaska, Soil and Water Conservation Districts are conducting cover crop trials to study cover crops best suited to Alaska's unique growing conditions.