We joined Sonia from Must Read Alaska Show as she talks with Tandy Hogate about Alaska’s growing homestead revival.

In “From the Land Up: Alaska’s Homestead Revival,” Tandy shares why more Alaskans are turning back to gardening, raising animals, preserving food, and learning practical skills that build self-reliance. With Alaska importing most of its food and supply chains becoming more uncertain, these skills are becoming more important than ever.

Tandy also gives a preview of the third annual Alaska Homestead Expo and Marketplace happening Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–23, 2026, at the Big Lake Lions Club. This year’s Expo is expanding with a hybrid option that includes livestreamed sessions, full class recordings, and access to a summer series featuring 65+ additional classes — all included with your ticket.

2026 Alaska Homestead Expo:

Tickets: https://www.tixtree.com/e/2026-spring-alaska-homestead-expo-ad3e099b48b4

Event Info: https://commongroundalaska.com/event/2026-spring-alaska-homestead-expo/

In-Person/Hybrid: $85 | Virtual: $45 | Marketplace only: $5 at the door

SPONSORS:

Must Read Alaska: https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/

Use promo code: thesocial10 for 10% off the “All In” or “In For News” prepaid annual plans.

Big Berkey Water Filters: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/

Use promo code: mrak10 for 10% off sitewide.

Theresa Hanson from Far North Tinctures joins the Sustainable Alaska Podcast to share how she built a thriving herbal business right from her homestead in Interior Alaska.

What started as making remedies for family and friends has grown into a full product line designed to support people with health struggles.

Theresa is a master herbalist who blends traditional knowledge, research, and real-life experience to create herbal remedies.

In this episode we cover:

• How Theresa got started making tinctures
• Foraging and growing herbs in Alaska
• Creating remedies for specific body systems
• How she helps people navigate herbal medicine
• The top ten herbs she recommends to grow in your Alaska garden

This episode is encouraging, and filled with herbal knowledge.

Just a quick note—nothing in this episode is medical advice. We’re sharing personal experiences and what’s worked for us, but always do your own research and check with your healthcare provider before trying anything new.

Episode Notes:

https://farnorthtinctures.com/

https://www.facebook.com/farnorthtincture

In this episode, we sit down with Bryce Wrigley from Alaska Flour Company to hear his story of farming in Alaska and building a local food business from the ground up.

Bryce shares how his family started with almost nothing—no land, no equipment—and slowly built a farm, flour mill, and bakery. What started as growing barley turned into a mission to help feed Alaska and improve food security across the state.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Bryce got started farming in Alaska

• Why he chose to grow barley

• The moment that sparked a focus on food security

• Building a family-run business with his son

• Making mixes that taste homemade

• The value of supporting local farms and producers

If you want to support local agriculture, or are just curious about farming in Alaska, this episode is a great listen.

Episode Notes:

https://alaskaflour.com/

In this episode of the Sustainable Alaska Podcast, we sit down with Don Coleson of Best Cool Seeds, also known as Denali Seed, to uncover the story behind Alaska’s trusted seed source.

What started in 1977 as an idea most people laughed at has grown into a vital part of Alaska’s food system. Don shares how the company nearly became “a footnote in history,” and why his family chose to step in and carry the legacy forward.

We dive into:

• How seeds are selected specifically for Alaska’s extreme climate
• The surprising role of trial-and-error (and customer feedback!)
• Why some seed varieties disappear—and how they’re being saved
• The realities of growing food in the far north
• And why customer service is the real backbone of the business

This episode is a reminder that behind every seed packet is a story of resilience, adaptation, and people who care deeply about feeding their communities.

Episode notes:

https://www.bestcoolseeds.com/

http://www.denaliseed.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Mattocks of Fertrell to unpack what most people get wrong about feeding their chickens, and what actually leads to healthier, longer-living birds.

Jeff shares the story behind Fertrell’s beginning, how a simple experiment with roses turned into an organic nutrition company, and how his own journey led him to become a "fanatic" about animal nutrition.

We dive into practical poultry nutrition, from breaking down common mistakes in homemade feed recipes to understanding why store-bought feed often falls short. Jeff also shares nutrient-dense, homestead-style feed recipes using whole, Alaskan local ingredients (including meat, fish, and grains) that can dramatically improve flock health.

If you raise chickens—or are thinking about it—this episode will challenge what you think you know about feeding them and give you ways to improve their health, productivity, and longevity.

Episode Notes:

https://www.fertrell.com/

In this episode of the Sustainable Alaska Podcast, Tandy sits down with Sarah Lewis a Health Home and Family Development Agent at University of Alaska Fairbanks to break down Alaska’s cottage food and homemade food regulations.

If you’ve ever wondered what foods you can legally sell from your home kitchen, this conversation is for you.

Sarah explains the shift from Alaska’s original cottage food laws to the newer homemade food regulations, including what foods qualify as non-potentially hazardous, which foods require direct sales, and what products aren’t allowed at all. They also dig into labeling requirements, selling through third parties, and some surprising gray areas, like canned goods, fermented foods, and cream cheese.

If you're selling sourdough at the farmers market or thinking about turning your homestead kitchen into a small business, this episode helps clear up the confusion so you can move forward with confidence.

Episode Notes:

UAF Cooperative Extension: https://www.uaf.edu/ces/Juneau Extension Office: https://www.uaf.edu/ces/districts/juneauTo make an appointment with me: https://bit.ly/Sarah-Lewis-aptDEC Homemade Foods website: https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/homemade-food/

In this episode, we sit down with Carolyn Thomas from Homesteading Family to talk about the real story behind their homesteading journey. One filled with mistakes, trial and error, and a desire to help other families build a more independent lifestyle.

Carolyn shares how she and her husband started homesteading when information was hard to find. What began as a small project to help other moms during nap time quickly grew into a platform teaching families skills for food, home, and self-reliance.

We’re also excited to share that Carolyn and Josh Thomas will be the keynote speakers at the Alaska Homestead Expo & Marketplace, happening Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–25, 2026 at the Big Lake Lion’s Club.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed starting your homesteading journey, this episode will remind you that every expert started as a beginner.

Preparedness to Purpose: The GrainMaker Journey with Randy and Bonnie Jones

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of how Y2K uncertainty unexpectedly sparked the creation of GrainMaker. What began as a desire for preparedness and self-reliance during the Y2K era turned into the invention of one of the most respected grain mills in the homesteading world.

They don’t just grind beautiful flour for bread—you can also crack grain for animal feed, mill corn, and handle bulk grains with ease. We even chat about the bicycle attachment that lets you power your mill by pedaling, making it a fun and practical off-grid option.

It’s a simple conversation about durable tools, self-reliance, and having the ability to feed both your family and your animals straight from your own grain supply.

Episode Notes:

GrainMaker Facebook

GrainMaker Website

From Soil Health, to Health and Wellness in Humans: A Deep Dive into Salt with Michael Sileck - Baja Gold Salt Co.

Salt is often treated as a simple pantry staple—but it plays a much bigger role in both the soil beneath our feet and the health of our bodies.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Sileck of Baja Gold Salt Co. for a deep dive into salt, starting with its role in soil health and regenerative agriculture, and carrying that conversation all the way through to human health and wellness. We talk about why mineral balance matters, how different salts are produced, and what’s often lost when salt is over-processed.

This conversation explores:

• The connection between soil minerals and nutrient-dense food

• Why not all salt is created equal

• How unrefined, mineral-rich salt supports both plants and people

• What to look for when choosing salt for your home and homestead

Whether you’re a grower, homesteader, or just someone curious about real food and natural health, this episode will change the way you think about salt - forever.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tom Roskos to discuss how he got started working with animals, why truly loving your livestock is one of the biggest keys to long-term success, and how paying attention early makes all the difference.

We talk about what really happens when you pick up the phone and call for help with your livestock. From barnyard emergencies to everyday concerns, he shares his wisdom on using natural remedies confidently, and knowing when it’s time to reach out for experienced guidance.

Most of all, this conversation is about building a knowledgeable community - homesteaders who are willing to learn, share, ask questions, and support each other instead of going it alone.

And if you want to learn from him in person, Dr. Tom will also be a Featured Speaker at the Alaska Homestead Expo, where he’ll be teaching and connecting with livestock owners who want to grow their skills and confidence even more.

Episode Notes:

https://www.facebook.com/doctomroskos/

https://doctomroskos.com/