Bering Strait Ag Leaders' Summit

The first annual Bering Strait Ag Leaders' Summit, held in July 2024, was an in-person workshop to promote sustainable, long-term local agricultural education in the Bering Strait region. Through the workshop, Bering Strait community ag leaders learned and implemented principles and practices of sustainable agriculture, including the use of local resources for soil creation, harnessing the waste stream and local resources for soil amendments, and simple technologies for warming soil and extending the growing season. 

This workshop was hosted by Cassandra Johnson and the Unalakleet Community Garden in collaboration with RurAL CAP. Instructors included UAF soil scientist Dr. Caley Gasch, Nome's Cheryl Thompson (Master Gardener and gardening teacher), and RurAL CAP's Emily Becker (Master Gardener, Permaculture Designer). Although the workshop did include some lectures and indoor activities led by instructors, the agenda emphasized experiential and peer-to-peer learning. Participants included fifteen gardeners representing seven communities from the Bering Strait and neighboring regions, including Unalakleet, Golovin, Stebbins, Kwethluk, Kiana, Nome and Elim. Trainees ranged in age from seventeen to mid-sixties, and most were women. The group also included a baby and child who attended along with their moms. All but two participants, a mother and son who had recently moved to rural Alaska from the Philippines, were longtime residents of the region, and most were Alaska Native. Participants had a range of agricultural experience levels, and all had interest and intent or were currently growing food for their communities.  

Participants arrived on Friday evening, most on a chartered flight that made several stops at different villages on the way from Nome to Unalakleet. The first evening was spent sharing dinner and settling into the modest accommodations provided by the school. Due to the remote location of the training, all meals were prepared by program staff and instructors, with assistance from participants.  

The first day of the training started off with communal breakfast and group agreements. The primary goals of the workshop were established: to foster networking among regional growers, enhance their skills, and promote community involvement in sustainable agriculture. Participants introduced themselves, sharing their gardening experiences and expectations for the workshop. This informal setting helped to build rapport among attendees. From 10 AM to 12 PM, participants engaged in hands-on activities related to community garden projects, fostering collaboration and practical learning. The work in the garden, completed over the two days of the training, included cleaning and organizing supplies, repairing a ripped and broken high tunnel, planting three crab apple trees, building eight soil sifters, planting strawberries, amending all soil in the garden with local soil resources and fish bone meal, and constructing and filling two raised garden beds with local soil resources and fish bone meal. Following lunch, Dr. Caley Gasch led an engaging session on "Intro to Soil Science," using demonstration and lecture to highlight the importance of soil health for successful agriculture. In the afternoon, attendees participated in a field trip focused on soil resource collection, providing practical insight into local soil types and their management. After a shared dinner, most participants joined together for an evening walk on the tundra. Participants informally shared knowledge of native plants and picked some berries.  

The second day began with breakfast at 8:30 AM, followed by a session led by Cheryl Thompson from Nome. From mid-morning to noon, participants explored "Growing Vegetables, Seed Starting, Catalogs, and Worms," diving into various strategies for enhancing vegetable production. After lunch, attendees finished up hands-on work in the community garden. The training concluded with an indoor session led by Emily Becker, which covered composting options, creating a garden calendar to help plan their gardening activities throughout the season, and planning for community education activities.