Learn gardening skills and more with Alaska Harvest Collaborative
Julie Stricker
907-474-5406
May 21, 2025
Learn to grow and harvest vegetables, boost soil fertility and create natural foods and crafts with the Alaska Harvest Collaborative in its garden, shown in 2024, at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm.
Learn to plant, harvest and compost in the garden, make salves and lip balms, and get hands-on experience with lacto-fermentation in a series of workshops with Alaska Harvest Collaborative in Fairbanks.
Mallory Smith, the collaborative's garden manager, will teach the classes. She mentors students in the experiential learning garden and has 15 seasons of experience growing fruits and vegetables in northern climates and working in the local food movement.
The Alaska Harvest Collaborative is a cooperative effort between community-oriented groups to provide experiential learning opportunities that allow individuals to grow and prepare fresh food, participate in the local food system and make healthy life choices.
On June 4 from 5-7 p.m., dig into growing a garden with confidence. Smith will discuss different methods of gardening, including raised beds and containers. She will cover soil preparation and fertility, transplanting and direct seeding, and irrigation. The cost is $40.
On July 16, from 5-7 p.m., craft personalized lip balms and salves in a hands-on workshop. Smith will guide participants as they harvest fresh herbs and blend them with soothing butters and protective waxes to create custom blends. All materials are provided. The $50 cost includes materials.
On Aug. 6, from 5-7 p.m., learn the tools and techniques of harvesting. Smith will teach participants to identify when vegetables are ready to harvest, which tools to use, and the timing and techniques to get the best flavor and shelf life from crops. The cost is $40.
On Aug. 27, from 5-7 p.m., Smith will lead an interactive workshop on the ancient art of lacto-fermentation. She will show participants how to transform fresh, local produce into delicious, probiotic-rich foods using a few kitchen essentials. Participants will take home a jar of lacto-fermented vegetables. The cost is $50, which includes materials.
On Sept. 17, from 4-6 p.m., Smith will guide participants through the process of turning organic waste into rich, nutrient-packed soil. The workshop will demonstrate essentials of garden composting — from the basics of balancing green and brown materials to creating and mixing the perfect compost pile. The cost is $40.
All classes will meet at the entrance of Georgeson Botanical Garden and walk to the Alaska Harvest Collaborative gardens, located on the Fairbanks Experiment Farm on the UAF Troth Yeddha’ Campus.
Student discounts are available for each class. Contact Cathy Turner, clturner@alaska.edu for more information. All class descriptions and registration information are on the Alaska Harvest Collaborative website, or visit
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Glenna Gannon at gmgannon@alaska.edu or 907-474-5945. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
269-25