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Who's Growing
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Mark Rempel Ben Vanderweele River Bean Ray Hodge |
Ray Hodge
Alaskan Fireweed Honey Company and Ray's Produce
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Began farming in Valley: Crops and Livestock: |
Ray Hodge: businessman, pilot, beekeeper, farmer. |
A third generation farmer, Ray first became interested in horticulture during junior high. He was born in Texas, then moved to Alaska in 1976 to pursue a career with Era Aviation. After leaving Era and taking a job on the North Slope, for what he described as "the long haul," Ray moved to Homer to run the Homer Natural Foods store. It was during his proprietorship of the store that he became aware of the consumer desire for freshly grown agriculture. In 1981, during his 12-year stay on the Kenai Peninsula, Ray began keeping bees, which allowed him to start selling produce commercially.
Since 1999, Ray has been farming in the Mat-Su Valley. On the Alaskan Fireweed Honey Co. farm, he raises chickens, ducks, pigs, and bees along with 37 different crops. He believes his understanding of climate changes, stellar charts, and new farming techniques give his farming a competitive advantage. Among some of the techniques he uses, Ray fertigates (irrigates with a fertility additive), practices crop rotation, and incorporates compost and foliar feed (used to prevent or correct micronutrient deficiencies that may limit crop growth and yields) into his farming. By studying the weather and stellar charts, he is able to determine the best time to sow, cultivate, and harvest his crops. This allows for him to specialize in warm weather crops.
The AlaskaGrown program means tremendous support for Ray and his farm. The AlaskaGrown directory, in-store displays, and other marketing efforts have provided Ray with benefits never before possible for an independent farmer in the Valley. Ray believes the health benefits of AlaskaGrown products is equally important to the economic benefits the program provides. Not only are the products fresher, they have higher enzyme levels that lead to better overall health. According to Ray, these enzymes are vital to the digestive process and the absorption of resources and minerals by the body, providing resistance to disease and promoting longevity.
Ray Hodge: Texas born, AlaskaGrown.