Overcoming the Challenges of Farming & Homesteading in Alaska

Grab your pen and notepad - this episode of the Sustainable Alaska Podcast is your homesteader’s guide to livestock health in Alaska. From first-aid basics to must-have medications for your barn cabinet, you’ll learn what every Alaskan homesteader should keep on hand to protect their animals. We cover common livestock health challenges unique to Alaska’s climate, signs to watch for, and practical tips to stay prepared when vet care isn’t immediately available. Whether you’re raising goats, cattle, or sheep, this guide will help you keep your animals healthy and thriving in Alaska’s rugged conditions.

In this special episode, Tandy and Kelli sit down to tackle your biggest questions about homesteading, farming, and sustainable living in the Last Frontier. They share practical advice and personal insights. But this Q&A wasn’t just about answering - Tandy and Kelli also walked away with new knowledge and fresh ideas from the folks who joined the live conversation. It was a true exchange of wisdom, stories, and solutions for living sustainably in Alaska.

Tandy sits down with Mary Lee, from Heirlooms Evermore Seed Co. in Idaho, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to run a seed business. Mary shares the story of how her love for gardening and preserving tradition grew into a thriving business dedicated to heirloom seeds. Mary also opens up about the seasonal cycles of the business, how she chooses which seeds to offer, and why supporting small seed companies matters now more than ever.

Tandy interviews David Stelzer, founder and CEO of Azure Standard, to talk about the future of food security - both in Alaska and beyond. David highlights the practical side of resilience: the importance of keeping a well-stocked pantry, being prepared for disasters, sourcing reliable canning jars, and even food security for your livestock. This episode is perfect for anyone passionate about resilient food systems, sustainable living, and building security in uncertain times.Shop here:https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=1tgPd1lZHASave 15% off your first order with this code:ALASKA15

In this episode of the Sustainable Alaska Podcast, Tandy and Kelli chat about what it really looks like to “close the loop” on the homestead. From growing more of your own feed and improving soil, to cutting back on outside inputs and - every little step adds up.They also talk about the role community plays in all of this. None of us can do it alone, and sometimes it’s the local bartering, swapping, or just leaning on neighbors that makes self-sustainability possible in Alaska.It’s an honest conversation about the challenges and the wins when you’re trying to create a farm or homestead that can stand on its own - and with the help of community.Subscribe to the Sustainable Alaska Podcast to never miss another episode!

Join Tandy and Kelli as they dig into one of the simplest yet most effective homestead hacks, the deep-bedding method. From keeping animals warm in the winter to creating rich compost for your garden, Tandy and Kelli break down how this system works, why it matters, and how you can put it into practice on your own homestead.

In this episode, Tandy and Kelli dive into the biggest challenges of farming and homesteading in Alaska from short growing seasons, to high costs of supplies. They share how these hurdles impact daily life, and why Alaskans have to get extra creative to keep their homesteads thriving.

In this episode, Tandy and Kelli dive into the biggest challenges of farming and homesteading in Alaska from short growing seasons, to high costs of supplies. They share how these hurdles impact daily life, and why Alaskans have to get extra creative to keep their homesteads thriving.

Tandy and Kelli are laying it all out - milk, meat, manure, and the all that comes with raising cows and goats in Alaska. From the biggest differences, to fencing, and which animal gives you better compost, they’re not holding back. If you’ve ever dreamed of fresh milk and rich garden soil, but don’t know whether a cow or goat would work best on your homestead - this one’s for you.

After a recent tsunami warning rocked Kodiak Island, where Kelli lives, Tandy and Kelli sit down to talk about real-life disaster preparedness from a homesteader’s point of view. What happens when the power goes out, and the clock is ticking? From emergency communication plans to off-grid food and water security, just straight talk about what works, what we’ve learned, and what we’re still figuring out.