About
About the Farm and the Farmers
Birch Creek Ranch 1981-present
Birch Creek Ranch was started by Leilani and Alan Kingsbury from their Agricultural Land Disposal Parcel acquired in 1981 and is now owned and operated by their son Brian. The farm consists of 100 acres of hay fields, commercial greenhouses focusing on annual bedding plant production, and 2 acres of berry crops.
In 2010, Brian established a market garden which has expanded to 4 acres of vegetable production for a 50 member (and growing) CSA, farm stands and direct restaurant sales. The family's many years of hard work establishing the farms' fields yields produce of the highest quality with distinctive sweetness. Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe (co-owned by Brian with his wife Anita) partners with Birch Creek Ranch, allowing a centralized location for CSA pick ups, farm stands, refrigerated storage and off-season over the counter vegetable sales - not to mention Flying Squirrel's creative use of farm products for soups, salads, wood fired pizza, baked goods, beverages and more.
In 2010, Brian established a market garden which has expanded to 4 acres of vegetable production for a 50 member (and growing) CSA, farm stands and direct restaurant sales. The family's many years of hard work establishing the farms' fields yields produce of the highest quality with distinctive sweetness. Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe (co-owned by Brian with his wife Anita) partners with Birch Creek Ranch, allowing a centralized location for CSA pick ups, farm stands, refrigerated storage and off-season over the counter vegetable sales - not to mention Flying Squirrel's creative use of farm products for soups, salads, wood fired pizza, baked goods, beverages and more.
The generational transition at Birch Creek Ranch has presented many challenges and opportunities, especially challenges. We are working to upgrade greenhouse and farm systems continuing and expanding efforts toward efficiency and sustainability of the farm. A devastating house fire in the fall of 2019 left a significant emotional and financial toll after more than 30 years as the farm's business headquarters and living quarters for the farm family as well as summer workers. We will continue on, but (as always) can use all the help we can get!
Click here for the story of the farmhouse and the fire.
Click here to send a note with your email address if you are interested in farm employment, winter care-taking, or volunteering.
Click here for the story of the farmhouse and the fire.
Click here to send a note with your email address if you are interested in farm employment, winter care-taking, or volunteering.
Northern Farming in Semi-Remote Alaska
Birch Creek Ranch's greenhouses produce vegetable starts as well as annual and perennial flowers for both retail and wholesale. We provide flower starts, hanging baskets, and planted barrels for several local and Denali area lodges. Some of our plantings can be seen at the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge and McKinley Princess Lodge at the height of the tourism season in July and August. We have over two acres in berry production with black and red currants, raspberries and rhubarb and a few dozen apple trees. Currently the hay fields are left fallow, but may be used for hay production, animal grazing or some other purpose in the future.
Gardens and high tunnels are worked using organic and a variety of northern latitude growing methods to create an extended season and higher productivity. Several high tunnels are in production which allows us to offer products such as cucumbers, squash, and even pumpkins. Most field plantings use black plastic (IRT) covered, raised beds to increase soil temperatures and control weeds. Greenhouse transplants enable early planting to high tunnels and fields. Our compost used on the farm is made from hay, brewery grains, garden and local food waste.
Click here for more information about when and where to find Birch Creek Ranch products.
Gardens and high tunnels are worked using organic and a variety of northern latitude growing methods to create an extended season and higher productivity. Several high tunnels are in production which allows us to offer products such as cucumbers, squash, and even pumpkins. Most field plantings use black plastic (IRT) covered, raised beds to increase soil temperatures and control weeds. Greenhouse transplants enable early planting to high tunnels and fields. Our compost used on the farm is made from hay, brewery grains, garden and local food waste.
Click here for more information about when and where to find Birch Creek Ranch products.
Location
Always call the farm for directions, conditions, timing and availability - please let us know you're coming!
Birch Creek Ranch is located at Mile 6.5 Mastodon Rd. in Talkeetna, Alaska. Turn north/right on the Talkeetna Spur Road at Mile 98 of the George Parks Highway. Travel 7.5 miles to South Birch Creek Boulevard. Turn east/right on South Birch Creek Boulevard which after about 3 miles turns into Mastodon Road. The farm is a total of 6.5 miles from the Talkeetna Spur on the left with a sign at the driveway. If you thought you were at the end of the earth, keep going, the farm is just around the corner! Please beware: GPS and internet maps have led people to pass the farm entrance! Best to check your vehicle's odometer as soon as you turn onto Birch Creek Boulevard.
Talkeetna is a small Alaska village popular for its access to recreational fishing, hiking, hunting, boating, and flight-seeing. It is the center of fly in access for mountain climbing in Denali National Park and has a small but active year round population with vibrant arts and educational activities, outdoor recreation, restaurants, historical museum, ranger station and much more.
Talkeetna is a small Alaska village popular for its access to recreational fishing, hiking, hunting, boating, and flight-seeing. It is the center of fly in access for mountain climbing in Denali National Park and has a small but active year round population with vibrant arts and educational activities, outdoor recreation, restaurants, historical museum, ranger station and much more.