Alaska Homestead Expo: Building Community One Connection at a Time
Contributed by Tandy Hogate, Alaska Homestead Expo
The Alaska Homestead Expo is coming up again, it’s hard to believe it’s the third year already. I thought it might be fun to share the back story of how the Expo got started, because it’s a pretty cool story.
For those who don’t know, we own Common Ground Alaska. We’re a u-pick farm and plant nursery, and we’re very busy in the summer. I like to say we have a six-week party with the neatest people in Alaska during our short but sweet season.
Countless times I have had conversations with customers who mention something about their goats or share how they were successful overwintering bees. Or sometimes someone will ask for our favorite recipes and ways to use black currants and fruits on the farm.
The crazy part of the story is that so often someone else will come in with a question about goats, or talk about their experience overwintering bees, or have a really neat recipe using black currants.
I spent the first few years on the farm thinking how cool it would be if we could connect these people. If we could just get them together in one place, they would have a connection that would make our community stronger, and these amazing people could get to know one another and learn from each other.
And that is where the idea of the Expo came from. Side note: that’s why we do the ice cream social, too. The ice cream social is done toward the end of the Expo so folks who recognize each other from classes can connect. And who wouldn’t have fun connecting over ice cream?
Putting on the show is a blast, but my greatest Expo memories are overhearing conversations like: “Hey, didn’t I see you in the goat class? How many goats do you have?” “I recognize you from the canning class. Did you happen to get that recipe for canning salmon with jalapenos?” Or my favorite so far: “Our kids are playing together really well, can we maybe plan a playdate?”
These are actual conversations I have overheard at the Expo between folks who were strangers until Expo weekend.
We’re not watching these classes on a screen. We’re not isolated and trying to figure things out on our own. Finally, we’re finding community, getting to know our neighbors and fellow Alaskans, and learning how to do this homesteading life together.
And that makes it all worth it. Email tandy@commongroundalaska.com for more info.