Many people don’t equate Alaska with fresh vegetables like beets, cauliflower, chard and radishes, but Four Winds Farm has been bringing these produce items and much more to the Haines Farmers Market since 2013.
Sally Boisvert and husband Rafe McGuire started the farm in 2009 at their Mosquito Lake Road property. After four summers of clearing second-growth spruce and cottonwood, the couple began selling their wares at the summer Farmers Market events held at the Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday.
“The challenges of growing at this latitude and in our climate, in addition to the inherent complexity of farming, make this an exciting business to be in,” Boisvert said.
Other challenges include weed control and keeping up with local demand, she said.
Four Winds Farm offers 40 different items throughout the season. Last week’s offerings ranged from peas and turnips to kohlrabi and collards.
This year, Four Winds Farm starting filling special orders for catering, events, local cafes and grocery stores, Boisvert said. “The positive response from customers is very gratifying,” she said.
The business also began accepting WIC Farmers Market coupons and Senior Farmers Market coupons this year, Boisvert said.
Boisvert and McGuire are currently clearing a fourth large garden to increase crop space for 2016.
Though Four Winds Farm uses organic growing practices, Boisvert advertises her products as “naturally grown” because the company does not have a USDA organic certification.