Homer Grown: Permafrost Soils

By Desiree Hagen

Published June 27, 2022 at 11:14 AM AKDT

Usteq—a catastrophic form of permafrost thaw collapse—claimed this cabin at Elson Lagoon, Alaska, just east of Utqiaġvik.

Every year Homer Grown produce an episode about Soils. In anticipation of a trip to Kotzebue to conduct interviews with Arctic gardeners, we thought it was important to understand what is happening below the surface in Northern climates.

Our guests are Glenna Gannon, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Food Systems at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Extension. She is also part of Permafrost Grown, a 5 year study on permafrost's relation to farming. And we talk with Monica Kopp the Ag Program Coordinator for Homer Soil and Water Conservation District about ice formations unique to Arctic environments.

This episode originally aired June 25, 2022.

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Homer Grown Permafrost

Desiree Hagen

Originally from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Desiree has called Alaska ‘home’ for almost two decades. Her involvement in radio began over 10 years, first as a volunteer DJ at KBBI, later as a host and producer, and now in her current role as a reporter. Her passions include stories relating to agriculture, food systems and rural issues. In her spare time, she can often be found riding her bicycle, creating art from handmade paper, or working in the garden.

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