Crabapples Malus fusca is Alaska's only native crabapple. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Alaska Seeds of Change partnered with Alaska Behavioral Health to host “Tree Talk: Berry Addition,” an event that taught community members about growing and stewardship of Alaska native berry plants on Aug. 10. Local berry expert, Josh Smith, who owns Bear Mountain Forest Nursery taught the class.
Smith shared his skills with attendees at the Alaska Seeds of Change hydroponic growing facility. He taught people how to find the proper landscapes to forage berries, and spoke about his growing experience using bear feces to make a “poop soup.” Smith said he is seeing a one-year advance in seeds planted using this technique. Smith also explained how to use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when gathering bear feces.
Participants explore how to identify each species by passing plants around the room. Smith had plants of various ages, which allowed him to show the growing process with each experiment he shared.
The event was free for all to attend.
A mural decorates the entrance to Seeds of Change. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Attendees receive free seeds when checking-in. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Plants and berries are displayed for Smith’s demonstrations. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Fermented berries ready to be blended: the initial step in the cold stratification process. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Smith blends fermented berries for 10 seconds before retrieving the seeds from the bottom of the blender. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Berry plants are passed around for attendees to identify. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Closer look at a blueberry plant, also known asVaccinium ovalifolium, in the beginning stages of growth. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Seeds processed in a blender ready to be placed in peat moss to start the next step in the planting process. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
The pulp of berries are collected for compost. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Guests observe tiny seeds collected from blueberries. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Rubus chamaemorus, also known as cloudberry, is an excellent source of vitamin C. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Currants can be identified by their leaves. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Salmonberries are related to the raspberry plant. They are often misidentified as cloudberry plants because of the similarity of the berries. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Northern red currant plant grown from seed that Smith gathered from bear feces. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Hydroponic systems that allow lettuce to grow indoors. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
Hydroponic grow salad from Seeds of Change, served with roasted glazed almonds and blueberries for guests. Photo by Sarah Bennett.
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