Kaushik PatowaryOct 21, 20158 comments
The Alaska State Fair held annually in Palmer, 42 miles northeast of Anchorage, is not your regular agricultural show. Here farmers from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley routinely display vegetables and produces of gargantuan sizes — a 138-pound cabbage, 65-pound cantaloupe and 35-pound broccoli are just a few of the monsters that have sprung forth from Alaska's soil in recent years. "Some things [are so big], you can't even recognize what they are," said the fair's crop superintendent Kathy Liska.
Why do vegetables grow so big in Alaska? Because of the sun.
A giant pumpkin and a cabbage at the Alaska State Fair in 2009. Photo credit
Alaska typically has a very short growing season, only 105 days, on average. For comparison, California’s growing season lasts nearly 300 days. However, the Alaskan growing season does not have long dark nights. The state is located close to the north pole where it enjoys up to 19 hours of sunshine each day, during summer and at the peak of the growing season. The extra hours of sunlight allows Alaskan crops to just keep growing and growing. Even through the growing season is months shorter than the rest of the country, Alaska’s gardeners grow some of the largest vegetables in the world.
The photosynthetic boost also makes the produce sweeter. Alaskan carrots, for instance, spend nearly 3/4th of the day while the sun is available making sugar, and only the remaining 1/4th of its time is spent turning that sugar into starch. Plants like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, radishes, turnips, potatoes, beets, carrots, spinach, and lettuce all grow very well here.
Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off 2013 winners (with placards, left to right): Scott Rob (92.1 pounds), Keevan Dinkel (92.3 pounds) and Brian Shunskis (77.4 pounds). The growers are joined by the cabbage fairies, a group of women who for 15 years have volunteered at the cabbage competition. Photo credit
Farming in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley originally began as an experiment in the 1930s to increase agricultural output of the country during the Great Depression. More than 240,000 acres were set aside for farming and farming families from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan were brought in colonize the land. But the lack of infrastructure and unavailability of basic supplies discouraged the settlers and by 1940, over half of the population had left the valley. In 1965, only 20 families were left. Although the colony was not a booming success, it did become stable enough to provide dairy and farming. It did not significantly increase the population of the area, but it did develop the Matanuska Valley as the primary agriculturally productive region within Alaska. The extraordinary growing season and the giant size of its vegetables have now become the area's trademark.
Alaska grower Brittney Kauffman holds two zucchinis she entered in a giant vegetable competition in 2013. Photo credit
Gigantic head of a lettuce at Alaska State Fair. Photo credit: alaskastatefair.org.
Dale Marshall embraces a giant pumpkin weighing around 1,780-pounds inside a greenhouse in Anchorage. Photo credit
Ashleena Roberts holds a reindeer for scale next to a pumpkin in the Alaska State Fair giant pumpkin contest. Photo credit
Giant rutabagas at Alaska State Fair 2009. Photo credit
Vegetables at the Alaska State Fair 2009. Photo credit
Source: NPR / Alaska Visit / Wikipedia
As a seasoned horticulturist and agricultural enthusiast, my extensive expertise in the realm of plant biology and agricultural practices allows me to delve into the fascinating phenomenon showcased in the article about the Alaska State Fair. The evidence presented in the text aligns seamlessly with my in-depth knowledge of environmental factors influencing plant growth, particularly in challenging climates.
The Alaska State Fair, held annually in Palmer, serves as a unique stage for farmers from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley to exhibit colossal vegetables that defy conventional expectations. The mention of a 138-pound cabbage, a 65-pound cantaloupe, and a 35-pound broccoli immediately resonates with my understanding of how environmental conditions can manifest in remarkable agricultural outcomes.
The crux of the matter lies in Alaska's distinctive growing season, which spans a mere 105 days on average—significantly shorter than many other regions, such as California, with a nearly 300-day growing season. However, the key to Alaska's agricultural prowess lies in its abundance of sunlight. Located in proximity to the North Pole, Alaska enjoys up to 19 hours of sunshine each day during the peak growing season. This surplus of sunlight acts as a catalyst for the continuous growth of crops, compensating for the brevity of the growing season.
The photosynthetic process, a fundamental aspect of plant growth, is significantly enhanced in this scenario. The extended daylight hours allow plants like carrots to spend a considerable portion of their day synthesizing sugars, resulting in sweeter produce. The intricate details provided about the time allocation for sugar production and starch conversion in Alaskan carrots further attest to the nuanced understanding of plant physiology evident in the article.
The historical context shared about the origins of farming in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley during the 1930s provides a comprehensive backdrop to the agricultural landscape. The ambitious experiment, initiated to boost agricultural output during the Great Depression, sheds light on the challenges faced by early settlers and the subsequent development of the region as a significant agricultural hub.
The visual documentation of colossal vegetables, from giant cabbages to massive pumpkins, serves as tangible evidence of Alaska's agricultural triumphs. The captivating images of the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off winners in 2013, zucchinis held by grower Brittney Kauffman, and the gigantic head of lettuce at the Alaska State Fair further validate the extraordinary scale of produce cultivated in this unique environment.
In conclusion, the article seamlessly weaves together historical narratives, environmental science, and on-the-ground observations to offer a comprehensive exploration of why vegetables grow exceptionally large in Alaska. The intricate details about sunlight exposure, photosynthesis, and the region's agricultural history collectively paint a vivid picture of Alaska's distinctive contribution to the world of farming and horticulture.
