Say 'Hi' to Hydroponics: Creating a fluid food production system for Alaska.

• Author: Kvapil, Rachael

Greens at the Able Raceway minigolf course in South Anchorage look more verdant than the industrial park across the fence, but looks can be deceiving. Inside a nondescript building. Vertical Harvest Hydroponics (VHH) is pursuing a greener vision. From that office, VHH runs a manufacturing facility in Palmer than makes hydroponic systems for growing vegetables and herbs. Inside cabinets or containers, leaves bask in artificial light while roots soak up nutrients from pans of liquid.

Dr. William Frederick Gericke coined the term "hydroponics" after he developed a commercial means to grow plants in 1929, Until then, it had only existed as a laboratory technique. Hydroponics gained greater acceptance when the US Army used the method to grow fresh food for troops stationed on the Pacific Islands during World War II. By the '50s, viable commercial farms existed in America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Currently, hydroponics is primarily used by small farmers, hobbyists, and small to mid-sized commercial enterprises. VHH Vice President Jamie Boring says hydroponic enterprises are more common in the Lower 48 than in Alaska. He reasons that this has to do with the risk-averse nature of Alaskan entrepreneurs who contend with higher business expenses and greater logistical challenges.

VHH markets its own unitized hydroponic farm systems. Boring says products sell as fast at the Palmer factory can make them. Manufacturing is one of the company's four core pillars, though. The others are workforce development, education, and community. VHH evaluates each of these areas as it works with clients and partners to assist them in becoming more resilient in the face of climate change and uncertain economic times.

"We are working with communities to create longlasting food production opportunities," Boring says, "We are not just doing equipment drops and saying, 'good luck.'"

Hunger in Alaska

Anyone shopping at a grocery store post-pandemic has probably seen an occasional string of empty shelves due to shipping issues.

"Long-time Alaskans have always known the risks to our state due to our geographical location," says Boring. "Shipping costs have always been high and are increasing. We have always had supply chain instability for fresh food."

Boring says disruptions to the supply chain caused by the 2018 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for foods, only emphasized the importance of hydroponic farms in Alaska.

According to the Alaska Food Policy...