The Tyonek Farm and Garden is a 1.5 acre property that serves as both a production farm and community garden space, housing over 2000 row feet of mixed vegetables and a growing number of raised beds for household food production. The farm operation is solar powered and emphasizes soil health principles, ecological practices, and season extension with the use of two NRCS-funded high tunnels and various low-tunnels and row covers.
The property was first cleared in 2009 to provide an additional source of local fresh foods to supplement a subsistence diet of salmon, game, and other subsistence resources. TTCD currently manages the vegetable production, soil and nutrient management, agricultural education activities, and seasonal garden employees. Each year, TTCD hires approx. 4-6 youth interns between the ages of 14-18 to manage the day-to-day operations of the farm. All aspects of food production from seed starting and soil prep to harvest, processing, and distribution are supported by the local student body at Tebughna School.
TTCD has operated multiple hydroponic systems at Tebughna School with support and involvement of school teachers and students since 2017. The original NFT (nutrient film technique) system was the first system installed to increase winter production of leafy greens, producing successions of up to 80 heads of lettuce and herbs at a time. In 2020, three hydroponic towers were installed to diversify winter food production at the school. Two of these towers have reliably produced a number of new crops and trials including zucchini squash, brassicas, peas, tomatoes, edible flowers and more. The third hydroponic tower has been utilized in the Tebughna School science room for science experiments and education.
Hydroponic food production supplements the school snack and meal programs for Tyonek students, providing a source of locally-grown healthy food that the students take pride in. When excess food is produced, students are also allowed to harvest vegetables to take home.
It is our goal that future expansions and improvements to these systems will allow TTCD to expand year-round local food production to reach all Tyonek residents.
In 2025, TTCD will begin establishing the Tyonek Community Food Forest with support of funding from the Arbor Day Foundation.
The Food Forest will be established on a .25 acre lot that sits beside the Tyonek Community Farm and Garden where many community members visit on a regular basis in the summer months. The Food Forest will serve as a community space providing access to traditionally significant subsistence plants, educational opportunities, and gathering spaces. The forest will incorporate native trees including birch and willow, as well as non-native fruiting trees to provide additional canopy and a source of desirable local fruits. The trees selected will provide a variety of services including fruit, syrup, canopy coverage for serene community spaces, and ecosystem benefits. Additionally, the space will house a variety of local native plants with cultural significance such as berries (blueberry, currants, salmonberry, haskap, etc), labrador tea, wild roses, wormwood, and others.
