Alaska State Fair Farm Family of the Year

The Alaska State Fair Farm Family of the Year award was established in 2000 to honor an Alaska farming family and show appreciation for all the hardworking Alaskans committed to agriculture and aquaculture in the state. Nominations are accepted annually, and the winner must meet criteria such as production of quality Alaska Grown product, community and agricultural organization involvement, and overall image.
2000 Huppert Family - Paul Huppert came to Alaska in 1952 and homesteaded in the Mat-Su Valley. He worked as Produce Manager for Matanuska Maid until the Produce Division was sold in 1964. Paul purchased the Produce Division and formed Palmer Produce. Today many members of the Huppert family are involved in the farming enterprise including Paul’ s son Gerald Huppert, his daughter Paula Giauque, his grandson Josh Lutz, and his granddaughter Terri Bernowski.

2001 VanderWeele Farms – Ben & Suus VanderWeele - Ben and his wife Suus began their farming operation in Mat-Su Valley in 1967. Today the VanderWeele operation consists of 160 cultivated acres that are operated by Ben, Suus, and their three children – Glenn, Rodger & Michelle and 25-30 seasonal employees. VanderWeele Farms successfully produces a variety of vegetables including potatoes, carrots, lettuces, cabbages and onions.

2002 Havemeister Farms – Bob & Jeanne Havemeister - Bob’s parents, Arnold & Emmy arrived in the Mat-Su Valley in May, 1935, one of 200 Colony families selected by the federal government to settle and farm here during the Depression. Today the farm covers 200 acres owned and leased, and the Havemeisters milk about half of their 150 cow herd, producing approximately 2.2 million pounds of milk/year. The current operation is a high- tech dairy that tags and logs in the cows and tracks milk production, age and offspring.

2003 Rempel Family Farm – Mark Rempel - The Rempel Family Farm came into operation in 1960 when Mark Rempel’s father, Dietrich, purchased the acreage from the federal government. Mark bought the farm in 1990, became organic in 1992 and USDA Certified Organic in 1995. Today Mark operates 12 acres producing 70 varieties of organic vegetables. The Rempel Family Farm booth is always popular at area farmers markets.

2004 P&M Gardens – Paul Dinkins – P&M Gardens opened in 1976. Today it consists of a nursery wholesale operation with 10 acres of land, 200,000 square feet of growing houses, a retail store, shipping and warehouse area and a fleet of trucks that deliver plants across the state. The success of P & M Gardens has lead to the need for over 70 employees during the peak season.

2005 Calypso Farm and Ecology Center – Tom Zimmer & Susan Willsrud - Calypso Farm began in 2000 as an effort to educate the community about local food supplies. Today Calypso is home to a fast-growing Community Support Agriculture
(CSA) operation which this past year supported 45 shareholders. The farm consists of 2.5 cultivated, terraced acres in a forested area 10 miles out of Fairbanks. In addition to growing food, Calypso works collaboratively with local organizations to provide handson educational and research opportunities in ecology and sustainable agriculture.

2006 Wrigley Farms – Rex & Bryce Wrigley was formed in 1983 when Rex & Bryce moved their families to their families Delta Junction, Alaska from Idaho. Over the years Wrigley Farms has successfully produced oats, oat hay, barley, brome, broccoli, potatoes and hogs. Rex and Bryce are both active in their area Soil & Water Conservation District and Farm Bureau Chapter. The family is also active in their church and community.