Alaska Beat

AK Beat: Palmer couple named Farm Family of the Year

Palmer couple named Alaska Farm Family of the Year: They grow eight variety of carrots, 18 types of potatoes, onions, califlower, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries and more. But that's not the only reason Vern Stockwell and Becky Gardner of the Stockwell Farm in Palmer have been named Alaska's Farm Family of the Year, according to a news release from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The couple also partners with Colony Next Step, a Mat-Su school program that serves young adult students with disabilities by offering vocational training on their farm. Stockwell, Gardner and their three sons started small, moving from Anchorage to a 7-acre farm in Palmer a dozen years ago. The Alaska Division of Agriculture selects the winning family based on the quality of their products, community involvement and overall image. "This farm family not only feeds Alaskans it also nurtures self esteem and personal growth," said Agriculture Division Director Franci Havemeister. Here's video of Stockwell and his farm.


Alaskans a little less chunky: Good news: Alaskans are losing the race to be the continent's fattest Americans. "F As In Fat'' from the Trust for America's Health reports the state's residents have slipped all the way back to 36th, tied with Minnesota and Rhode Island in the state-by-state report on obesity. Not that anyone should get the idea there is shortage of fat people in the 49th state. About a quarter of Alaskans are still considered obese, but Alaskans are going to have to do some serious gorging to catch up to national leaders far the south. Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas all boast more than a third of their populations as decidedly fat. Not even Alaska baby boomers can match that, although they are doing their part to tilt the scales toward obesity in Alaska. On the whole, Alaska is only 25-percent overstuffed, but the baby boomers are 32.4 percent fat, according to "F As In Fat". That ranks Alaska baby boomers 29th in comparison to baby boomers in other states. At least somebody's doing their part to try to make Alaska the fat leader.

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