May 9, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Like the Sitka Farmers Market? Now you can become a sponsor

The Sitka Local Foods Network is starting a sponsorship program for the Sitka Farmers Market, and Sitka businesses and individuals are welcome to join. The goal of the sponsorship program is to make the Sitka Farmers Market more sustainable.

“The Sitka Farmers Market is entering a new era of growth through selective partnerships and sponsorships,” Sitka Local Foods Network vice-president Matthew Jackson said. “Sponsors of the Sitka Farmers Market are working with an organization and a market that values local, fun, premium quality goods and experiences.”

This year there are seven Sitka Farmers Markets from July through September. The markets take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, July 2, July 16, July 30, Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Sept. 3, and Sept. 10, at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Founders Hall (235 Katlian St.).

There are four levels of sponsorship available, and each has its own set of perks.

Grower ($2,500-plus) — We’ll hang your banner at ANB Hall, include your logo and company name prominently in our merchandise and advertisements, and thank you on our social media and web pages. If appropriate for the Sitka Farmers Market, you may set up a free promotional booth.
Harvester ($1,000-$2,499) — We’ll hang your banner at ANB Hall and include your logo and company name in our merchandise and advertisements.
Planter ($250-$999) — Your banner will be hung at ANB Hall.
Friend ($50-$249) — You are listed on our online sponsor page.

We have limited space for banners at the markets, so please contact us by June 1 to guarantee your spot. To learn more about the sponsorship program, click the link below for details and a registration form. For more information, contact Jackson at (907) 821-1412 or by email at jackson.mw08@gmail.com, or email us at sitkalocalfoodsnetwork@gmail.com.

• 2016 Sitka Farmers Market sponsorship program details and registration form

February 18, 2013 by Charles Bingham

• Sitka Local Foods Network to host Let’s Grow Sitka garden education event and Shane Smith presentation

Mark your calendars as the Sitka Local Foods Network will host two big garden events Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10, in Sitka.

The first event is a presentation by Shane Smith of the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Botanic Gardens from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, in Room 229 of the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus. The second event is the fifth annual Let’s Grow Sitka garden education event from noon until 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Founders Hall, 235 Katlian (don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour Saturday night).

The Sitka Local Foods Network is excited to bring Shane Smith to town to discuss gardens and greenhouses. Shane is the founder of the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Botanic Gardens and has been its director since 1977. Shane is the author of the Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion, and he will be signing copies of his book. Shane received the American Horticulture Society’s 2012 Great American Gardener Award.

Shane also will have a booth at Sunday’s Let’s Grow Sitka event, which is an annual event designed to get Sitka residents excited about the upcoming garden season. This annual event brings together local garden supply stores, local gardeners, landscapers and anybody who is interested in learning how to grow food and/or flowers.

There will be a wide variety of individuals and businesses with booths for the event, with some booths providing gardening information geared toward and others selling gardening supplies. Lunch will be available for purchase. There also will be a chance to learn from certified Master Gardeners, a chance to learn about greenhouses and high tunnels, an opportunity to buy seeds and seed potatoes, and there’s a scavenger hunt for the kids.

For more information, contact Linda Wilson at 747-3096 (evenings and weekends) or Cathy Lieser at 1-907-978-2572. Table space still may be available for people wanting to provide information about different types of gardening or gardening products/services available in Sitka.

The Sitka Local Foods Network thanks the City and Borough of Sitka, Shee Atika Corp., and the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Diabetes Programs for their help in making these events possible.