sitkalidak sunrise farm
Sitkalidak Sunrise Farm is a community-led, intergenerational farm dedicated to strengthening food sovereignty and healthy living in Old Harbor, Alaska. Rooted in Alutiiq values and subsistence traditions, the farm provides fresh, locally grown food while building long-term resilience in a remote island community.
Through the Old Harbor Alliance, Sitkalidak Sunrise Farm supports food security from the ground up—reducing reliance on costly imported foods and ensuring access to nutritious, culturally relevant produce.
Community First
All food grown at Sitkalidak Sunrise Farm is distributed at no cost to the community, with Elders receiving first priority each week. Caring for our Elders and caring for our land go hand in hand—both are essential to sustaining life, culture, and community well-being.
Seasonal workers who operate and maintain Sitkalidak Sunrise Farm are provided as an in-kind contribution by the Old Harbor Native Corporation (OHNC). This partnership strengthens local capacity, supports employment opportunities, and reflects a shared commitment to food sovereignty, community wellness, and long-term sustainability in Old Harbor.
Growing in a Challenging Environment
To grow year-round in Old Harbor, we have to be innovative. Our operation includes three large high tunnels (hoop houses) and outdoor raised beds that protect our crops from the elements.
The Hydroponic Hub
One of our high tunnels is fully dedicated to hydroponic growing and can support up to 1,500 plants at a time. This system serves as the backbone of the farm, producing a consistent supply of fresh greens for weekly distribution throughout much of the year.
High Tunnels & Raised Beds
Farming in Old Harbor requires innovation. Our operation includes three large high tunnels (hoop houses) and outdoor raised beds designed to protect crops from harsh weather, extend the growing season, and increase local food production in a northern coastal climate.
The Orchard
To support long-term food security, we have planted 72 apple trees along with cherries, pears, kiwis, and plums within our high tunnels. These young trees are being carefully nurtured so future generations can harvest fruit locally—right here in the village.
Looking Ahead
Sitkalidak Sunrise Farm is more than a growing space—it is a place of learning, stewardship, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing. Through hands-on work, training, and community involvement, the farm continues to strengthen food sovereignty while honoring Alutiiq relationships to land and sustenance.
What we Grow
Sitkalidak Sunrise Farm produces a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season. Crop selection shifts based on climate conditions, infrastructure, and community needs, but distributions often include a wide variety of fresh produce such as:
Green & Herbs
Romaine, spinach, rainbow chard, bok choy, kale, lettuce blends, arugula, basil, cilantro, parsley, and other seasonal herbs.
Vegetables
Potatoes, garlic, brussel sprouts, broccoli, zucchini, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peas, onions, peppers, variety of squash, radishes, carrots, beets, and other seasonal vegetables.
Fruit
Strawberries harvested from the surrounding hillside, along with developing apple orchard and apples, cherries, pears, plums, and other fruit varieties grown within our high tunnels.
Because farming in Old Harbor requires flexibility and innovation, crop availability varies by season and year—but our focus remains on providing fresh, nutritious, and locally grown food to our community.
Around the Farm
Sitkalidak Sunrise Farm’s generational growers provide fresh produce, and food sovereignty for a sustainable lifestyle in Old Harbor, Alaska.
Apple Orchard
Welcome to our orchard! We are excited to share that we have recently planted 72 apple trees and can't wait for the day when we can harvest bushels and bushels of delicious apples. We are nurturing our young trees and providing the best care possible to ensure a bountiful harvest in the future. Stay tuned for updates on our progress!
Hydroponics
Great news! Our farm is equipped with three hoop houses that help us grow free food. One of the hoops we have is hydroponics that can accommodate up to 1500 plants at once, which is where we get the majority of our deliveries. Thanks to these resources, we are able to provide fresh and healthy produce to our customers.
Youth Involvement
At our school, we start our seed starts with the youth. We host a spring planting festival where kids can plant in soil and hydroponic trays. During the summer, we hold day weekly agriculture camps where the youth tend to the plants, weed, water, and harvest goods. In the fall, we invite the youth and community to our fall harvesting festival for fun, food, and harvesting. Join us in cultivating a love for gardening and community!
Seasonal Workers & Internships
Our dedicated staff is made up of community members and youth interns who are hired seasonally to maintain the grounds, thanks to the generous support of the Old Harbor Native Corporation. We take pride in providing opportunities for local youth to gain valuable work experience while beautifying our community.
