What Crops Are Grown in Alaska?

Agriculture might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Alaska. Home to frozen landscapes, snow-covered mountains, glaciers and months of darkness, it's not exactly the kind of place you would expect to find a lot of productive farmland. Despite the state's harsh climate in the winter months, however, there are 762 farms and over 800,000 acres of farmland in the state. And while farming in Alaska is often a challenge, the short but intense growing season in the summer can actually yield world-record-size produce. Scroll through the slideshow to take a closer look at eight foods that grow in Alaska.

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Chard

Swiss Chard with Pine Nuts and Golden raisins

Swiss chard is one of the easiest greens to grow in Alaska. It can handle cold temperatures better than other greens and needs plentiful sunlight, making the state’s mild summer temperatures and 20 hours of daily sun ideal for the crop. In fact, the climate is so favorable that in 1995, Alaskan farmer John Evans broke the world record for the heaviest chard grown with a weight of over 71 pounds!

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