Native plants are often used in restoring previously developed lands to their natural habitats. Mike Emers, an Alaska farmer, is interested in growing native plants for use in projects such as oil field restorations. Native plants would not only be ecologically viable, but they would likely survive the climate better than non-native plants. He believes that native plant production is a potentially large industry for growers in the Alaskan interior. According to Emers, although the demand for native plants materials is high, companies must go outside of Alaska to obtain these plants.

Producer Mike Emers at Rosie Creek Farm

In 1999 Emers worked with an environmental consulting firm with the responsibility of revegetating 7,000 acres of North Slope oil field pads. The firm found that a sustainable crop for the area would be legumes because of their symbiotic association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Emers grew legumes in containers and found that legumes would grow in Alaska. However, germination and survival rates varied widely among the different species. With the help of a Western SARE Farmer/Rancher grant, Emers will find a more quantitative approach to growing legumes.

According the Emers, the goal of the SARE project is to develop a protocol for seed and container production of seven North Slope legume species plus three other species. The objectives of the research are

• Assess methods to improve germination rates to optimize seed use.
• Evaluate cost and effectiveness of direct seeding and containerized methods.
• Determine seed production rates per plant and per unit area.
• Assess insect infestation problems.
• Evaluate extent of weed problems and weed control methods.
• Determine costs of small-scale production and develop cost estimates for larger scale production.

The results of the project will be included in a written report, and the farm will also be open for farm tours.