Transition to Organics (NWTOPP), general interest, guest blog, partner spotlight & events
Flying Moose Farm: Growing Organic Rhodiola in Alaska
In Nikolaevsk, Alaska, farmer Stash Kalugin has built one of the state’s few organic rhodiola operations, Flying Moose Farm. An adaptogen with powerful medicinal properties, rhodiola has been used for centuries to support endurance, reduce stress, and improve resilience.
For Kalugin, farming is in his blood. His father was a farmer, and much of what he knows today was passed down through hands-on experience and observation. That foundation instilled in him both respect for the land and the persistence needed to take on a crop as unusual as rhodiola. “I started this little by little,” he explains, describing how Flying Moose Farm grew from a home project into a dedicated property.
Part of the difficulty of growing this crop is time itself. While it can take decades for rhodiola to reach maturity in the wild, Kalugin’s carefully managed fields can produce viable roots in just a few years. But the waiting remains significant. Choosing to dedicate land and resources to a crop that won’t pay off for nearly half a decade is a leap of faith. Even in the right climate, cultivating rhodiola requires experimentation. The process has been slow and methodical.
“I’m like a scientist and a farmer at the same time,” Kalugin explains, describing how he trials planting methods, monitors stratification needs, and tracks growth cycles. Rhodiola is a plant that thrives in extremes. It originated in high-elevation landscapes across Siberia, Scandinavia, and the Arctic, where cold, wind, and rocky soils dominate. “They’re right at home here,” he says. Seeds require exposure to long winters to germinate, making Alaska not a barrier but an asset. “It takes time,” he says, “but it’s worth it.”
Farming in Alaska is already challenging. Short seasons, unpredictable weather, and limited infrastructure push farmers to innovate constantly. By adding rhodiola into the mix, Kalugin is tackling one of the most complex farming endeavors imaginable: long-term, experimental, and organic. “But like I said, the fertilizers, the issue we have here in Alaska, our soils are really low and [rhodiola], they love fertilizer.” Sourcing certified soil amendments in Alaska is not the easiest of tasks. Kalugin must constantly add amendments to support the rhodiola, but uncertainty about its exact needs makes planning difficult. “I’m still in the trial phase,” he admits, but those trials are building knowledge for others.
Although the challenges persist, the rewards are substantial. Rhodiola is gaining recognition worldwide for its health benefits, from boosting mental clarity to supporting the body’s response to stress. Kalugin’s work at Flying Moose Farm is pioneering organic production of a plant that few in the state, or the country, have much experience with. His willingness to experiment, record, and share his lessons offers a roadmap for other rhodiola growers. He admits that certification can seem intimidating, but his experience shows that it is both achievable and worthwhile. In a state where food and agricultural security remain ongoing challenges, his certification demonstrates that even specialty crops can meet high standards and thrive.
