Heaven's Hayfield

The rich soils of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley produce a diverse range of crops. They also gave rise to the states only agricultural land trust—the Alaska Farmland Trust. In a state where only 5% of food consumed is produced locally, the trust exists to build a food-secure future by protecting Alaska’s farmlands through permanent conservation easements.

Heaven’s Hayfield, located along Fairview Loop in the southern valley, was the first farm protected by Alaska Farmland Trust in 2008. That agricultural conservation easement was achieved with tenacious support from LeRoi and Margaret Heaven, preventing future owners from commercially developing the 40 acres of productive farmland. Now, however, the property is threatened by an unprecedented issue.

LeRoi and Margaret used to produce 30 acres of hay, an acre of potatoes, and even a barley plot as an offering to geese and sandhill cranes. The Heavens loved to share the farm, hosting frequent get-togethers and educational tours. They also restored historical homestead cabins, some of which remain preserved to this day.

LeRoi and Margaret have passed away, but their legacy lives on in Heaven’s Hayfield. The current owners grow a high tunnel of subsistence vegetables as well as hay that feeds local cattle.

Due to the rapid loss of farmland to development, the Mat-Su Valley has been a focus for Alaska Farmland Trust for the last 18 years, with 398 acres of farmland in the area held in trust. By protecting land close to population centers, we work towards a more food-secure future and ensure that the land will be available for agricultural use when it is absolutely needed.

This winter, the Alaska Department of Transportation announced the Parks Highway Alternative Corridor PEL Study. Two proposed alternative routes go directly through Heaven’s Hayfield and surrounding farmland. While circumstances that could jeopardize a conservation easement like this are uncommon, it is important to note that protecting farmland calls for ongoin g effort beyond securing an easement.

“Once converted, there is no way to reclaim farmland from a highway, subdivision, or gravel pit.”

Alaska Farmland Trust is on deck to protect Heaven’s Hayfield in perpetuity and will do everything possible to defend it from proposed highway routes. Once converted, there is no way to reclaim farmland from a highway, subdivision, or gravel pit. Heaven’s Hayfield and other farms across the state are essential to Alaska’s food security.

We can make a difference together, one farm at a time, so please join us! Engage in the conversation, lift your voice as a farmlands advocate, and contribute your financial support to our mission. The call is more critical now than ever.

Alaska Farmland Trust's mission is to protect Alaska’s farmlands by securing agricultural conservation easements to build a food-secure state for future generations. Reach out to learn more about supporting Alaska’s farmland and food security: 
info@akfarmland.com · 907-745-3336 · akfarmland.com

This piece originally appeared in Issue No. 29, Fall 2023