Hello from Central Texas!

[Lyssa]

Hello all!

I currently own 30 chickens, mixed breeds but all brown layers, some roosters. We do strictly organic and free range. No soy, no gmo, no corn and no antibiotics for our ladies! We cater to the minority of Texans who suffer from ailments like celiac disease and more who cannot have corn or gmo or antibiotics in their food or their foods food due to their health issues. We just got our first egg yesterday and it was a double yolker, double blessings that we gladly and greatfully receive!
We aim to move to Alaska in the near future. Any Alaskans out there who can give me advice on the transition? We are looking in the agricultural center to plant ourselves.
Can't wait to receive nuggets of wisdom from y'all!
Have a blessed day!
-Lyssa

 

[Smart Red]

Welcome, Lyssa!

Wow, from central Texas to Alaska! That's quite a gardening jump. Ya'll must love challenges to take that leap. Best of luck to you and glad to meet you here on SS.

 

[Lyssa]

Yes, quite the challenge! My husband is pipeline so he would be up there by himself for who knows how long, and we both have always had an affinity for trees, nature and quiet living. We live how we would live in Alaska now, just with different temperature extremes!
I'll miss my warm weather but family is here, we can always visit.
Thanks for the warm welcome!
If you know any Alaskans, send them my way! I have plenty of questions.

 

[Denim Deb]

I know one person on another board from Alaska, and she's looking to move to Michigan. They have their house up for sale.

 

[Hinotori]

Welcome!

 

[6of6chicks]

Hi! I just saw a link for this site on the BYC forum, so I thought I'd flip over and check it out. Lo and behold the first thread I notice is a Texas to Alaska thread! I made the move myself a few years ago (there and back again). I'm south of Houston and moved to the Alaskan Peninsula for two years. I ended up coming back home because it was just too far away from my family. But it was definitely an experience, and I'm happy to share what I know!

 

[Lyssa]

Hi! I just saw a link for this site on the BYC forum, so I thought I'd flip over and check it out. Lo and behold the first thread I notice is a Texas to Alaska thread! I made the move myself a few years ago (there and back again). I'm south of Houston and moved to the Alaskan Peninsula for two years. I ended up coming back home because it was just too far away from my family. But it was definitely an experience, and I'm happy to share what I know!

YES! Please share your pearls of wisdom! I am stressing out over the thought of having to get rid of my animals just to make the move easier .
We had started our chicken operation and hope to expand it to meat birds, rabbits, goats and possibly a small herd of cattle. Obviously we found it smarter to wait on the expanding until after the move but it may be likely we get the cattle here in Texas as its cheaper here than AK for them...

We already have concluded we would be eliminating everything but the necessities for a start up there.. and we figured we would purchase a medium trailer, what fits goes, what doesn't stays.
As for the livestock, how did you manage getting yours there if you had any? Or do you have any stories of anyone you know who did what I plan on doing?

We also plan on getting into Delta Junction area for the better agricultural community... did you ever have gardens?

 

[6of6chicks]

Wow - that all sounds awesome. I'm so envious!

That's a big transition! I started typing out a big long response before I realized I don't really know any of your specifics, so I'm not sure how much help I will be, lol! Hopefully my two cents will be helpful!

I'm sure you've been googling galore, like I did, and there are lots of great resources out there for making the move to Alaska. The best thing you can do for yourself is to research Delta Junction. Read EVERYTHING you can find - the city page, forums, blogs, etc. Google for as many pictures as you can. The more familiar you are with the place before you get there, the easier it will be to adjust.

The hardest thing for me was culture shock. I don't mean the people (Alaskans are awesome ) - I mean Alaska life in general. Moving to Alaska from Texas might as well feel like you're moving to Mars. It's so far away and life is so different compared to what you're used to down here. It can be exciting and wonderful, don't get me wrong, but it is also HARD. If you've never been through a *real* winter then brace yourself. Central Alaska has some wickedly low temps, and combine that with only a couple of hours of daylight a day - it's tough to take if you're not used to it.

The more you can read and familiarize yourself NOW with your specific area, the easier it will be to adjust. Good news for you is that you're on the road - that makes life a thousand times easier (I was out in the bush). If I were you I would start searching for blogs, especially agriculture/farming/homesteading folks. Everything you want to do CAN be done up there, but it takes specialized knowledge and a lot of money. Are you buying property or renting?

The less you take with you, the easier it will be. Honestly if it were me I would go up with the bare minimum. Spend an entire YEAR up there (all the way through the winter), then re-evaluate. I don't want to sound discouraging, but Alaska isn't for everyone. Lots of people go up, and for one reason or another, come back down within a few short years (like me). Make sure you know how to keep yourself alive before adding the stress of animals, and, quite frankly, that living in Alaska really is for you. Otherwise it will just be a VERY expensive 'life experience.'

I went up there with just my dog, and even that was tough. If you don't already have the animals you mentioned then I would wait to get them. Talk to locals and see what they do before making the investment.

Gardening up there cracks me up. I had to re-learn everything I knew about growing food, lol! The growing season is so short compared to year round in Texas. But Alaska is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and you can still grow all the same stuff as down here - you just have to learn what varieties work and switch from get-it-done-before-the-heat to get-it-done-before-the-frost.

Whew - that's a lot of two cents! I hope I wasn't too negative. I loved Alaska, but it was definitely a challenge. I wish you the best of luck!!

 

[Britesea]

One thing you might consider doing before you jump is subscribing to the local newspaper there... you'd be surprised what you can learn about the community, people, politics, cost of living... you name it.

 

[Lyssa]

One thing you might consider doing before you jump is subscribing to the local newspaper there... you'd be surprised what you can learn about the community, people, politics, cost of living... you name it.

That is a really great idea, Thank you!