Consulting Services
We establish gardens throughout Alaska and can work with your community, tribe, organization, school, or group for however long you need us. Whether you are simply brainstorming or you are already established and growing, we can help.
We offer the following:
Site Visits
Consulting and design services via Teams or Zoom
Presentation Services
Just like with any new project, there are a lot of considerations and decisions to make before the work starts.
The following questions are what we consider "Step 1".
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What type of crops do you want to grow Leafy greens take up less space than vine crops like tomatoes or cucumbers​
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What is your budget? Consider also the costs of continued maintenance, nutrients, and utilities.
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What is the climate like and how will it effect even an indoor garden? Cool, wet weather, will require supplemental heating systems and increasing insulation values will improve production. Low winter light levels may require more lighting or a smaller growing footprint, and high humidity levels make good ventilation systems critical.​
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How much power is available? Is water available? Is there drainage?
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What are the waiting times for zoning, permitting, and approval from local and state agencies? What are the costs?
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Will your garden require mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, contractors, and permits?
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If you are looking at a pre-engineered building or green house kit, how much will it cost to have the structure stamped by a Alaska engineer and what improvements are needed to get it approved for Alaska conditions? From a structural standpoint, the greenhouse must meet Alaska standards for snow and wind loads, which also affects manufacturing and installation costs.
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Finally, we should think through production goals. How many pounds of produce are needed weekly or monthly? Will the food be used for a cafeteria, a community market, or primarily as a teaching tool?
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If you want to one day expand your garden is there the potential for that in the future with the current design and location you are considering?
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As a rough guide, a small greenhouse (200sf-400sf) is great for classroom use and trials, a medium size (800sf-1,300sf) works well for small-scale production or school lunches, and a large greenhouse (1,800sf and up) can support full programmatic integration, community sales, and advanced hydroponics.
About.
Master Cultivator, Ryan Smith
Ryan is an accomplished hydroponic cultivator with over fifteen years of experience in the industry. He is also a trained electrician and a dedicated father to an exceptional daughter. Ryan was raised in Anchorage, Alaska, but spent part of his childhood in rural Alaska, influenced by his mother, a committed educator. Following high school Ryan moved to San Diego where he was the general manager of AT&T retail stores and was a company leader and top earner in sales.
After returning to Alaska in 2013, Ryan established Alaska Hydro Gardens in Anchorage, where he successfully managed his own garden. He also worked for private commercial operations as a consultant and gardener and worked for individuals where he would design and establish hydroponic gardens in their homes.
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In 2021, while residing in Angoon, Alaska, and working as a high school science teacher, Ryan identified a critical need for organic produce in rural communities. In response, he collaborated with the local high school to create a community garden and a pilot program, enabling students to earn science credits through practical experience in hydroponic cultivation.
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Driven by a mission to provide sustainable food sources in rural Alaska, Ryan actively travels throughout the state to educate others about hydroponics while designing and building innovative systems in rural communities.
