In a land where harsh conditions are the norm, one family dared to dream the impossible. Grit, determination, and unwavering passion are the special ingredients for the only dairy farm in Alaska.

Pioneering this unique operation required more than just practical skills and knowledge of dairy farming. It demanded a relentless commitment to overcoming adversity. Scott Plagerman and his family faced frigid temperatures, logistical hurdles, and the constant need to innovate. Despite these challenges, their dedication never wavered. They rolled up their sleeves and put in the hard work necessary to make their dream a reality.

Plagerman grew up on a dairy farm in Lynden, Washington. After graduating high school, he ventured out on his own, engaging in custom harvesting and raising heifers. Eventually, he started milking cows on his purchased farm. However, fate had other plans, and an opportunity to move to Alaska arose, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

In 2009, Plagerman purchased a hay farm that also served as a boarding facility for horses during winter. This new venture sparked an idea: raising bison. Always on the lookout for new revenue streams, Plagerman, his wife, and their two adult sons considered starting a dairy, despite the overwhelming challenges.

Overcoming Initial Challenges

The concept of a dairy farm in Alaska was daunting. With dairy being nonexistent in the state, the idea seemed improbable due to the high costs of trucking essentials 2,000 miles from the mainland.

“Hay farming was a struggle due to weather and markets. The kids talked me into dairy and we started putting together a plan for it,” Plagerman shares.

The family bought land and acquired another 640 acres, which included a 40 x 100 ft building. Despite its crude structure—a dirt floor and metal walls—they began milking a handful of cows, marking the inception of their dairy farm.

Building the Dream

“We are the only dairy in the state of Alaska,” Plagerman states.

Currently, Alaska Range Dairy in Delta Junction milks 65 cows, aspiring to increase their cow numbers. They installed a second robot last year but faced the challenge of whether a large grocery chain would purchase their milk.

“We ran into some huge roadblocks,” Plagerman recalls, with big stores hesitant to work with a small operation. Lost paperwork even resulted in dumped milk, testing the family’s patience.

Turning the Tide

Despite these setbacks, Plagerman and his family remained steadfast due to their commitment to food security.

“Food security is a real thing in Alaska,” he explains, noting that any disruption can add to this problem quickly.

Now, working with a large-retail store, Plagerman says he feels like they have a glimmer of hope in their hearts and can see their dairy becoming the main source of income for their farm.

Feeding the Future

Passionately driven by their mission, Plagerman emphasizes the importance of locally sourced milk.

“It is extremely satisfying knowing that you are providing a wholesome product to help feed your community,” he says, acknowledging that dairying in Alaska is not for the faint-hearted. Living in such a unique environment means they must figure things out independently.

Expanding Horizons

Beyond dairy, the family farms 1,200 acres of hay, 200 acres of barley, 200 acres of yellow field peas—a protein source for the cattle—and some canola. They also raise 200 head of bison, processing and selling the meat to local restaurants. Diversifying into dairy provided an additional profit source, promoting the farm’s long-term viability.

Plagerman tries to keep that in mind. Dairying is no easy job and doing this in a state like Alaska isn’t for the faint of hearts. For example, all of the farm’s feed is grown locally, as shipping costs are prohibitive.

“The costs basically double or triple,” Plagerman notes, highlighting the absence of back hauls and the necessity of paying for a truck both ways. “We’re completely on our own. We’ve lived here long enough that we know we have to figure it out.”

Alaska’s Harsh Conditions

The decision to go with robotic milking was an easy one, as there is no real agricultural labor in the state.

“There is not much labor for anything around here, so we have to be as efficient as possible,” Scott says, sharing that they feed all the cows via the robots to simplify the work that needs to be done. “We also use Discovery scrapers.”

Plagerman shares that last winter’s temperature dropped to minus 68 degrees. The area is described as a high plains desert, where they only get around 12 inches of moisture annually.

Careful precautions are taken from the beginning, including how they built their facility.

“Everything is very well insulated,” he adds. “You need to prepare and build for the harsh conditions from the beginning. We have in-floor heating, and we try to keep the barn from above freezing.”

Plagerman says locals don’t really notice the lack of daylight, they just plan their days accordingly and that also includes farming.

“We still have four hours of good light during winter,” he shares, noting that is a good time to take care of the outside chores like caring for the bison and hay. “It is all about being as efficient as possible, even with our time.”

The Plagermans epitomize perseverance and innovation. Through their hard work and unyielding resolve, they continue to carve out a niche, proving that even in the harshest conditions, dreams can flourish.

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