Reindeer Farm and Musk Ox Farm

These are both located in Palmer.  The Reindeer Farm is a family operation that just kind of happened.  The Grandfather was part of the Colony farm of Alaska during the dust bowl.  He was a farmer and was given a barn, house, and chicken coup and land as long as he would farm in Alaska.  He started raising reindeer for resale and now the farm has several reindeer, a plains bison, a herd of elk and a moose that will kiss you for a carrot.  The moose was a rescue from Homer, Alaska.  He came to the farm when he was just a week old.  The Buffalo came to the farm as an infant also.  Both were bottle fed and are very tame.  It was our kind of place as they cared about the animals.

A brand new baby and her mom

Denali, the five year old tame bull moose

I'm coming! I'm coming!

A baby Reindeer

Eric has a heart to heart with this guy

The antlers were large and a little intimidating for me

This was a fun way to spend a few hours for a reasonable cost, $7.00.  They also do trail rides and birthday parties, so the farm was hopping when we were there.

The Musk Ox Farm

The Musk Ox Farm is a non profit project.  Cost for a guided tour is $11.00.  The musk ox were hunted to almost extinction and have been reintroduced in remote Alaska.  This herd came from three wild musk ox. The farm started in 1954 and harvests the warm soft underwool of the prehistoric critters by combing the ox.  I have a hard enough time combing Gidget, I can't imagine combing a musk ox.  The musk ox are domesticated and provide an economic supplement to the remote Alaskan communities.  The qiviut is spun into a very soft warm yarn and the women in the remote villages spent the winters knitting scarves, hats, ear warmers, etc.  The cost of the completed projects is a little steep ($150.00 for a hat), but it lasts forever and gets softer with time.  You can purchase the items at the farm or the shop in Anchorage.  A fun morning with these cool creatures.