Homesteading in the Alaskan Wilderness
Season 4 of “Edge of Alaska” kicks off with a captivating look into the life of Jeremy Keller, who moved to McCarthy, Alaska 17 years ago to build a homestead farm. Over the years, he has doubled the size of his farm and is inching closer to his goal of self-sufficiency. Along with his wife Allie and their two sons, Liam and Bjorn, the family faces the harsh Alaskan conditions to make their dream a reality.
Living Off the Land
The Kellers’ daily routine revolves around tending to the animals they rely on for sustenance. Jeremy raises goats, which serve as both a food source and a means of bartering for items the family cannot grow or raise themselves. Allie makes goat cheese, which is stored in pint jars and valued at around $50 each. The family has become adept at turning their farm’s resources into marketable commodities to support their way of life.
Expanding the Homestead
Since last season, Jeremy has built a new barn and purchased an adjacent five-acre plot of land. He has cleared this land to grow hay, bringing him one step closer to total self-sufficiency. The hayfield will not only provide feed for the goats but also serve as another resource for trading. This development will save the family money, as they previously had to purchase expensive hay from locals and transport it via the area’s substandard roads.
Sticking to the Plan
Jeremy emphasizes the importance of adhering to a strict schedule to achieve his goals. In one episode, he and his sons set out to recover a bulldozer located 15 miles away in the river valley. With the help of bush pilot Gary Green, they locate the dozer, dig it out of the ice and snow, and get it up and running. This piece of machinery will be instrumental in making the hayfield a reality.
Mark Wacht’s New Chapter
Mark Wacht has also experienced some changes in his life. His fiancée, Livvy Lantry from Kentucky, joins him for her first winter in McCarthy and quickly learns about the dangers of living in such a remote location. After their battery charger dies, leaving them without a way to run the lights, the couple embarks on an adventure that ends with a harrowing encounter with a boulder. Fortunately, neither of them is seriously injured.
Neil Darish and Tim Mischel’s Business Ventures
Tim Mischel, a 75-year-old resident of McCarthy, finds himself caught up in the business dealings of Neil Darish and his associate Don Walcott. The pair have bought up most of the town’s businesses with the goal of turning it into a tourist attraction. They recently reopened the Mother Lode mine as a tourist site, but business has slowed, and Don wants to cash out. Neil, on the other hand, has plans to install a gondola system to transport tourists to the mine at a lower cost. This is his last-ditch effort to prevent Don from selling the town. Tim, who owns valuable land in the area, is caught in the middle of their negotiations.
The premiere episode of “Edge of Alaska” Season 4 provides an excellent introduction for newcomers while seamlessly updating fans on the latest developments in the series. If the rest of the season continues to deliver engaging storylines, viewers are in for a treat as they witness the challenges and triumphs of life in the Alaskan wilderness.
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