About Hawks Greenhouse
Family Owned & Operated
The Homestead Garden
What began as a way to provide food for an Alaskan, homesteading family has grown into a generational family business. Charles & Elaine Hawks drove the perilous journey up the ALCAN Highway to begin a new life in what was then, the Territory of Alaska. Here, they raised seven children, and various dogs, and for a short time, had a hand in raising livestock. Life was challenging. With hard work, they carved a life out for themselves.
Vegetable gardening was out of necessity. They truly lived off the land. In those days, driving from North Pole to Fairbanks for pantry staples (flour, sugar, coffee), was a luxury only afforded a few times a year.
Extra veggies soon translated into a farmer’s market on South Cushman run by their oldest children, Mike and Carol, and eventually, with other growers in the area, the beginning of the Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market.
A Greenhouse Business Begins
A homemade greenhouse, with a conduit frame covered in plastic, sheltered the fragile plants from the elements of the unpredictable Alaskan Spring. Friends and neighbors were their first greenhouse customers, but when there was a need they always shared what they had. All 7 children had a hand in working the land. They can tell you stories of all the weeding they had to do, and the back-breaking work that came with making a self-sufficient family survive.
In 1982, the family moved Hawks Greenhouse to its current location. Elaine had a knack for growing and researching any new concepts she needed to excel in the greenhouse. It was that passion and skill that really shined in the plants she grew and passed down to her daughter-in-law, Angie who now runs the greenhouse with her husband, Troy and daughter, Cloe.
Carrying On Tradition
Now in it’s third generation, our family’s desire is to continue to be a vibrant part of our community, growing into the future.
We are grateful to staff who come alongside and help create an environment filled with beauty and our customers who continue to support and encourage us to be a quality greenhouse. You help make Hawks Greenhouse what it is today. Running a successful, family-run, small business is a partnership of trust and one we don’t take lightly. Our commitment to you has and will always be:
1. Genuine warm welcome to customers.
2. Clean, organized and safe environment.
3. Approachable, knowledgeable and friendly team members.
4. Beautiful selection of happy, healthy plants chosen for our challenging growing area.
5. Exceptional and consistent customer experience.
We will continue to practice generosity, sharing with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, Fairbanks Rescue Mission, and other community organizations and groups, creativity and innovation in our industry.
When you stop by, you’ll find us working hard to carry on the tradition begun so many years before.
