June 18, 2026, Seward Folly

Last week, after the ribbon cutting for the Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal, the Port Partners Program named its winner: Sydney Singer of Exit Glacier Greenhouses. Sponsored by Royal Caribbean Group, the program supports Seward’s small businesses. Sydney took home $20,000 to expand her greenhouse operation, a project rooted in a lifetime of Alaskan gardening.

Raised by parents who grew much of their own food in remote railway station houses, Sydney grew up with gardening in her blood. Her parents would even invent extra chores to keep her busy in the garden as a child. She’s spent years moving between Anchorage and Seward, learning how each area’s unique climate affects what thrives. Living in Iceland for several years opened her eyes to what’s possible; there, geothermal energy and greenhouses allow for fresh crops year-round, no matter the weather. That experience inspired her to see how far she could push season extension back in Alaska.

Sydney Singer of Exit Glacier Greenhouses showing her power inverter and plant starts. Photos by Seward Folly

To test her ideas, Sydney and her husband built a compact, 8-by-12-foot greenhouse powered by solar. The setup runs heating, water, and fans off a boat inverter and a reconditioned car battery that stores energy. Six inches of foam insulation wrap the greenhouse, with extra layers wherever heat loss is most likely. The result? On a sunny day, it can reach 100 degrees inside even when it’s only 60 outside. In summer, the greenhouse stays warm without extra heat; during the shoulder seasons, they use supplemental heating, always searching for tweaks to trap more warmth and stretch growing conditions as far as possible.

“We’re running our greenhouse with a boat power system because it’s affordable, flexible, and does everything we need for a few hundred bucks or less. It draws power from solar, but we could add a generator or backup source if needed. The system manages charging and storage and powers things like fans and music. My husband set up automation: if it gets too hot, the fans and vents turn on; if it’s cold, the heater kicks in. We’re still tweaking things, but it’s almost a closed system now. Everything can also be run manually with switches. The setup is simple, proving you don’t have to spend thousands for an effective greenhouse, even in a cold climate. With some adjustments, we made it work well, even though I’m no electrical expert.”

Sydney maximizes every inch of her property. With long summer days, raised beds, and sheltered zones, they can produce up to 500 pounds of food each season. Their next step is insulated greenhouses with grow lights to support year-round production, but she remains committed to using as many passive techniques as the climate allows. Water comes from a well and a rainwater catchment system, which handles most irrigation needs. With expanding growing modules and hydroponics in the works, the goal is to produce up to 15,000 pounds of food a year when fully scaled.

Right now, most produce is sold directly to locals, since demand is high and the operation is still growing. Sydney is working on a five- to seven-year plan to make the most of their space and figure out which crops can have the biggest impact for the community.

“Fresh greens and small tomatoes have the most consistent local market,” she says, “but I’ll rotate in radishes, zucchinis, and other crops for variety.”

Hanging baskets, snow peas, a raised bed at Exit Glacier Greenhouses. Photos by Seward Folly

Her approach is all about variety and adaptation. Sydney grows everything from nasturtiums to zucchini and gooseberries, always searching for what works best in Seward’s unique microclimate. She loves sharing her knowledge, helping others get started or expand their own gardens.

“This year, I’ve started with a big round of flowers and seasonal starters for the community, things like hanging baskets and veggie starts. I specialize in nasturtiums, which do really well here. Zucchinis, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, peas, strawberries, rhubarb, and gooseberries are all part of the mix. I avoid duplicating what other nearby growers already do well, like potatoes and carrots from the Valley, or big hothouse tomatoes from Anchorage.”

The Port Partners program provided Sydney with business training that’s helped her streamline operations and plan for growth. She learned everything from financial planning to marketing, connecting her with a network of local entrepreneurs. This support has made it easier to scale up, share resources, and turn her gardening skills into a sustainable business.

“Most larger-scale growers have different setups, but I’ve seen a lot of community interest in what we’re doing here. It’s become an opportunity to bring people together for gardening classes — covering things like setting up hanging baskets, planter boxes, and raised beds. There’s already a lot of enthusiasm. Recently, a local employer put in garden beds for their employees and asked me to provide a quick training. Opportunities like that are great for building partnerships and sharing knowledge.”

Sydney’s focus is on keeping her model practical and affordable, so others in Seward can adapt it to their needs. Careful attention to climate, constant tweaking, and a willingness to experiment have shown that it is absolutely possible to grow fresh produce year-round, even in Seward’s challenging conditions. With experience, resourcefulness, and a community-minded approach, Sydney has proved that year-round growing in Seward isn’t just a dream, it’s a reality.