Serving the Country and Local Communities
Mike and Karolina Priebe’s journey from military service to farming hay in Alaska began with three simple words: “Can we stay?”
“I was stationed up here in the Army and retired from here, and my wife said ‘Can we stay?’” Mike said. “I said, ‘Absolutely, heck yeah we can stay.’ And next thing I know, I was a hay farmer.”
The Priebes operate KMP Farm, a flourishing green hayfield in Nenama, Alaska, where they harvest high-quality brome grass hay for local horses and livestock. They post online when they’re baling and have built up a faithful customer base who value their outstanding product.
“Over the years, people have figured out we have really good hay,” Mike said. “There are a lot of horse people up here and a lot of really exceptional horses, and they want a higher grade of hay.”
A Reliable Partner in Farm Credit
As new farmers, one of the Priebe’s earliest challenges in building their business was securing financing for their land. However, once Mike connected with a rural lending expert at AgWest Farm Credit, he found the process to be surprisingly simple.
“I would just call and say, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing,’” Mike said. “And he said, ‘Don’t worry about it. Just send it to me.’ Next thing you know, we had the money. It was really effortless.”
In the years since, the financial partnership with AgWest has enabled the Priebes’ business to thrive and become a community staple, serving both Nenana residents and delivering to customers in Fairbanks, Healy and North Pole.
Building a Legacy
From relationships with local communities to deep family bonds, the Priebes’ lush farmland has cultivated much more than just top-quality hay.
“When my husband told me he wanted to buy a farm, I had mixed feelings,” Karolina said. “I did not grow up in a farming family. But I knew he wanted to buy land and have a piece of Alaska, so I said, let’s see if we can make it happen.”
While the farm started a new chapter in Karolina’s life, for Mike, it was the continuation of his family’s enduring tradition.
“I always wanted to get into farming,” Mike said. “The bug was there. My grandparents were farmers, and a lot of my uncles and cousins farm. I just never thought I would.”
Now their children play a role in the family farm, helping handle equipment, complete chores and maintain the hayfields — work that teaches responsibility and lays the groundwork for a lasting family legacy.
“Owning a piece of land and farming, it’s a great way for families to grow together and with their kids,” Karolina said. “I love that we have the space to do that with our children.”
