Homer locals Don McNamara and Donna Rae Faulkner of Oceanside Farms have been honored as 2025 recipients of the Alaska Food Policy Council’s Alaska Food Hero Award. McNamara and Faulkner were honored alongside fellow Alaska Food Hero Melissa Chlupach and Outstanding Service Award recipient Lorinda Lhotka at the 2025 Alaska Food Festival and Conference in Kodiak on March 28-29.

According to council’s website, awardees “demonstrate a substantial impact on Alaska’s food system, transform an aspect of their community’s food system, and make a difference in Alaska’s prosperity, health, and self-reliance.”

The award announcement stated that McNamara and Faulkner have spent more than a decade growing food on the Kenai Peninsula.

“Their 10-acre diversified farm produces vegetables, fruit, seed potatoes, and poultry, all while modeling what’s possible for small farms in rural Alaska. As hands-on educators and advocates for soil health and sustainable farming, they’ve supported Alaska Native and rural farmers with workshops, training videos, technical assistance, and even a published guide to Korean Natural Farming adapted for Alaska.”

The council noted McNamara and Faulkner’s “deep commitment to mentoring and sharing practical, affordable tools” continues to shape the future of farming across the state.

Reach reporter Chloe Pleznac at chloe.pleznac@homernews.com.