What are the northernmost areas in which productive farming can occur?

Question

What is the northernmost area in which productive farming can occur. I know Ranching can occur as far north as the animals being ranched can live, but I am talking growing food - as in food that can be sold into the world market.

I ask this because I saw a picture that claimed to be Alaska that had large farm equipment ploughing a field. I didn't know there was any farms in Alaska.

Answer 1

One can go fairly far north as long as the ocean influence is available to mitigate the cold short season. Take a look at plant zone maps. In North America, not much north of the Hudson Bay, which is zone 1. Got a green house?

Answer 2

Iceland is as far north as central Alaska; it just touches the Arctic Circle.  It produces some of the best lamb, mutton and venison in the world.  I've been told this is because the animals eat lichen.  It also produces cold weather crops like cabbages, potatoes, swedes and turnips.  At one time it was self-sufficient in food, but this included fish and seaweed.

Answer 3

http://www.statcan.ca/english/kits/agric...

It is a little bit old. Note that the transportation costs of imported produce is what makes it workable. Transportation costs are extreme in the NWT, Nunavit.

Cabbages grow huge up north.