When Denise and David Hudson retired from the State of Alaska, they packed up their Carhartts and Muck Boots and moved to the Southside of Virginia to become farmers. Many of their ex-coworkers and friends tell them they didn’t really retire, but just changed from one challenging job to another. The Hudsons often wonder if they had an inborn need to live a simpler life or to try their hand at working with the land and animals. They have read that since most people are only generations removed from an agrarian background, many people have a latent desire to live a farming and rural lifestyle. When retirement came knocking, that is what the Hudsons decided to do.

Denise and David first came to Alaska when they moved from Mississippi to Nome on Christmas in 1983 on a two-year contract with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). When their contract was completed, they began working for the State of Alaska. David was an Alaska State Trooper while Denise worked for the Department of Social Services, the Department of Corrections, and the Court system. Both David and Denise were also in the Alaska Army National Guard, from which David also retired. While working in Alaska, they lived in Nome, Ketchikan, Anchorage, Eagle River, Homer, Sitka, and Fairbanks, and also traveled all over the state with their jobs. They ended up staying for 25 years--even though they started purchasing their farm in Virginia (with plans to eventually retire there) the same year they moved to Alaska.

From the beginning of their employment with the State, the Hudsons contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan. “Our accountant at that time and financial advisor told us that our ability to contribute to this program would be very beneficial to us in the future. Anytime we received a pay raise or promotion in our jobs we took the extra money and put it in Deferred Compensation, so we really always lived on the same salaries and really never noticed that we were contributing more to our retirement. Our retirement and associated benefits have allowed us to change careers upon retirement and start over as farmers. Farming is hard and challenging work and requires some form of financial resources as well as health care. Our State of Alaska benefits have helped immensely,” Denise explained.

When the Hudsons began developing Hudson Heritage Farms, they were interested in helping to ensure the future of agriculture through promoting endangered breeds of livestock. Their interests are in raising heritage breeds of animals and sharing their farming experiences through agritourism and agri-education. Some of the animals raised on Hudson Heritage Farms are Highland Cattle, Horned Dorset Sheep, Large Black Swine, Boer Goats, and various breeds of chickens. They sell all-natural pasture-raised goat, lamb, pork and beef, and periodically have breeding stock available. Their products are available at a local farmers’ market and are also shipped throughout the United States. The farm offers a limited number of vacation farm-stays for folks who would like to spend a day or two experiencing farm life firsthand. They offer classes on cheese making, food preservation, cooking, herbs, animal husbandry, milking, butchery, and other farm related topics. They also recently added a historical property to the farm and refurbished an old building where they offer a unique venue for special occasions and events.

In retirement, the Hudsons wake up each morning eager to get outside and begin the never ending tasks that are part of their daily routine of molding their farm into a healthy, sustainable, and respectful atmosphere. As friends come to visit, they are amazed at how Denise and David have adjusted to the reality of a farmer’s daily workload and responsibilities. At a time in life when many friends are retiring and living their dreams of less work and more play, the Hudsons have chosen more work, physical labor, and a sometimes demanding but ever-changing and interesting lifestyle. They enjoy their new life as farmers and find each day challenging and interesting as they discover what they are capable of.

For those members thinking about retirement, the Hudsons recommend staying busy, following your dreams, and starting another career. “It will keep you healthy and young!” said Denise. “As David and I are currently entering our 60s, now we are starting to realize that we may not always have the physical capacity to run a large farm like we do now with hundreds of heads of animals, so we are starting to explore other careers or things we can do.” David has returned to college to pursue a degree in physical education with an emphasis in coaching and personal training. He hopes to specialize in personal training for older clients/geriatrics. Denise is also considering becoming a yoga instructor once they quit farming full-time.

More information about Hudson Heritage Farms can be found on their website and Facebook page .

If you would like to learn more about how your State of Alaska retirement can allow you to enjoy a comfortable retirement, please contact the Division toll-free at (800) 821-2251 or at (907) 465-4460 in Juneau.

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