Alaska May Crown 138-Pound Cabbage as State Vegetable

Alaska might soon have the most impressive state vegetable in the nation: a giant green cabbage that once tipped the scales at 138 pounds.

State lawmakers are considering House Bill 202, which would designate the giant green cabbage as Alaska's official state vegetable. The proposal honors both the state's rich farming heritage and its remarkable ability to grow supersized produce under the midnight sun.

Republican Minority Leader DeLena Johnson introduced the bill to celebrate Alaska's agricultural evolution. Farming took root in the state in the 1870s, expanded into the Tanana Valley in the 1920s, and gained momentum when 203 farming families arrived in Palmer in 1935.

Today, Alaska's agricultural scene thrives with nearly 1,200 farms producing over $91 million in products annually. Most of these operations remain family-owned, keeping the pioneer spirit alive.

The giant green cabbage has become the crown jewel of Alaska farming. In 2012, Palmer resident Scott Robb set the current Guinness World Record at the Alaska State Fair with a massive 138.25-pound cabbage that made headlines worldwide.

Recent state fair competitions have seen winners in the 80 to 100-plus pound range. While impressive, none have dethroned Robb's 2012 champion.

The Ripple Effect

The Alaska State Fair Board of Directors officially threw its support behind the cabbage proposal last year. Since its start in 1936, the fair has served as the beating heart of Alaska's farming community, bringing together growers and residents from across the state's diverse regions.

The giant cabbage has become more than just a competition novelty. It represents what Alaska farmers can achieve despite short growing seasons and challenging conditions, inspiring new generations to push agricultural boundaries.

The bill also suggests naming the giant pumpkin as the official state fruit. Anchorage grower Dale Marshall set the Alaska record in 2022 with a staggering 2,147-pound pumpkin that could fill a small truck bed.

The House State Affairs Committee will hear testimony on the legislation on February 5. If approved, Alaska will join other states in celebrating its unique agricultural identity through an official vegetable, though few can match the sheer size and spectacle of a cabbage nearly the weight of an adult person.