Agriculture runs deep here.
Matti's Farm grew from generations of family agriculture, animal care, 4-H, working-ranch life and the belief that meaningful responsibility can change a young person's direction.
Family, animals and hands-on work.
The legacy About Us page describes the Martins as a three-generation Alaska family with deep roots in agriculture, animal care and family life. Their daily world included the working ranch, homestead projects and Diamond M Ranch Resort.
The idea for a nonprofit existed before Matti's death. The family believed their agricultural and animal experience could help young people, especially those from disadvantaged and at-risk situations, build pride and self-worth through caring for animals, plants and real responsibilities.
More than farming.
The original vision included animal husbandry, Alaska gardening, sustainable land practices, therapeutic animal work and hands-on education. In the old mission statement, those experiences were explicitly connected to leadership skills, entrepreneurial spirit, confidence and hope for the future.
Matti made the vision urgent.
After Matti died in 2009, the family connected that existing vision to his name and the way working-ranch life had helped channel his enormous energy into useful work, competition, care for animals and contribution to the family.