About us
A Family Legacy Rooted in Growth and Community
Risse Greenhouse has been a cornerstone of the Fairbanks community for over 65 years, providing high-quality plants, soil, and produce while fostering education and connection among gardeners of all ages. Our story is one of family, tradition, and a passion for growing—both plants and relationships.
Risse Greenhouse was started by Lee and Greta Risse as a family homestead in the late 1950’s- they built it into a thriving business, selling wholesale, retail and to anyone “who was willing to drive out to the farm.”
After they passed on, their son, Glen, and his wife Crystal took over the family business.
We’ve been actively pursuing the dream since 2013- we took the business from wholesale to retail, added a Garden Center and keep striving to make it the best it can be.
Our goals are simple:
To provide the best quality plants and soil, at a fair price, to teach children and families how to grow their own food, and through teaching and mentoring-to support feeding and caring for our community.
Glen and Crystal, along with their crew at Risse Greenhouse, now operate 18 commercial-sized greenhouses with 40,000 square feet of indoor growing space that supports over 600 varieties of plants and a full-service retail garden center; they even maintain production of “Triple R Brand” potting soil as Lee and Greta originally intended. They also sell produce from the garden at the Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market. It is their dream to someday pass on the business to the grandchildren.
We appreciate your support and hope to see you soon!
“It has been a long, happy journey to this outcome; the culmination of many years of hard work, education, and the realization of hopes and dreams,” reflect both Risses. “It is our hope to continue the traditions set by Lee and Greta, of offering the best quality, at a fair price. We are committed to educating, teaching and learning. Families are our focus, children are our passion.”
