About Yak Chat
Yak Chat is a creation of Cassandra Rankin, built for "The Unessay" project for Anthropology 101 at University of Alaska Fairbanks (Dr. Kara Hoover) in November, 2020. The idea stemmed from an April, 2020 virtual tour of Sunny Hill Ranch that Cassandra facilitated for the local 4-H youth she serves on the Kenai Peninsula. The tour was part of her Livestock Learning Hour series, a month's worth of weekly Zoom classes she hosted for 4-H youth in Alaska to help them further their knowledge of agriculture in our state and to provide them with online educational opportunities during the Covid-19 shutdown in spring, 2020.
Steve and Anita Hill, longtime friends of Cassandra, graciously agreed to host the session, and poured out their wealth of knowledge and expertise for all who attended. When, seven months later, The Unessay project was assigned in her Anthropology class, Cassandra developed this website to further explore the uses, history, and care for these beautiful bovine who play such a large role in northern climates. She edited and condensed the initial video footage to include excerpts which provide much of the substance and information for the Yak Chat project.
A debt of gratitude is owed to Steve and Anita and their wonderful family at Sunny Hill Ranch, for the treasure trove of information you have shared with us, and for all you do on your farm to preserve and further agriculture and yak ranching in Alaska.
Steve and Anita Hill, longtime friends of Cassandra, graciously agreed to host the session, and poured out their wealth of knowledge and expertise for all who attended. When, seven months later, The Unessay project was assigned in her Anthropology class, Cassandra developed this website to further explore the uses, history, and care for these beautiful bovine who play such a large role in northern climates. She edited and condensed the initial video footage to include excerpts which provide much of the substance and information for the Yak Chat project.
A debt of gratitude is owed to Steve and Anita and their wonderful family at Sunny Hill Ranch, for the treasure trove of information you have shared with us, and for all you do on your farm to preserve and further agriculture and yak ranching in Alaska.
Cassandra Rankin and Anita Hill, Sunny Hill Ranch, 2017
Yak Chat published by Cassandra Rankin, November 2020.
Works Cited:
Unless noted, all photos and video footage curtesty of Sunny Hill Ranch.
Wiener, Gerald, et al. The Yak. Second ed., FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 2006.
“What Is a Yak: Fun Yak Facts: National Geographic Expeditions.” What Is a Yak: Fun Yak Facts | National Geographic Expeditions, National Geographic, 26 Mar. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/get-inspired/inside-look/what-is-a-yak-fun-yak-facts/.
Amsel, Sheri. "Yak" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2020. November 29, 2020, http://www.exploringnature.org/db/view/Yak (drawing on classification chart)
Oliphant, Matthew. “Bos Grunniens (Yak).” Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bos_grunniens/. (classification info for chart and various facts)
Works Cited:
Unless noted, all photos and video footage curtesty of Sunny Hill Ranch.
Wiener, Gerald, et al. The Yak. Second ed., FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 2006.
“What Is a Yak: Fun Yak Facts: National Geographic Expeditions.” What Is a Yak: Fun Yak Facts | National Geographic Expeditions, National Geographic, 26 Mar. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/get-inspired/inside-look/what-is-a-yak-fun-yak-facts/.
Amsel, Sheri. "Yak" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2020. November 29, 2020, http://www.exploringnature.org/db/view/Yak (drawing on classification chart)
Oliphant, Matthew. “Bos Grunniens (Yak).” Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bos_grunniens/. (classification info for chart and various facts)