May 2024 Outlook
Alaska agriculture is diverse, innovative and growing
By Jodie Anderson
On May 7, 2024, we celebrated Alaska Agriculture Day — a day created to appreciate the many agricultural endeavors that provide food, fiber and energy resources to our communities, bolster our economy, and lead us toward a more food-secure state.
The farms, ranches, growing spaces and community gardens that make up Alaska’s unique agricultural industry are as diverse as they are innovative, combining traditional practices with novel technologies that tackle our unique challenges. Agriculture in Alaska is also growing — the number of farms in our state increased by 18% from 2017 to 2022, according to the USDA Ag Census.
In celebration of this industry, which contributes over $40 million annually to Alaska, I would like to highlight some of the different goodies that fill our Alaska ag cart.
Alaskans raise many different types of animals: goats on the Kenai Peninsula, bison in Delta Junction, yaks in Trapper Creek, chickens in Southcentral, and reindeer on the Bering Sea. Ranchers across the state take on the challenge of raising animals to provide meat, dairy products, eggs, fiber and more to their communities. Farmers producing hay and other forage foods support ranchers by providing local feed, and make up the top crops in the state by acreage — more than 80% of all farmland!
Many other farmers work hard to provide fresh vegetables, cut flowers, grains and fruits to Alaskans, selling their products in restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets and food hubs. With help from outstanding nonprofit organizations like the Alaska Farmers Market Association, Alaska has 64 farmers markets and eight food hubs in 29 different communities, helping connect the growers to their customers. The Alaska Food Policy Council continues to support educational opportunities for new and beginning farmers and advocates for supporting the complex food system here in Alaska.
Some communities have created tribal-led food cultivation programs that provide fresh produce to elders and community members and enhance community well-being and food sovereignty. These movements also engage youth in cultivation and wild food harvest practices, preparing them to be Alaska's future.
Other opportunities for youth in agriculture, like 4-H, FFA, Ag in the Classroom, professional development opportunities and Education Mini-Grants are in abundance. These efforts are supported by the Alaska Farm Bureau, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, ºÚÁϺÚÀúʷ’s Cooperative Extension Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and many other organizations. These youth development programs make a difference in our communities!
Unique challenges require unique solutions, and Alaska growers rise to the occasion. Some farmers have shifted to hydroponics, which allows for year-round access to fresh, locally grown food. This innovation allows Alaskans to eat leafy greens, lettuce and herbs the same day they’re harvested in January.
Alaska’s 33,904 miles of shoreline does not go unnoticed. Alaska is home to 86 mariculture operations producing oysters, mussels, geoduck and kelp, and we are ranked 13 out of 50 for mariculture in the country. Mariculture producers are responding to global challenges by being at the forefront of emerging uses for seaweed, such as protein replacement and bioplastics.
At ºÚÁϺÚÀúʷ’s Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension, we are working hard to improve the lives of Alaskans. By participating in efforts like Alaska’s Food Security Task Force, growing research at ºÚÁϺÚÀúʷ’s Experiment Farms and supporting outreach to producers around the state, we are providing farmers and ranchers with the tools and knowledge they need to support Alaska’s future. Our researchers are working to develop northern crop varieties, test seed drying processes, develop effective storage facilities and evaluate cover crop effectiveness to increase soil health. Collaboration with producers allows us to respond to our communities' needs in a changing world.
As we celebrate Alaska's agriculture, let’s also celebrate the critical partnership that farmers, ranchers, nonprofits and researchers have in building strong Alaska communities. Support local when and where you can as we all benefit when we keep our money within our communities. Happy Alaska Ag Day!
Jodie Anderson is the director of the ºÚÁϺÚÀúÊ· Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension.
You're Invited to a presentation by Dr. James Vinyard candidate for the position of Research Assistant Professor – Livestock Nutrition
Date/Time: May 20, 2024, 6:30pm
Topic: Small ruminant livestock nutrition with reference to Alaska's needs and research
Attend in person:
ºÚÁϺÚÀúÊ· Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Dr. Palmer,
AK 99645, Kerttula Hall, room 208.
Remote attendance: Zoom link
Pollen counts and website
Susan Harry, a certified pollen counter who previously worked with the Tanana Valley Clinic, started sharing pollen counts with Jan Dawe at OneTree Alaska this spring. Those counts were added to the annual countdown to green-up on the OneTree Facebook page and the main Cooperative Extension social media pages, but they had no home outside of social media.
Now they do. For periodic pollen updates, check out /ces/healthy-individuals/pollen-count/index.php. Kudos to Pam Seiser for the pollen graphic.
Permafrost Grown update
The Permafrost Grown team hosted a two-day workshop in April with its farmer-collaborators as part of the project's commitment to the . IANRE faculty Glenna Gannon, along with colleagues Melissa Ward Jones (INE) and Toby Schowerer (IARC) organized the event.
The workshop included presentations on climate and weather outlooks for agriculture in Alaska (invited presentation by RickThoman, ACCAP); understanding permafrost, how it forms and how its response to thaw varies; remote sensing techniques used in the project including the use of drones, historical air photos and satellite imagery; and results from the first summer of the "Great Mulch Study."
The event also included several interactive activities that were developed to allow all participants to learn in real time from one another. These included: an Alaska farmland valuation activity, an evaluation of co-production of knowledge related to researchers and farmers, and a permafrost degradation scenario game. Project activities and results will continue to be posted to the .
Soil health survey participants sought
Participants will receive a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of their soil. The survey will allow the ºÚÁϺÚÀúÊ· soil science research team to learn about Alaska soils. The project is supported by a USDA Hatch multistate grant, which provides the soil testing service for free. For questions or more information, contact Gasch at ckgasch@alaska.edu.
Community gardens grant awarded in Mat-Su
Funds from this grant will be used to expand and improve the community gardens, including the addition of six plots accessible to people with disabilities. Wood frames will be added to the plots. Composting bins and additional gardening tools also will be available. The grant includes honoraria for experts, tuition for master gardener registration, as well as scholarships to 4-H youth participating in the community gardens.
SNAP-Ed updates
Alaska SNAP-Ed is thrilled to announce the newest additions to the team. Katy Thompson is the nutrition educator in Fairbanks (top left). Katy has spent the last decade living in Alaska. She is a former teacher who taught fourth grade at Hermon Hutchens Elementary and Language Arts at Gilson Middle in Valdez. When she isn’t teaching restorative yoga, you can find her outside in nature hiking or skiing. She is excited for the opportunity to learn more and share her knowledge about nutrition with the Fairbanks community. Katy can be reached at kctalvi@alaska.edu.
SNAP-Ed Fairbanks participated in its first community event, introducing the SNAP-Ed program and promoting Every Bite Counts. Dana Davis (bottom and top right) and Reina Hasting (top right ) had a booth at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall for the Tanana Chiefs Conference Tribal Families Resource Fair, where they met more than a hundred participants, community partners and Molly of Denali.
Summer Sessions
In addition to a full slate of community talks and popular children's camps, Summer Sessions has camp offerings for adults, too. Some are available. The Really Free Market is scheduled for May 18.
Upcoming classes and workshops
Easy Perennial Flowers From Seed
May 21, 6-7 p.m. Amber Lanphier from Wildwood Flower Company will discuss when to start and plant
perennial flowers as well as best practices for digging and dividing perennials at
the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. Participants will plant seeds
and leave with a nice tray of perennials. To help cover the cost of the supplies,
there is a fee of $5 per person, which will be collected at the beginning of the class.
**Space is limited, for more information, call (907) 745-3360 or email matsu.ces@alaska.edu
Delta Junction 4-H open house
May 23, 4-6 p.m. Interested in 4-H? Learn about the largest youth development program in the United States, which engages young people in science, healthy lifestyles, citizenship, communications, leadership and many other areas. Informal drop-in Q&A session with a short program at 4:30 about becoming a 4-H leader and getting your kids involved. Delta Junction Cooperative Extension Office, Jarvis Office Center, 1420.5 Alaska Highway. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Marla Lowder, 4-H & Youth Development Agent, mklowder@alaska.edu, 907-474-2427
Tractor Talk with Kirby Hull
May 23, 6-7 p.m Tractor guru Kirby Hull will talk about all things tractor-related. Learn about safe and efficient uses of tractors and riding lawnmowers. He will discuss what tractor is best for what type of job, how to care for your tractor to ensure its longevity and more! Bring any questions for Kirby regarding tractors, their attachments, or anything else you've wondered about tractors. Free. . For more information, call (907) 745-3360 or email matsu.ces@alaska.edu
Palmer Lawn Care
May 30, 6–7 p.m. A beautiful lawn is one of the cheapest ways to increase the curb appeal of your home. This workshop will cover the fundamentals of lawn establishment, grass selection, fertilization, weed control and more. Join Steve Brown in Room 208 of Kerttula Hall at the ºÚÁϺÚÀúÊ· Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center for this free class. .
Post-Fire Forage: Morels and More!
June 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Collect post-fire spring forage for your table with our experts in the field.
Hands-on search and identification instruction for the elusive and delicious fire
morel, with mycologist Gary Laursen. Plus, tips from Alaska DNR Forestry for staying
safe on a recent wildland-fire site. Cost is $30/person. Space is limited. To register,
contact: Linnea John at ljohn@alaska.edu or 907-895-4605.
Tree Grafting 101 and Hazelnut Research
June 5, 6-7 p.m. Join plant expert Josh Smith from Bear Mountain Forest Nursery as he teaches grafting
101. He will demonstrate grafting techniques at the Matanuska Experiment Farm, utilizing
the rootstock of invasive bird cherries to create something less invasive and better
for our environment. As a bonus, he is also the mastermind behind the Future Crops
Initiative and will share an update on his hazelnut research. The class will be held
at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center in Kerttula Hall, Room 208,
and outside.
.
For more information, call (907) 745-3360 or email matsu.ces@alaska.edu
Alaska Lumber Grading training
The goal of the Alaska Lumber Grading Program (ALG) is to provide more opportunities for Alaskans to use locally harvested and milled lumber for homebuilding by training millers to grade their own lumber. Lumber graded by producers certified under ALG may be compliant with building code requirements for structural applications in residential light-frame wood construction. The training includes a classroom portion and hands-on lumber grading activity, covering Standardized criteria such as knots and defects to assign a grade, an explanation of the Alaska grading system and application, and program rules and requirements.
- Palmer: June 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. (This class is full. Let us know if you are interested in training on another date with .)
- Klawock, Prince of Wales Island: July 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Generations Southeast Community Learning Center. .
For more information on the Alaska Lumber Grading Program, contact Matt Labrenz, mtlabrenz@alaska.edu or visit
Save the date
Field day at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm is July 30 and Matanuska Experiment Farm is Aug. 1.
In the News
- The News-Miner published a story on the citizen science behind green-up on May 5:
(Note, if you don't subscribe to the News-Miner, you can read Extension columns on the )
Events
Check out the rolling calendar on the for the most up-to-date schedule of events.
Find out more about AFES and Extension and keep up with Extension news by "liking" us on .