The Division of Agriculture

State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources

The Divisions mission/and or priority is to promote and encourage the development of an agriculture industry in the state.

Components of the Division of Agriculture

Agriculture Development Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund (ARLF) Plant Materials Center (PMC)

Agriculture Development

1. Marketing 2. Inspection Services 3. Land Management

Agriculture Development

Marketing
Market Development Alaska Grown Program Farm to School Program Industry Support Education & Outreach Conference Hosting Farmers Market Directory Grants
Specialty Crop Block Grants Federal-State Marketing improvement program

Agriculture Development

Alaska Grown Program

Launched in 1985, designed to highlight Alaska Grown farm products in the marketplace. 400 farms are signed up and participate in the program. One of the most recognized brands in the state of Alaska Statewide advertising efforts remind customers to Look for, Ask for, and Buy Alaska Grown.

Agriculture Development

Farm to School Program

Priorities:
Enhance communication, awareness & knowledge transfer between Alaska Grown producers & Alaskan schools. Identify and disseminate curriculums that will lead students to greater awareness of Alaska agriculture. Work with appropriate officials to develop guidelines and standards for proper and safe food production in school gardens. Promote, encourage and coordinate farm visits for students.

Agriculture Development

Industry Support

Conference Facilitation Community outreach Alaska Grown Source Book Division Newsletter Staff participation at conferences/events

Agriculture Development

Education & Outreach

The Division partners with educators, agencies, and the private sector, to promote knowledge transfer within the industry. Support youth agriculture education programs:
Agriculture in the Classroom FFA 4-H Teacher Education Youth education events

Agriculture Development

Inspection Services
1. USDA Grade Inspection and Certification 2. Food Safety Audits:
1. Good Handling Practices (GHP) 2. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

3. Export Certification Plant Health Inspections 4. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) 5. Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS)

Agriculture Development

Land Management
Land Sales
202 Acres of state Ag land sold in FY 2011

Grazing Leases
8 grazing leases, covering 100,477 acres

Agriculture Leases
6 Ag leases covering 800 acres

Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund (ARLF)

Statutorily established in AS 03.10.010
Promote the more rapid development of agriculture as an industry throughout the State by means of long-term, low-interest loans. 58 years of continuous operation

Types of Available Loans

Short Term for annual operating expenses (fertilizer, etc.) Chattel for purchase of equipment or livestock Farm Development purchase of real property for agricultural use Irrigation system purchase and installation Product Processing to build and equip facilities for the processing of Alaskan agricultural products Clearing for agriculture land clearing

Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund

Board of Agriculture and Conservation (BAC)

Statutorily established in AS 03.09.010
Function:
Oversight of the Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund Authorize disposal of agricultural property acquired by ARLF Approve and administer agricultural loans Recommend land suitable for agriculture classification

Structure:
7 members appointed by the Governor Varying agriculture experience and background Serve staggered 3 year terms

Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund

Comparative Loan Activity - FY 01 - FY10

By Loan Amount
$12,000,000

$10,000,000

Short term Chattel Land Clearing Irrigation Product Processing Farm Development

$8,000,000

$6,000,000

$4,000,000

$2,000,000

$0

FY 01

FY 02

FY 03

FY 04

FY 05

FY 06

FY 07

FY 08

FY 09

FY 10

Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund

Comparative Loan Activity - FY 01 - FY10

By Number of Loans
70

60

50

Short term Chattel Land Clearing Irrigation Product Processing Farm Development

40

30

20

10

0
FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 FY 04 FY 05 FY 06 FY 07 FY 08 FY 09 FY 10

Northern Latitude Plant Materials Center

Mission: To promote the use of Alaskan-produced agricultural crops for revegetation and seed production

Plant Materials Center

Primary activities of the PMC:

Foundation Seed Program Certified Potato Seed Program Certified Seed Laboratory Native Plant Evaluation High Latitude Germplasm Research Invasive Species Management Revegetation Technology / Design Conservation Plant Technology Seed Cleaning and Conditioning Ethnobotany Teaching Garden Rural Village Seed Production Training, Outreach, Publications Web Conference Hosting Facility

Agriculture in Alaska
Alaska Agriculture Statistics reported 680 farms in Alaska in 2009.
Generating over 31.9 million dollars in cash receipts 900,000 acres involved in agriculture production 83.68% pasture 9.78% cropland 6.53% other uses Average age of Alaskan farmer is 56.2 years

Alaskas Primary Crops

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Greenhouse/Nursery Production Hay Specialty Crops Potatoes Livestock Dairy Barley

Alaskas Long Term Plan for Agriculture?

Franci Havemeister, Director Division of Agriculture