Alaska Food Policy Council

Resolution on "State Food Resource Development Working Group" Introduced in AK Legislature

2012-02-21T10:53:00.003-08:00

HCR24 “Relating to the establishment and operation of a state food resource development working group” was introduced on 2/17/12 by Rep. Bill Stoltze. The Alaska Food Policy Council is an important piece of this resolution.

You can read the full resolution and follow its progress at http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HCR%2024&session=27.

Applications for the 2012 Alaska Farmers' Market-Quest Card Program Now Available

2012-02-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

The State of Alaska Division of Agriculture, Division of Public Health, and Division of Public Assistance are pleased to announce that the Alaska Farmers’ Market-Quest Card Program (FM-Quest) will be offering grants to six farmers’ markets during the 2012 market season (May – October) to enable them to accept Quest (Food Stamps) electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards.

The FM-Quest Program 2012 Market Season Grants will provide technical assistance to implement the program and up to $7200 per market for:
· one wireless EBT machine that accepts Quest and debit cards;
· transaction and service fees for six months;
· salary and payroll services for a dedicated staff person for six months; and
· miscellaneous program items, such as signage and start-up items;

If your market is interested in participating in this program, please contact Diane Peck at 907-269-8447 or email at diane.peck@alaska.gov for an application. Completed applications are due February 29, 2012.

For an application for USDA FNS authorization to accept SNAP benefits, visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt/fm.htm or call 1-877-823-4369. If you have any questions or need assistance applying for the USDA FNS authorization to accept SNAP, contact Cheryl Kagee at cheryl.kagee@alaska.gov or at 907-465-3354.

Alaska Food Policy Council Strategic Plan

2012-02-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

The AFPC released its three-year strategic plan (PDF) on Jan. 12, 2012. The AFPC will be working on action planning on our top five priority strategies in a face-to-face meeting in the spring. (Parties interested in working on a committee to help with one or more of these should please contact Diane Peck.)

Develop, strengthen and expand the school-based programs and policies that educate about and provide healthy, local foods to schools (e.g., Farm to School Program, Agriculture in the Classroom, traditional foods in schools, school gardens).
Strengthen enforcement language in the Local Agricultural and Fisheries Products Preference Statute (AS 36.15.050), also known as the “Seven Percent” statute and Procurement Preference for State Agricultural and Fisheries Products (Sec. 29.71.040).
Advocate and participate in the development of community level and comprehensive statewide emergency food preparedness plan(s).
Develop AFPC’s role as research aggregator and resource.
Identify and support existing local food system leaders, projects, events, and activities that support Alaska’s food system.

A few highlights from the strategic plan:

overall mission of the Council: The AFPC improves our food systems for the benefit of all Alaskans.

AFPC vision: Healthy, secure food systems that feed all Alaskans.

AFPC core values:

Alaska grown, harvested, caught, and made
health
community
self-reliance
interdependence
justice
stability and security
sustainability
safety
prosperity

Emergency food supplies

2011-12-16T10:52:00.000-08:00

An article in Alaska Business Monthly describes Governor Parnell's plan to budget $4.9 million in emergency food supplies around the state:

Governor Parnell's Budget Prioritizes Emergency Preparedness

December 9, 2011, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell today announced that his Fiscal Year 2013 budget will prioritize disaster and emergency preparedness. The governor’s budget proposal will include $4.9 million for emergency food supplies to be distributed and securely stored in several locations throughout the state. This appropriation, in conjunction with funding provided in last year’s capital budget for emergency power and water purification, will help communities prepare and provide critical emergency services.

“We are working to ensure that every community is prepared to respond in the case of an emergency or natural disaster with power generation, safe drinking water and food supplies,” Governor Parnell said. “Individual responsibility plays a key role when disaster strikes. Families should always have enough food and water on hand for seven days. We have seen the benefits of preparedness in the excellent response to the fall storms in Western Alaska, and the protection of life and property in those communities."

The budget will also include $3 million for a helicopter for the Alaska State Troopers so they can access remote areas.

Food Recovery Pilot Project

2011-12-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

The Department of Health and Social Services, Finance and Management Services, is soliciting Letters of Interest from eligible applicants for the Food Recovery Pilot Project.

The Food Recovery Pilot Project will coordinate efforts to collect prepared and/or perishable food from local businesses, such as restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, delicatessens, etc., with redistribution to organizations which provide food free of charge to Alaskans in need. Recovery efforts under this grant will require close collaboration among all community businesses that are food-based and those which distribute the food to needy Alaskans.

The target population is needy Alaskans. The service area is statewide with the exception of the Municipality of Anchorage, and the Fairbanks North Star and Matansuka-Susitna boroughs as those populations are served by Human Services Community Matching Grants.

To be eligible for consideration, Letters of Interest and the requested supporting documents must be received on or before 4:00 pm prevailing local time on Monday, December 19, 2011. The period of award for the program is the remainder of FY12, January 2012 through June 30, 2012.

For more information: http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/89cabfec7dea83228925794b0066781b?OpenDocument

Contact Information:
Amy O’Mara, Grants Administrator
DHSS Grants and Contracts Support Team
PO Box 110650
Juneau, AK 99811-0650
Phone: (907) 465-4709
Fax: (907) 465-8678
E-mail: amy.omara@alaska.gov

Taste of Alaska results

2011-12-06T11:05:00.001-08:00

From Margaret Adsit, director of the Alaska Farmland Trust:

Dear Alaska Food Policy Council,

During the 2011 Alaska State Fair, the Alaska Farmland Trust conducted the Taste of Alaska Challenge. This second annual taste test pitted “grown here” against “flown here” fruits and vegetables. Many of the adults and kids who tried celery, radishes, carrots, strawberries, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes and milk tasted their first Alaska Grown produce at the Alaska Farmland Trust booth. You can see the results of this taste test in the attached document. We had over 1700 participants and got some really great responses.

The Alaska Farmland Trust would like to continue to this Taste of Alaska event at the Alaska State Fair 2012, but we would like to 1) bring in new partners to help make the Taste of Alaska more successful and 2) expand the information that folks get when stopping at the booth i.e. more information on local markets, restaurants that sell local food, nutrition information etc.

If you or your organization are interested in becoming a partner with the Alaska Farmland Trust to make the Taste of Alaska amazing for 2012, or to volunteer, please contact Margaret Adsit at:

Margaret Adsit
Executive Director
Alaska Farmland Trust
248 E. Dahlia Ave
Palmer AK, 99645
907-745-3336
www.akfarmland.com

"Preserving Alaska's Farmland for Future Generations"

Taste of Alaska white paper 2011 (pdf)

Request for Proposals for Native Agriculture & Food Systems Initiative Grants

2011-12-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is now accepting proposals for the Native American food security grant project under its Native Agriculture & Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI). Through the generous support of Walmart, First Nations plans to make ten grant awards averaging $30,000 under NAFSI. The goal of NAFSI is to assist rural and reservation-based Native communities in developing or expanding locally-controlled and locally-based food systems that provide healthy foods to community members. A second goal is to support local food producers and local tribal economies. Native American-controlled, nonprofit 501(c)(3), tribal organizations designated as §7871 under the Internal Revenue Code, or community-based groups such as community garden projects, food banks and/or food pantries that serve Native communities are eligible to apply.

Proposals will be accepted online and must be submitted by no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Time on December 16, 2011. First Nations Development Institute will host two conference calls for interested applicants. These conference calls will allow potential applicants to ask questions about the request for proposal and the overall grant submission process. The first call will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at 11 a.m. Mountain time. The second call will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 2 p.m. Mountain time. See the information below and visit our website for more information (www.firstnations.org).For additional information about this program, please contact Jackie Francke at (303) 774-7836, ext. 17 or at jfrancke@firstnations.org. Application available at http://www.firstnations.org/node/172.

Three-year action plan for AFPC wanted!

2011-11-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

The Alaska Department of Health & Social Services (DHSS), Division of Public Health, Obesity Prevention and Control Program (OPCP), is soliciting for a contractor to provide technical assistance and facilitation for the development of a 3-year action plan for the Alaska Food Policy Council.

Issue Date: November 22, 2011

Deadline for receipt of proposals: December 5, 2011 @ 1:30 pm, Alaska Prevailing Time. Faxed or oral proposals are not acceptable. An offeror’s failure to submit a proposal prior to the deadline will cause the proposal to be disqualified. Late proposals or amendments will not be opened or accepted for evaluation.

For more information, please go to the website at: http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/pn/0/c8102ec8733e880189257950006d0a1f?OpenDocument&seq=3

Or contact:
Janice Neal
Grants Administrator
Department of Health and Social Services
Grants and Contracts Support Team
Ph: (907) 465-5842
Fax: (907) 465-6421
E-mail: janice.neal@alaska.gov

Sustainable Livestock Production Conference

2011-10-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

Approximately 90 people have been attending the Sustainable Livestock Production Conference in Anchorage since Thursday, working on the solutions to the following questions:

PRODUCTION

1. What elements, resources, and/or strategies are needed to develop a sustainable red meat system capable of feeding more Alaskans?

2. What kind of information and strategies would help livestock growers plan for and remain adaptable to social, eoconomic, and/or ecological change?

3. What should we be doing to help recruit new farmers?

PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION

1. What kinds of processing infrastructures can cope most effectively in Alaska, considering the huge distances between farms and markets and ht rising costs of fuel? (a) on the road system (b) seacoast or river communities (c) in isolated communities.

2. Given the highly seasonal nature of farming in Alaska, how can we avoid swamping limited processing resources while minimizing risks to the farmers?

MARKETING, RETAIL, & THE CONSUMER

1. What kinds of organizatiosn or programs are best suited to help connect the farm to the consumer, institution, and/or the restaurant?

2. What are some marketing strategies to increase the consumption of locally produced meat and decrease our dependence on imported meat?

3. What are some advantages of locally produced meat that can be used for marketing?

A white paper will be prepared by the conference organizers afterward, which will incorporate the numerous excellent ideas generated by the participants and the speakers' presentations. On-the-spot blogging about the conference is being done by the staff of the UAF SNRAS Publications Office.

News & events

2011-09-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

The Farm to School program now has a listserve. Sign up at http://list.state.ak.us/soalists/akfarmtoschool/jl.htm

The Advanced Alaska Growers School is accepting registration from master gardeners and others with at least two years of gardening or farming experience. The free course, which is sponsored by the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, begins Sept. 21. It will be offered through four distance-delivery methods, including self-paced options.
The Sustainable Livestock Production in Alaska conference is coming up in Anchorage on October 13-14.
The 6^th Annual School Health and Wellness Institute is being hosted in Anchorage on October 24-26.
UAF is hosting Food Day on October 24^th, 2011. Events will take place at the Wood Center from 11am to 3pm at UAF campus. Contact Nancy Tarnai for more information or check out the Facebook event page. Groups such as the Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H, the seed library program at the Ester library, UAF Anthropology Club, the School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences, Farm to School, HomeGrown Market, and others will be hosting tables, events, and demonstrations.
Grant opportunity for culinary professionals, seeking to implement projects teaching children in a public school about food, nutrition and cooking. Funding from The Culinary Trust, applications due by December 30, 2011. More information can be found at: http://www.theculinarytrust.org/#!chefs-move-to-school

Sustainable farming classes

2011-08-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

Coursework in sustainable farming and related topics is increasing in availability, although getting into the classes may be difficult as they fill up rapidly.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is again offering a course in sustainable agriculture, as well as a class on sustainable livelihoods. From the course descriptions:

Comparative Farming and Sustainable Food Systems: This exciting course explores the principles of food systems geography and food security, with cross-cultural examinations of dietary traditions, poverty, hunger, equity, and food access and distribution. What can be done about “real world” food, farming, and agricultural problems? Where is the contemporary agroecological system strong or weak with respect to restoration and renewability? How can we be better educated and more innovative in dealing with food production, distribution, access, and the promotion of ecosystem health? We will compare agricultural systems in the context of social, ecological, and economic sustainability. Alaska and other high-latitude food systems will be considered, including country food, wild game harvest, and rural to urban nutrition transition.

Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Well-Being: Review the basic principles that govern the sustainability of systems and look at the cultural practices and individual behaviors that enhance or degrade sustainable livelihoods and community well-being. Emphasis is on the historical context of ideas about sustainability, on understanding the nature and magnitude of the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of contemporary change, and the "best practices" currently in place for communities to respond effectively to change.

The popular Alaska Growers School, offered by the Cooperative Extension Service this fall, is already full, but will be offered again next year. From the description:

The Alaskan Growers School is a unique opportunity intended for Alaska Natives living in remote villages to gain the knowledge and skills to grow and raise food to complement a traditional, subsistence lifestyle. Although the program is open to anyone in Alaska, students from the Tanana Chiefs Conference region will be given priority for enrolling in the course as they are a partner on the grant.

After students complete the course, they will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to grow enough food for themselves and 10 other families!

Students will also gain a variety of other skills including raising bees, livestock, chickens, starting a business, marketing wild teas and other forest products, and much more!

2011-08-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

(cross posted from SNRAS Science & News blog)

A new line of potato developed at the Matanuska Experiment Farm in Palmer stands to boost the state’s agriculture industry with its consumer plate appeal.

“It has high potential,” said Carol Lewis, UAF School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences dean and the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station director. “It will benefit the public, the university and the agriculture industry.”

For now, the potato is simply called 29-6.

Researcher Jeff Smeenk has been working on 29-6 for several years. The yellow-fleshed potato’s appeal is that it has flashy red and white skin that will entice restaurant chefs seeking to add excitement to the dinner plate.

“It was selected for the Alaska sales market,” Smeenk said.

Smeenk worked in cooperation with Chuck Brown of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Bill Campbell of the Alaska Division of Agriculture’s Plant Materials Center to collect several years of data. Each year, the USDA ARS geneticist sends UAF between 1,500 to 2,500 marble-sized tubers, which are planted in a greenhouse to get a jump-start on the season. The transplants are placed in the field in early June and grown for the season. In the fall, all the plants are dug up and individually examined. The tubers of the top 100 plants are collected for planting the next year. In the following season, only the top 20 lines of the previous 100 are kept. In the third season the 20 lines are narrowed down to the best two or three. At this point some of the tubers are cooked and evaluated for flavor. If they taste good, the lines are put into replicated trials for further evaluation.

“We are four years into the program before the taste panel determined if it was worth it,” Smeenk said. “If it doesn’t have good taste it’s not worth keeping.”

However, taste is secondary in the national commercial market, Smeenk said. “The consumer buys with their eyes so it’s all about appearance with the consumer and marketable yield with the farmer.”

While there are many commercial varieties already available, researchers are developing future varieties with a focus on unique colors of flesh and skin along with great flavor.

“The yields are not as high as some of the commercial varieties but we anticipate that the growers will be able to sell the tubers as a premium product,” Smeenk said.

This summer, for the first time, a private farmer planted the potato. Talkeetna farmer and UAF agriculture student Greg Kalal grew enough potatoes to sell at a local farmers’ market. This will provide Smeenk with much-needed market research.

“I hope it has market acceptance and that our growers can become fabulously wealthy growing this niche crop,” Smeenk said. “And it would be nice if a chef turned it into a signature dish.”

The chefs who have tested the potato have been very pleased, Smeenk said. “Their off-the-cuff response was they would love to have hundreds of pounds of these.”

The hardest part of going through the thousands of potatoes grown at the farm each year and choosing which ones have the best potential is wondering about the potential of the ones that are left in the field, Smeenk said. “So many of them look delicious.”

Alaska leads the country in growth of farmers' markets

2011-08-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

The USDA 2011 National Farmers’ Market Directory was released August 5, 2011. “The directory reveals that several states have experienced rapid growth in farmers markets since 2010, reflecting a growing interest outside of the Far West and Northeast states, where the popularity of farmers markets is more well-established. Alaska and Texas ranked at the top for most growth in farmers markets at 46 and 38 percent, respectively.” http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2011/08/0338.xml

Strategic planning meeting for the Alaska Food Policy Council

2011-08-03T11:43:00.001-07:00

The Alaska Food Policy Council met in Anchorage on August 1 and 2 for a full two days of strategic planning. The full plan will be refined and edited by the end of September, and completed by December. A good 30 or so people attended the strategic planning meeting, clarifying goals for the next three years and strategies to meet those goals. More information will be available soon.

Alaskan Growers School looking for volunteers

2011-08-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

We will be bringing 12 students from all over Alaska to Fairbanks to participate in the Alaskan Growers School. We are looking for volunteers to present at the class at the following dates and times:

Monday August 15th at 10:15 am to 11:45 am.

Lesson 2: Welcome to the Kingdom of Plants.
Overview of plant parts, Plant life cycles, Physiological processes of plants, Factors that affect plant growth, Plant Identification

Wednesday August 17th at 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Lesson 8: Season Extension Techniques and Greenhouses in Alaska. Types of Season Extenders, Types of Greenhouses Structures, Utilities to consider, Greenhouses Management, Economics

We may need a stand by alternate speaker for the following lesson. It is a short lesson, and if you are interested we should be able to let you know by August 8th.

Tuesday August 16 at 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Lesson 07: Growing Fruits and Berries in Alaska.
What a fruit is, Considerations for fruit growers, Apples and their relatives, Siberian kiwi, Strawberries, Raspberries and Native berries.

The PowerPoint presentations have already been created that you can use. Presentations are 2 hours and hands-on activities are encouraged.

To learn more about the Alaskan Growers School, go to: www.uaf.edu/ces/ags

Please contact Donavan Kienenberger, Alaskan Growers School Instructor for questions or if you would like to volunteer:
1-800-478-6822 ext. 3447
1-907-452-8251 ext. 3447
Growers.School@alaska.edu

People's Garden Grant Program

2011-07-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

NIFA announces the availability of grant funds and requests applications for the People's Garden Grant Program (PGGP) for fiscal year (FY) 2011 to facilitate the creation of produce, recreation, and/or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas, which will provide opportunities for science-based informal education. This program is a joint initiative supported by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Food and Nutritional Service, Forest Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, in addition to NIFA. Successful applicants will provide micro-subgrant support to smaller local projects. This notice identifies the objectives for PGGP projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a PGGP grant. NIFA additionally requests stakeholder input from any interested party for use in the development of the next RFA for this program. In addition, in order to answer questions that you may have concerning this RFA and the pending project, NIFA will host a teleconference on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). For those unable to participate in the call, NIFA will post a summary of the questions and the information provided to our website, http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/peoples_garden/peoples_garden.html. To participate in the teleconference, please call toll-free (888) 858-2144; the access code is 1059897.

Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; individuals; and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.

Fairbanks-area food production

2011-07-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Charles Caster's senior thesis, Assessing Food Security in Fairbanks, Alaska, was recently published by the UAF School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences. Throughout the summer and fall of 2010 Caster surveyed and interviewed farmers in the Tanana Valley to determine their vegetable and fruit production. From the abstract:

Since the arrival of non-Native peoples to Alaska, the state has heavily relied on importing most food. Food security concerns have been raised related to supply disruptions, cost, and health. This thesis was designed as a pilot study and intended to provide information on local vegetable and fruit production in the Tanana Valley through a survey of commercial vegetable and fruit producers.

The survey provided insight into characteristics of producers, production, and marketing practices. Increasing crop production in the Tanana Valley is possible, but measuring current production may require a more complex measuring system that is more consistent with producer practices. Alaska faces many challenges if it is to transition from an un-integrated food system to a more comprehensive food system that generates value to local communities.

The survey reflects responses from 20 of 52 identified farms in the area and asks questions about crops grown, marketing season, labor, acres in production, fertilizers used, pests, sales and revenue, etc. The complete survey and thesis are on line as a PDF.

Sustainable Livestock Production conference in October

2011-07-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

The terms food sustainability and food security seem to crop up everywhere today, and are particularly relevant in a state like Alaska where most of what we eat is imported. Today, agricultural production is possible, productive, and active in many parts of the state, especially with respect to smaller-scale production in the Interior, the Matanuska Susitna Valleys, and in Southeast Alaska.

This workshop and conference will bring together Alaska professionals in livestock production, marketing, and policy to:

Identify best practices that work—from the production of healthy meat to the health of the ecosystem;
identify barriers to sustainable red meat production—from farm to market issues and consumer attitudes, preference, and choice;
and identify how the University of Alaska can work in collaborative ways to support the development of sustainable agriculture through research, education, and extension.

Alaska is uniquely positioned to design and develop an agricultural and food production system that is unencumbered by outdated practices and old attitudes. Developing sustainable food systems is the first step toward food security, and demonstrates our strong commitment to sustainable food systems for all Alaskans.

This workshop and conference will be held in Anchorage on October 13 & 14, 2011.

For more information, please see the livestock conference's website or contact Jan Rowell or other members of the organizing committee.

Community Food Security Coalition Annual Conference

2011-07-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Join us for CFSC's 15th Annual Conference
Food Justice: Honoring our Roots, Growing the Movement
November 4 - 8, 2011 in Oakland, California
http://www.communityfoodconference.org/

Scholarships and Volunteer Positions

A small number of scholarships and volunteer positions are available to cover the costs of full registration for conference participants.

Priority for scholarships will be given to people of color, people working in communities of color or low-income communities, youth, limited resource farmers/producers, food chain workers and new community leaders. Representation from all regions of the country will also be taken into consideration.

There are also a small number of volunteer positions available. In exchange for 12 hours of work during the conference, volunteers will be able to attend the conference for free. People who reside in the Bay Area will be given priority for volunteer positions.

Apply online: http://bit.ly/CFSC15scholarship
Application deadline: August 26

Permaculture Design Workshop in Ester

2011-06-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

announcement and class offering from Devta Khalsa:

Permaculture Design Workshop: Presented for the first time in the Interior.

Be part of the change!

As some of you know I spent last winter in Arizona attending graduate school. One thing I began learning about outside of school is permaculture. I visited homes in the desert which were surrounded by a totally edible yard that was like a tropical jungle while their neighbors’ yards were dry rock and cacti. By using permaculture principles and methods they had lowered the temperature of their yard by at least 10 degrees, created their own water table in the ground beneath them, no longer needed to air condition their house, raised the oxygen level in their yard from 7 parts per million to 13 parts per million, and they were raising their own fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat. All of this was being accomplished in typical city lots. Using these design principles together for both the building and the landscape many of the expensive and over consumption challenges of today were solved or at least greatly minimized. I was inspired to bring this knowledge back to my community and have arranged this workshop on permaculture design. After taking this course you can spend the winter dreaming and designing how you will begin to transform your environment.

Permaculture Design Workshop

July 27th 2011 – August 7th 2011
Location: Ester, Alaska

To register contact:
Devta Khalsa
phone: 503-367-6707
or e-mail: devta@eaglefeatherhealing.com

Upon completion of this course you will have earned a Certificate in Permaculture Design which enables you to use Permaculture in your profession. In many cases it can be used to satisfy continuing education requirements.

Our lead permaculture design specialist is Windsong, a Lakota medicine woman from the southwest United States. She is also a homeopathic doctor and a midwife. She will be available to give healing sessions while in town.

Cost will depend on the number of participants (between $650-$850). We need to cover expenses but nobody is expecting to collect a profit. I realize it is a little short notice for our busy Alaskan summer but I only recently arrived back from Arizona. I would like to know if you are interested in the topic, excited and would like to attend this year, or would like to attend but need a year to plan for it. Please get back to me ASAP so I can confirm the necessary arrangements.

Permaculture includes a broad spectrum of topics as it explores practices and provides a working model with guidelines which will help us evolve into our future solutions for sustainable living.

Permaculture is a design philosophy and tool used to create sustainable homes, villages and communities. This intensive 72-hour (11 days) course covers an all-inclusive spectrum of design processes including: healthy soil building, water harvesting, alternative energy production, urban ecology and village design, agro-forestry, urban animal husbandry, alternative economic systems, food production by gardening, hydro-gardening, forest gardens, and more.

“…the foundation for understanding and using natural principles to design abundant, sustainable systems that provide for basic human needs of healthy food, housing, energy, and meaningful work and relationships while also contributing to the regeneration of the earth."

You can learn more about permaculture at the Permaculture Research Institute website, www.permacultureusa.org.

Anchorage Permaculture Guild eating local for a full year

2011-06-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of stories on the Eat Local Challenge. First, from KTVA, "Anchorage Residents Say Yes to Locally Grown."

KTUU also has a story on it.

Family Farming Programs Funded

2011-06-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

The mission of Farm Aid is to keep family farmers throughout the United States on their land. Farm Aid supports organizations that work to maintain a family farm system of agriculture and that promote solutions to the challenges facing rural communities. Grants are provided in the following categories:

Growing the Good Food Movement supports projects that increase the interest in family farm-identified, local, organic, or humanely-raised food.These grants build connections between farmers and consumers, creating new markets for family farmers.
Helping Farmers Thrive focuses on projects that assist farmers transition to more sustainable farming practices, find alternative markets, or start a new farming operation, as well as services to farm families in crisis.
Taking Action to Change the System grants enable advocates to strengthen the voices of family farmers and promote their interests on a local, regional, and national level. These grants fund organizations or projects that promote fair farm policies and grassroots organizing campaigns to defend and bolster family farm-centered agriculture.

Applications for all grant categories must be postmarked by August 1, 2011. Funding guidelines and forms are available on the Farm Aid website.

Farm Foundation small grants

2011-05-31T12:29:00.000-07:00

Small Grants Program announced for FY2012

OAK BROOK, IL May 25, 2011: Farm Foudation, NFP, will award a total of $25,000 in small grants in its 2012 fiscal year.

"Small grants are one means the Foundation uses to stimulate new ideas and build networks of resources," said Farm Foundation, NFP President Neil Conklin. "While not extremely large, these grants can be very significant as a catalyst to get a new program or a new idea off the ground."

Applications for the Foundation's FY2012 grants are due July 1, 2011. Responses will be issued Aug. 15, 2011. The maximum amount to be awarded per grant is $5,000. Any projects funded must be non-advocacy in nature, and provide balanced, objective information. The Foundation's fiscal year is May 1 through April 30.

Farm Foundation, NFP, a 501(c)(3), works as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objective information to foster a deeper understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems and rural regions. Farm Foundation, NFP does not lobby or advocate on any political, policy, or other issue. Farm Foundation, NFP has a 78-year commitment to objectivity, fostering the constructive debate that is essential to sound public policy development.

The Foundation's primary product is comprehensive, objective information on economic and public policy issues. Through conferences, workshops and Foundation Forums, we bring stakeholders together to discuss evolving issues impacting agriculture, the food system and rural regions. Discussions may include options to address those issues and the potential consequences of those options. The Foundation's work focuses in six major areas:

Agriculture in the Environment
Energy and Agriculture
Food, Agricultural and Trade Policy
Agricultural and Food System Productivity, Research and Technology
Food Quality, Safety and Consumer Perceptions
Viability of Rural Regions

Proposed grants should address one of the Foundation's six program areas. Through such funding, Farm Foundation, NFP seeks to support activities that are national or broadly regional in scope. Such grants should develop, disseminate and/or publicly present educational materials or scientific research findings which contribute to informed discussions and foster debate, bringing together all stakeholders to foster deeper understanding of issues affecting agriculture, food systems and rural regions. Examples of potential grant activities include workshops or conferences, support of professional meetings, or objective education work centered on relevant public policy issues.

More information, including the grant application form, is posted on the Foundation's website.

Farm to School Grant Program

2011-05-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

To: Interested Alaska Farm to School Supporters

The Division of Agriculture is soliciting proposals for Farm to School (FTS) projects promoting any activity that connects students, teachers, and school food service staff with product grown and produced in Alaska. The Division of Agriculture intends to award multiple contracts from this solicitation. Maximum state funds to be allocated per project are $1,000.

The purpose of the FTS project is:

• to increase the understanding of Alaska youth about how food gets from its original form to the plate;
• to promote better food choices, and
• to encourage availability and preference for food grown and harvested in Alaska.

Applicants should submit proposals using the proposal requirements listed in the application. The entire application package can be found on our web site www.dnr.alaska.gov/ag under the “Grants” tab. Proposals must be received at either the Central or Northern Region Division of Agriculture offices (see above addresses) by 5:00 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact Johanna Herron at Johanna.herron@alaska.gov or at (907) 374-3714.

2011-04-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is launching national Food Day that is both a celebration of real, healthy food—and a powerful, grassroots movement for change. People interested in all different food angles---nutrition, environmental, agriculture, hunger, and more---should be able to use Food Day to advance their programs. Food Day is all about solving local communities’ food problems. Nationally, we’ve identified five key priorities: • Reducing diet-related disease by promoting healthy foods • Supporting sustainable farms and cutting subsidies to agribusiness • Expanding access to food and alleviating hunger • Reforming factory farms to protect animals and the environment • Curbing junk-food marketing to kids For more information visit http://www.foodday.org/

Let's Move! Toolkit for Local Officials

2011-03-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

As part of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign, the Let’s Move! Cities and Towns is designed to encourage mayors and elected officials to adopt a long-term, sustainable, and holistic approach to fight childhood obesity. The Let’s Move! Toolkit for Local Officials has great examples of policies and strategies in four areas:
1. Giving Parents and Caregivers the Tools They Need to Make Healthy Choices in Early Childhood
2. Improving Nutrition in Schools
3. Increasing Physical Activity Opportunities
4. Making Healthy Food Affordable & Accessible

http://www.hhs.gov/intergovernmental/letsmove/

Proposed cut of USDA-ARS funding for Alaska

2011-03-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

Anne-Corinne Kell of the Alaska Community Agriculture Association has an informative post on the proposed elimination of the Subarctic Agricultural Research Service, the USDA station in Alaska:

Among the projects funded by ARS that will end if this cut goes through:
Fish waste utilization research in Kodiak (including work on fish-based fertilizers and many more innovative and entrepreneurial projects)
Composting research (including research on cold-soil nitrogen utilization)
Rhubarb research to support the growing rhubarb industry
Peony research to support the growing peony industry
Research supporting small fruit and berry production
Potato research including marketing of seed potatoes to China
Community Ag outreach in villages (ARS actually provides funding for community gardens, seed potatoes for school gardens, helps run Ag Fairs and provides teachers and mentors throughout the state)
Besides directly funding specific research and support as listed above, ARS also provides support that is less obvious but will have significant impacts on the agricultural sector of this state. For example, while ARS does not directly provide funding for local Ag conferences, they provide funding to pay for speakers to attend, as well as having a wealth of researchers and academics to call upon as speakers. Without ARS funding, popular conferences like SARE will have that much harder a time sourcing or paying for speakers and keeping costs down. Likewise, while ARS researchers don’t actually work for UAF/SNARS, they collaborate on many projects and offer expertise in some key areas such as insect and weed management in which UAF does not actually have full-time faculty. ARS is also integral to the functioning of the Palmer Research Farm. Again, while ARS cannot directly pay for UAF faculty doing research there, they have provided funding for much of the equipment, the greenhouses, and even the upkeep on them. The timing of this de-funding is particularly bad in light of the fact that SNARS is facing massive budget cuts of its own and relies quite heavily on federal funds to help run its own research and programs. Loss of USDA-ARS funding will be a double-hit on all Ag research in this state even at the University level.
The timing of these budget cuts is likewise unfortunate in light of the recent new focus on local agriculture and food security both in-state and nationally. At a time when local food is becoming a topic of conversation in homes beyond those of farmers and University researchers, we are about to lose critical funding that helps support and sustain our industry, as well as some of the agricultural education that could help train new generations of community and home gardeners, farmers and Ag researchers.

KTVA has a story about the funding cut:

Meredith Kenny, the spokeswoman for Rep. Don Young, cautioned that Obama’s proposal should be viewed as a “suggestion,” since only Congress has the power to appropriate money. If the funding isn’t added, however, the local ARS office will close on Sept. 30.

Aides for both U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich said the senators are concerned by the closure proposal but that the current budget-cutting focus in Washington makes such moves a sign of the times.

Green Thumb Challenge $5000 Award

2011-03-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

Green Education Foundation (GEF) and Gardener's Supply Company are calling on schools and youth groups to submit chronicles of their garden project to win a $5,000 prize. The award is designed to support the continued sustainability of an exceptional youth garden program that has demonstrated success, and has impacted the lives of kids and their community.

For more information see: http://www.greeneducationfoundation.org/ and click on "Green Thumb Challenge in the top bar.

Food Policy from Neighborhood to Nation Conference

2011-03-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

May 19-21, 2011
Portland, Oregon

The Community Food Security Coalition is hosting Food Policy from Neighborhood to Nation, the most comprehensive national conference on local and state food policy in the US. This conference includes field trips, educational and skill building workshops, and a chance to network with food policy professionals and advocates.

For more information and to register: http:\\www.foodpolicyconference.org

Grant opportunity: conservation innovation

2011-02-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA-NRCS-NHQ-11-01 (PDF of full announcement)

Closing Date: Modified closing date is for selected applicants to submit their full-proposal packages no later than 4pm, EST, on March 4, 2011

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to formulate hypothesis do not qualify.

CIG is to apply proven technology which has been shown to work previously. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users.

CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.A two-phase evaluation process will be utilized for applications submitted under this notice. The first phase requires the applicant to submit a pre-proposal. Applications will be evaluated by NRCS staff under the bulleted topics identified by the applicant (see section I.D). Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice.

Eligible Applicants:

State governments;  County governments;  City or township governments;  Special district governments;  Public and State controlled institutions of higher education;  Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);  Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education;  Private institutions of higher education;  Individuals;  For profit organizations other than small businesses;  Small businesses

Farm Bill webinar/listening session

2011-02-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

Farm Bill 2012 Listening Session

Join a virtual conversation about priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill with the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) and the National Farm to School Network (NFSN)

Title: VIRTUAL Farm Bill Listening Session

Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/384861376

See also:

Support funding for school gardens!

2011-02-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

Alaska House Bill 93, "An act relating to school gardens, greenhouses, and farms," provides for funding of school growing programs through matching funds and a small percentage of annual operating support for school districts. It would enable community nonprofits to work with school systems to help ensure the long-term prospects for teaching, nutrition, and health programs that use school gardens, farms, or greenhouses. The food should be used in the district meal programs. More information is available from Calypso Farm & Ecology Center, which operates a school garden program in the Fairbanks area, and Representative David Guttenberg's office. Guttenberg explained his rationale for the bill in his legislative report for January 22, 2011:

Healthy Kids – Healthy Lifestyles
I introduced House Bill 93 which creates a grant program for non-profits who operate school gardens at public schools and have raised operation funding in their communities. It would allow the state to provide an additional ½ of one percent of state aide [sic] to a school for the purposes of supporting a non-profit run school garden, farm or greenhouse.

By teaching young Alaskans how to grow their own healthy food in their own communities we can begin to ease both Alaska’s food security issue and address juvenile obesity.

Even if every school in Alaska found non-profits to manage gardens, greenhouses or farms, the cost to the state would be minimal and the benefits would be astronomical.

Bill history is available here.

Here is the text of the bill:

* Section 1. AS 14.30.375(a) is amended to read:

(a) A school district may authorize a nonprofit corporation to operate or may operate a school garden, greenhouse, or farm. A nonprofit corporation authorized under this section must contribute to the operation of each school garden, greenhouse, or farm matching funds in an amount that is equal to or greater than one-half percent of the state aid received by the school district under AS 14.17.400 for the school each year. The garden, greenhouse, or farm must be used for educational purposes and for growing fruits and vegetables for consumption by the students through the school district's meal and snack program.

* Sec. 2. AS 14.30.375(b) is amended to read:

(b) If a school district authorizes or operates a school garden, greenhouse, or farm, the district or the authorized nonprofit corporation shall give students representing student organizations, including vocational programs, the opportunity to be involved in the operation of the school garden, greenhouse, or farm.

* Sec. 3. AS 14.30.375(d) is amended to read:

(d) If a school district authorizes or operates a school garden, greenhouse, or farm, the excess fruit and vegetables may be sold.

* Sec. 4. AS 14.30.375 is amended by adding new subsections to read:

(e) If a school district authorizes a nonprofit corporation to operate a school garden, greenhouse or farm under this section, the school district shall apply for a grant under AS 14.30.377 to provide funds to the nonprofit corporation for the operation of each school garden, greenhouse, or farm.

(f) In this section, "nonprofit corporation" means a corporation that qualifies for exemption from taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(c) (Internal Revenue Code).

* Sec. 5. AS 14.30 is amended by adding a new section to article 7 to read:

Sec. 14.30.377. State grant for operation of a school garden, greenhouse, or farm.
(a) A school district may apply to the department on a form approved by the department for a state grant for the operation of one or more school gardens, greenhouses, or farms under AS 14.30.375.

(b) The department shall award a grant to a school district in an amount that is not less than one-half percent of the state aid received by the district under AS 14.17.400 for each school at which a garden, greenhouse, or farm will be operated each year.

(c) A school district is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the district provides proof satisfactory to the department that a school or an approved nonprofit entity provides matching funds in an amount that is equal to or greater than the grant amount.

(d) The department may adopt regulations necessary to implement this section.

Bethel exports food to Anchorage!

2011-02-07T13:50:00.001-08:00

A small triumph in Alaska agriculture, and a hint of things to come:

Bethel Farm Produces Likely First Agricultural Export from Region

Fri, February 4, 2011
Posted in Alaska News
Shane Iverson, KYUK – Bethel

Tim Myers, of Myers Farm in Bethel has been supplying fresh vegetables to people in Bethel for several years now. This last season he had enough produce to ship some out to customers in villages. And just this week, Myers put a shipment on a cargo plane headed out of the region. It’s likely that his shipment is the regions first agricultural export, ever.

The food, cabbages, is going from Bethel to Anchorage's Natural Pantry.

Hear the full audio story on APRN.

Support funding for school meals!

2011-02-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Contact State Legislators to Support Funding for School Meals!

Young children living in low income and food insecure households are more likely to be developmentally at risk than children from food secure households. Federal programs exist to assist in providing nutrition to children through schools, most notably the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

Alaskan schools primarily do not offer breakfast programs because the federal reimbursement for breakfast does not cover the high cost of food and transportation in Alaska. Thirty-eight states currently take some responsibility for feeding hungry children by providing state funding for school lunch and breakfast programs; Alaska does not. Currently, there are two bills in the Alaska Legislature, HB 132 and SB 3, to provide an additional 15 cents for each lunch or 35 cents for each breakfast from the state to supplement the cost of meals provided to each student who is eligible for a free or reduced-price meal.

For more information, contact Vanessa Salinas, Alaska Food Coalition, 907-222-3114 or afc@foodbankofalaska.org.

See details on HB 132, "Funding for School Meals: An Act providing for funding for school lunch and breakfast," sponsored by Rep. Cathy Muñoz.

Comparative farming & sustainable food systems

2011-02-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

Professor Craig Gerlach is teaching a course at UAF this semester called Comparative Farming and Sustainable Food Systems.

The syllabus describes the study of basic principles of food systems geography, food and nutritional security and insecurity, work with cross cultural perspectives on culinary and dietary traditions, poverty, hunger, equity, access and distribution throughout the global, regional, and local food systems. Farming will be looked at as science, art, and practice through comparison of industrial, organic, natural, and ecological systems, and through the contrast of historically proven crop and livestock production systems with new and innovative strategies for developing strong and resilient sustainable food systems at multiple scales.

I am an editor at the UAF School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences and I'm taking the course and posting weekly on the SNRAS Science & News blog about the readings, assignments, discussions, and my thoughts about sustainable agriculture that arise from these. Below are the three posts so far:

Southeast Alaska food security survey

2010-12-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

Press Release 12/10/10: Southeast Alaska food security subject of UAF research

If disaster strikes, do you have enough food to weather the storm? Does your community have enough provisions? Are your everyday food choices nutritious and affordable?
To learn more about how Southeast Alaska communities view their food security, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program are asking Southeast Alaskans to complete an online survey. Researchers hope survey results will reveal the region’s food security concerns and identify how the university can help communities address them.

The five-minute survey is online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/foodsecurity.

Food security is a broad term that means different things to different people, explained Glenn Haight, business specialist with the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program. For communities, it may mean knowing how much food is generally stocked in local stores so that emergency planners have an idea of how many days the community can survive should transportation routes be cut due to storms or other events. For individuals, it may mean how much food is on hand in their homes and its nutritional and cultural value and cost.

“Food security relates to individual’s food quality, nutrition, health and cost,” said Haight. “Also, many remote Alaska communities depend on subsistence foods and shipments of manufactured food, so community food security is also a factor.”
The online survey will be open through the end of the year, and the results will be tabulated soon after.

CONTACTS:

Glenn Haight, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program fisheries business specialist, 907-796-6046, glenn.haight@alaska.edu.

Sunny Rice, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent, 907-772-3381, sunny.rice@alaska.edu.

ACE Local Foods Campaign 2011 Survey

2010-12-01T11:24:00.001-08:00

Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE) is planning the Local Foods Campaign 2011! To better inform what sorts of workshops, events, gardening opportunities, etc we offer we're seeking your input. Please take a minute and let ACE know what sparks your interest about food in Alaska, and how you'd most like to participate in helping to make our food system stronger.

The survey takes 5 minutes and you can also enter to win a FREE box of produce from Glacier Valley CSA! Yum.

Click Here to take the survey.

Thanks everyone!

AFPC publication planning and priorities

2010-11-10T14:15:00.000-08:00

The meeting in Anchorage on November 4 was attended by representatives from the Alaska Food Policy Council's committees, people from Barrow and Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage, Sitka and Ugashik. Participants were provided with a list of food issues identified by each committee and a summary of issues categorized by subject area, with ideas for potential solutions to problems.

The committee priorities were:

• Education & Regulation Committee

#1: Improve access and consumption of traditional and healthy market foods.
#2: Expand school-based programs that educate and provide healthy local foods to schools.
#3: Develop a food systems workforce and infrastructure through higher education opportunities.

(see full list)

• Health & Hunger

#1: Increase support for healthy food initiatives and policy changes at the local level.
#2: Increase access to healthier foods and beverages at schools.
#3: Increase access to and availability of healthy foods in underserved areas.
#4: Nutrition services and education should be included as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

(see full list)

• Production

#1: Accurate count of food production in Alaska.
#2: Food safety education.
#3: General farm management & productivity.
#4: The Alaska Product Preference Program.

(see full list)

• Supply Chain

#1: Lack of infrastructure for storage or other facilities.
#2: Lack of research.
#3: Lack of training for entrepreneurs.
#4: Lack of conditions or environmental atmosphere for entrepreneurs.
#5: Lack of food distribution systems.
#6: High cost of transportation.

(see full list; also see the Supply Chain Work Product notes)

• Traditional & Local Foods for Health and Food Security

#1: Traditional food gathering leave policies.
#2: Sustainable local and traditional food procurement for community nutrition programs.
#3: Food storage.
#4: Waste management.
#5: Traditional Foods Database.

(see full list)

• The Research workgroup identified five main areas of research needed: Production, Consumption, Infrastructure, Policy, and Ethical and Social Issues. They have prepared a detailed look at these areas in this document, dated 10/25/10.

The Governance Committee came up with a rough draft for an organizational structure for the council, and asked for feedback and suggestions.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the priorities and come up with an outline for a report or position paper that would answer the questions listed below. After discussion on the priorities of the committees, the ultimate purpose and audience for the publication, and the appropriate approach to take to writing it, a four-person team of writers and editors volunteered to create the first draft, which will be returned to the council for discussion and changes by the committees as needed. The paper should be out by February or March, if all goes well.

See minutes of the meeting 11/4/10.

Upcoming Report of Activities

2010-11-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Alaska Food Policy Council is sending representatives to a meeting in Anchorage this week to create a Report of Activities. Each committee has been working on identifying issues of importance in Alaska's food systems and coming up with recommendations. The Governance Committee has created a draft governance and organizational structure for the council. The Education and Regulation Committee has been working to identify current resources. Each focus committee has identified three to five main issues of concern. The participants in this day-long meeting will discuss, analyze, and consolidate the committee findings into a report outline that answers the following questions:

• Why is the Alaska Food Policy Council necessary? What purpose does it/will it serve? What are some of the key problem areas concerning food in Alaska?
• What barriers have been identified by the AFPC? What has some of the research/discussion been concerning these barriers (and if available, what are potential solutions)?
• Who currently supports the AFPC? What can policy makers do, now and in the future, to recognize and implement the important work and recommendations emerging from this group?

After the November 4th meeting, the outline will be used to draft a full-length Report along with a shorter Executive Summary.   More will be posted here after the meeting is over.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher grants

2010-10-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

The USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program has released the 2011 request for applications.

Deadline is December 22 (but DO NOT wait until the last day!)

This program has about $19 million available for FY 2011.

See the RFA for program management contacts and more details: www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/beginningfarmerandrancher.cfm

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

The U.S. agricultural population is poised to make a dramatic change - half of all current farmers are likely to retire in the next decade. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the average age of farm operators was 57 years. Farmers over the age 55 own more than half the farmland in the U.S. But the number of new farmers and ranchers over the age of 35 is increasing, as does the number of smaller farms and ranches nationwide. To address the needs of this changing generation, Section 7410 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub ..L. No. 110-234) amended Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and made available in Fiscal Year 2009, $17.2 million to fund a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). According to these legislations, a beginning farm is considered to be one that is operated by one or more operators who have 10 years or less of experience operating a farm or ranch. In 2007, approximately 21 percent of family farms met that definition.

The recipient must be a collaborative, state, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities, which may include: state cooperative extension service; community-based and nongovernmental organization; college or university (including institutions awarding associate degrees); or any other appropriate partner. Others may be eligible to apply. Please refer to Part III of the current BFRDP Request for Applications for complete eligibility requirements.

Solicitation Date (Opening): October 26, 2010

Letter of Intent Due Date: None

Due Date (Closing): December 22, 2010

Anticipated Award Date: October 1, 2011

Estimated Total Program Funding: $19,000,000.00

Percent of Applications Funded Last Fiscal Year: 34%

Cost Sharing Requirements: At least equal to 25 percent of Federal funds awarded

for more information, contact Siva Sureshwaran.

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-BFR-003356

CFDA Number: 10.311

How do you want to improve Alaska's food system?

2010-10-04T10:40:00.000-07:00

Attention Alaskans! Do you have ideas on what it will take to improve Alaska's food system? The newly formed Alaska Food Policy Council will soon be compiling a first look at the issues Alaska's food system faces, and we want your input. Examples of what we're looking for include: 'more farmer's markets', 'a stronger institutional purchasing policy', or 'infrastructure such as storage warehouses and processing facilities'. This is the first of many opportunities for you to participate in the work we do and we encourage creativity. Please write your ideas down here for discussion or e-mail them directly to Alli Harvey at alli@akcenter.org.

Photo by Dave Thorne

Local Harvest Celebration

2010-09-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Alaska Center for the Environment announces:

Local Harvest Celebration at the Taproot Cafe!

October 6, 2010

Local Food. Local Beer. Local Music. What could be better? Join ACE to celebrate a successful summer of growing and supporting local food in Alaska. With Alaska Grown food specials, live bluegrass music with Down Home Easy, and lots of great people, this celebration of community and harvest season is not to be missed!

We'll also be giving an update about the newly forming Alaska Food Policy Council and letting you know how YOU can get involved. Join us for the fun, and plug in to the great work happening in your community.

Click here for a map.

Competitive grants for farmers

2010-09-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

There are many opportunities each year for innovative farmers. Here's a few grant possibilities that may be of interest to Alaskan farmers planning for their next growing season:

• USDA Farm Service Agency, Conservation Reserve Program - Technical Assistance Training Modification 1

The Farm Service Agency (FSA), acting on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation, is in need of trainers to increase FSA staff knowledge of the technical assistance needed in the development of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) continuous sign-up conservation plans and to oversee contract implementation. The applicant shall provide the necessary classroom training needed by FSA employees to perform quality control reviews for CRP conservation plans developed by third-party Technical Service Providers (TSP). This is a competitive cooperative agreement authorized under sect. 1231-1236 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended. Up to $100,000 is available for fiscal year (FY) 2010 This Request for Applications (RFA) provides the objectives, the eligibility criteria for applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a competitive cooperative agreement. The primary objective of this cooperative agreement is to increase FSA staff knowledge of the technical assistance needed in the development of CRP conservation plans so FSA staff can perform quality control reviews for CRP conservation plans developed by third-party TSPs. Services under this cooperative agreement shall be provided to FSA staff in any State determined by FSA to require training. Applicants must be willing to travel to any State. The estimated performance period is during October 2010 through September 2011.

• The Farm Foundation: small grant program

The Farm Foundation seeks proposals for small grants that stimulate new ideas and build networks of resources for agriculture, the food system and rural regions. The maximum grant award is $10,000. Grant proposals should address one of the Foundation's six program areas: Energy and agriculture; Food, agricultural and trade policy; Agricultural and food system productivity, research and technology; Agriculture in the environment; Food quality, safety and consumer perception; Viability of rural regions. Small grant proposals are reviewed twice a year. Applications received by April 30 will have a response by June 15. Applications received by Oct. 31 will have a response by Dec. 15.

• USDA, NIFA – Western SARE - Professional Development Program Grant (PDP) (PDF). NOTE: Deadline is November 5, 2010.

Professional Development Program Grants are designed to educate agricultural professionals about sustainable agriculture so that they, in turn, can help educate and train farmers and ranchers. Projects must improve the ability of agricultural professionals to conduct educational programs and activities in sustainable agriculture principles and systems and to respond to inquiries on the subject from farmers, ranchers and the public. Approaches can include case studies or other innovative educational methods; demonstrations or tours of successful sustainable enterprises; on-farm research and education; workshops; conferences (including satellite or other interactive video technologies); development of materials (i.e. fact sheets, handbooks, manuals, web-based courses, etc.); combinations of these or other educational activities. Subject matter can include any sustainable agriculture endeavor, including animal agriculture, agronomic or horticultural crop production or the effects of sustainable practices on quality of life for producers or rural communities. Projects with a scope beyond a single state or area are encouraged. Funding is capped at $60,000 for single-state or local projects. Projects with a regional or multi-state focus can receive up to $100,000. Proposals for multi-state projects must be clear and specific about meaningful involvement and outcomes for agriculture professionals in states other than that of the lead organization. Projects have three years to complete their work, including a meaningful phase of evaluation of the project results.

• USDA, NIFA - Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (NOTE: Deadline is November 17, 2010):

Community Food Projects should be designed to (1): (A) meet the food needs of low-income people; (B) increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and (C) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; and/or (2) meet specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for (A) infrastructure improvement and development; (B) planning for long-term solutions; or (C) the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers. Please refer to eligibility in the RFA as only private, nonprofit entities meeting specific requirements as listed in the Request for Applications (RFA) are eligible to apply.

• USDA, NIFA – Western SARE - Producer Grant (PDF) (formerly farmer/rancher grants) (NOTE: Deadline: December 3, 2010):

Producer Research & Education Grants are funded for up to three years. A technical advisor assists in the development, on-farm field trial and outreach of the project. Up to $15,000 per application is allowed for a single producer, up to $30,000 for three or more producers. Each producer must be an independent and separate operation. Any producer in the Western region may apply. Technical advisors may be cooperative extension educators/agents and specialists, USDA-NRCS field staff, agricultural consultants, nonprofit staff members or other agricultural professionals assisting producers at the local level.

Communications plan

2010-08-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Alaska Food Policy Council participants,

Since our meeting in May, subcommittees have been hard at work identifying problems and starting to come up with policy recommendations. However, many participants have wanted to share information or hear what other committees are up to. As a result, we've had lengthy e-mail correspondences which are difficult to keep track of and share.

Additionally, we're working to form the Food Policy Council itself. Many Alaskans are excited about this work and want to get involved, but there's not a point 'place' for them to go or a clear, consistent explanation of who we are.

And, as the subcommittees move forward and ID policy recommendations, we'll need to have a system in place for how the Council will formalize and communicate these recommendations.

We need a small team of AFPC participants who are ready to come up with a Communications Plan, and those who have expertise in communications (teleconferencing, listserves, websites, blogs, social media - these are some of our tactics on the table). We will likely have a training to guide us in this process. The team will need authorization by the AFPC to move forward in creating this plan, determining our message, and identifying tactics. This will set clear guidelines and create forums for discussion within the AFPC, with Alaskans interested in our work, and of course with decision makers.

Please let Alli Harvey (alli@akcenter.org or 274-3662) know if you would like to participate.

The new Alaska Food Policy Council Blog

2010-07-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome!

This is a first step in engaging Alaskans on the work of the new Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC). We want to let you know what's going on, and we want to hear your ideas.

The Alaska Food Policy Council works to strengthen Alaska’s food systems to spur local economic development, increase food security, and improve nutrition and health. The Council serves as a resource for information on local and state food systems, and works to identify and propose policy and environmental changes that can improve the production, processing, distribution, health, security and safety of our food.

The Alaska Center for the Environment, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Obesity Prevention and Control Program, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Alaska Farm Bureau, the Alaska Division of Agriculture, the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference, the UAF School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences, and AK Root Sellers, among approximately 130 others, have worked to form this Council, which is the first of its kind in Alaska.

Please use this blog as a platform for discussion and check back for frequent updates!

Read more about the AFPC:

State of Alaska Food Policy Council website.
Read about the first meeting of the Alaska Food Policy Council.

Thank you for your interest in the AFPC and we look forward to hearing from you!