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Farming in Alaska. You Don’t H ave T o B e Crazy– But I t H elps. Challenges. Markets and Infrastructure Weather and Climate Culture . Markets and Infrastructure. Weather and Climate. Ag Culture. Climatic challenges to food production are accepted
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Farming in Alaska You Don’t Have To Be Crazy– But It Helps
Challenges • Markets and Infrastructure • Weather and Climate • Culture
Ag Culture • Climatic challenges to food production are accepted • Socio-economic benefits of agriculture are understood • Planning for the next generation of farmers/ranchers • Business climate conducive to agriculture is supported in regulation and statute
Clean Water Act • Irrigation Runoff • Rainfall • Snow melt • Livestock Lagoons • Drainage ditches • Septic Systems • Buried Irrigation Lines • Irrigation Ditches
Developing a Local Food System Benefits • Security • Freshness and Quality • Economics Challenges • Outside Productivity • Distribution Networks • Volume
Food Security • 1989 – Port of Anchorage froze • 2001 – 9/11 • 2002 - West Coast Longshoremen strikes • 2009 - Mt. Redoubt eruption • 2002 – Earthquake • 2012 - Alaska Highway washouts in Yukon Territory
Long-term restorationof Alaska’s supply lines from and export pathways to the Lower 48may take many months, even years, while damaged or destroyed infrastructure in the PNW is repaired or replaced. • Without Pacific Northwest ports available to load barges and container ships with these commodities, the state and its consumers would rely on trucking to bring these supplies north in smaller amounts and at higher cost. • It is in the best interest of the State of Alaska to develop plansand mitigation strategies to minimizesuchimpactson Alaska beforea damaging PNW earthquakecompromises the state’s principal economic lifelines.
Alaska Food Pyramid Canola oil, lard, honey, Ice cream Meat, cheese, eggs Milk Berries, apples rhubarb Vegetables Barley, wheat, oats, rye, spuds
Economics • $2.5 Billion • 95% imported • $2.5B x 25% = $625M • $625M x 4 = $2.5B • 2010 Oil Production Revenue = $4.6 Billion Current Farm Sales = ~$30M
Goals • Increase food security for Alaska • Provide opportunity for our children • Open new markets for local farmers
Decisions • Equipment • Insurance • Packaging • Pricing • Food Safety • Market Access
Quality Control • USDA inspected grain • DEC approved mill • Metal detection equipment • Customer Protection Equipment