Global Food Collaborative

The bar is definitely being raised at the Farm Service Agency.    While it has been a staple of Alaska's Agricultural industry, it is lesser known outside of their traditional farm family constituents.   As the new Alaska Director of the Farm Service Agency, Danny Consenstein is working hard to raise the access for more Alaskans, but not just any Alaskans.  

Danny makes clear at the get go that he is reaching out to a targeted audience.   Entrepreneurs.  Business Owners.  Individuals with for profit, business objectives.     "We need entrepreneurs to step up for business expansion and diversification or new initiatives that are for profit" he says, "and it is THEN that we can support with resources of our agency".

Tom Vilsack visited Alaska last fall, the first visit to Alaska by a USDA Secretary.  He was accompanied by USDA Rural Development Director, Jim Nordland and Farm Service Agency Director, Danny Consentein.   Secretary Vilsack toured with farmers in southcentral, as well as with residents of Hooper Bay and Bethel, gaining a sense of the rural challenges.   It was clear that some USDA programs simply do not fit Alaska and Alaskans.  Secretary Vilsack offered his commitment to support his Alaska staff in proactively recommending programs that may be more effectively result in sustainable communities.

During USDA Secretary Vilsack's visit to Alaska last summer, the metrics of the agency were reiterated at each of his site visits -- new, smart jobs.   "Our core work is to support individuals within for-profit companies that have the where-with-all to create new, smart jobs", reiterates Danny, "This is where I see such a great opportunity for Alaskans."   This job development is targeted in four major categories 1) broadband, 2) renewable energy 3) food systems and 4) climate change. 

Danny believes the opportunities in these 4 categories are meaningful and nearly endless in a place like Alaska. These are pillars of a new infrastructure are symbiotic and, therefore, can serve as hubs for direct and indirect business growth.  For example, broadband has long been seen as a way for rural Alaska to create jobs using more abundant access to reliable broadband for communication, web applications and data transmission. Renewable energy is in its infancy and can create sustainable communities for growing other business opportunities.   Danny is particularly mindful of bringing more of the biomass technologies and implementation to Alaska.   Food systems, the third pillar of infrastructure development is already being talked about in various constituencies throughout Alaska in terms of sustainable communities and food independence.      Danny Consenstein has been part of these conversations, but adds that beyond economically sustainable communities, this has rapid opportunities for healthy communities, as well.  The last pillar, climate change, is a bit younger, in terms of commercial applications.    One example Danny puts forward is that climate change has opportunities for different growing season and products in Alaska.  (Note: This has been discussed as a very real opportunity over the past 5-10 years by various Alaskan food scientists.)

Leading an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture in Alaska has never been that straightforward.   While USDA is one of the largest departments of the US Government, in Alaska, it is likely the most misunderstood department.  It's name implies that it is solely designed and used by family farmers.    While many programs are farm-related, USDA is actually involved in or underwrites nearly every initiative along the supply chain of food, beverage and agri-products.

The USDA's mission is to promote U.S. agriculture domestically and internationally, manages forests, researches new ways to grow crops and conserve natural resources, ensures safe meat and poultry products, and leads the Federal anti-hunger programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp program) and the National School Lunch Program.

The Farm Service Agency is organized into five areas: Farm Programs, Farm Loans, Commodity Operations, Management and State Operations.     In Alaska constituents are traditionally farm businesses including shellfish farms.    The financial support that USDA offers includes the expertise of its staff and the cumulative resources of USDA.     Danny points out one example of a great resource, a custom software that is used in their office to help applicants identify optimum "right sized" operations and associated cash flows.     The services are designed to set constituents up for success, but now we're looking a bit farther to sustainable success.   "The world has changed considerably in the past 2 years and with this new world, there are new realities and new opportunities," Danny remarks hopefully.    "My job is to reach out to those that can benefit from our products and support them to realize these new, smart jobs throughout Alaska."    

Danny Consenstein sees great opportunity for his agency to make a measurable contribution to advancing the economic landscape.     He bases his optimism on the observations he's already made in meetings and conversations throughout Alaska.    He sees the Alaska spirit alive in regions throughout the state and is proactive about using his agency to support those that can benefit from the Farm Service Agency and other USDA affiliated agencies.   In fact, Danny has been spearheading inter-agency meetings throughout Alaska to leverage the resources of all the agencies for the benefit of moving forward Alaskan businesses.  

Got a business opportunity needing FSA/USDA resources?       How about an idea for new, smart jobs that fit one of the 4 pillars of infrastructure being targeted?   

Contact:

Danny Consenstein, State Executive Director          

USDA Farm Service Agency 

Alaska State Office

800 West Evergreen Ave., Suite 216

Palmer, AK  99645

Phone:   (907) 761-7738

Fax:       (907) 761-7795