GFC

Seeing red in 2009?   So was Carol Kenley, but for a very good reason.  With great enthusiasm,  "Let's talk rhubarb", says Carol.    The rhubarb plant is plentiful in Alaska and more recently harvesters, like Carol are collaborating on ways to better utilize it for cutting edge health and nutritional applications.   Carol is fortified by the spirit of her family's tradition - in fact they were Alaska's 2009 Farm Family.     

Ingredients, a documentary film will be shown on December 20, 2009 at UAA's Rasmuson Hall  The film will show from 4-5 with a discussion afterwards.  There will be a panel discussion following the showing featuring "Delicious" Dave Thorne, Rob Kineen, and the film's producer, Brian Kimmel (among others). The discussion will continue at the Spenard Roadhouse.  Donation requested is $5 per person and proceeds go to the Food Bank of Alaska.   More questions?  View the attached brochure or contact Mara Kimmel.

There has been a global paradigm shift this year.  If you don't feel it - don't read on.  

One of those paradigm shifts has occurred in local food sourcing.   In 2009, the local food movement has more traction then ever with its demonstrated energy and carbon emissions savings, as well as the direct relationship to its value in creating sustainable communities. The value proposition of going local has been made to commercial buyers like Whole Foods and Walmart who quantified the savings and changed out their entire supply chain.   The USDA has created programs and policies to support a breadth of national efforts.     In fact, The National Restaurant Association has just recently published results from its Top List of Hottest Menu Trends for 2010  That survey of more than 1,800 American Culinary Federation member chefs shows locally produced food and beverages in the top five of menu trends.  Local food sourcing has become mainstream.

I've always felt that the link to local was, however, missing something.     I couldn't put my finger on it, until late last summer.

Alaska And The Tin Can

"Wean Alaska away from the tin can."

Such was the apt declaration made in a Fourth of July address at Anchorage by Col.O.F. Ohlson, General Manager of the Alaska Railroad.  The assertion was aimed at the general practice of Alaskans in consuming enormous quantities of imported canned foods which can be supplied by Alaskan farms.

Note:  There are initiatives sprouting all over Alaska (and the US for that matter) that address self-sufficiency.   We wonder who took note in 1935 when Col. O.F. Ohlson made these short, but insightful remarks.

USDA is seeking to engage stakeholders and producers to hear not only their concerns about the National Animal Identification System, but also potential or feasible solutions to those concerns.  The information and ideas gathered will assist Secretary Vilsack in making decisions about the future direction of animal traceability in the United States.

Your views and input are important, and USDA looks forward to hearing from you.

Learn more about the NAIS Dialogue

Submit your comments and potential solution

A series of listening sessions throughout the country is scheduled.  Locations and other details will be posted once they are finalized..

Stakeholders may pre-register for a session here
NAISSessions@aphis.usda.gov.

There are many signs to the beginning of an Alaskan summer such as the  first site of an ice-free sidewalk, anew born moose and the opening day of the Farmers Market.  This year the Anchorage Farmers Market opens May 2, 9 AM to 2 PM.  The market is located at 15th and Cordova and a map is linked on their site here.

The market is organized by River and Sarah Bean of Arctic Organics, a long-time Alaska organic farm family.  We suggest that it is NOT too early to do a little pre-shopping in advance of the 2009 summer season.   They have a new website with more information on their farm, the market, products and their CSA program (community supported agriculture).   Get informed for the best possible shopping beginning May 2nd.   

http://www.akrhubarb.blogspot.com/

Delta farmer, Bryce Wrigley, is anxious to engage with others on moving Alaska toward more self-reliance on energy, as well as food.

As head of the Delta Soil and Water Conservation District and the Alaska Farm Bureau, he is squarely placed in the middle of the energy and food storm in Alaska.      Last year's energy price hikes reeked havoc with old agricultural business models at the same time that the fertilizer plant that had been supplying fertilizer to Alaska's farmers closed its doors.

It was a wake-up call on nearly every piston of the agriculture engine.      Fortunately, Bryce and a group of Delta farmers and ranchers were already experimenting with new technologies and products that could open the door to commercial opportunity and make some solid headway toward self-reliance on energy and food.

TriDelta, Inc., publisher of the Delta Wind, Delta Junction Alaska's community newspaper for over thirty years is pleased to announce the debut of a new publication Alaska Farm and Ranch News. Alaska Farm Ranch News is a monthly newspaper providing news, information and technical advice concerning agriculture in Alaska. The desire for fresh fruit, vegatables, and dairy products along with locally produced meat products has sustained agriculture in Alaska for centuries. From the Native villages to the Russian settlements on Kodiak Island, the Kenai Peninsula, and near Sitka in the 19th century and to the modern farms of today in Alaska, farmers and ranchers have provided these products to Alaskans. Whether its vegetables from farms in Southcentral that take advantage of the long days and usually plentiful rain, plants from the greenhouses in Southeast, beef from Kodiak, milk and dairy products or grain and hay from the Mat‐Su Valley and the Interior, or reindeer meat from Nome commercial operations and hobby farmers can learn more about Alaska agriculture by subscribing to Alaska Farm and Ranch News Information on programs available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Alaska Division of Agriculture, advice from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension and the Department of High Latitude Agriculture in the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences along with information about 4‐H and FFA programs and news about the Alaska Farm Bureau, the Grange, and theFarmers Union will be presented in each issue. National news from the AssociatedPress and other sources that influence Alaska agriculture will also be included. Pick up a copy at a local outlet today or subscribe by called TriDelta’s office at (907)895‐5551. A yearly subscription is only $18.00.For more information contact editor Michael Paschall at (907) 895‐5551 or e‐mail editor@alaskafarmandranchnews.com.