Mat-Su/Copper River District Office
Locally Grown Resource Guide (5/22)
Information on 2021 Alaska Certified Seed Potato Varieties
Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center
UPCOMING CLASSES:
September 28, 2023 12PM
Ornamental Invasive Plants to Avoid and Some Alternative Options
Do you want to plant a beautiful ornamental garden, while avoiding planting anything
invasive? Learn how to know what plants are considered invasive in Alaska, and where
to find good information on non-invasive plants to use as ornamentals.
This class will be held on Zoom so you can join us from wherever is convenient for
you. If you are not available to listen in during the class time, you can still register
and you will receive a recording of the presentation to your email afterward.
Registration Link for Ornamental Invasive Plants to Avoid and Some Alternative Options
October 2, 2023 12PM
Food Preservation Basics
Growing your own food in a home garden can be a rewarding and practical strategy to enhance food security. In this presentation we will discuss practical considerations, realistic goals and common challenges to cultivating an Alaska garden.
This class will be held on Zoom, distance delivery so you can join on your phone or computer from a convenient location. If you are not available at the time the class is live, still register and you will receive a recording of the presentation afterward.
Registration link for Food Preservation Basics
Registration opens on September 25th at Noon, details for registration will be announce that day. Once we are full we will post and let you know. Reservations will be taken in the order they were received.
9:30 AM (25 slots available – this includes children- maximum of 5 people per family)
11:00 AM (25 slots available – this includes children- maximum of 5 people per family)
1:30 PM (25 slots available – this includes children- maximum of 5 people per family)
3:00 PM (25 slots available – this includes children- maximum of 5 people per family)
You will have 30 minutes to dig for potatoes for your designated area or when you bag is full. Whichever comes first. There will be staff members available to assist with sign-in and weighing your potatoes. Your harvesting time will start as a group so please arrive 5-10 minutes prior to sign your wavier.
***EACH CHILD WILL RECEIVE A SMALL BAG OF THEIR OWN
YOU MAY BRING YOUR OWN GARDENING TOOLS, RAKE/SHOVEL
There will be no walk-up harvesting.
October 3, 2023
Certified Food Protection Manager Training
Please follow this link to the event page or call our office for more information on this class.
Phone: 907-745-3360, email: jmcascio@alaska.edu
Registration closes September 19th.
October 3- November 7
Local Food Leader Courses LFL 101 & LFL 201
All information and registration links listed below
Scholarships available to cover the cost!
October 7, 2023 10AM-1PM
Canning and Preserving Meat
Topics covered in this hands-on class will include the following: Heat processing low acid food in jars, use and care of a pressure canner, steps of pressure canning meant (commercial and wild game) in jars, determining if canned products are correctly processed and sealed, and proper storage of canned food.
Cost: $24
Location: Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center
1509 S Georgeson Dr. Palmer, AK 99645
Registration opens online on September 6th at 12PM
Register HERE for Canning and Preserving Meat
October 11, 2023
Diabetes Prevention Program Begins
See flyer below, contact Melissa Clampitt for registration information
October 16, 2023 12PM
Canning Foods
Pressure canning is a safe and efficient way to preserve nutritious foods. Unfortunately, many people are intimidated by pressure canning. In this presentation we will discuss the concepts behind the pressure canner process and look at how different pressure canners operate.
This class will be held on Zoom, distance delivery so you can join on your phone or computer from a convenient location. If you are not available at the time the class is live, still register and you will receive a recording of the presentation afterward.
Registration link for Canning Foods
October 17, 2023 12PM
Tips for Home Energy Efficiency
October 17, 2023 5PM
4H Power Pledge Challenge
November 7, 2023 6PM
Eat Your Weeds
In person or via Zoom
Join Ann Kowenstrot as she talks about the amazing uses of some of the most prolific weeds in Alaska. She will talk about plant identification as well as provide some recipes. This class is offered in person at the Matanuska Experiment Farm as well as via Zoom. Everyone must register with the link regardless of whether or not you will be joining via Zoom or in person.
Registration link for Eat Your Weeds
Location: 1509 S. Georgeson Dr. Palmer, AK 99645
Second floor of Kerttula Hall, Room 208
Diabetes Prevention Program
One in three adults has pre-diabetes. You can get help with weight loss, and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the onset of type two diabetes by joining a national diabetes program. 12 months of support for weight loss , Small group Zoom meetings, trained lifestyle coach, scale, and curriculum materials are included.
Begins Oct. 11th with 16 weekly meetings then at least once monthly until Sept. 2024 Choice of two different classes. Registration is required by Sept. 29 Lifestyle Coach: Melissa Clampitt
The Cooperative Extension Service is a national leader in providing the Diabetes Prevention Program. Program quality is monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Diabetes Training and Technical Assistance Center.
Location: Remotely by ZOOM in Southcentral Alaska
Option 1: Oct. 11, 2023 - September 2024
Wednesdays Noon - 1pm
Option 2: Oct. 11, 2023 - September 2024
Wednesdays 6 – 7 pm
Cost: $150
Contact Melissa Clampitt for more details, to determine eligibility, and to register
Phone: 907-745-3551 Email: clampitt@alaska.edu
Local Food Leader Courses Information
Held via ZOOM Courses: LFL101 &LFL201
You will learn foundational competencies critical to successful engagement in community food systems development. Receive a certificate of completion for each option as well as earn CEU credits.
What is it: The Local Food Leader Certification teaches foundational competencies critical for successful food systems development through workshops and online modules. The workshop includes equity in food systems, working in food systems, facilitation and coordination, evaluation and professional development. The online modules offer intensive curriculum including community food systems overview, methods of engagement and leadership, creating teams and tools for success, and evaluation.
Why get certified? You will learn and grow in the following:
- community leadership
- equity framework
- evaluation tools
- facilitation methods
- Personal values
- network development
Who should participate? The Local Food Leader Training and Certification program is intended for local food practitioners, although it is open for anyone who is interested in food systems development and collaboration. The program teaches several foundational competencies critical to a successful involvement in community food systems development and collaboration. There are two certification opportunities as well as CEU opportunities for professional development. Primary reasons for participation include:
- Developing increased understanding and skills for foundations in food systems
- Networking with regional/statewide local food leaders
- Working towards becoming a Local Food Leader Trainer
LFL 101 is a series of 6, 2-hour synchronous Zoom meetings. Certification of completion as well as 1 CEU may be available to anyone who completes this course. Cost is $150.00. No prerequisite. LFL 101: Pay for the workshop here.
LFL 101 Workshop dates and topics covered:
October 3, 2023 6-8pm Welcome, Zoom Tutorials, Common Language, Introductions
October 10, 2023 6-8pm. Working in Food Systems
October 17, 2023 6-8pm. Equity and Personal Values
October 24, 2023 6-8pm. Leadership Styles and Facilitation Techniques
October 31, 2023 6-8pm. Plans of Work and Professional Development
November 7, 2023 6-8pm. Intro to Evaluation.
LFL 201
After completing the workshop series, the Local Food Leader Certification program
offers 4 online, asynchronous modules to supplement workshop lessons. These modules
provide additional instruction on food system influences, impacts and engagement practices.
Participants must complete all 4 modules in a four-month timeframe. Each module is
estimated to take 10 or less hours to complete and include presentations, readings,
activities and quizzes. Participants will receive a certificate of completion when
finished and may earn up to 3 CEU’s. Prerequisite: LFL 101. Cost is $350.00. LFL 201:
Pay for the course here.
****Scholarships Available!****
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Alaska Department of Health and the Alaska Farmers Market Association, scholarships are available to anyone in Alaska until the funds are gone, so please apply early using this form.
For more information, contact Melissa Clampitt at mrclampitt@alaska.edu, 907-745-3551.
Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu. UAF is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: nondiscrimination statement.
We are located at 1509 S. Georgeson Dr in Palmer at the Matanuska Experiment Farm. Find us with Google Maps!
Phone: 907-745-3360
Fax: 907-745-6268
Email: matsu.ces@alaska.edu
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.