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Agriculture and Climate Change
Alaska’s climate is warming, and our growing season is lengthening in some areas of
the state as much as three weeks in the past 60 years. Researchers with the Agricultural
and Forestry Experiment Station are looking at how the changing climate will affect
agriculture—which varieties of vegetables do best, whether growing wheat and other
grains might be more feasible, and how cover crops might improve soils. Vegetable
variety trials continue at the Fairbanks and Matanuska experiment farms. We’re also
testing several Nordic early-maturing wheat varieties crossed with hardy northern
varieties.
Recreation Research
UAF Professor Pete Fix and two other recreation researchers developed an approach
that is being used nationally to evaluate visitor experiences on lands managed by
the Bureau of Land Management. BLM is directing requests for “outcomes-focused” recreation
studies to the UAF-based research partnership. The goal is to provide information
to BLM managers on what their visitors value, so they can develop a plan to achieve
those recreation outcomes. Current projects are in the Logandale Trails System in
southern Nevada; recreation areas near Kingman, Arizona; and Historic Route 66 interpretive
sites.
Alaska Food Security
Food security is a major concern to Alaska, which imports at least 90 percent of its
food. Agents address this through gardening classes, agricultural conferences that
highlight current issues and opportunities, and food preservation and food safety
classes. Gardening classes range from a one-time composting or transplanting class
to an in‑depth series of how-to sessions. More than 170 Alaskans in 2019 received the 40-hour
Master Gardener training and agreed to volunteer 40 hours on a community project or
helping other gardeners. Trainings are offered in person and online.
Youth Development
Extension teaches youth important life skills through its 4-H and FFA programs. Activities
emphasize hands-on projects, citizenship and leadership. Extension’s 4-H programs
reached 2,544 Alaska youth K–12, who launched rockets, raised rabbits, gave public
presentations and learned a host of other skills. 4-H agents worked with 50 teens
at the Fairbanks Youth Facility and an independent living center with a goal of reducing
homelessness and improving social and job skills. FFA has 18 chapters from Seward
to North Pole with students in grades 7 to 12. The program emphasizes growing leaders,
building communities and strengthening agriculture..
Extension has provided trusted, research-based information to Alaskans since 1930. It is part of a national education network supported by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities.
The Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station has been around even longer. The first experiment station opened in Sitka in 1898. Researchers create knowledge and solve problems in agriculture and forest sciences.
Extension and the Experiment Station combined administratively in 2019 to become the Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension.
The impacts here give a glimpse at our accomplishments for 2019.
Firewood Research
A researcher with the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station is determining when trees contain the least water content and if timing the firewood harvest could shorten the drying time.
Health Programs
Alaska has the fastest growing population of seniors in the country—and Extension offers several health and disease prevention or management programs. Agents and trained volunteers lead free ongoing StrongWomen or Strong Seniors strength-training classes around the state.
Spruce Beetle Control
Spruce beetles damaged trees on more than a half million acres in Alaska the past two years, and the outbreak continues. Extension met with homeowners in Palmer, Eagle River, Anchorage and Talkeetna to talk about mitigating damage.
Food Preservation
Extension educators tested 590 dial gauges on pressure canners to ensure accurate readings and food safety. Nearly 1,100 participants in 25 communities learned how to preserve foods and about food safety.
Greenhouse Research
A horticulturist grew three varieties of basil with different light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and fluorescents to test what lighting resulted in the best growth and nutritive value for the popular herb.
Nutrition Education
Nutrition Educators in Fairbanks, Tok, Anchorage, Palmer, Bethel and Juneau helped 2,077 youth and 539 adults learn more about healthy eating habits.
Produce Safety
Staff with Extension and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation trained 100 farmers on new federal produce safety regulations during the past two years.

Past Annual Highlights
- Boreal Alaska - Learning, Adaptation and Production
- Deltana canola developed at UAF
- Embracing technology to reach more Alaskans
- Extension celebrates 100 years
- Field course, NRM degree prepares Alaska students for careers
- New guide provides Alaska herb information
- Peonies new cash crop for Alaska
- Youth program offers diverse activities