Cooperative Extension provides trusted, research-based information to Alaskans. It is part of a national education network supported by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities.

Researchers with the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station create knowledge and solve problems in agriculture, forest sciences and outdoor recreation.

The Mining and Petroleum Training Service delivers training, development and consulting services to resource industries.

The impacts here provide a glimpse at our accomplishments for 2021.

Research

Nine farms and the Matanuska Experiment Farm’s vegetable variety trials program contributed to the Tilth Program. Thirty-nine vegetable varieties were donated, totaling 10,632 pounds of produce, a 5,067-pound increase. Alaska Tilth handed out over 1,900 recipe bags, and the produce was used in 100,000 Kids Kupboard meals. The Tilth program not only helps supply food for people in need, but it also helps support local farmers, making our food system more reliable.

Crops

Continuing research in spring wheat varieties, cover crops, barley and malting barley. The outcome of this research will provide a spring wheat cultivar that can be grown in Alaska with good quality and thus contribute to Alaska food security. A two-row barley could be used as a malting barley for Alaska brewers.

4-H and Youth

Sitka 4-H’ers worked with the Sitka Conservation Society to collect invasive European black slugs, which are known garden and agricultural pests. A friendly competition resulted in 600 invasive slugs collected, disposed of or shared with scientists.

One Tree

OneTree Alaska provided birch sap collecting kits to more than 220 families. Kits included a sap bucket and lid, a drill bit, a spile or tap, directions and recipes. Families learned how to collect and measure sap, and turn it into syrup.