Maritime Extension Project
In Southeast Alaska, the communities are spread over hundreds of miles of islands
and inlets, with no roads connecting them. On July 4, Sarah Lewis launched (literally)
her first Maritime Extension Project at the helm of her familiy's 36-foot cruising
trawler, the Juniebell. Maritime Extension
Women in Ag Conference a Huge Success
The Alaska Women in Ag ‘virtual’ Conference, March 20, 2021, brought hundreds of women
together via Zoom for a day of connection, networking, information exchange and fun.
It featured producers from across the state, which allowed the participants to get
to know people from their communities as well as their industry. Alaska Women in Agriculture
4-H At-Home Camps
Alaska 4-H was a recipient of a Rasmuson Foundation grant in 2021 to deliver camp
programming. The intent was to deliver the AK Experience Camp statewide to provide
youth with experiential learning opportunities and a sense of community. Kodiak 4-H Success
4-H and Invasive Slug Removal Challenge
Since 2011, Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H club has partnered with the Sitka Conservation Society,
a local environmental nonprofit, to engage youth ages 5-18 in place-based, experiential
learning unique to the Tongass National Forest. Sitka Slugs
Interior 4-H Counters Pandemic Isolation
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Alaska went into lockdown, kids were shut up in
their houses and away from their friends. Tanana 4-H
Citizen Science at Matanuska Experiment Farm
The closure of the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center due to the pandemic
made continuation of its citizen science programming challenging as people could not
gather to share their passion for science. Citizen Science
Socially Distanced Community Potato Harvest
The Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center hosts an annual potato harvest
for community members. The potato harvest is an opportunity for the farm to provide
food for familes, while showing them where their food comes from. Potato Harvest Impact
Botanical garden partners with Nanook Grown
The Georgeson Botanical Garden collaborated with the UAF Office of Sustainability
to accommodate twice the number of students who usually participate in the Nanook
Grown Student Gardener Training Program. The program teaches students through experiential
learning how to grow their own food. Botanical Garden
Vegetable Variety Trials
Alaska’s climate is changing and growing seasons have lengthened in many areas of
Alaska. It may be possible to grow different vegetable varieties than have grown here
previously. Plant breeders also develop new varieties and update older varieties.
Continued trials in different locations are important to determine what will grow
best where, so the information can be shared with gardeners and farmers, strengthening
Alaska's food security. Variety Trials
Grain Varieties and Cultivation Methods
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Alaskans faced food security issues stemming from
the state's dependence on out-of-state food suppliers. Shipments from Outside were
limited and in-state suppliers could not meet public demand for agronomic crops. Grain Varieties
Delivering Food Donations and Nutrition Information in a Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that one in seven Alaskans struggles
with hunger and good security issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment rates
increased, putting greater strain on food resources throughout the state, including
the MatSu area. Delivering Food
MAPTS delivers on required Mine Safety and Health Administration training
Due to COVID travel restrictions, MAPTS transitioned the health and safety training
to distance delivery in 2020. This allows it to reach even more students, in state
and out of state. MAPTS Impact
Pandemic Inspires Creative Approaches to Youth Programming
Kenai Peninsula District 4-H rolled out a six-week 4-H On series days after the pandemic
shutdown. The series engaged 15-30 youth and 4-H leaders in weekly programming. Kenai 4-H
Matanuska Experiment Farm Outreach Work
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension
Center closed its doors to the public but its education and outreach activities continue
by distance delivery. Mat-Su Social Media
Matanuska Experiment Farm Variety Trials
The Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center participates in vegetable variety
trials to help determine which varieties flourish in the Mat-Su area. Mat-Su Variety Trials
Working Through the Pandemic
As a result of the pandemic, many 4-H families in Bethel have experienced limited
access to child care, food resources and youth activities. Working with the Food Bank
of Alaska, the Bethel 4-H Program continued its At-Risk Snack program, which provides
nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children. Bethel 4-H
Radon Testing and Mitigation Assistance
Every year approximately 20,000 Americans die from lung cancer as a result of breathing
in radioactive radon gas at their homes, schools and workplaces. Extension has provided
educational outreach on radon for more than 30 years. Radon
Master Gardener Class Comes To Sitka
The agriculture and horticulture Extension agent based in Sitka retired in 2013 and
the office was reorganized as an outreach center without an agent. Research-based
gardening education in the community was piecemeal and infrequent, despite high interest
in the topic. Sitka Success Paper
Getting Creative During the Pandemic
The Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center closed its doors to the public
in March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Extension specializes in hands-on public
outreach, so this created a significant barrier. Online Delivery Success
MAPTS Mine Training for Rural Residents
Alaska's rural regions are mineral-rich and home to several production mines that
employ thousands of people in well-paying jobs. Too often, the people living in or
near these mines have not benefited from their stable and long-term employment. MAPTS Mine