January 2023 Outlook
Read about what the UAF Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Stations are doing. Email ianre-enews@alaska.edu.
Note from Pete
The best way to overcome challenges is to have a strategy. I thank the team fashioning the next iteration of the strategic path that will move the Institute forward collectively, with our distinct and unique aspects of research, outreach and workforce development. In justifying public investment in our efforts, we have to demonstrate the relevance of our mission to community resilience.
Connecting people to resources and useful information is what we do very well. The people we have helped are our best advocates in telling that story. Our efforts are best placed in asking communities what they want to know more about, examining those questions and bringing back reliable answers that help communities with next steps.
A model gaining favor in several regions, Community Learning through Data-Driven Discovery (CLD3), is really an application of the logic model, something developed by Cooperative Extension that has become a mainstay for crafting outcomes that become positive impacts. Communities are invited to participate in discussions that frame a problem or challenge, then research offers paths to solutions that communities then commit to in partnership with tools we can provide.
This approach is something we are all familiar with, even if this label is new. Examining how we can promote this, especially with groups of people that have not been involved with us in the past, is a good way to widen our reach, expand our ability to serve and bring additional resources into play for everyone's benefit. If you have the chance to examine it, you might recognize how you are already practicing the concepts or how to adapt programming with this model.
— Pete
Upcoming classes, in person and online
Free radon test kits, workshops offered during National Radon Action Month
January is National Radon Action Month. ÃÛÌÒÉçAV Cooperative Extension Center is working with the state of Alaska to provide workshops and free short-term radon test kits to Alaskans.
Radon is a colorless, odorless cancer-causing gas that is commonly found in Alaska. With homes closed up during the winter, January is a good time to test for the gas. Tests are available while supplies last at the Anchorage Outreach Center, 219 E. International Airport Road, Suite 100, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, 3354 College Road in Fairbanks.
You can also receive a test in the mail by filling out an online questionnaire at .
The Anchorage Outreach Center will host a free virtual class. Registration is required.
- Jan. 24 from 6-6:30 p.m.:
Facebook:
For more information, contact Jennifer Athey, 907-451-5028, jennifer.athey@alaska.gov, or the Alaska Radon Hotline (Art Nash), 1-800-478-8324.
If you have prediabetes, the PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
There is no cost for participation and you will receive a digital scale, program materials and a full year of telephone-based support.
For information or registration, call or text Leslie Shallcross at 907-242-6138 or text HEALTH to 600400
365 SMART academy
Looking for in-person or virtual courses for K-12 students this spring? The 365 SMART academy is open for registration for Spring 2023!
Thirty-three exciting courses will be offered over two 6-week sessions that begin in January and in March. Check out the extensive variety of learning opportunities! Homeschooled families can follow up with your homeschool to see how to build your selection into your child's learning plan. Scholarships are available.
Registration is open until Jan. 22. Visit for more information about face-to-face AND virtual classes. The first session of classes begins Jan. 30.
New year, new themes, new programming
The Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center is rolling out the new programming themes for 2023.
The theme-of-the-month concept has been a HUGE success. Melissa Clampitt, program coordinator, along with staff at MEFEC, brainstormed some new ideas. Some of the most popular themes from the past year will be back with new presenters and topics.
Watch our Facebook and Instagram page as well as our website for additional info and
www.uaf.edu/ces/districts/matsu/
'Today' spotlights some familiar faces and locations
The "Today" show traveled to Fairbanks and North Pole so they could experience the winter solstice in the Far North. George Aguiar said he got a call from the folks at Explore Fairbanks asking if he was interested in being on the show with one of his reindeer.
Absolutely! George found himself at the Santa Claus House in North Pole at 3 a.m. with his reindeer Puma. The temperature was minus 40. George said it was by far the coldest temperature "Today" correspondent Kerry Sanders had ever encountered.
The shot was live and George said it was a fun experience and the cameramen and crew were very nice. Of course, Puma, who will be 3 at the end of March, stole the show.
ou can watch the segment on the
Happy Holidays!
Charles Ashlock and his family took a trip to Archipelago Farms over the holidays, where owner George Aguiar introduced him to Puma.
George wrote, "Had the opportunity to finally show Charles and his family the reindeer. I handed off Puma and think I may have found some help for the exhibit season! Thanks for always supporting us with all your farm wisdom and willingness to help!"
Congratulations to the most recent graduates of the MAPTS Underground Camp!
4-H update
4-H Shooting Sports Quiz Bowl
— Sterling (Todd) Williver
Joseph Hauptman - Copper River
Erik Ostlund - Kodiak
Melody Kitka - Kodiak
Thomas Kitka - Kodiak
A very special recognition of Intermediate Melody Kitka for the Highest Overall Score for this year's event.
Kodiak 4-H
– Kate Schaberg
Our Cloverbuds worked hard to make dog and cat treats and toys for the animal shelter pets! I brought the treats home to cool off and they are Nelson approved.
Thank you to our helpers and to St. James for hosting us!
Bristol Bay 4-H
— Deanna Baier
The STEM club, above, made art spinners while the LEGO club completed a project with lots of teeny tiny little pieces.
Alaska Way of Life Sitka 4-H
Members of the Alaska Way of Life Club recently came together to raise funds for the Friends of Sitka Animal Shelter!
This club is supported by a partnership between the Sitka Conservation Society andn, and strives to teach youth the skills necessary to live with the land and build community. To this end, youth made and packaged homemade dog treats to sell at the Made in Sitka Holiday Market this year.
The dog treats’ primary ingredient was pink and chum salmon donated by ther for a session earlier in the fall where 4-Hers learned how to filet the iconic Alaska fish. Rather than throwing out the scraps from the exercise, 4-H'ers decided to save them to make dog treats at a later date.
The group raised $208 for ther and also donated the remaining treats to the shelter.
A big thank you to the Sitka Sound Science Center, Renée Trafton of , Sitka Youth Community Development Catalyst Emily Pound, and Kirsten Haas for helping our youth give back to the community.
In the News
- KUAC had a piece on the agrivoltaics project:
- Reina Hasting's column in the Jan. 1 issue of the News-Miner:
- The News-Miner had a front-page story on National Radon Action Month:
Events
Check out the rolling calendar at the for the most up-to-date schedule of events.
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Check out the Extension Blog at or the AFES Science & News blog at .