March 2023 Outlook
Alaska 4-H'ers and Sen. Lisa Murkowski
Reina Hasting traveled to Washington D.C. with a group of local youth for the Ignite by 4-H Teen Summit.
"Ignite by 4-H is a four-day experience where high school aged teens connect, make memories and find their spark by exploring the best 4-H has to offer in STEM, agriscience, healthy living, career readiness and emotional well-being," Reina said. "After landing in D.C., we squeezed in an opportunity to meet with Sen. Lisa Murkowski and then tour the Senate Gallery and House of Representatives prior to the event."
This photo was posted on the senator's Facebook page. Caption: "It was great to have students from the Alaska 4-H Program in my D.C. office – to hear about their time in our Nation’s Capital and their 4-H experience. Thanks to for investing in the growth and development of young Alaskans.
Jodie Anderson kicks off listening sessions
IANRE Director Jodie Anderson kicked off her community listening sessions in March with a visit to Delta Junction. Jodie attended the MAPTS graduation and toured the training facility, visited with Delta Extension Agent Phil Kaspari and met with community members from Delta Soil and Water Conservation District, Delta Career Advancement Center and local area farms. Anderson also attended the Delta Farm Bureau meeting. Her next listening sessions will take place in April in Juneau and Sitka.
Jodie said she had a great time and wants to thank the Delta community for their hospitality as well as Phil for his time for the logistics and planning.
Marla Lowder honored
Congratulations to Marla Lowder, who was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Service Award by the American Youth Horse Council.
Marla oversees the state horse and state Youth In Governance programs.
She wrote, "I am so honored and humbled to have received this award .... I still say I don’t deserve it but I am so grateful to this wonderful organization and all that l have learned and the wonderful people I have met. Thank you again so much American Youth Horse Council, Inc. for this honor and the wonderful education and many memories. Looking forward to many more."
Upcoming classes
AARP Alaska and the Alaska Cooperative Extension Service are planning a five-part virtual series covering gardening topics for all audiences, from beginners to experienced green thumbs. The classes are Fridays from 10-11 a.m. They are virtual and available statewide.
- Seed Starting: March 31 — Glenna Gannon
- Weed Management: April 7 — Gino Graziano
- Vegetable Gardening: April 14 — Steve Brown
- Soil Basics: April 21 — Leif Albertson
- Reducing Gardening Aches: April 28 — Art Nash
To register:
Arctic Research Open House
Visit the University of AV for the annual Arctic Research Open House. This year we are excited to share with you how our university researchers collaborate with communities Around the World in Arctic Ways.
Visit the Troth Yeddha' Campus on Thursday, May 18 from 4-7 p.m. to learn how our researchers are engaging in critical research with the natural world to develop solutions and strategies in how we use Arctic water, land, air, space and how it impacts the people who live here. Travel across West Ridge and visit all the various research stations. You can also enjoy free ice cream while meeting UAF researchers.
IANRE will be setting up near the greenhouses in the Arctic Health building and garage. We will have greenhouse tours, information on Geographic Information Services, updates on current research and gardening activities. We'd love to see you!
Mat-Su Community Garden series
The Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center is working to increase the “Community” in our Community Gardens and Garden-to-Heal programs.
We are offering a series of monthly classes for those involved in our community gardens. The early classes are focused on teaching new gardeners the gardening basics, as well as provide some tips and assistance to those who have been gardening with us for years. Future classes, occurring once plot sign-up is complete, will provide opportunities for the gardeners to get to know each other so they can all work together for a successful and enjoyable gardening experience. There will also be classes that focus on the pure joy and healing aspects that gardening provides, as well as fall and winter classes to encourage the continuation of gardening throughout the year!
While the focus is our Community Gardeners the classes are open to the general public.
BIPOC* Ways of Being on the Land and Outdoor Recreation Focus Groups (March-April)
— Rachel Garcia
AV in partnership with YWCA Alaska, is forming focus groups with communities of color (Alaska Native, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander**) in Fairbanks and Anchorage to learn about their experiences and thoughts connected to outdoor activities, recreation, and ways of being on the land.
Members of each of the above communities have helped shape the questions to be asked in the focus groups. These in-person conversations will be held over a shared meal (provided) and among people who share an identity. Each focus group session will be two hours, with the option to attend in either Anchorage or Fairbanks. Must be 18 or older to participate. The goal of this study is to better understand ways that members of communities of color and Indigenous communities interact with outdoor spaces, activities, and recreation.
All types of outdoor experience are welcomed. For more information, contact Rachel Garcia at ragarcia@alaska.edu.
* Black, Indigenous, and people of color
**We realize these groupings are broad and don't speak to the many specific identities within these groups; we welcome participants making distinctions about their identity within the project.
KUAC morning news story . (see minute 6:58)
Glenn Juday honored
Glenn Juday traveled to his undergraduate alma mater, Purdue University, this spring to accept a Certificate of Distinction from the School of Agriculture.
Juday, who graduated with a degree in forest management in 1972, has contributed to the fields of forest ecology, conservation and ecological policy during his 50-year career.
The Certificate of Distinction is the highest award of the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association. It recognizes those "who have contributed significantly to agriculture, forestry or natural resources through professional accomplishments, activity in professional organizations, community service work, and other activities that make the nominees a credit to their profession."
Produce safety training reaches Petersburg
— Casey Matney
Casey Matney and Sarah Lewis along with the Alaska DEC Division of Environmental Health provided produce safety training to farms in southeast Alaska prior to the SE Alaska Farmers Summit in Petersburg.
This training allows farmers to become acquainted with the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. UAF's Cooperative Extension Service works closely with the Alaska Produce Safety Program to provide educational opportunities, and to ensure that growers and other stakeholders throughout the state continue to meet the federal requirements for safe production, harvest, and handling practices for fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Petersburg training marked the 28th training that the Cooperative Extension Service has provided since 2017, with over 340 participants trained across the state. During the SE Alaska Farmers Summit, Casey and Sarah also provided information through roundtable discussions. Prior to Petersburg, Casey and Sarah were in Kodiak delivering produce safety training to Kodiak Archipelago farms, along with other workshops.
Matney presentation to Kenai Central Peninsula Garden Club
The Kenai Central Peninsula Garden Club shared this entry about a presentation by Casey Matney: "Dr. Casey Matney from the University of Alaska Extension Center was the presenter for the February 11 program meeting. We are lucky in that Casey works out of the local extension office off K-Beach. Casey gave a great talk on pests in Alaska, mostly bad, but a few that can be good. His slides were great and he interjected some humor into his program. You can tell the enthusiasm he carries in what he does and we hope he will come back too for a future presentation."
High schoolers flock to MAPTS class
— Elizabeth Hardie
It was a full house at a recent IADC RigPass class. The MAPTS class offers certification of introductory safety standards to those who work on or around a drill site. Besides RigPass certification, MAPTS used the day as an opportunity to provide career exploration for Kenai Peninsula Borough School District high school juniors and seniors. They had met with the KPBSD CTE Coordinator early in the year about the class, and she then recruited from all the district's high schools' CTE programs.
The class was well attended, very interactive, with instructors Avram Levy and David Spann. Almost half of the students also expressed interest in our mine training program after a short presentation from our director, Bill Bieber.
The day after the class, KPC/UAA Learning Center Director came over and asked if their adult education students could attend the next class. We expect 5-6 from them as well as any others from KPBSD who could not attend the previous date.
Our next class is scheduled in Soldotna on April 27.
Our Anchorage location is also looking into scheduling a date for the class.
This year, the class is funded with Alaska Technical Vocational Education Program funds.
Employment opportunities
Alaska Tribes Extension program job open
Join the Alaska Tribes Extension Program (www.uaf.edu/ces/tribes), UAF Cooperative Extension Service, the Aleutian Pribilof Island Association, and Unangax Tribes to promote food sovereignty and security in the Aleutian Pribilof Island region. This is a term Assistant Professor position funded through the Native American Agriculture Program, in partnership with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP).
For details, visit
UAF is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual. Learn more about UA’s notice of nondiscrimination.
Job open at Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center
- Do you want to interact with the community in person and over the phone and share all of the wonderful services/information offered by UAF CES?
- Do you love helping kids through organizations like 4-H?
- Do you want to help with the 4-H building at the Alaska State Fair?
- Are you goal-oriented, self-motivated, enjoy doing a variety of tasks and able to communicate effectively with a diverse clientele?
- Are you ready to join an enthusiastic team that works towards strengthening our community?
This office serves the Mat-Su and Copper River Valleys through outreach, education, and continued research collaboration. This is a great opportunity to work with the dedicated team of professionals at the Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center while continuing your education and completing classes.
For additional information regarding this position, contact Theresa at 907-745-3360 or tmisaac@alaska.edu
To apply:
if you are a University of Alaska student enrolled in at least 6 credits.
if you are not a student and interested in the temp position.
UAF is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual. Learn more about UA’s notice of nondiscrimination.
Jobs open at Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District
We're hiring for seasonal positions
The Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District is hiring for seasonal positions. The invasive species team is hiring two seasonal technicians, which involves outreach, field work, and other duties as assigned. FSWCD is also hiring a summer project assistant for a food waste reduction/composting project. Click the link below for the full job descriptions and application instructions.
Americorps VISTA positions
The Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) has two Americorps VISTA positions open. VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) is a federal volunteer program that disperses volunteers to build the capacity of local organizations working to alleviate poverty. FSWCD is working on multiple food security projects that the Americorps volunteers would assist with. These positions are unpaid but come with many other benefits including a living stipend, an end of service award, non-competitive eligibility for federal positions, and professional development training. FSWCD has two open VISTA positions, one is a full year commitment and one is just for the summer. Click the links below to learn more about VISTA as a program and the two positions at FSWCD.
Still have questions? Email vista.fswcd@gmail.com
Tuition-Free Farmer Training Program - applications open
The AFFECT program, a USDA grant-funded project run through the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, is now accepting applications for the second year of its Farmer Training Program. This is a tuition-free course aimed at residents of the Fairbanks North Star Borough who want to produce and sell local food. There are three available sessions tailored to different experience levels/goals. Each session is 6-7 weeks of classroom instruction and on-farm visits for hands-on education. Click the links below to learn more and/or apply.
Don't have time to commit to the farmer training program? Click the link below to look at the free community workshops we offer too. Check our website and Facebook often to see new workshops as they become available.
Questions? Email affectfarm@gmail.com
For more information, contact Liz Kempton, development coordinator
Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District
C: 813-523-2825
O: 907-479-1213 ext. 5
vista.fswcd@gmail.com
Bryce Wrigley featured on RFD-TV
SARE - Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education - partnered with PBS KVIE to produce this episode, which features farmers describing their commitment to sustainability, how they plan to meet farming challenges of today and tomorrow, and how SARE has impacted their farming practices.
Watch as Bryce Wrigley of Delta Junction, Alaska, discusses the importance of soil health and how cover crops have improved his overall operation. He addresses the need for building food security in Alaska as well as how his farm is working to address this issue at the local level. Lastly, see how Wrigley works to share his newfound knowledge with other farmers.
Watch the episode on RFD-TV, March 29, at 5:30pm EDT. RFD-TV is carried nationwide on DISH and DIRECTV (satellite), and many cable systems:
Civil Rights Note
— Alda Norris
Women's History Month
March 1 marked the beginning of celebrations for . The National Park Service has a webpage on the . Take a moment to research the significant contributions of women in the state.
4-H Update
Kenai Peninsula 4-H presentations
— Cassy Rankin
Three youth members from Kenai Peninsula District 4-H shared presentations in their 4-H project areas at the annual meeting of the Alaska Farm Bureau on the Kenai last week.
Ethan Anderson shared his amazing expertise in fly-tying; Ella Rankin shared her wealth of knowledge on the history of sheep domestication; and Jonathan Loop shared the depth of experience he brings to rabbit showing in Alaska 4-H. KP 4-H is thankful for the invitation to share with the Farm Bureau board and members!
Sitka 4-H
— Jasmine Shaw
The Sitka 4-H clubs have been very active. Recently, NPR broadcast a show that talked about The Sitka Sentinel followed with a story titled "."
Another story in the , which got help from the Sitka Conservation Society.
In the News
- Dario Canelon's column in the March 12 News-Miner:
- Art Nash's column in the Feb. 12 News-Miner:
- Leslie Shallcross' column in the Feb. 26 News-Miner:
Events
Check out the rolling calendar at the for the most up-to-date schedule of events.
Find out more about AFES and Extension and keep up with Extension news by "liking" us on . Check out the Extension Blog at or the AFES Science & News blog at .