AK Root Cellar : Alaska Division of Agriculture Seeks Community Comments on 2009 Strategic Plan

AK Root Cellar

This blog is for those of you who would like to add more local foods to your diet, meet local farmers, learn new recipes based on seasonal eating and preserving the summer harvest. Food is political too, so here you can learn about and influence local and national agriculture issues, and participate in helping to rebuild the Alaska food system. May each of you chew happily and wisely.

About me

Kim Sollien

Kim came to Alaska in 2000 and studied sustainable development at APU. Working for Chickaloon Native Village, she helped launch a sustainable foods initiative that included organic gardening classes, community gardens and a four-season greenhouse that produces fresh produce. She helped bring the national conference, Bioneers, to Alaska in 2004. Her passion in working toward food security and rejuvenating the Alaska food system influences all aspects of her professional and personal life.

Local farms and CSAs

NEWSLETTER

Sustainable Agriculture for Alaska

This July-Sept., 2008 Cooperative Extension newsletter includes a story by Matt Shaul of Cranberry Ridge Farm on how his Wasilla farm got started in goat cheese production.

PDF: Sustainable Agriculture for Alaska

EATING LOCAL

High grocery bills spur CSA interest

Read this June 9, 2008 Fairbanks News Miner story on three Fairbanks-area CSAs and growing demand for their local produce.

Farmers' Markets 2008

Look here for a comprehensive list of local farmers' markets.

Resources

DNR's new farm, food, etc. directory

This Excel spreadsheet includes 16 categories from farms to farmers markets, herbs to aquaculture. Provided by the Div. of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources

Local Farms and CSAs

Find local produce, eggs, fowl and meat nearby.

WEB RESOURCES

Slow Food USA

Envisions a future food system based on principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

Food Routes

Explains the hows and whys of buying local, plus an action kit.

Local Harvest

Helpful website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food. Local producers also register on this site.

Sustainable Agriculture

Dedicated to educating the public on a sustainable food and agriculture system that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane.

American Farmlands Trust

The nation's leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation.

Community Food Security Coalition

Dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.

Weston Price Foundation

Dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods to the human diet through education, research and activism.

Alaska Division of Agriculture Seeks Community Comments on 2009 Strategic Plan

Posted by farmfresh

Posted: November 24, 2008 - 4:51 pm

Comments (0) |

December 15th is the deadline to comment on the Alaska Division of Agriculture's Strategic Plan for 2009. This is the first time the division has attempted to develop a strategic plan to guide their work. I'm quite excited to have the opportunity to add my two cents.

If you want to comment too, here is the LINK

It's a PDF so you'll have to write your comments in another doc. and e-mail them to Lora Haralson at the Division of of AG at Lora.Haralson@alaska.gov

Please do take the time to read this document. It's only 22 pages long and there's a chance our comments will be considered and incorporated in to the plan. This opportunity allows us a vote for the kind of food system we want to create in AK. I hope you will join me by offering your opinion to the division's proposed direction.

"Yes We Can"

Kim

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