Governor Mike Dunleavy of Alaska has announced plans to introduce an executive order at the upcoming Legislative Session to create the Alaska Department of Agriculture, with the goal of strengthening the state’s agricultural industry. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the state’s reliance on outside supply chains, prompting the need to improve food security within Alaska. With the state importing 95% of its food products, the establishment of the Department of Agriculture is seen as a step towards reducing this dependence.
Adam Boyd, a third-generation farmer from Alaska, supports this initiative and believes that farmers and ranchers in the state face unique challenges due to a short growing season and high production costs. He emphasizes the need for increased investment in the agricultural sector to support expansion and reduce regulatory burdens that hinder competition with producers from the lower 48 states and other countries.
While some, like Boyd, advocate for a seat at the table for agricultural producers in decision-making processes, others, like Legislative Senator Bill Wielechowski, have concerns about the potential costs and bureaucracy involved in creating a new department. The executive order will be debated during the upcoming legislative session, with discussions focused on whether the existing Division of Agriculture can fulfill the proposed department’s functions without the need for additional government expansion.
The Alaska Department of Agriculture, if established, would aim to provide expert support for farmers and ranchers and administer programs to enhance food security in the state. The outcome of these deliberations will impact the future of agriculture in Alaska and the state’s efforts to reduce its reliance on imported food products.
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