Support an Alaska Department of Agriculture and Food REINSTATE an Alaska Department of Agriculture

We are one of 2 states, Rhode Island and Alaska, who share the distinction of NOT having a cabinet level department or agency of agriculture.
     Reinstate the Department of Agriculture.
In 1945, the Alaska Territorial Legislature created the Alaska Department of Agriculture for the purpose of promotion and development of agriculture.       Agriculture is specifically identified in the State Constitution.  Prior to statehood, there was a Territorial Commissioner of Agriculture who headed the Alaska Department of Agriculture.  Certain functions in Agriculture were established prior to statehood, such as creation of the Agricultural Revolving Load Fund in 1953 with a $1 million authorization.

In 1953, major direction for the department was similar to what it is today - regulatory work including animal disease control, plant pest control and grading of produce, promotion of a larger and more stable agriculture industry by seeking larger markets and improving marketing techniques and providing financing of viable agricultural endeavors.

Alaska became a state in 1959, and statutory authorizations for agriculture were established in Title 03.  Regulations were rapidly developed with adoption of the first regulations in July 1960 addressing surface sales, leases, homesteading (including auctions for amount of high bid and improvement of credits of up to 90% of the purchase price), as well as leasehold locations.  Effective 5/23/64, regulations were amended so that timber sales, material sales and other uses were also allowed if consistent with public interest.  Grazing leases were initiated in April 1970 as short-term leases only. Disposals of agricultural land were restricted to agricultural interest sales and leases effective August 1976, and amended in 1978 to clarify that disposal of leasable minerals could still take place. No exception was made for locatable minerals, non-agricultural surface leases, etc.
SUPPORT an Alaska Department of Agriculture and Food

An Act establishing a state department of agriculture and food and relating to its powers and duties; relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Natural Resources; and providing for an effective date.

 HB 191 was introduced at the request of the state-wide Alaska Farm Bureau. HB 191 establishes a new state Department of Agriculture and Food with the intent of using the current Division of Agriculture's budget. Currently, statutes and regulations that govern food, food products, land sales, loans, land development, and animals are spread between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). HB 191 is an effort to stream-line government by bringing agriculture and agricultural foods products under the purview of one department. 

A Department of Agriculture and Food would allow for a singular focus that would enhance agriculture and food security in Alaska. Agricultural policy has been inconsistent and prone to changes with new administrations, retirements, or economic changes. This ever-changing policy has hampered the development of a strong agricultural economy. 

In 1974, Governor Hammond stated that "the state needed a renewable resource economic base to sustain Alaska after the oil was depleted." In 1976, Governor Hammond in an effort to develop renewable sources in the state established the following goals: 

  • Broaden the economic base of the state through agriculture production;

  • Stabilize real food cost by increasing local food;

  • Provided alternative job opportunities through expanded agriculture;

  • Improve rural life by developing an economic base through agriculture.


Today people want to know where their food is coming from, they want to feel the security of having a farmer growing and storing food close by, they want to be at the farmers market on Saturday buying food from their neighbor. 

Under a Department of Agriculture and Food, farming can expand to meet the needs of Alaska's residents, providing meat, milk, vegetables and grains for the table. Alaska's biomass can be used to heat homes and power cars, and fiber can be used to manufacture goods. Agriculture is a renewable resource that provides independence and industry into the future for the State of Alaska.

 We the undersigned believe there is too much that agricultural resources have to offer the state to have them ignored.  
     The state of Alaska has hundreds of thousands of agricultural land available to support food, fiber and fuel for our citizens.  More farmable land is yet available.  Not only can Alaskans grow their own food for themselves, they can grow premium crops for export. Don't let a call to action come too late.  Nearly all of the 50 states have departments or agencies of agriculture that sit at the cabinet level.  Recently, Indiana and Vermont have created such. It is my understanding that this leaves 2 states that do not have cabinet level departments for agriculture, Rhode Island and Alaska.  
     Please read this petition in supporting a Department of Agriculture and Food with a Commissioner who would sit at the cabinet level in the Alaska State Government as it did in Alaska's statehood history.   Thank you for taking the time and giving attention to this important issue. 
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