A Message from Alaska Farm Bureau President Bryce Wrigley

Now that Congress has passed, and the President has signed the Farm Bill, farmers can move forward with their planting plans with some measure of certainty. The new Farm Bill provides a safety net for farmers in the event of severe losses with several crop insurance options. The bill also provides disaster provisions for livestock producers and fruit and vegetable growers.

Programs within the Farm Bill will enhance rural economies with additional jobs, invest in research and education and include reform that works for farm and ranch families. The new Farm Bill tightens eligibility requirements for participation in both the farm programs as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Some will find fault with the new bill due to changes in specific programs, but with the Nation's increasing deficit, we must recognize that business as usual can't continue.

One addition to the Farm Bill that I am particularly interested in watching is the creation of a permanent subcommittee within the EPA Science Advisory Board. This committee will be tasked with conducting peer review of EPA actions that would negatively impact agriculture. Given EPA's efforts to expand their authority over air and water, we hope that the new committee will raise awareness of the cost of proposed regulations to those of us who feed the nation.

A technical service provider, or TSP, is an individual or business that has technical expertise in planning and design for a variety of conservation activities.  Farmers and ranchers can hire a TSP to do work on behalf or NRCS.  TSPs provide service to NRCS clients in two basic areas:  conservation practice design, installation and check out in the development of Conservation Activity Plan (CAPs).

Conservation practices such a nutrient management, pest management, revegetation practices, etc. can be designed and checked out by a TSP.  TSP funds must be requested by the contract holder in the year they are going to be used.  NRCS would do a contract modification to add funds to the contract for hiring a TSP.  After the TSP has completed the requirements, the payment would be made.

CAPs cover the development of a plan such as a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), Nutrient Management Plan, Grazing plan or Energy Audit Plan.  The producer applies for EQIP through the NRCS office and requests the development of a CAP in their selected area.  Once the application is ranked and funded, the producer may hire a TSP to complete the CAP.  The cost-share assistance received through the EQIP program will assist in paying the TSP fees.

There are several benefits to using a TSP for your conservation planning and implementation.  The first benefit is that you will be using a TSP that has proven their expertise in the field for which you are hiring them.  TSPs have a smaller client base and will be able to provide more individualized attention to your needs.  TSPs are also not encumbered by a large range of duties that may take time away from completing technical work.  Additionally, TSPs are required to provide the client and NRCS with certain basic items, but the sky is the limit.  A TSP can do as much work as you would like and can delve deeper into your resource concerns.

LIST YOUR FARM AND AG BUSINESS IN ALASKA SOURCE BOOK

The Alaska Division of Agriculture is putting together their 2014-2015 Source Book.  The Source Book is the only statewide listing of all producers with items for sale.  The Division of Agriculture will be collecting data through April 15th.  At least 5,000 copies of the Source Book will be printed and distributed to the public.  The data is also made available online in a searchable format.

The Division of Agriculture collects and distributes this data every two years.  No one will be added to the 2014-2015 Source Book automatically.  You must fill out the application even if you have been in the publication in the past.  There were 225 producers that provided their data for the 2012-2013 book.  The Division is hoping for a 20% increase this year.

You can submit your data at the Division of Agriculture's website www.dnr.alaska.gov/ag.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Agriculture and Food Research Grants- Due March 14

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide funds to support projects that help ensure the availability and accessibility of safe and nutritious food by increasing the supply and reducing losses. Project types supported within the Food Security Challenge Area are multi-function integrated research, education, and/or extension projects, food and agricultural science enhancement grants and conferences. State Agricultural Experiment Stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, and many other groups are eligible to apply. $6,000,000 total program funds are available. Letter of Intent due March 14, 2014, application due June 12, 2014. For more information: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_food_security.pdf. 

FARM BUREAU CHAPTER GRANTS-Due April 1

• Top increase membership in your Chapter.
• To promote Alaska agriculture or mariculture.
• To promote the Alaska Farm Bureau

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide grants to promote and strengthen secondary and 2-year postsecondary agriscience and agribusiness education and agriculture in the K-12 classroom in order to help ensure a qualified workforce and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food, agricultural and human sciences. Public secondary schools, public or private nonprofit junior and community colleges, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations are eligible for this grant. Application deadline: April 3, 2014. For more information:   http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_secondary.pdf.

Alaska Farm Bureau Scholarship- Deadline April 12, 2014

Remember, Alaska Farm Bureau members get free shipping on orders made on-line.  Be sure your account indicated you are a Farm Bureau member. Order

Agriculture-Related Bills Submitted During this Legislative Session:

HB 77:  Introduced at the request of the Governor - An Act relating to the Alaska Land Act, including certain authorizations, contracts, leases, permits, or other disposals of state land, resources, property, or interests; relating to authorization for the use of state land by general permit; relating to exchange of state land; establishing that performance of a feasibility study for the development and operation of a hydroelectric site at Chikuminuk Lake is not considered an incompatible use of the Wood-Tikchik State Park; relating to procedures for certain administrative appeals and requests for reconsideration to the commissioner of natural resources; relating to the Alaska Water Use Act.

HB 121: Introduced by Rep. Feige - An Act relating to the examinations, board, loans, records, and lobbying contracts of the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank.

HB 202:  Introduced by Rep. Feige - An Act raising the application fee for a drawing permit for the hunting of bison to $20; requiring the game management plan for bison in the Delta Junction Bison Range Area to include mitigation of bison damage to farm crops and farm and personal property; and authorizing the commissioner of natural resources to make grants to mitigate or prevent damage caused by bison.  (Members at the November 16, 2013 Alaska Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting voted to support this bill).

HB 207:  Introduced by Rep. Feige - An Act establishing the Board of Agriculture, Conservation, and Development; transferring the powers and duties of the Natural Resource Conservation and Development Board to the Board of Agriculture, Conservation, and Development; transferring to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development the authority to approve loans from the Agricultural revolving loan fund; terminating the Natural Resource Conservation and Development Board.  (Support for this bill was defeated by members at the November 16,2013 Alaska Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting).

HB 215:  Introduced by Rep.Tarr - An Act relating to the labeling of food; relating to the misbranding of food; requiring labeling of food products with genetic engineering.

HB 224:  Introduced by Rep. Drummond - An Act limiting the application of neonicotinoid pesticides.

HB 231:  Introduced by Rep. Chenault - An Act eliminating the Department of Revenue's duty to register cattle brands.

HB 238:  Introduced by Rep. Tarr - An Act relating to the municipal procurement preference for state agricultural and fisheries products; relating to legislative oversight of that procurement preference.

HB 248:  Introduced by Rep. Kawasaki - An Act establishing May 15 each year as Think Local Day.

HB 249:  Introduced by Rep. Kawasaki - An Act prohibiting the use of genetically engineered seeds or plants to produce or grow agricultural products for sale.

The full text of each bill can be found at http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/index.php.

Type in the bill number in the "Search" box.  You can find the full text, the sponsor's statement and the bill's history and current status.

Offering soil sample collection and analysis, integrated pest management plans, irrigation water management, grazing management, water testing and feed testing. 

Call Catherine Hadley at 907.460.8628

or send her an e-mail:

USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) is announcing the expanded coverage for specialty barley types in Alaska.  Expanded coverage includes Hulless, Waxy Hulled and Waxy Hulless types. 

Starting with the 2014 crop year, the 5% premium surcharge for acreage insured under organic farming practices has been removed.  A new contract price option is available to organic producers who grow eligible crops under guaranteed contract and changes to organic transitional yields (t-yields) will be phased in so they will be more reflective of actual organic farming experience.  RMA continues to add organic price elections for certain crops based on availability of date.  Additional information on risk management tools for organic farmers can be found on the RMA Organic Crops website at www.rma.usda.gov/news/currentissues/organics/.

RMA reminds growers of the March 17th sales closing date for Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) programs.  These programs include the Adjusted Gross-Revenue-Lite Insurance (new application/enrollment policies) and coverage for spring-seeded insurable crops of barley, cabbage, potatoes, oats and wheat as well as organic crops.

Alaska producers have the option of obtaining an individual MPCI policy for each insured crop or a whole-farm revenue protection package, Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-Lite).  AGR-Lite provides protection against low revenue due to unavoidable natural disasters and market fluctuations that affect income during the insurable year.  Most farm-raised crops, animals, and animal products are eligible for protection.  Coverage may include organic and specialty commodities.

Current Alaska policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage before the March 17th sales closing date.  Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents.  A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA service centers or on the RMA website at www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.

February 27th:  Delta Farm Bureau Chapter meeting at the Jarvis Office Building at Mile 1420.5 Alaska Highway in Delta Junction.  The meeting begins at 7:00 P.M.

March 5th:  Certified Pesticide Applicator Conference in UAA Gorsuch Commons Room 107 at 3700 Sharon Gagnon Lane, Anchorage.  Cost is $50, which includes lunch.  Agenda and conference details at www.uaf.edu/ces/ah/psep/news.

March 6th:  Kenai Peninsula Farm Bureau Chapter meeting at Ninilchik Fairgrounds.  Potluck is at 6:30 P.M.  Meeting begins at 7:00 P.M. 

March 11-13:  Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Fairbanks at the Wedgewood Resort.  Agenda and registration at http://www.uaf.edu/ces/ah/sare/conference/.

March 14th and 15th: Alaska Botanical Garden Annual Meeting and Spring Garden Conference.  Held at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel.  Agenda and registration information can be found at www.alaskabg.org.

April 15th:  Deadline to submit your data for the Division of Ag's Source Book.  Data is submitted at their website: www.dnr.alaska.gov/ag.

March 17th:  Crop Insurance Sales Closing Date for new application/enrollment policies for spring-seeded insurable crops (barley, cabbage, potatoes, oats and wheat).

March 29th:  New and Intermediate Peony Growers School at the Tanana District Extension classroom in Fairbanks.  New growers will meet from 9:00 A.M. to Noon.  Intermediate growers meet from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M.   For information:  www.alaskapeonies.org.

March 31st:  Deadline to submit comments about the USDA changes to Chronic Wasting Disease and Herd Certification Programs.  The changes are in the Federal Register.  Links include http://www.regulations.ov/#!documentDetail.D=APHIS-2--6-0118-0402 and http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2006-0118.

Last half of April there will be several apple tree-grafting workshops at the Tanana District Extension Office in Fairbanks:  For information:  Email Steven Seefeldt at [email protected].

April 26th:  Agriculture Forum at Land's End in Homer.  Sponsored by the Kenai Peninsula RC&D Office. 

Life is short - Eat Good Food - The Best Is Always Alaska Grown!