SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THESE DATES!  Be sure and mark your calendars for the 2015 Friday Forum and Annual Meeting.

Friday,  November 13th, 2015

Friday Forum Conference

Awards Banquet and Scholarship Auction

November 14th, 2015

Annual Meeting

Meetings will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Anchorage this year.  

To reserve a room go to http://bit.ly/alaskafarmbureauancpa.  You can also call the hotel directly at 907-433-4100 or 1-800-593-5447.  Be sure and mention you're with the Alaska Farm Bureau block if you book by phone.

American Farm Bureau, Agriculture and Industry Groups Ask Court to Ditch EPA's Unlawful Water Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 2, 2015 - The American Farm Bureau Federation, Texas Farm Bureau, Matagorda County Farm Bureau, and 11 other agricultural and industry groups today asked a federal court to vacate the controversial new rule redefining the scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. 

The complaint, filed in federal district court in Texas, claims the new rule grants EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broad control over land use far beyond what Congress authorized in the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit also claims vagueness and over-breadth of the rule violate the U.S. Constitution. The groups also challenged EPA's aggressive grassroots advocacy campaign during the comment period, which reflected a closed mind to concerns expressed by farmers and others.

EPA and the Corps first proposed the rule in March 2014, promising clarity and certainty to farmers, ranchers, builders and other affected businesses and landowners. "Instead we have a final rule that exceeds the agencies' legal authority and fails to provide the clarity that was promised," AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen said. "AFBF filed this lawsuit to do everything we can to protect the interests of farmers and ranchers, but litigation is not a quick or perfect fix. It is long, cumbersome and expensive, and it leaves farmers and others facing immediate harm and uncertainty under this rule."

While AFBF and others turn to the courts, a bill currently before the Senate, if passed, would require EPA and the Corps to abandon the rule and conduct a new rulemaking.

"Lawsuit or no lawsuit, we need Congress to act," AFBF President Bob Stallman said. "We need legislation that requires an honest rulemaking from EPA. EPA water regulations must protect water quality without bulldozing the rights of farmers and others whose livelihoods depend on their ability to work the land."

According to the AFBF complaint, "the Agencies are determined to exert jurisdiction over a staggering range of dry land and water features - whether large or small, permanent, intermittent or ephemeral, flowing or stagnant, natural or manmade, interstate or intrastate." The "opaque and unwieldy" rule "leaves the identification of jurisdictional waters so vague and uncertain that Plaintiffs and their members cannot determine whether and when the most basic activities undertaken on their land will subject them to drastic criminal and civil penalties under the (Clean Water Act)."

The AFBF lawsuit follows four similar suits filed by officials representing 27 states, all within two days of the rule's publication on June 29. A group of nine states - West Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin - has asked a federal district court in Georgia for a preliminary injunction to stop implementation of the rule while the lawsuit is resolved. Ohio and Michigan have a separate suit in Ohio also seeking preliminary relief. "We appreciate the leadership and dedication of all the states that have challenged the rule, and we fully support their efforts," Steen said.

AFBF's co-plaintiffs are the American Petroleum Institute, American Road and Transportation Builders, Leading Builders of America, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Manufacturers, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Mining Association, National Pork Producers Council and Public Lands Council.

 Follow this link for a copy of the complaint.

CLASSIFIED ADS

We Buy Berries:  Bear Creek Winery is family owned and operated and we are a farm to table operation. Our award winning wines are so popular that we cannot grow enough berries to keep up with demand, so we also buy berries from local farmers. 

Please keep us in mind if you are thinking of growing or need a buyer for any of the following crops: Raspberries, Black Currants, Gooseberries, Strawberries, Apples, and Blueberries. Contact Louis at 907-235-8484

Visit website: BearCreekWinery 

Land For Sale North Side of Chena River: 468 acres of beautiful agricultural land along the north side of the Chena River between Peede Road and the Flood Control Dam out of North Pole, Alaska.  

Dense birch stands make this the perfect place for agricultural production related to birch sap products. Land is approved for minimal clearing requirements (only 25 acres) to gain title, with no timeline since access is currently by good trail or river only. Priced to sell at $160,000. For more information, call Tom Dooley 907-539-1384.

Computer Repair, Networking & IT Consulting:  The goal of AK Bits and Bytes, LLC is to provide exceptional customer service, and professional results at a reasonable price. You can place your technology needs in our hands and no longer worry about them. We offer expert confidential solutions you can trust.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be your technology solutions provider. If you are happy with us, send your friends, if you are not call us to make it right for you.

We repair all brands of personal computers desktop or Laptops. Hardware or software, we'll fix your computer and get it running properly. Certified Tech and fast friendly service. Call for an appointment. Available 7 days a week.  Discounts to Alaska Farm Bureau members.  Visit website.  Contact Lisa McDonald: 907-398-3994

100% Alaska Grown Wine:  Alaska Berries, located near Soldotna, is the first and only Estate winery in Alaska.  An estate winery is on that grows ALL of its fruit used in its wine.  Our business hours are Wed - Sun from 2:00 to 7:00pm.  

Come visit our tasting room and sample our wines before you buy.  At this time we are not shipping wine.  Contact Brian Olson, 907-252-8511.

Reindeer Needed for 4-H Program:  The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is building a new herd of reindeer for a 4-H reindeer husbandry program.  In the winter months, 4-H students will stay in the wildlife center's bunkhouses learning all aspects of reindeer husbandry and wildlife husbandry. 

Students will be sourced from the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound Villages, Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley.  Spring calves will all be bottle fed by the students.  

Each student will then stay at the center for 2 weeks during the summer.  An approved enclosure will be built at the student's home.  In the fall, the student will take their reindeer calf or calves home and continue their 4-H project.

There is no cost to the student for this program and the calf is donated to them.  The University of Fairbanks, School of Natural Resources and Agriculture Science has had great success with this program in Fairbanks.  We hope to do the same in our area.

We have gathered a few reindeer from breeders along the road system, but we could use more as we have more applicants than animals.  

We ask reindeer breeders to consider a tax-deductible donation.  The value of the reindeer plus the transportation expense would be 100% tax deductible.  AWCC's CPA would create the necessary paperwork for the IRS. 

Mike Miller, Executive Director, 

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) 

PO Box 949, Mile 79 

Seward Highway, Portage, AK 99587. Phone 907-301-7942.

Fairbanks Farm For Sale:  Arctic Roots Farm, Bed and Breakfast at 1293 Esro Road, off Chena Hot Springs Road.  

The parcel includes 25 acres of brome grass, 30 acres of birch forest, a 1-acre moose-proof orchard/garden, a 20'x 48' high tunnel and a 20' x 48 greenhouse with drip irrigation.  

There are 3 homes - a farmhouse and two modern homes which are used as an agra-tourism bed and breakfast, a large shop with a heated utility room, a large barn with sheep handling corrals, a chicken coop, root cellar, and 30 acres with a 5' stock fence.  

Contact owner Chris DuBois at 907-750-1514 for more information.  It is listed with Joe Russo at Russo Reality.  Joe can be reached at 907-460-8555.

Rams for Sale:  Black Welch Mountain rams.  Very gentle.  $300 each.  Nancy Davidian and Chris DuBois, Arctic Roots Farm.  Contact them at 907-750-1514.

Land For Sale:  70 acres in Salcha.  It has Richardson Highway frontage and is near Milepost 315.  There is a small stream on the property.  $42,000.  Contact Ann Geise at 907-895-4466.

Locally Grown Food Wanted: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies hosts a number of camps and overnight programs at our Peterson Bay Field Station throughout the course of the summer. We provide meals for participants during the programs and would like to source more of our food locally and sustainably. 

The Center is a 501 (c) (3) environmental education organization in Homer. It was established in 1982. Email [email protected] for more information. Telephone: 907-235-6667.  

Farm for Sale in North Pole:  A 9 acre farm/tourism lodge at 2100 Nelson Road in North Pole.  See photos at Stars and Stripes or Madden real estate sites.  

A 20'x40' attached, insulated greenhouse, fully landscaped grounds, tree nursery, large vegetable garden (only natural fertilizers used), pasture, woods in blueberries and cranberries.  

There is a 2-story log lodge, Greatland triple-pane windows, stainless commercial kitchen, 2-bed, three bath, covered porches, and gazebo.  Good well water.  $299,000.  Two additional acres with airstrip access available.  Website:  chenalakesfarm.com.  Contact Tracy Pulido at [email protected].

40 Acres for Sale in North Pole:  Gorgeous parcel that is a mix of large spruce, birch, willow and grassland.  East borders Chena Lake Recreation Area at the end of Repp Road in North Pole.  Great spot for farm, rural estate or hunting/fishing aurora-viewing lodge.  Can be subdivided into 5-acre lots.  

Short walk to river or lake.  Road access, power about � mile away.  Very private, but easy access to town.  Owner financing is available.  $99.000 OBO.  Contact Tracey Pulido at [email protected].  See photos on Fairbanks Craigslist.

MEMBER BENEFITS

View all benefits here.

• Alaska Farm Bureau members save up to 20% off best available rates at Choice Hotels, including Ascend, Cambria Suites, Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites, Quality Inn, Rodeway Inn, Sleep Inn, and Suburban Extended Stay� hotels.  Just use our discount code:0228830 

• If you own a company, you can provide your part time employees with prescription savings with The Farm Bureau Discount Rx Card. Visit the Health Care section of www.fbadvantage.com to print your free card!

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 20: Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) enrollment begins.  More information here.

July 23, 6:00pm:  Delta Junction Chapter's Harvest Dinner.  Meet at the Pioneer Park in town. Click here for flyer. 

 July 28, 3:00-6:00 pm: Plant Materials Center Open House 5310 Bodenburg Spur, Palmer (Butte). 3-6 pm. Details here.

August 6-15th:  3rd annual Harvest Moon Local Food Festival.  Details here.

August 7-16:  Tanana Valley State Fair.  Find info at www.tananavalleystatefair.com/ 

August 15-16:  Kenny Lake Fair.  Info: www.alaskakennylakefair.com

August 21-23: Kenai Peninsula State Fair.  Info at www.kenaipeninsulafair.com

August 27- September 7: Alaska State Fair

October 16: World Food Day

November 13-14: Alaska Farm Bureau Friday Forum, Anchorage