Across Alaska’s peaceful and rugged landscapes, a new chapter is unfolding—one that will develop the state’s flourishing promise and secure the well-being of its people. Establishing a Department of Agriculture in Alaska would not be just a step but a giant leap forward toward realizing the untapped potential of more of the massive Alaskan acreage and fostering a bright and more food-independent future and more diversified economy for all its residents.
As the Chair of the entity charged with increasing food security and independence, I join the 36-member Alaska Food Strategy Task Force in proposing the establishment of a separate Department of Agriculture, rather than just a Division of Agriculture which we now have under the Department of Natural Resources. To fully understand why it makes sense to take this step, see the white paper we debuted recently. The proposal not only lays out the case as to why this is the right time to make this bold move, but it also explains how it can be accomplished according to the Alaska State Constitution and a suggested structure for the new department.
Bear in mind that the AFSTF is not made up of legislators; it is primarily made up of “boots on the ground” – those who work in the field of agriculture, food production, and food distribution (only 4 of the 36 members are legislators) – so this is not a bunch of bureaucrats proposing hundreds of millions of dollars in boondoggles as has occurred in the past. The AFSTF is being informed by those who work in the field who understand the barriers that need to be removed.
Now, back to our vision. Alaska, known for its vast wilderness and natural resources, if it embraces and makes this sensible proposal a reality, will be on the brink of strengthening the agriculture industry as a renewed pillar of our state’s economic strategy and vitality.
This vision is timely, especially considering the experience of disruptions in supply chains the past few years, the recognition of over-dependence on the Seattle port and the risk there of dockworker strikes, recent pandemic shutdown scares, limited infrastructure for the movement of goods in and out of state, frequent earthquake wake-up calls, and increased public awareness of how quickly our store shelves could empty out due to our over-reliance on outside sources.
The current structure of agriculture under the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversees both subsurface resources including oil, gas, and minerals as well as above surface resources including agriculture and forestry. As outlined in the afore-mentioned white paper from the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force Department of Agriculture Subcommittee, we propose moving the above-surface natural resources – agriculture, forestry, and mariculture – to a separate department.
Reason 1:
In Alaska, the management of food production and farming is fragmented across multiple departments, creating a complex and challenging environment for increasing food production. The Division of Agriculture, part of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), shares responsibilities with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This scattered approach complicates efforts for Alaskans and the private sector alike to navigate the system effectively. A proposed solution to this issue is the creation of a new Department of Agriculture (DOAg). By consolidating the various food and agriculture-related agencies under one umbrella, the DOAg aims to enhance coordination and efficiency within the government. This restructuring is expected to eliminate redundant efforts, prevent conflicting actions, and improve the delivery of services. As a result, farmers, ranchers, and others in the food industry would benefit from more accessible and better-designed support services, optimizing the use of public resources.
Reason 2:
Despite historical expressions of support for Alaska’s food producers from DNR Commissioners, Governors, and the State Legislature, the advancement of agriculture in Alaska has been inconsistent and often hindered by a lack of direct input from those involved in the industry, insufficient research, resources, and follow-through. This inconsistency is partly due to the absence of dedicated focus and prioritization at the cabinet and legislative levels, leading to the perception of initiatives like the Delta Barley Project as failures. These shortcomings are often unfairly attributed to the food producers themselves or to entrenched misconceptions about the viability of agriculture in Alaska, contributing to slow growth in local production and an increased reliance on imported foods.
The key to fostering growth in Alaska’s agriculture sector lies in the creation of a dedicated Department of Agriculture. Such a department, working closely with industry stakeholders and equipped with a clear vision and legislative backing, would address the unique challenges of Alaskan agriculture. By being led by a commissioner at the governor’s cabinet table, the department would ensure that services are specifically designed for Alaska’s needs. Furthermore, the department would incorporate industry feedback regularly, promoting the development of agriculture and food production in the state. This approach promises a more focused and sustained effort to enhance Alaska’s agricultural output and reduce its dependency on imported foods.
Executive Branch:
The Alaska Division of Agriculture currently operates under the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), where the Commissioner, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the legislature, plays a pivotal role. This Commissioner is responsible for selecting the Director of the Division of Agriculture from a list provided by the Board of Agriculture and Conservation. As part of the Governor’s cabinet, each Commissioner, including that of the DNR, has the opportunity to influence Alaska’s strategic priorities, including those related to agriculture. However, the introduction of a Department of Agriculture (DOAg) would significantly enhance the representation and focus on agricultural issues within this high-level decision-making process. A DOAg Commissioner would have a dedicated seat at the Governor’s cabinet table, directly elevating agriculture and food security to a priority status, potentially leading to policy changes that could remove existing barriers and foster growth in the sector.
Currently, agricultural concerns must vie for attention and resources alongside other significant revenue-generating areas under DNR’s purview, such as oil, gas, and mining. While DNR Commissioners have occasionally highlighted agricultural issues, their main focus understandably leans towards those industries that are major revenue sources for the state. Establishing a DOAg would eliminate this competition, ensuring that agriculture receives the focused attention and advocacy it requires at the highest levels of government decision-making. Moreover, a Department Commissioner is inherently more integrated into the legislative budget process and, by extension, likely more effective in securing funding for agricultural priorities than a Division Director, further underscoring the potential benefits of creating a DOAg for Alaska’s agriculture and food production industry.
Legislative Branch:
In Alaska, legislative oversight of various departments, including those related to agriculture and food security, falls under the purview of the Resources Committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. These committees oversee departments like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Department of Fish and Game (DF&G), which currently encompass agricultural issues due to their broad jurisdiction over natural resources. However, given the substantial revenue generated from oil, gas, and mining industries managed by DNR, these sectors tend to dominate the committee’s focus, relegating agriculture and food security issues to a secondary priority.
The creation of a Department of Agriculture (DOAg) would significantly shift this dynamic by assigning legislative oversight of agriculture and food security to a specific committee, which would then be responsible for holding hearings and addressing issues directly related to this sector. This change would naturally increase the legislative attention and resources dedicated to agriculture, ensuring that issues affecting this vital area are more promptly and effectively addressed. Furthermore, in the budgeting process, a separate DOAg would likely be assigned its own fiscal subcommittee within the House and Senate Finance Committees, focusing solely on the budgetary needs and priorities of the agricultural sector. This would ensure a more targeted allocation of resources, enabling the DOAg to better meet its goals and support the growth and sustainability of Alaska’s agriculture and food production industries.
Reason 3:
Alaskans are currently funneling approximately $3 billion annually into food purchases from outside the state, inadvertently boosting other economies. According to the latest USDA Census of Agriculture data, Alaska’s agricultural landscape is showing unique trends compared to the national picture. Between 2007 and 2017, Alaska saw a notable increase of 44.3% in the number of farms, despite a slight 3.6% reduction in total farmland, indicating a shift towards smaller-scale farming operations. This contrasts sharply with the nationwide trend, where the number of farms fell by 7.4%, even though the decrease in total farmland was somewhat parallel to Alaska’s. These statistics underline a critical need for enhanced support and capacity-building for both new and existing Alaskan farms of all sizes. The establishment of a dedicated Department of Agriculture (DOAg) would provide much-needed expertise and resources, fostering growth in the agriculture sector, generating investment, and creating jobs, thus contributing to a more diversified and resilient Alaskan economy.
The agriculture industry, unlike others that might fluctuate with economic cycles and consumer discretionary spending, enjoys the distinct advantage of constant demand. Agricultural products are essential to consumers daily, ensuring a stable market regardless of temporal trends in other sectors. By supporting an industry with such a guaranteed consumer base, a dedicated department would be operating on a foundation of steady demand. This secure and continual need for agricultural products highlights the strategic importance of investing in and supporting Alaska’s agriculture, suggesting that a DOAg would not only bolster the state’s agricultural capacity and expertise but also stabilize and enrich the local economy through a sector with unwavering demand.
Reason 4:
The establishment of a Department of Agriculture (DOAg) in Alaska promises to bring about not only economic prosperity by nurturing a robust agricultural industry but also significant health benefits for the community through access to fresher foods. Fresh produce loses nutritional value the longer it takes to get from harvest to table, meaning that reducing the time food spends in transit directly enhances its health benefits. Therefore, a key advantage of a DOAg would be ensuring Alaskans have more access to locally grown foods, which in turn would contribute to the overall health and well-being of the state’s population by providing them with more nutritious options.
Beyond economic growth and improved nutrition, the introduction of more locally sourced foods could lead to a range of direct health benefits including lower birth weights and rates, enhanced fitness levels, and reductions in heart disease, diabetes, and healthcare costs. Additionally, the ripple effects of consuming more locally produced foods could extend into improved mental health, enhanced learning outcomes for students, better job performance, and increased safety awareness. While challenges in accessing local foods may remain due to factors like income levels, transportation infrastructure, or purchasing barriers faced by institutions and retailers, a DOAg could play a crucial role in mitigating these issues, making healthier, locally produced food more accessible to all Alaskans.
Reason 5:
Every U.S. state has an agency responsible for overseeing its agriculture industry, though these agencies vary in structure, powers, and responsibilities. Despite these variations, their core functions are generally similar. However, Alaska’s agricultural funding appears disproportionately small when considering its massive land area and agricultural potential. For example, Alaska’s budget for agriculture in FY2024 is $6.9 million, which is on par with the budgets of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, states with significantly smaller land areas and agricultural sectors. Per farmland acre, Alaska’s expenditure is notably lower, spending approximately $8.16 compared to Massachusetts’ $13.63 and Rhode Island’s $93.07. This discrepancy is striking, especially as Alaska is experiencing growth in farmland acreage and the number of farms, contrasting with the decline seen in the other two states. Adequate funding is essential for nurturing this growth, shortening food supply chains, and enhancing state independence.
Comparing Alaska’s agricultural budget to states with similar populations but significantly higher budgets further highlights this funding disparity. South Dakota and North Dakota, for instance, have agriculture budgets nearly four times that of Alaska, despite having comparable population sizes. Alabama, with its agriculture sector contributing 1.8% to its GDP (three times that of Alaska’s), operates a Department of Agriculture with a budget of $17 million and 300 employees, underscoring the disparity in resources allocated to agriculture in Alaska versus other states. The current structure within Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources is not sufficient to support the growth and development of the state’s agriculture industry to its full potential. Establishing a dedicated Department of Agriculture, as proposed, could provide the necessary focus and capacity to enhance Alaska’s agricultural sector.
Conclusion: Envisioning a Self-Reliant Alaska
The proposal to establish a Department of Agriculture in Alaska reflects a strategic, forward-thinking approach to the state’s development. It acknowledges the critical role of agriculture in ensuring food security and economic diversity. By differentiating the management of above-ground resources (agriculture, forestry, and mariculture) from below-ground ones (oil, gas, and minerals), Alaska can offer tailored support and growth strategies for each sector, ensuring that the state’s vast natural resource potential is harnessed wisely.
As Alaska embarks on this transformative journey, the vision of thriving local farms, resilient communities, a stronger agriculture sector and food production industry is not just aspirational—it’s achievable. This bold step towards establishing a Department of Agriculture is more than smart policy; it’s a commitment to a thriving and independent Alaska for generations to come.
