There's still time to apply for the Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge!
The American Farm Bureau Federation is offering
$145,000 in startup funds to applicants of the
Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge to make your dreams a reality. The Challenge is the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs with food and agriculture businesses.
Six best-in-show winners will each be awarded $10,000. Categories include:
Best Farm Startup Includes farms, ranches, hydroponics, aquaponics, greenhouse production, forestry
Best Local Product Startup Includes food and non-food products
Best Agritourism Startup Includes farm-to-school programs, pumpkin festivals, farm stays
Best Farm-to-Table Startup Includes CSAs, food hubs, farmers markets
Best Ag Tech & Support Services Startup Ag tech includes hardware and software ideas. Support services include marketing programs, scouting services, and other services targeting farmers.
Best Craft Beverage Startup Includes breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries
The four finalists will each receive $15,000 with a chance to win an additional $10,000 for People's Choice or $15,000 for Entrepreneur of the Year! The 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year was one of Alaska's teams - Vertical Harvest Hydroponics!
Apply for the Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge -
the application closes June 30, 2017.
PS. Do you still need to renew your Farm Bureau membership this year? Or, have you been meaning to join and just haven't gotten around to it? Join/renew on our website -
AlaskaFB.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2017
State seeks nominations for 2017 Farm Family of the Year
(Palmer, AK) - The Alaska Division of Agriculture invites the public to submit nominations for the 18th Annual Farm Family of the Year award. The award will be presented
at the Alaska State Fair.The Alaska State Fair established the award in 2000 to honor an Alaska farm family that epitomizes the spirit of the industry and to show appreciation for hardworking Alaskans committed to agriculture and aquaculture.
The Farm Family of the Year selection committee is comprised of representatives from the
USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Extension, Alaska State Fair, and the Division of Agriculture.
Nominations should include details about the family and how they fulfill the following criteria:
Production of quality Alaska Grown products (not based on quantity)
Community involvement (civic organizations, school, sports, church)
Involvement in agricultural industry organizations (local, state, and federal)
Overall farm family image, farming history, and unique or special production
Nominations are due by June 30th and can be submitted by mail, email, or fax to:
Johanna Herron
Alaska Division of Agriculture
1800 Glenn Hwy, Suite 12
Palmer, AK 99645
Johanna.herron@alaska.gov
Fax: (907) 745-7112
CONTACT: Johanna Herron, 907-761-3870, Johanna.herron@alaska.gov
Nominations Open June 15 for the 2017 County Committee Elections
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages all farmers, ranchers, and FSA program participants to take part in the Northern and Southern County Committee election nomination process which opens June 15.
FSA's county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.
Committees are comprised of locally elected agricultural producers responsible for the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. Committee members are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. If elected, members become part of a local decision making and farm program delivery process.
A county committee is composed of three to 11 elected members from local administrative areas (LAA). Each member serves a three-year term. One-third of the seats on these committees are open for election each year. To be eligible for nomination and hold office as a committee member or alternate, a person must fulfill each of the following requirements: (1) be a producer with an interest in farming or ranching operations, (2) participate or cooperate in any FSA program provided for by law, (3) be a U.S. citizen, (4) be of legal voting age, (5) meet the basic eligibility requirements, and (6) reside in the county or multi-county jurisdiction in which they will be serving. County committees may have one or more appointed advisors to further represent the local interests of underserved farmers and ranchers. Underserved producers are beginning, women and other minority farmers and ranchers and land owners and/or operators who have limited resources. Other minority groups including Native American and Alaska Natives; persons under the poverty level, and persons that have disabilities are also considered underserved.
All nomination forms for the 2017 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA service center by Aug. 1, 2017. For more information on FSA county committee elections and appointments, refer to the FSA fact sheet: Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office as a COC Member available online at: www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or www.fsa.usda.gov/ak.
This year, nominations and elections will be held in the following Alaska LAAs:
Southern County LAA-3
LAA-3 Matanuska Borough
Northern County LAA-2
LAA-2 Area beginning where the Clearwater road intersects the AK Hwy NE to north line of Southeast Fairbanks census area, proceeding NE to Canadian border, then SE following Canadian border, where the Alaska Gateway Regional Educational Attendance Area (AKGREAA) line intersects the Canadian border, turning NW following AKGREAA line to the AK Hwy, then proceed NW on AK Hwy to Clearwater road.
For more information about county committees, please contact the Northern County FSA office at 907-895-4242 and the Southern County FSA office at 907-761-7754 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or www.fsa.usda.gov/ak.
Every Wednesday @ 7:30am: Ag Matters onRadio Free Palmer, 89.7 FM
July 22-23: Fiber Festival being held in the big barn at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. There will be judging on sheep, goats, rabbits and raw fleeces! If you're interested in participating or being a vendor email MatSuFiberFest@gmail.com
As your busy with summer projects, remember that Alaska Farm Bureau members save 10% when shopping at NAPA!
When you do business with COUNTRY Financial, you get more than an insurance policy or investment service. You'll get personal attention and expertise from your COUNTRY Financial representative - a person you know and trust whom a team of professionals backs. Your COUNTRY representative will review all your financial needs and provide a tangible plan for your future financial security, no matter where you're starting. Contact your local COUNTRY Financial representative today to get started.
Join the Alaska Farm Bureau for only $40 per year and your dollars will go to support our mission of improving the economic well-being and expansion of agriculture and to enrich the quality of life for all Alaskans.
Hay for Sale: Brome Hay in 500# round bales available near Delta Junction. Have nutrient contents available on request. Call 907-378-6334 to arrange a time for loading onto your trailer. Housing is also available if traveling long distance. Call the above number for housing. Any questions and price, call 907-518-4244 or 907-723-1132.
Straw Bales Wanted: Truck load of square straw bales wanted. Please give a quote including delivery. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Discounts and donations are 100% tax deductible. Contact Mike Miller at 907-301-7942
All Natural Beef: Locally grown, all natural, grass fed, Delta Barley finished, Black Angus beef for sale. $3.85/lb. dressed. Available in whole or halves from Mugrage Hay & Cattle. Call 907-895-2072 or 308-362-9060
Goats Supply, Excellent Breeds Available: We have excellent breeds of many goat species, we have breeding pairs available. We currently have goats which are in milk, kids are ready to breed. Our goats have excellent milk and show lines. Various species we have: Nubian, Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy, Alpine, Pygora, Kinder, Angora, LaMancha, Toggenburg, Boer, Kiko, Brush goats, Tennessee Fainting Goat. Contact Jackson at 802-729-0326
100% Alaska Grown Wine: Alaska Berries, located near Soldotna, is the first and only Estate winery in Alaska. An estate winery is one 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
Goats for Sale:We are proud breeders of excellent quality, standard size breeds; Alpine, Lamancha, Nubian, Oberhasle, Saanen, Sable, Toggenburg, Boer and the Nigerian Dwarf goats. These are healthy goats with good feet and are easy to handle. They respect goat netting fences and do not jump. Each animal has its own file with full treatment record. Ongoing support can be provided for people who are new to goats. These are very good quality goats. Call or PM Jerry @ (503) 506-7826
Looking for Land to Lease for Cattle Grazing: Top dollars paid for land to lease suitable to graze cattle. Minimum acreage 40 acres. On the Kenai Peninsula. Please contact Robert Gibson at 907-598-2000.
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
