News from Alaska Farm Bureau
October 2018
Alaska Farm Bureau News
Greetings! 
    
If you haven't done so, be sure and register for the Alaska Farm Bureau's Friday Forum, Banquet and Annual Meeting! Register by November 1st to get the "early bird" discount.
 
Remember the Thursday evening workshop! Thursday, November 15th at 7:00pm we offer a free workshop - this year Jeffrey Tranel with RightRisk will be helping us get enthused about filing our farm income taxes! Sign up for the Thursday evening workshop and get some information on changes to the tax code and "how to's" of completing relevant forms for farmers.  


Cheers!

Amy Seitz, Executive Director

37075 Nicholas View Lane
Soldotna, AK 99669 
907-252-5064 






PS. Do you still need to renew your Alaska 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 - 
 
Alaska Farm Bureau Board of Directors
Election Results Are In
 
Delta Chapter: total votes = 12
            Scott Mugrage = 11
            Bill Ward = 1
Scott Mugrage has been re-elected to serve as a Delta Chapter Board of Director
 
Fairbanks Chapter: total votes = 30
            John Anderson = 8
            Bernie Karle = 4
            Fritz Wozniak = 18
Fritz Wozniak has been elected to serve as a Fairbanks Chapter Board of Director
 
Mat-Su Chapter: total votes = 18
            Carol Kenley = 18
Carol Kenley has been re-elected to serve as a Mat-Su Chapter Board of Director.
 
Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Chapters did not receive nominations. Appointments will be made to fill these seats.
 
Directors serve a two-year term.




Attention
Sheep Owners, Goat Owners & Ag Supporters!

Submit comments on the Chugach National Forest (CNF) draft land management revisions!
 
Comments due November 1, 2018
 
Proposed language (page 69 #14) would prohibit domestic sheep & goats from being on CNF lands.
 
Some points to keep in mind when writing comments opposing this change:
  • National Forests are Congressionally mandated to manage lands with multiple use principles. These lands are to be managed in a way to meet "the nation's need for domestic sources of minerals, energy, food, timber and fiber from public lands" - banning a user group, especially one that can produce food & fiber, with no data to justify it, goes against their authority.
  • There has been no analysis done according to NEPA rules that would indicate the need for CNF to ban domestic sheep & goats.
  • Grazing animals can be a useful tool in controlling invasive weeds and reducing fuel loads that feed hazardous wildfires.  Banning sheep & goats eliminates this tool from forestry.
  • This proposed ban is a knee jerk reaction to fears of spreading Movi from domestic to wild sheep/goats.  Current studies are showing that movi may be endemic in wild populations and it takes more than contact with a domestic animal to have a pneumonia outbreak in wild populations.
Additional information and instructions for submitting comments can be found here.
 

 



 
Friday Forum
November 16, 2018 - Crowne Plaza, Anchorage - 8:30am

Exporting from Alaska, the World is OPEN - Debbie Franklin, US Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration
 
Status of Industrial Hemp Laws - Rob Carter, Division of Agriculture
 
The Importance of Story Telling in Advocacy: Randy Dwyer, AFBF Grassroots Development Programs
 
What is the Farmland Trust: ag restrictions vs protected properties; Amy Pettit, Executive Director, Alaska Farmland Trust
 
"Potential Infrastructure Investments for Alaska-Grown Food": Ken Meter
 
Report and Discussion on the Food Security Subcommittee : Representative Geran Tarr
 
Coyote Trail Farm & Fiber Mill - Kate Wattum
 
Shaping a Retail Food Co-op - Kyla Byers, Arctic Harvest Deliveries
 
Findings in the Current Movi Study : Dr. Robert Gerlach, State Veterinarian, DEC

Annual Meeting
November 17, 2018 - Crowne Plaza, Anchorage - 8:30am
 

 

Call to Order

Determination of Quorum

Introduction of Guests

Agenda: Additions/Changes/Adoption

2017 Annual Meeting Minutes

Hail and Farewell

President's Report, Bryce Wrigley

Treasurer's Report, Eileen Herman, Accountant 

 

Ratification of Election for Directors

Presentation to Chapter Presidents that met membership quota

List of candidates developed for President and Vice President

                               

Develop 2019 Priorities

 

Chapter Reports - What has been going on in each of the chapters?

                                (Approximately 10-minute report from each)

 

Lunch - Compliments of COUNTRY Financial

                            

Ag Education Mini-Grant recipient

 

Items from the Floor - Open Forum: What's on your mind? Your opportunity to discuss ideas and suggestions for the Alaska Farm Bureau

 
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

Alaska Farm Bureau
37075 Nicholas View Lane 
Soldotna, AK 99669

Call  907-252-5064 or send an  e-mail to:  amy.seitz@gmail.com
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