Seaweed, Strawberries, and Rhodiola Get Specialty Crop Grants
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The Division of Agriculture has awarded $217,388 in Specialty Crop Block Grants to seven Alaska organizations as part of its effort to enhance Alaska’s food security and promote Alaska’s specialty crop industry.
Beyond Barley and Potatoes
The grants, funded by the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, are for research projects related to specialty crops, such as pest identification and mitigation, regional food systems, crop efficiencies, variety trials, feasibility studies, or other topics, says division director David Schade.
“The COVID pandemic and its fallout, including the current supply-chain interruptions, have made it clear that Alaska must take steps to address our food security issues, which the governor has made a priority,” Schade says. “These grants are useful tools to encourage Alaska’s specialty crops’ competitiveness, sustain farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthen local communities.”
The division received eleven applications for the grants and awarded seven, averaging about $30,000, to the following:
- Alaska Sea Grant, of Seward, for investigation of high-pressure seaweed processing;
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, for strawberry variety trials;
- Glennallen High School, for grow towers for specialty crops;
- Chilkat Valley Historical Society, of Haines, for the Charles Amway Berries Trials project;
- Fishermen Fresh, in Southeast Alaska, for seaweed seed string improvements, and for assessing scalable hatchery techniques;
- Homer Soil and Water Conservation District, for specialty crop improvements to enhance accessibility for ageing farmers;
- and Alaska Rhodiola Enterprises, of Palmer, for productivity to accelerate rhodiola growth and reduce harvest time.
Rhodiola is a flower that grows in high altitude and cold climates and is used for herbal medicine or ornamentation.
“Specialty crops,” as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture, kelp, seaweed, and nursery crops.
While kelp and seaweed do meet the USDA specialty crop definition, federal restrictions exclude other aquaculture products from the grant program. A list of USDA-eligible specialty crops is available at the USDA website.
Making History
The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.