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DNR highlights loans, seed cleaning and feed-grain program as part of push to boost Alaska food security
Summary
DNR officials told the finance subcommittee the Division of Agriculture manages a $21.5 million revolving loan fund, administers over $10 million in federal grants, expanded seed cleaning capacity and is backing a feed-grain reserve to grow Alaska's agricultural production and resilience.
Deputy Commissioner Brent Goodrum and Division of Agriculture staff told the Department of Natural Resources Finance Subcommittee on March 4 that the division is expanding programs aimed at improving food security and growing Alaska’s agricultural base.
Goodrum reported the agriculture revolving loan fund has approximately $21.5 million in equity and manages more than 60 loans. In 2024 the division approved 23 new loans totaling $6.1 million, he said. The division is also administering over $10 million in federal grants, including microgrants for food security, specialty crop block grants and the local food purchase program.
Officials described a feed-grain reserve started in late 2023 in partnership with Delta Farmers Cooperative intended to expand domestic feed-grain production to mitigate shortages for livestock producers; four producers are under contract to expand feed-grain production. Goodrum said the plant materials center cleaned about 50,000 pounds of native seed and more than 96,000 pounds of cereal grain for commercial growers in the past year — roughly double and triple the previous year’s amounts — and maintains disease-free seed potatoes and more than 40 varieties of foundational potato seed for commercial producers.
The division is administering a $2.2 million regional food systems infrastructure grant aimed at strengthening the middle of the food-supply chain, and a significant overhaul and capacity upgrade of the state seed-cleaning facility is underway to meet next fall’s harvest processing needs, officials said. Goodrum also noted the Future Farmers of America program in Alaska has grown to 17 schools and more than 450 students.
Why it matters: Officials said the suite of loan, grant, seed and production programs are intended to increase domestic production, improve market access for Alaskan producers, and reduce risks to the state’s food supply.
What’s next: The department will pursue its amended, cost-neutral plan to create a Department of Agriculture while continuing the division’s programs; no legislative action on specific grants or loans was recorded at the hearing.
