Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agriculture Youth Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
4‑H members, leaders urge $3 million for university agriculture and extension capital project
Summary
Young 4‑H members and program leaders told the Senate Finance Committee they support the governor's $3 million capital request for the university’s Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension, saying the funds would support youth programs, leadership development and agricultural services across the state.
Members of Alaska’s 4‑H program and local agricultural operators told the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 26 they support a $3 million, one‑time capital appropriation in the University of Alaska capital budget for the Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension (the students and witnesses referred to the institute and its 4‑H programs).
Dara Bird, a Fairbanks 4‑H participant, told senators the institute’s capital request would directly support youth programming. “4‑H is truly a place for young participants to flourish,” Bird said. Bird asked the committee to back the governor’s $3 million line, noting the University of Alaska Board of Regents had requested $5 million.
Morgan Carlson Kelly, an Anchor Point 4‑H member, and Joakina Rapnow of Palmer described similar benefits: access to public speaking, leadership, livestock and arts projects and opportunities to compete and travel. Carlson Kelly said the Youth and Governance program “changed my life,” and credited 4‑H with giving young people experience in civic engagement. Mikaela Anderson, a longtime 4‑H leader and chaperone, said the program houses youth governance and that the requested capital funds are on “page 23 of the red book.”
Separately, speakers who farmed in rural Alaska described how state agricultural programs and the Division of Agriculture’s services — seed programs, soil testing, new crop trials, and revolving loans — helped startup farms reach commercial production and supply local schools and retailers. Tarn Coffee, who operates Coffee Farm near Talkeetna, urged lawmakers to “fund the division of agriculture as much as possible.”
Why it matters: witnesses framed the capital request as an investment in both youth leadership and statewide agricultural capacity. Several speakers tied 4‑H participation to future civic and workforce involvement, and at least one farm operator described tangible local food and school meal benefits from state‑supported agricultural programming.
If lawmakers take action: the speakers asked for the requested funding to be adopted in the capital budget; committee staff did not announce any vote or formal action during the testimony period.
