ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE  February 12, 2020 1:23 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative John Lincoln, Co-Chair Representative Geran Tarr, Co-Chair Representative Grier Hopkins, Vice Chair Representative Sara Hannan Representative Chris Tuck Representative Ivy Spohnholz Representative Dave Talerico MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative George Rauscher Representative Sara Rasmussen COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25 Encouraging the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Governor of the state to assist the National Park Service in its efforts to ensure long- term access into Denali National Park and Preserve by way of the existing roadway. - MOVED HJR 25 OUT OF COMMITTEE PRESENTATION(S): FOOD COALITION REPRESENTATIVES - HEARD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HJR 25 SHORT TITLE: ENSURE ACCESS INTO DENALI PARK SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TALERICO 02/03/20 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/03/20 (H) RES 02/12/20 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124 WITNESS REGISTER DON STRIKER, Superintendent Denali National Park and Preserve; Acting Regional Director National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Denali Park, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the hearing of HJR 25. SARAH LEONARD, President/CEO Alaska Travel Industry Association Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the hearing of HJR 25. CLAY WALKER, Mayor Denali Borough Healy, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the hearing of HJR 25. JENNA HAMM, Co-Owner Camp Denali and North Face Lodge Denali Park, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing of HJR 25. RACHAEL MILLER, Co-Chair Alaska Food Policy Council Homer, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided comments during the presentation by Food Coalition representatives. CARA DURR, Director of Public Engagement Food Bank of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided comments during the presentation by Food Coalition representatives. SUZANNA CALDWELL, Recycling Coordinator Anchorage Organics Recycling Solid Waste Services Municipality of Anchorage Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "Anchorage Organics Recycling" during the presentation by Food Coalition representatives. ANDY MERGENS, Senior Director Nutrition Services Anchorage School District Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "Transforming the Experience" during the presentation by Food Coalition representatives. SCOTT MUGRAGE, President Alaska Farm Bureau, Inc. Delta Junction, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided comments during the presentation by Food Coalition representatives. RITA JO SHOULTZ, Owner Alaska Perfect Peony Homer, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "Update on Alaska Peony Industry and Division of Agriculture Peony Programs" during the presentation by Food Coalition representatives. KELLI FOREMAN, Assistant Executive Director Kodiak Baptist Mission/Heritage Farm and Ranch Kodiak, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a video and provided comments during the presentation by Food Coalition representatives ACTION NARRATIVE 1:23:48 PM CO-CHAIR GERAN TARR called the House Resources Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:23 p.m. Representatives Tuck, Hannan, Hopkins, Rasmussen, Talerico, Lincoln, and Tarr were present at the call to order. Representatives Rauscher and Spohnholz arrived as the meeting was in progress. HJR 25-ENSURE ACCESS INTO DENALI PARK  1:24:24 PM CO-CHAIR TARR announced the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25, Encouraging the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Governor of the state to assist the National Park Service in its efforts to ensure long- term access into Denali National Park and Preserve by way of the existing roadway. 1:24:38 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO, speaking as the sponsor of HJR 25, informed the committee on the only road through Denali National Park and Preserve (Denali Park), at mile marker 45.4, known as Polychrome Pass, the road is moving and cracking. He paraphrased from the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet] which read [original punctuation provided]: Sponsor Statement for House Joint Resolution 25 Denali is Alaska's most well-known National Park. The park road is 92 miles long and parallels the Alaska Range, travelling through low valleys and high mountain passes. Along the route there are many opportunities to view wildlife roaming the unfenced land, view peaks of Denali when the sky permits and view incredible landscapes all along the way. Denali park road is also the only road into the park and services the Kantishna area on the back side of the park. Without this road there is no access to the park or the area. Keeping the access road into Denali National Park for the enjoyment of residents of the Kantishna area and visitors alike is a point of paramount significance to many of those who plan to travel throughout Alaska. A section of road at mile marker 45.4 has become increasingly unstable and needs immediate attention. I urge you to support HJR 25 to encourage action on this significant piece of infrastructure. Please call my staff at 907-465-4527 for any questions. REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO pointed out the Park Road provides the only access to private businesses in Kantishna and to the large park campground at Wonder Lake, thus the access road is critical for residents and visitors. He noted Denali Park is visited by approximately 600,000 tourists per year and the Eielson Visitor Center, which is located beyond the problem with the road, is one of the park's most popular destinations. Speaking from his prior experience in the tourism industry, Representative Talerico stated Denali Park is a key component in the itineraries of visitors who travel to many other destinations in Alaska and cautioned about the impact to the travel industry by the closure of the Park Road. 1:29:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO noted the Park Road is also critical to the lottery which allows private vehicle road access in the fall; the lottery is very popular and is entered primarily by Alaska residents. In addition, active military personnel have an opportunity to drive the Park Road at no cost in the fall. The intent of HJR 25 is to demonstrate that the legislature recognizes the importance of the Park Road to the visitor industry, Alaska residents, and active military and to encourage a temporary repair and plans for long-term repair. He urged the committee to support HJR 25. REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS expressed his support for HJR 25 and noted the Fairbanks North Star Borough has indicated its support. 1:34:30 PM REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ expressed her support for HJR 25 and recalled her personal experience camping in Denali Park. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN expressed her support and recalled her personal experience in Denali Park. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK recalled his personal experience in Denali Park and expressed his support for HJR 25. 1:39:30 PM DON STRIKER, superintendent, Denali National Park and Preserve and Acting Regional Director, National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Department of the Interior, expressed his support for HJR 25. He said NPS recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation to Alaska and Alaskans; in addition, tourism is a major economic driver in the state. For American tourists on their first cruise, a tour of Denali Park and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve are preferred destinations; in fact, Denali Park receives over 600,000 visits each year. Visitors to the park spend $600 million in direct spending, and the visitor industry supports over 8,150 jobs statewide, which together comprise nearly $1 billion in total economic output for the state. Mr. Striker said NPS seeks to ensure access to Denali Park to fulfil its responsibility as a good neighbor and to ensure that first- time visitors return to Alaska. Finally, he said HJR 25 underscores the importance of state/federal and public/private partnerships to sustaining access to Denali Park. 1:42:53 PM CO-CHAIR TARR opened public testimony on HJR 25. 1:43:02 PM SARAH LEONARD, president/CEO, Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA), informed the committee the 680 members of ATIA and businesses that depend on safe and efficient access into Denali Park support HJR 25. Alaska's national parks are experiencing a backlog of maintenance needs; in fact, one-half of Denali Park's deferred maintenance budget of $54 million is due to deteriorating conditions along the Park Road. A lack of safe and reliable access into the park would create economic impacts throughout Alaska's visitor industry. Tourism is important to the state's economy and national parks contribute to the success of Alaska's tourism; she referred to previous testimony and advised if the Park Road were to close for an extended period, hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and all facets of the tourism industry statewide would suffer severe economic impacts. MS. Leonard said ATIA supports the efforts of NPS and the legislature to ensure a timely opening of the Park Road this summer, and a long-term solution. 1:45:35 PM CLAY WALKER, mayor, Denali Borough, expressed support for HJR 25 and said the Denali Borough Assembly will consider a similar resolution because the importance of the Denali Park Road to the economies of the state, and the Denali Borough, cannot be overstated. Furthermore, road accessibility into the Denali Park wilderness is unique to the park. He spoke of his personal experience working in the park and said as mayor, he sought support from the Alaska congressional delegation. Mayor Walker said a closure at mile 43 would affect Toklat, Stony Hill, Eielson Visitor Center, Wonder Lake, and Kantishna, all of which are premier destinations. He urged for cooperation and support from federal, state, and local governments. 1:48:27 PM JENNA HAMM, co-owner, Camp Denali and North Face Lodge, informed the committee her business is one of four lodges at the end of the Park Road that rely on road access. She expressed her support for HJR 25 and agreed support for the bill from legislators is critical to sustaining the tourism economy at both local and state levels. She asked the committee to consider adding two points: businesses are located at the end of the road in Kantishna; the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), Section 1110(b), grants businesses a right to reasonable access for economic purposes, which has been provided by the Park Road. She urged the committee to seek a partnership between the state and NPS in order to extend resources. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked for clarification on the businesses in Kantishna. MS. HAMM said she and her husband operate two lodges, Camp Denali and North Face Lodge; Camp Denali has been in operation since 1952. There are three other lodges, Kantishna Roadhouse, Skyline Lodge, and Denali Backcountry Lodge. CO-CHAIR LINCOLN asked for clarification of access guaranteed by ANILCA. MS. HAMM said ANILCA, [Section 1110(b)] relates to rights of reasonable access for economic and other purposes. 1:52:18 PM CO-CHAIR TARR, after ascertaining no one further wished to testify, closed public testimony. The committee took a brief at-ease. 1:53:09 PM CO-CHAIR LINCOLN moved to report HJR 25 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 25 was reported out of the House Resources Standing Committee. ^PRESENTATION(s): FOOD COALITION REPRESENTATIVES PRESENTATION(s): FOOD COALITION REPRESENTATIVES  1:54:05 PM CO-CHAIR TARR announced the final order of business would be a presentation by Food Coalition representatives. 1:54:15 PM RACHAEL MILLER, co-chair, Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC), said she hoped the issue of food access remains at the forefront of everyone's mind and is incorporated into public policy. Food is a transdisciplinary cause ranging from emergency and disaster preparedness, and economic development, to ensuring public wellbeing. Ms. Miller said she is a business professor at Alaska Pacific University (APU) and manager of APU's Kellogg Farm Campus in Palmer. She observed food is a bipartisan issue; this year the Alaska Food Coalition has focused food security week on food production, waste, and access. Ms. Miller advised the purpose of AFPC is to connect, inform, and advocate; for example, AFPC worked with the Municipality of Anchorage to provide seed funding through a mini grant program, commissioned reports in 2014 and 2018 to reveal opportunities in food infrastructure investment, and will host its fifth or sixth Alaska Food Festival and Conference at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She surmised most believe a food system in the supply chain extends from production to end waste; however, a food system includes culture, language, and family, and begins with choice. In Alaska, food security means enough to eat and share. She described food security work as hard, difficult, sad, and "a long play." Further, AFCP has found that Alaskans import 95-98 percent of their food, thus Alaska is highly food insecure. In addition, importing food costs $2 billion and if some of that money stayed in the state it would have a positive local economic impact; in fact, direct to consumer sales in Alaska are increasing. Alaska Food Policy Council also found there are opportunities in Alaska for infrastructure that supports food processing, production, and storage, and for reducing barriers to food start-ups. The 2017 [Census of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture] showed Alaska is leading the nation in new farmers; however, farming in Alaska differs from that in the Lower 48 and agricultural policy needs to reflect the difference. 1:58:33 PM MS. MILLER related her personal experience in the food industry and advised Alaska agricultural policy, by default, must exercise "triple bottom line philosophy," and value social, ecological, and economic or financial bottom lines. She urged the committee to consider people, planet, and profit when addressing food policy and to support the agricultural industry, decrease the state's carbon footprint, and strengthen local economies. Some programs to support farmers are: land access programs; allowing farmers to provide workers' compensation policies; building the agricultural labor pipeline; supporting indigenous food programs, such as the program at the Alaska Native Medical Center; supporting policy for herdshare programs to increase value-added projects; supporting the Division of Agriculture to expand and to eventually export agricultural products; supporting reliable and affordable transportation; addressing senior benefits and other policies. Ms. Miller concluded Alaska could be a model of food systems for others around the world, with similar circumstances, and urged for investment in land-based agriculture in Alaska. 2:03:17 PM CARA DURR, director of Public Engagement, Food Bank of Alaska, and board member, AFPC, turned to the issue of food access. She said the Food Bank of Alaska has instigated a produce box program to subsidize excess produce from Meyers Farm, Anchor Point Farms, and Ridgeway Farms, to reduce the price of produce in the Bethel area. The program is beneficial to the farms by increasing demand for their products, and to residents who need and want produce, but who cannot afford the high price of produce. The program has provided 35,000 pounds of produce to 45 communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area. Another federal program, the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentives Program, allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients double credit for the purchase of produce, and she described the benefits of the program; however, she was unsure whether the food bank would apply for the program because it requires a 100 percent match to federal funds. Ms. Durr recalled a similar program at farmers' markets that supported local farms and low-income residents and that is no longer funded by the state. She urged the committee to keep the aforementioned programs in mind. CO-CHAIR TARR asked how the food bank in Anchorage has statewide impact. MS. DURR explained Food Bank of Alaska doesn't distribute food directly to individuals but has 150 partners statewide. Regional food banks distribute in their regions. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked for more information on Meyers Farm. MS. DURR said Meyers Farm is a farm in Bethel that uses root cellars and other innovative methods to farm and market products. 2:11:44 PM SUZANNA CALDWELL, recycling coordinator, Anchorage Organics Recycling, Solid Waste Services, Municipality of Anchorage, provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "Anchorage Organics Recycling" and said another part of food security is the consideration of waste products. She said most of the food discarded goes into the landfill, but there are ways to keep food out of the landfill and promote food security. Solid Waste Services (SWS) at the Municipality of Anchorage (Anchorage) operates the Anchorage Regional Landfill; the landfill accepts 300,000 tons of trash each year and plans to keep the landfill open until 2063. After closure, Anchorage will be forced to ship trash out of state, or to other regions of the state, at great expense. To extend the life of the landfill, commodities are recycled and shipped out of state, with the exception of the local recycling of organics (slide 1). Recycling organics makes sense because approximately 25 percent of residential solid waste is organic material, such as food scraps and yard debris. She estimated an effective curbside organics recycling program would remove up to 50,000 tons per year from the landfill, and including commercial entities would remove an additional 40,000 tons; these programs are recommended by city planners. She pointed out organic material decomposes in a landfill and produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas; the landfill collects and uses methane to generate power, but 25-33 percent is flared. However, organics that are composted can be used by the community and returned to the food system. In 2016, the community of Anchorage requested municipal composting programs to support local businesses and farmers (slide 2). 2:16:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked what barriers prevent Anchorage from using all of the methane gas. MS. CALDWELL said SWS is working to expand the power project; one possible alternative use of the gas would be to power a leachate evaporator that would reduce the amount of leachate to be disposed of. In further response to Representative Tuck, she stated the available power generated by methane exceeds the amount needed to power the generators at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK suggested garbage trucks and transfer trucks could be converted to use methane gas. MS. CALDWELL explained SWS has three parts to its organics program: curbside organics, which is residential curbside collection; community compost, which is a drop-off program; Anchorage School District (ASD) organics, which collects food waste for use in composting (slide 3). Firstly, slide 4 illustrated accepted and not accepted materials in the residential program; she noted SWS composters do not currently have the ability to compost compostable containers. In addition, meat and bread are not accepted for animal control reasons, although the pilot program will slowly transition toward accepting other materials. Ms. Caldwell further explained curbside organics is the focus of the pilot program; curbside organics collects comingled food scraps and yard trimmings and is known as the pink cart program established after a yard waste pilot in 2017 (slide 5). She said the program has 800 participants, which is the maximum possible with existing infrastructure, and has a waiting list of 500 households. Anchorage has two solid waste collection service areas that are served by SWS and Alaska Waste, which also has a small collection program. In 2019, 271 tons of material were collected, and she said new infrastructure would allow the program to continue to expand (slide 6). 2:21:17 PM MS. CALDWELL continued to slide 7. Secondly, the community compost program has two locations where residents who do not have curbside services can drop-off organics and pick up finished compost. In 2019, 143 yards of compost were distributed; currently there is no drop-off location to recycle yard waste. Thirdly, SWS partners with ASD to capture food scraps. In 2020, eleven schools are participating; one challenge is that the schools must collect clean organics to produce compost (slide 8). REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ questioned why Anchorage no longer recycles glass for road maintenance. MS. CALDWELL said glass is not used in road construction because only a certain amount can be used in the construction of a roadbed, therefore, it is not cost-effective. Currently SWS seeks projects that can use 100 percent recycled glass - such as pipe bedding - which are successful. 2:26:47 PM ANDY MERGENS, senior director, Nutrition Services, Anchorage School District (ASD), provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "Transforming the Experience." He said ASD seeks to make a fundamental change in meal service across the district. Currently, ASD serves meals at elementary schools, and some middle and high schools, in plastic trays already containing portions of food; ASD intends to return to serving food on trays served by lunch staff and reusing the trays after cleaning. Mr. Mergens said this change would allow ASD to introduce different menus and local products, eliminate packaging, and reduce food waste. He described how meals differ between elementary and upper level schools and stressed the plan is to transition away from disposable, one-time use plastic and paper trays (slides 1 and 2). He restated the transformation would allow ASD to bring changes to menus and reduce waste. The National School Lunch Program, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, requires that students are offered five food components and students are required to take three components, one of which is a fruit or vegetable. He described in detail how serving trays that are not prepackaged will allow more student choice and will reduce the amount of food that is prepared, served, and uneaten. Further illustrated on slide 3 was that 18 tons of paper packaging goes into the landfill each year, and he noted reusable trays will pay for their investment in four and one-half months. 2:32:11 PM MR. MERGENS continued to slide 4 that was a timeline. The pilot program began at Service High School in March 2019, and has expanded to nearly seven schools. The goal is to replace and change to reusable tray service at all middle and high schools by the end of 2021. The program started at high schools because they are better equipped and staffed, and many of the middle schools will require extensive renovation to enlarge kitchens, and he elaborated. He cautioned the May 2025 goal of districtwide implementation may be aspirational. He pointed out the service style change will increase the amount of ingredients and other products sourced from Alaska growers; in 2018, ASD replaced powdered mashed potatoes with freshly cooked potatoes from the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) valley, at lower cost. In addition to about nineteen tons of potatoes, ASD purchases eighteen tons of carrots from the Mat-Su valley each year and may expand to broccoli in season. Further, ASD is purchasing local beef and hopes to obtain flour grown from Alaska wheat (slide 5). Mr. Mergens concluded with the following challenges to changes in food service (slide 6): • new equipment and infrastructure in schools • kitchen staff training • the new service is time-consuming • food supply does not match school year • new equipment for central facility • increase in supply of local produce • processing local produce • shortage of cold storage 2:40:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether breakfast is part of school meal service. MR. MERGENS said yes. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN related her experience teaching in a high school showed her that many students take the required meal items offered and immediately leave them in a "share bin" for others. MR. MERGENS agreed. CO-CHAIR TARR advised facets of [AS 36.30.332 Classification of Alaska products, the Alaska Products Preference] statute may allow ASD to purchase more Alaska Grown products due to recent increases in the preference percentage. MR. MERGENS said when school is in session, ASD is the single largest food service in the state and thus can drive the supply and profitability of local products. REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ made remarks in support of Alaska agriculture and increased quality of food for school children. 2:47:45 PM SCOTT MUGRAGE, president, Alaska Farm Bureau, Inc., said he farms in Delta Junction with his wife and family and has a herd of cattle with nearly commercial production. Mr. Mugrage informed the committee the potential for agriculture in Alaska is phenomenal and unique; he opined Alaska will become the future breadbasket for the nation. He referred to an earlier discussion of fire prevention and suggested land cleared for firebreaks should be used for agriculture; in fact, if farmed, farmers would maintain firebreaks and save maintenance costs. He spoke in support of the Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund (ARLF), Division of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, which is vital to Alaska's agricultural industry and provides the most flexible and available capital funding to Alaska farmers. He said the ARLF loan balance is approximately $13 million-$14 million. Speaking as president of the farm bureau, Mr. Mugrage advised there is continued interest in farming operations in Alaska and he regularly shares information about opportunities. His farm has 800 cattle; he markets beef from Homer to Fairbanks. 2:53:14 PM RITA JO SHOULTZ, owner, Alaska Perfect Peony, provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "Update on Alaska Peony Industry and Division of Agriculture Peony Programs." Ms. Shoultz said Alaska Perfect Peony is a family farm in Fritz Creek of 25 acres that utilizes high tunnels, ponds, creeks, four fields, and coolers (slides 1-2). When the farm began 14 years ago, there was little information on how to grow peonies; now many organizations support the peony industry (slide 3). The Alaska Grown program is extremely important to peony farms, and of 200 peony farms, 92 Alaska Grown members are peony producers (slide 4). Certified American Grown is a program to which over 56 percent of U.S. cut flower growers belong and that holds an annual convention in Washington, D.C. (slides 5-7). Alaska peonies are famous now and are seen on television, and she described events and magazine articles featuring her peonies (slides 8-16). In fact, Homer is now officially called the City of Peonies (slide 17). 2:57:12 PM MS. SHOULTZ said July is American Grown Flowers Month (slide 19). However, the Division of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is the most effective supporter of the peony industry (slides 19 and 20). The Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) is a federal organization which has recently turned attention to the cut flower industry in Alaska (slides 23 and 24). Phytosanitary inspection permits are required to market peonies to a growing international market, and because only DOA can issue the permits, she urged for DOA funding (slide 25). Ms. Shoultz presented several slides of overseas activities (slides 26-27). The cut flower industry is huge - 600 million stems will be imported through Miami for Valentine's Day - (slides 28-29). Alaska has no cooling stations thus flowers are shipped with ice packs. Slide 30 was a map which illustrated Alaska is a shipping gateway to the world, but shipping is impossible without phytosanitary permits. Also important to the industry are "state-run" grant programs that award grants issued by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, one of which collects data on her farm (slides 31- 33). Other grants apply to Hawai'i, Washington, and Alaska. She gave an example of extraordinary service provided by DOA employees. Bees are kept on the farm to help remove mold from the flowers (slide 38). The Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) is another program to support exporting and overseas marketing (slides 39-40). Large trade shows and reality shows provide exposure - DOA also helps farmers in this regard (slides 41-42). 3:03:32 PM MS. SHOULTZ observed tourism is the next area of new growth for agriculture; a large group from the farm bureau in Kentucky visited the farm, and she expressed appreciation for [House Bill] 217 [passed in the Thirtieth Alaska State Legislature], which helped farmers establish farm tours (slides 43-44). Slide 46 illustrated results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture which indicated overall in the U.S., agriculture was down 3.2 percent, and in Alaska agriculture was up 29.9 percent, mostly in the Kenai Peninsula (slides 45-48). She cautioned new farmers lack marketing experience - thus are challenged by marketing - and provided an example of a new marketing campaign (slide 49). There followed pictures of Alaska Perfect Peony Farm (slides 50- 56). 3:06:14 PM KELLI FOREMAN, assistant executive director, Kodiak Baptist Mission/Heritage Farm and Ranch, informed the committee Heritage Farm is the only Grade A certified goat dairy in Alaska. A video was shown from 3:07 p.m. to 3:12 p.m. MS. FOREMAN spoke of her hope for the future of dairy farming in Alaska. 3:12:46 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:12 p.m.