Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
03/15/2011 10:15 AM House ECON. DEV., TRADE & TOURISM
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: "alaska Adventure Center: Selling Tourism in the 21st Century" | |
| HB191 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 191 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 191-DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
11:34:58 AM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 191, "An Act establishing a state department of
agriculture and food and relating to its powers and duties;
relating to the powers and duties of the Department of
Environmental Conservation and the Department of Natural
Resources; and providing for an effective date."
11:35:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON, as the sponsor, introduced HB 191.
Representative Thompson said he is a businessman who supports a
strong, diversified Alaska economy. He heard from the
agriculture community concerns about agricultural projects and
the ability to provide a safe, long-term food supply. In the
'70s, Governor Hammond established goals for the state: broaden
the economic base of the state through agricultural production;
stabilize food costs by increasing local food; provide
alternative job opportunities through expanded agriculture;
improve rural life by developing an economic base through
agriculture. Currently, there is renewed interest in growing
food locally; there are markets for farmers' produce, Alaska's
disease-free potatoes, and greenhouse products. House Bill 191
will enable farmers to communicate their ideas for the
enhancement of agriculture in the state. He pointed out that
only Rhode Island and Alaska do not have a department of
agriculture. Representative Thompson acknowledged that the bill
is "a work in progress," and asked the committee to assist in
strengthening the agriculture industry for the benefit of all
Alaskans.
11:37:31 AM
PETE FELLMAN, Representative, Alaska Farm Bureau, Inc., gave a
brief discussion of the history of the state's agricultural
policy. He referred to efforts - spanning over 20 years - to
stabilize the state policy on agriculture from one
administration to the next. However, Mr. Fellman has been
involved in this effort during many changes in administration,
and some administrations did not support agriculture in any way.
He opined the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is not
serious in supporting agriculture; in fact, $12 million from the
Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund (ARLF) has been tapped to run
the Division of Agriculture within DNR. Because of the
restriction preventing farmers from borrowing money against
agricultural land, the ARLF at the division is the only source
of loans for operating money for farmers. He asked whether the
committee wants agriculture in Alaska to die a slow death.
11:42:06 AM
LYALL BRASIER, Owner, Brasier Farms, stated his farm has been in
operation for 40 years raising potatoes, livestock, forage, and
grain. He expressed his support of HB 191 because the state
needs a strong food security program, and should eliminate the
multi-layers of bureaucracy between agriculture, the governor,
and the legislature.
11:44:02 AM
BRYCE WRIGLEY, President, Alaska Farm Bureau, Inc., stated that
food production and food security need to become a top priority.
There is only a three to nine day supply of food in the state,
and Alaska's food distribution system is vulnerable to natural
and man-made disasters. Farmers and ranchers are thwarted by
regulations that prohibit the growth of the industry; for
example, agencies providing inspection services, veterinary
services, oversight of land, and other issues, are functions of
several different departments, and would be more efficient if
located in a single department of agriculture. The Alaska Farm
Bureau proposes a 10-year goal of increased food production to a
level that would provide for the population for 90 days. If
created, the department of agriculture would be funded as is the
Division of Agriculture, and critical agricultural functions
would move from the Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) and DNR to one department. He offered help from the
agricultural community to develop and focus the department. Mr.
Wrigley advised that for three decades the needs of the division
have been sidetracked by the size of DNR and its other large and
important priorities; in fact, DNR does not have the capacity
for an appropriate level of management to provide food security,
which is something that has been possible for many years. A
dynamic agricultural industry would benefit Alaska by growing
local food, reducing social ills in rural areas, and fostering
good work ethics in young people. He urged support for the
creation of a department of agriculture that will be efficient,
responsive, proactive, empowered, and positively involved with
many facets of life in Alaska.
11:48:15 AM
RUBY HOLLEMBAEK, Owner-Operator, Alaska Interior Game Ranch;
President, Alaska Diversified Livestock Association, Inc.
(ADLA), said she is a life-long Alaskan resident and noted her
support for several agricultural organizations around the state.
She provided a brief personal history. In her role as president
of ADLA, she expressed support for the creation of a department
of agriculture and food. A department of agriculture was formed
under the territorial constitution, but unfortunately was not
retained at statehood. This department should be reinstated to
supply resources for Alaskans who produce food, fiber, and fuel.
Ms. Hollembaek advised that there was a 15 percent decrease in
the amount of land in production from 1987 to 2007; in fact,
Alaska is ranked 50th in the amount of land in production of all
of the states, due not to a lack of land, water, or an
acceptable growing season, but because of the political outlook
toward agriculture in Alaska. As a matter of fact, ADLA was
formed in 2001 to bring unity and a voice to livestock producers
who are encouraged by the public's interest in eating locally,
alternative energy products, and Alaskan-made fiber. She said
livestock businesses are thriving, although fuel and fertilizer
prices are high. Livestock producers are looking for the same
consideration from state government as oil, gas, fisheries, and
other resources receive, and "to sit at the table and conduct
business about our product ... we want a cabinet-level seat."
She stated the purpose of the department of agriculture created
by the territorial constitution, and relayed that the ARLF was
created in 1953 with an authorization of $1 million.
11:52:40 AM
LYNN GATTIS, Owner, Gattis Farm, observed that as a life-long
Alaskan she continues to be interested in how residents get
their food. Ms. Gattis is a farmer in Port MacKenzie and
supports HB 191 because the attention to agriculture in Alaska
is lacking, which she attributed to DNR's other
responsibilities. Furthermore, this situation reflects a lack
of a true plan for the needs of Alaska and its farmers.
Although she did not agree with all aspects of the bill, the
bill will address the issue of inattention to agriculture. Ms.
Gattis expressed her preference for less government, not more,
but she said agriculture struggles to be heard by state
government, and instead the state should support agriculture so
its businesses can be profitable.
11:54:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked which aspects of the bill Ms. Gattis
did not support.
MS. GATTIS explained that the bill adds a layer of government
and cost, but will allow agriculture to have "a seat at the
table." She opined DNR cannot provide a "direction" for
agriculture, such as small farms and niche markets, or huge
tracts of land.
11:56:28 AM
PAUL HUPPERT, Owner, Palmer Produce, Inc., informed the
committee his family and he are involved in agriculture in many
ways, and he has served on industry-related councils and boards.
Mr. Huppert supported the testimony of the previous speakers,
and added that an additional problem with DNR is its negativity
towards agricultural issues. He opined if there is no
department of agriculture, the industry will continue to
decline. Mr. Huppert is also upset by the inappropriate use of
the ARLF. He concluded, saying that Alaska's isolation is a
protection from agricultural diseases and that creates many
opportunities for agriculture in Delta Junction and Port
MacKenzie.
11:59:03 AM
MICHAEL NEECE, President, Homer Grange, expressed his support of
HB 191. He informed the committee that the Grange is a national
organization established in 1867 to help provide support for
farmers throughout the U.S.
11:59:52 AM
BRUCE WILLARD, Director, Alaska Farm Bureau, Inc., said he has
been involved in commercial agriculture in the state since 1959.
Mr. Willard expressed his support of HB 191, and described some
of the problems surrounding the marketing of livestock.
Although there is a slaughterhouse in Palmer, it is threatened
with closure, and then conditions would revert to "butchering
under a tree." He reiterated that agriculture needs a direction
and a voice, and the state does not need more fisheries.
12:02:01 PM
MARIE RICE had her testimony read by Bill Burton as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
I've been involved in the agriculture community in
Kodiak since 1963 when we purchased a cattle ranch at
Kalsin Bay. We took a big hit in the 1964 tidal wave,
[losing] many of our purebred Scottish Highland cattle
we had shipped all the way from Colorado. We revived
and added a large lease and cattle from the adjoining
ranch a few years later that resulted in a cattle
ranch encompassing 50,000 acres of lease and we ran
nearly 1,000 head of cattle. At the time agriculture
was at its peak with seven large cattle operations on
the road system on Kodiak.
I remember when the transition was made from the
Department of Agriculture to the Division of
Agriculture and the great concern the ranchers had
about the change. The fear at the time was that the
emphasis on support for agriculture in Alaska would be
greatly diminished. The timing of this was also
coupled with the Native Land Claim Settlement Act that
allowed for native selection of land that encroached
on some of the leasehold interest. Those fears have
come to reality in the place agriculture has been able
to hold in the state.
I strongly support the switch back to the Department
of Agriculture. Agriculture in our state needs
renewed emphasis and support if we are to increase the
level of production to serve our needs. I recently
saw a statistic that said we produce 3% of our food.
I have recently taken part in the USDA hoop house
project which is very exciting in trying to increase
local production of vegetables. Please support the
move to the Department of Agriculture.
BILL BURTON said that ranchers in Kodiak have lost land due to
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and a department of
agriculture is needed to help promote agriculture in the event
of a disruption in the delivery of food.
12:06:03 PM
GAYLE EASTWOOD disclosed she was a member of the Alaska Farm
Bureau and that she was testifying on her own behalf. Ms.
Eastwood and her husband have imported different species of
trees for future sale in Southeast Alaska. At their ranch in
Delta Junction, they can grow and sell hay cheaper than buying
imported hay, thus they are proponents of Alaska-grown products.
Ms. Eastwood expressed her support for HB 191, restating that
the department was originally created in 1945 and the ARLS was
authorized in 1953. She further explained that the ARLS
intended to help farmers control animal diseases and plant
pests, and for other agricultural endeavors. Agriculture in
Alaska extends beyond garden-grown vegetables to the barley
project in Delta Junction where farmers are growing barley,
wheat, oats, canola, and potatoes on a commercial scale. Also,
farmers are raising sheep, cattle, yak, bison, and other animals
for commercial sale. In Southeast Alaska, on a smaller scale,
sheep and cattle are raised, and there are nurseries and
Farmer's Markets. Ms. Eastwood opined a department of
agriculture will benefit farmers and consumers by assisting
farmers to improve products, thus providing a locally produced
product reducing freight costs and increasing the vitamin
content of food. She concluded that agriculture is the poor
relation of oil, gas, and coal at DNR.
12:09:14 PM
DELBERT SIMINEO, Palmer, Alaska (Indisc.).
12:11:46 PM
ED FOGELS, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Natural Resources, advised that the administration
has no position on the bill at this time; however, as long as
the division is located within DNR, he and the commissioner are
committed to making it more effective. Mr. Fogel recognized the
true value of agriculture to Alaska and the issues of food
security, and agreed with the need to strengthen the
agricultural plan for the state. In fact, the commissioner has
a strong connection to the agricultural industry, and Mr. Fogel
has met with the farming community on numerous occasions.
Referring to the bill, he agreed that state agencies need to
collaborate on agricultural issues, and said DNR will work
toward that goal.
12:13:46 PM
CHAIR HERRON referred to the passion of the previous testimony
and asked for clarification on whether Mr. Fogel felt that the
division needs to become a department of agriculture.
MR. FOGEL stated that his intent was to inform the committee
that there is new management at DNR, thus the division will be
given a "fresh look".
CHAIR HERRON observed the newest member of the legislature from
Fairbanks was listening to the deep-rooted concern of his
constituents.
12:15:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER appreciated the department's commitment to
examine the issue.
12:16:15 PM
[HB 191 was held for further testimony.]