Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
02/12/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Eo 136 Establish Dept of Agriculture | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 12, 2025
3:30 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel, Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski, Vice Chair
Senator Matt Claman
Senator Forrest Dunbar (via teleconference)
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senator Robert Myers
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
EO 136 ESTABLISH DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN BOYLE, Commissioner
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced Executive Order 136 on behalf of
the administration.
BRENT GOODRUM, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Natural Resources
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a presentation on Executive Order 136
Establish Department of Agriculture.
ROGER VANDERWEELE,
VanderWeele Farm
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on EO 136.
MIKE MOSESIAN, President
Mosesian Farms of Alaska (Bell's Nursery)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on EO 136.
SCOTT MUSGRAGE, President
Alaska Farm Bureau
Delta Junction
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on EO 136.
BETH VAN SANDT, Scenic Place Peonies
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on EO 136.
INGA PETERSON, Alaska Future Farmers of America
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on EO 136.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:30:49 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL called the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Meyers, Dunbar, Hughes, Claman, Kawasaki, Wielechowski
and Chair Giessel.
^EO 136 ESTABLISH DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
EO 136 ESTABLISH DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
3:31:37 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of Executive Order 136
Establishing the [Alaska] Department of Agriculture.
3:32:39 PM
JOHN BOYLE, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
Anchorage, Alaska, introduced EO 136 to establish a Department
of Agriculture on behalf of the administration. He emphasized
the need to enhance agriculture's role in the state, citing the
2020 pandemic as a catalyst for this initiative. He highlighted
the vulnerabilities in Alaska's supply chain, including
potential disruptions from global pandemics, volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, and port infrastructure damage. He underscored the
importance of agriculture in ensuring food security and
resilience against such threats.
3:34:57 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE said, historically, Alaska had a rich and
cherished agricultural tradition, with significant contributions
from regions like Haines and the Matanuska Valley. Despite this,
he said agriculture had been neglected for decades, often
overshadowed by other industries and economic issues. He
advocated for elevating agriculture to a cabinet-level position
to ensure strategic leadership and policy focus. He said
establishing an Alaska Department of Agriculture would enhance
Alaska's progress toward food security, stimulate economic
growth, and create opportunities for new residents to engage in
farming and livestock raising, ultimately enriching the state's
way of life.
3:38:08 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE urged that the time was right for the
creation of a new department. He said that it was a pivotal
moment of opportunity in energy and agriculture. He expressed
optimism about resolving energy challenges through both
renewable and non-renewable sources, predicting that the state
will recognize the benefits of abundant and affordable energy.
He highlighted Alaska's unique ability to expand agricultural
land while other states face challenges due to land scarcity. He
praised Alaska's abundant fresh water supply, and said it was a
significant advantage for agriculture, especially in contrast to
water shortages in other parts of the U.S.
3:40:00 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE said Alaska's strategic geopolitical
position, with the world's third busiest cargo airport and its
proximity to major markets, positioned it well for significant
agricultural growth. He suggested Alaska could become self-
sufficient in food production and a major agricultural exporter,
citing the Netherlands as an example. He said key to realizing
this potential was solving Alaska's energy issues and
coordinating efforts among various state entities. He noted that
Alaska possessed unique advantages that provided competitive
advantages in the global market. He emphasized the need for the
advocacy a Department of Agriculture would provide to ensure
Alaska received its fair share of federal agricultural funding
and support.
3:43:31 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE discussed the lack of a coherent agricultural
policy in Alaska over the past 50 years, which he said has
hindered the development of crops suitable for northern
climates. He highlighted the success of Saskatchewan's
agricultural sector, noting the University of Saskatchewan's
research on soil mapping, soybean cultivation, gene editing, and
crop disease resistance. He emphasized the challenges faced by
Alaska farmers who lack state support and must fund their own
research. He concluded by advocating for the creation of a new
department to coordinate resources and strategies, aiming to
increase food production, attract young farmers, and enhance
Alaska's food security and self-sufficiency.
3:47:02 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL recalled that homesteading was common in Alaska.
She mentioned a personal memory from 70 years ago involving a
little neighbor girl whose family grew all their own food. She
recalled active 4-H clubs and the Cooperative Extension Service,
which played a significant role in the community. She expressed
a desire to see more young people involved in agriculture and
homesteading yet acknowledged that these were very different
times.
3:48:31 PM
BRENT GOODRUM, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural
Resources, Anchorage, Alaska, moved to slide 1, introduced
himself and said Executive Order 136 would establish a
Department of Agriculture, thereby elevating state agricultural
policies and activities to a singularly focused department with
cabinet level leadership. He said Governor Dunleavy's
overarching goals with Executive Order 136 were to continue to
grow Alaska's agricultural base, improve our state's food
security and further develop Alaska's agricultural economic
sector:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Executive Order 136
Establishing the Department of Agriculture
Senate Resources Committee
Presented by:
John C. Boyle III, Commissioner
Brent Goodrum, Deputy Commissioner
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
February 12, 2025
3:49:24 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 2. He said Alaska's
agricultural sector had long been recognized as crucial for the
state's development, as evidenced by its central position on the
state seal and the establishment of a Department of Agriculture
in 1945. Despite this, the department was absorbed into the
Department of Natural Resources around statehood. He emphasized
the need for further agricultural development to enhance food
security, economic diversity, and independence:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Alaska Agriculture: Status Report
• Robust Alaska agriculture is a long-held vision
• Hardy Alaskans are farming
• 2022 national census: 1,173 Alaska farms and
ranches produced about $39.7 million in crop
value and $51.2 million in animal production
• So much more potential with dedicated, focused,
expert support
• Why grow agriculture?
• Greater food security and independence for
Alaskans
• Further develop an important economic sector
(jobs, value chain benefits)
3:51:18 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked whether the food produced in Alaska, apart
from seafood, was sold outside Alaska or consumed in the state.
3:51:38 PM
MR. GOODRUM said there were some exports and that the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Agriculture participated
in the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture
(WASDA) working with international markets and in the United
States to promote Alaska agribusiness. He offered to provide a
list of products exported out of Alaska.
3:52:02 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked [which products] go outside [Alaska] and
for percentages of what is consumed in Alaska versus the amount
consumed outside.
3:52:31 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 3:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Executive Order 136
• Establishes the Alaska Department of Agriculture
• Transitions in full the Division of Agriculture
from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to
the new department
• Statutory responsibilities, functions, do
not change
• Provides transitionary measures for seamless
reorganization
• Effective July 1, 2025
3:53:14 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 4:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Vision
• Governor's overarching goal: increase focus on
agriculture and food security with a dedicated
department and leadership
• Focus will help develop a robust, durable state
agricultural policy, including a strategic plan
with an implementation roadmap
• Continuation of the Governor's budget and
legislative policy actions following the COVID-19
pandemic to enhance food security in Alaska
• Aligns with top recommendations of task forces
and stakeholders
• New department is first step to provide solid
foundation for future growth
3:54:22 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 5. He highlighted the US
Department of Agriculture's role as a major funding partner and
the potential for increased federal resources. He said a new
Department of Agriculture would enhance legislative focus,
oversight, and accountability, ensuring better advocacy for
agricultural issues and improved sector performance:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Improved Results for Alaskans
• Robust, durable agriculture policy with
implementation plan
• Stronger strategic alignment with stakeholder
groups, Alaska agriculture entities
• More consistent, proactive interaction with
federal partners
• Cabinet-level agriculture advocacy
• Opportunity for greater legislative focus and
attention
3:56:11 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to slide 6 and said Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) managed a broad range of activities, including
oil and gas operations, state parks, mining, land and water
management, forestry, and wildfire response:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Today's Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• 1,054 employees (767 PFT, 215 PPT, 72 NP) across
seven divisions, two offices
• Led by commissioner supported by two deputies
• Statewide offices, programs and sites
• FY2025 Management Plan budget (all funds):
$173,399.3
• DNR returns $21 to the state treasury for every
UGF dollar appropriated
3:57:02 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 7, providing a brief
overview of the current Division of Agriculture organization:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Today's Division of Agriculture
• Division Director
• Programs separated into Agriculture Development
and Plant Materials Center sections
• Employees: 37 total (32 PFT and 5 PPT)
• FY2025 Management Plan: $7,176.2 all funds
• Headquarters in Palmer
3:57:50 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 8:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Today's Division of Agriculture
• Inspections, certifications
• Farm, production loans through Agricultural
Revolving Loan Fund
• Alaska Grown and other promotion (state,
national, international)
• Agricultural land sales / leases support
• Administers federal grants to Alaskans
• Future Farmers of America
• Seed storage and production, varietal trials
• Seed cleaning services rendered
• Revegetation and erosion control consulting
• Industrial hemp regulation
• Invasive plant, pest management
3:59:32 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 9:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Tomorrow's Department of Agriculture
• Responsible leadership, organizational structures
• Primed for build-out over time with increased
programming, responsibilities
• Employees: 50 total (45 PFT and 5 PPT)
• FY2026 increment: $2,734.4 UGF
• Headquarters in Palmer
PFT: Permanent full-time NP: Non-permanent
PPT: Permanent part-time UGF: Unrestricted
general fund
[Proposed Organizational Chart - adaptive formatting]
Commissioner
Special Assistant to Commissioner
Executive Secretary
Deputy Commissioner
Administrative Services Director
• Financial Services
• Budget
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
Natural Resource Manager 3
• Agriculture Development
o Communication
o Inspection and Pest Detection
Program
o Land Disposal
o Grant Services
• Future Farmers of America (FFA)
• Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund (ARLF)
• Administrative/Procurement
• Northern Latitude Plant Materials
Center
o Maintenance and Operations
o Revegetation Program
o Seed Cleaning Services
o Greenhouse Production
o Seed Potato Program
o Invasive Plant Program
o Seed/Pathogen Testing Program
o Industrial Hemp Program
4:00:28 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to slide 10:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Costs New Positions ($ in thousands)
Department of Agriculture, Departmental Support
Services
13 New Full-Time Positions Total: $2,103.5 UGF
[Slide 10 contains a table detailing the positions and
associated costs to staff a Department of
Agriculture.]
4:00:52 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many of the new administrative
and information technology (IT) positions would engage in the
new department's main mission rather than provide ancillary
support.
4:01:52 PM
MR. GOODRUM returned to slide 9 and highlighted the current
positions in DNR that will be placed in the new Department of
Agriculture. He said their role will be to continue with the
department mission. He emphasized the importance of support
services for every department and said it was a lean section of
the new department that would handle critical roles such as
budgeting, finance, IT, and HR functions.
4:03:20 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI expressed support for expanding agriculture
and acknowledged the importance of support staff. He said he was
concerned about costs and asked how much the support positions
directly focused on the main mission of the department.
4:04:17 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE noted apparent redundancy. However, he
advocated for the necessity of administrative support
professionals for the new department to stand independently. He
emphasized the intent to be as fiscally prudent as possible
while building the foundation and establishing the foundation
and framework for future commissioners to advocate for
additional resources to further the department's mission.
4:06:07 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI characterized [EO 136] as an initial
request [for funding]. He asked whether it was likely that more
funding would be requested in future budget requests.
4:06:23 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE said that would be determined by future
governors and future legislators, depending on the level of
priority placed on agriculture, agricultural initiatives, food
security and creating economic opportunities. He anticipated
advocacy for additional incremental investments to provide
services.
4:06:55 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked whether there were statutes or
regulations in place that were stopping progress toward
agricultural efforts. He suggested that there might be
opportunities to commit to improving agricultural support
without requiring additional support staff.
4:07:27 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE said no. He emphasized the importance of
having a governor and DNR commissioner who prioritize
agriculture. He highlighted the need for a strategic vision to
ensure consistent support for agriculture and acknowledged that
governors and DNR commissioners may be distracted by other
issues. He urged establishing a permanent entity focused on
agriculture to ensure it receives ongoing attention and
resources, regardless of changes in leadership. He said a
Department of Agriculture would prevent agriculture from
becoming an afterthought and provide farmers with the necessary
support.
4:09:19 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI noted that DNR support staff were currently
performing these functions [for the Division of Agriculture]. He
asked whether there would be a decrement to DNR staff. He asked
whether DNR would continue to have the same level of support
staff needs [when the Division of Agriculture is no longer under
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)].
4:10:05 PM.
COMMISSIONER BOYLE said there would not be a reduction to DNR's
support staff. He returned to slide 6 and pointed out that DNR
had a budget of approximately $173.4 million with 1,000
employees. He pointed out that reducing DNR's staff by 37
employees would not significantly reduce the workload for DNR
support staff except to possibly make it more manageable.
4:11:11 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN expressed skepticism about the governor's
commitment to establishing a Department of Agriculture, noting
that he had not initiated the effort until the last two years of
his eight years as governor. He asked why the governor had not
prioritized agriculture earlier in his administration.
4:12:01 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE discussed the demands of a governor's
transition period as they take office in Alaska. He reflected on
the impact of COVID-19, noting the stress and uncertainty it
caused and the lack of a playbook for managing such a crisis. He
highlighted the importance of reforming other departments and
the Governor's commitment to creating a Department of
Agriculture, which he described as a sustainable and responsible
initiative amidst budgetary constraints. He said the convening
of a new legislature was seen as an opportune time to progress
the idea.
4:13:52 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN commended Commissioner Boyle's knowledge and
advocacy for agricultural issues in Alaska, despite his
background in oil and gas. He praised the effectiveness of the
current system, which allocated 4.1 percent of the DNR budget to
agriculture. However, he expressed concern over the proposed 35
percent increase in personnel and 38 percent increase in budget
for a new Department of Agriculture. He struggled to justify
this to education advocates, who were pressing for more funding
for schools, and he questioned the necessity of the new
department, especially when it could divert $2.7 million from
education.
4:15:57 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE noted the limited shelf life of commissioners
and said it was a lucky thing he cared about agriculture. He
said future commissioners would have varying levels of
commitment to agriculture in Alaska.
4:16:36 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE acknowledged the difficult decisions
appropriators face in budgeting and highlighted the critical
need for food security, especially in the context of national
disasters or global pandemics. He underscored the necessity of a
strong agricultural sector for Alaska's resilience and economic
growth, suggesting that initial investments in agriculture, even
at the expense of other priorities, would yield long-term
benefits, including greater food security and economic activity,
and opportunities for future generations.
4:18:56 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN questioned the urgency of creating a Department
of Agriculture at this time. He addressed the energy issues in
the state and the potential pipeline construction, suggesting
that significant progress may be several years away. The speaker
suggested that prioritizing funds for the new department over
education or [permanent fund] dividends now might be premature,
as the energy sector's growth was speculative. He proposed
waiting until the energy issue was more certain.
4:20:27 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE emphasized the importance of acting now due
to the current alignment and will [to promote agriculture] and
he discussed ever-changing priorities. He highlighted energy's
broad impact on all sectors of the economy, including
agriculture. He suggested strategic planning to integrate
vertical farming with server farms, leveraging waste heat for
efficient vegetable production. He said this approach would
utilize the power grid and natural gas pipelines to create a
self-sustaining system. He advocated for the preparation of a
capable leadership team [in a Department of Agriculture] to
capitalize on future energy abundance and affordability,
ensuring a smooth transition and effective departmental
readiness.
4:23:08 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL said she intended to leave time for invited
testimony and would limit the remaining presentation to fifteen
minutes.
4:23:22 PM
SENATOR HUGHES expressed her support for agriculture and
acknowledged concerns about funding and timing raised by
Senators Wielechowski and Claman. She highlighted the
significant need for education funding in the hundreds of
millions of dollars compared to the few million dollars for
agriculture. She mentioned the likely nutritional superiority of
locally grown foods over imports and said the Mat-Su schools
spent nearly $200,000 [on Alaska grown foods] in the 2023-2024
school year and planned to increase that spending.
SENATOR HUGHES discussed the need to diversify Alaska's economy,
with agriculture being a significant contributor and compared
Alaska's latitude with that of the Netherlands and Saskatchewan,
indicating similar agricultural opportunities. She highlighted
testimony by producers from other states who understand the
importance of a Department of Agriculture to support
agricultural producers.
SENATOR HUGHES stressed the importance of food security and
recalled the potential impact of the Port of Seattle's strike
threat in 2023. She argued that delaying action [to establish a
Department of Agriculture] was not a viable option, as it was a
life and safety issue. She said funding should be kept in
perspective relative to other needs.
SENATOR HUGHES questioned whether the current commissioner could
manage advocating for the 34 recommendations prepared by the
[Alaska Food Security and Independence] Task Force while also
advocating for other industries like oil, gas, mining, and
forestry. She suggested the need for a cabinet-level position to
effectively grow the agriculture industry and increase food
security.
4:28:22 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE expressed confidence in his ability to
advocate for the multiple missions of the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), including agriculture, and acknowledged he
could manage agricultural initiatives more effectively if it
were his sole focus. He noted that he had oversight for a wide
range of responsibilities, including forestry, wildland
firefighting, state parks, oil and gas, mining, and land
management, with a team of over 1000 employees. He said a
dedicated Commissioner of Agriculture could do more for the
state.
4:29:42 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked whether there were any vacancies among
the 37 Division of Agriculture positions. He asked whether all
the positions were classified permanent and full-time.
4:30:04 PM
MR. GOODRUM offered to get back to the committee when he could
provide complete and accurate information.
4:30:15 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced invited testimony on EO 136.
4:31:06 PM
ROGER VANDERWEELE, VanderWeele Farm, Palmer, Alaska, testified
by invitation on EO 136. He introduced himself and his family's
farm, which grew primarily potatoes, but also carrots, lettuce,
and broccoli. He highlighted the Alaska Grown program and said
it clearly increased consumer identification and sales of their
products within the state.
MR. VANDERWEELE said the farm had always seen potential for
growth and emphasized the need for consistent demand to expand
operations. He discussed the significant increase in orders
during COVID-19, which was three to four times the normal demand
and said, despite the strain on their farm's capacity, they
prioritized meeting the increased demand to serve the community.
He reflected on the importance of being prepared for unexpected
surges in demand in the future.
4:32:54 PM
MR. VANDERWEELE emphasized the cleanliness of Alaska produce and
said Alaska was an ideal place to grow seed potatoes, which
could be exported. He said policy and politics complicated the
process of growing the seed potato industry, but it had the
potential to significantly benefit the farming sector and he
expressed a desire for more support and understanding of those
challenges.
4:33:43 PM
MR. VANDERWEELE noted growing consumer interest in Alaska-grown
products, particularly in meat and dairy. He described the
conundrum of the timing of supply and demand, focusing on meat
production. He suggested a parallel with the demand for a
Department of Agriculture and the growth of the agriculture
industry in the state and advocated for a proactive approach.
MR. VANDERWEELE concluded that there was potential for growth
[in the agriculture industry] in the state. He said farming was
what his family chose to do and they hoped to see it succeed.
4:36:02 PM
MIKE MOSESIAN, President, Mosesian Farms of Alaska (Bell's
Nursery), Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on EO 136.
He emphasized the importance of establishing a market before
planting crops. He described his experience building personal
relationships with produce managers in Anchorage, getting
feedback on the product's marketability and the generosity of
retailers running ads for his farm's produce.
4:37:12 PM
MR. MOSESIAN described the difficult transition when Safeway
entered the market and highlighted the importance of cooperation
from stores like Safeway, Walmart, and Fred Meyer to give Alaska
farmers more shelf space and support local produce. He mentioned
the high markup on locally grown products, which made them a
luxury item for consumers, affecting sales.
4:38:39 PM
MR. MOSESIAN also shared his concerns about escalating energy
costs in Alaska, raising doubts about the sustainability of his
business, especially the production of tomatoes and cucumbers.
He said he produced about half a million pounds of tomatoes and
a quarter million pounds of cucumbers annually, and he
emphasized the superior quality and nutrition of fresh Alaska
produce.
MR. MOSESIAN urged political advocacy and the governor's support
to promote local produce and ensure its availability to
consumers.
4:40:52 PM
SCOTT MUSGRAGE, President, Alaska Farm Bureau, Delta Junction,
gave invited testimony in support of EO 136, emphasizing his
personal and professional stake in the agriculture industry. He
urged that the transition from Division of Agriculture to
Department of Agriculture would enhance Alaska's commitment to
food security, economic diversity, and agriculture growth. He
acknowledged potential concerns about increased government,
explaining that the Farm Bureau believes this step is essential
for sustainable food security.
4:41:53 PM
MR. MUSGRAGE explained that increased visibility and a focused
commitment to agriculture would help expand farm production and
attract new farmers. He said the new department would prioritize
agricultural needs without competing with other sectors like oil
and gas. He emphasized the importance of reducing Alaska's
dependence on imported food through improved access to land,
research investment, and the development of diverse crops and he
said a strong agriculture sector would create a more resilient
and diversified economy, reducing Alaska's reliance on oil, gas,
and mining.
4:42:38 PM
MR. MUSGRAGE asserted that Alaska's agriculture commodities were
superior and that focusing on yield improvements and increased
production would expand exports, leading to a more balanced
trade environment, and potentially lowering the cost of imports.
4:43:03 PM
MR. MUSGRAGE envisioned an Alaska with greater food security, a
stronger economy, and the ability to produce high-quality, clean
food in a pristine environment. He urged support for EO 136,
emphasizing the opportunity to be a global leader in agriculture
production.
4:44:27 PM
BETH VAN SANDT, Scenic Place Peonies, Homer, Alaska, testified
by invitation on EO 136, emphasizing the emotional and mental
benefits of her crop. She discussed the challenges and successes
of the Alaska peony industry and reported that, despite limited
resources and no dedicated research, the industry grew from
$940,000 in sales in 2017 to over $2.35 million by 2022. She
said there was potential for continued and unlimited growth,
explaining that Alaska's climate offered growers the unique
position of growing peonies from June to September offering
significant export potential.
4:47:14 PM
MS. VAN SANDT emphasized the need for research on suitable
varieties and pest management, cold storage solutions, and
better marketing. She highlighted the Homer Peony Celebration,
which began as a July event, now extended into August, noting
that the festival significantly boosted the local economy.
MS. VAN SANDT advocated for the creation of the Alaska
Department of Agriculture and for a commissioner in Juneau to
keep farmer voices present.
4:50:13 PM
INGA PETERSON, Alaska Future Farmers of America (FFA),
Fairbanks, Alaska, testified by invitation on EO 136. She
highlighted the importance of a Department of Agriculture for
the future of aspiring young farmers and ranchers in Alaska and
mentioned the significant growth of Alaska FFA since 2023, with
increased membership and chapters under the Division of
Agriculture.
4:52:05 PM
MS. PETERSON shared her experience with FFA over the past four
years, including working on a peony farm and aspiring to become
an agriculture teacher. She expressed her excitement about the
potential impact of agriculture education on shaping Alaska's
future. She acknowledged the challenges faced in Alaska but also
the incredible resource of the next generation and highlighted
their resilience and determination.
MS. PETERSON concluded by stressing the importance of food
security and sustainability for the future of Alaska. She shared
her belief that a Department of Agriculture would help write a
sustainable legacy for future generations.
4:54:26 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL concluded invited testimony on EO 136 and directed
Commissioner Boyle and Deputy Commissioner Goodrum to continue
the presentation on EO 136.
4:54:39 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 12:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Timeline
Jan. 21, 2025 Executive Order 136 introduced
March 22, 2025 Legislature has 60 days to
disapprove
March 2025 Begin implementing transition
plans
July 1, 2025 Department of Agriculture is
official
4:55:23 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to and narrated slide 13:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Transition work includes:
• Stakeholder engagement / education
• Employee town hall
• Prepare and submit documents for position
reclassifications
• Post, hire and train new positions
• Governor appoints new commissioner
• Public-facing website updated and launched
• Update signage, public-facing access points on
buildings
• Work with the Division of Finance on changes to
Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS)
• Information Technology transitions
• Plan inter-departmental coordination with DNR /
lands
• July 1, 2025 Department of Agriculture is legal
operating entity
4:55:48 PM
MR. GOODRUM moved to slide 14:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Executive Order 136 Sectional Analysis
Section Pg Provision
1 1 Uncodified law with Governor's
findings in support of
establishing a new department
2-21 2-8 Amendments to Title 3,
Agriculture, Animals, and Food,
effectuating the reorganization
22 8 Amendment to Title 9, Code of
Civil Procedure, effectuating
the reorganization
23 8 Amendment to Title 37, Public
Finance, effectuating the
reorganization
24-29 8-12 Amendments to Title 38, Public
Land, effectuating the
reorganization
30-36 13-15 Amendments to Title 41, Public
Resources, effectuating the
reorganization
37-40 15-17 Amendments to Title 44, State
Government, effectuating the
reorganization
41 17 Repeal of 3 statutes, effectuating
the reorganization
42 17 Revisor's instructions to conform
titles and catchlines
43 18 Transition measures to ensure
division employees, board
members, legal proceedings,
contracts, regulations, records,
equipment and so forth are carried
forward to the new department
44 18 Sets a July 1, 2025, effective
date
4:56:12 PM
SENATOR HUGHES complimented Ms. Peterson and enthusiastically
noted the growth in student participation with FAA.
4:56:58 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL invited closing remarks by the commissioner of
Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
4:57:01 PM
COMMISSIONER BOYLE summarized the presentation and testimony
advocating for a Department of Agriculture, emphasizing its
importance for rural Alaska's access to fresh produce. He
highlighted the challenges faced by remote communities in
obtaining fresh food and the potential benefits of government
support for local agriculture. He cited an example of Alaska
Range Dairy, which transitioned from waste to supplying Walmart
with fresh milk through state support. He advocated for
government intervention to create market opportunities for local
dairies, farmers, and producers, arguing that this would boost
the state's economy, food security, and allow for economies of
scale, ultimately benefiting consumers and producers alike. He
thanked the committee for the discussion.
5:00:38 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL held EO 136 in committee.
5:00:49 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted that the Arctic Affairs Committee would be
hearing about off-grid farming.
5:01:19 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Giessel adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 5:01 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 2.12.25 Legal Memorandum, Governor's Executive Order establishing a Department of Agriculture.pdf |
SRES 2/12/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| 2.12.25 EO 136 Department of Agriculture Statement of Cost.pdf |
SRES 2/12/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| 2.12.25 EO 136 Dept of Agriculture DNR presentation SRES.pdf |
SRES 2/12/2025 3:30:00 PM |