The research conducted at the university of alaska fairbanks (UAF) agricultural and forestry experiment station (AFES) with hatch regular research funding will be in response to requests from…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Alaska Fairbanks $2,236,638 on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act (CFDA 10.203), a formula grant providing annual support for state agricultural experiment station research.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) will conduct applied research in plant, animal, and soil sciences; forest sciences; and resources management in response to requests from producers, industries, and state and federal agencies. Research priorities include enhancing sustainability of food, forest, and agricultural systems; adapting to and mitigating ecosystem shifts; supporting renewable energy development; ensuring food supply safety and security; strengthening environmental stewardship through best management practices; and supporting individual, family, and community development and resilience.

AFES will disseminate findings through scientific journals, conference proceedings, books, experiment station bulletins, newsletters, and public information programs including websites and blogs. Researchers will hold meetings throughout Alaska in both formal and informal settings, engaging agriculture and livestock associations, reindeer herders, remote and rural villages, borough and city governments, grower groups, industry stakeholders in food, fiber, and fuel production, soil and water conservation districts, and state and federal partners including the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA, USDA Agricultural Research Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Performance occurs in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the grant period running from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Funds may be carried over for up to one year after the fiscal year of appropriation without prior approval.

The research conducted at the university of alaska fairbanks (UAF) agricultural and forestry experiment station (AFES) with hatch regular research funding will be in response to requests from producers, industries, and state and federal agencies for information on plant, animal and soil sciences, forest sciences and resources management. AFES priorities, like national priorities, are to enhance sustainability of food, forest, and agricultural systems; adapt to and mitigate the impacts of ecosystem shifts; support energy security through the development of renewable natural resources; ensure a safe, secure and abundant food supply; strengthen environmental stewardship through the development of best management practices; and support individual, family and community development and resilience. Experiment station researchers will continue to publish research in scientific journals, conference proceedings, books, and in experiment station bulletins, circulars, newsletters, research progress reports and miscellaneous publications. Scientists will also disseminate their findings through conferences, public presentations, workshops and other public information programs like websites and blogs. AFES will meet with audiences on demand throughout the state in both formal and informal settings each year. Examples of these audiences include agriculture associations, livestock associations and reindeer herders, remote and rural villages, regional corporations, borough and city governments and municipalities, grower groups meeting at regional and statewide conferences, industry stakeholders involved in food, fiber and fuel/energy production, and all soil and water conservation districts (both tswcds and swcds), and state and federal partners including but not limited to alaska department of fish and game, alaska department of natural resources (including the division of agriculture), USDA, ARS, and the nrcs. AFES plans to engage with advisory committees, focus groups and participants in listening sessions as well as continue to conduct needs assessments and stakeholder surveys as methods to identify groups and individuals from whom to collect input. The governor of alaska has seeded funding for supporting food security research in alaska. Given the needs for livestock nutrition in alaska, we have begun a new research program and that resulted in a new hatch regular research proposal from AFES. AFES relies on stakeholder input from agricultural advisory groups, collaborators, federal and state agencies, colleagues, faculty and students for assistance in establishing priorities and developing project directions. AFES will continue generating a feedback loop that provides information to research and outreach programs and from research and outreach programs to stakeholders and individuals. Conferences, meetings and workshops are scheduled around themes relevant to stak eholder concerns. Post-activity surveys and debriefing opportunities will establish how well information needs are addressed. Meeting minutes, videoconference archives and other records of stakeholder engagement and input will be used in planning of research. Stakeholder input will be considered in program planning to: identify emerging issues; redirect extension and research programs; guide staff hiring and action plans; set district and unit-wide priorities; and identify potential participants. AFES will continue to serve the needs of the people of the state of alaska. Input will reflect ideas and advice given by client user groups, students, expert advisors, state and national peers and collaborators and UAF administration. Stakeholder needs will continue to be a driving factor in determining AFES priorities for research.