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

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Alaska Fairbanks $434,574 on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act program (CFDA 10.203). The award funds research conducted through the University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station 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.

Research priorities align with national objectives to enhance sustainability of food, forest, and agricultural systems; adapt to and mitigate ecosystem shifts; support energy security through renewable natural resources development; ensure a safe, secure, and abundant food supply; strengthen environmental stewardship through best management practices; and support individual, family, and community development and resilience. Experiment Station researchers will publish findings in scientific journals, conference proceedings, books, and station bulletins, circulars, newsletters, research progress reports, and miscellaneous publications. Scientists will disseminate results through conferences, public presentations, workshops, and public information programs including websites and blogs. The station will engage audiences throughout Alaska in formal and informal settings, including agriculture associations, livestock associations, reindeer herders, remote and rural villages, regional corporations, borough and city governments, municipalities, grower groups, industry stakeholders in food, fiber, and fuel/energy 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 NRCS.

The performance period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Work is performed in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The research conducted at the university of alaska fairbanks (UAF) agricultural and forestry experiment station (afes) with hatch MU ltistate 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 grou PS 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. 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 stakeholder 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.