The Frontiersman / October 22, 1999

Since the first colonists arrived here, the Mat-Su area has been the heart of Alaskas farming community the breadbasket of the state, as it were. The 300-plus farms operating here provide two-thirds of the fresh milk, cream, and butter and umpteen variety of potatoes, carrots, turnips, rutabagas and the famous giant cabbages produced in the state. Logic would then dictate that, if there is an agricultural agent in the state, the Mat-Su should be his or her base of operations. And for decades this was the case. In the past few years, however, Valley farmers and dairy herders have not had a local agricultural agent on whom they could quickly call for news or advice.

Agricultural agents are appointed under the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Alaska, which would normally have an agent in the area. That was before the state Legislature cut $1 million from the services funding early this decade. The last full-time agent for the Mat-Su area was cut from the budget in the mid-90s. For a while, local growers and ranchers had to make do with occasional visits from program assistants but, now, even they have been eliminated by the budget axe wielded by legislators.

The extension service director, Tony Nakazawa, says getting an agricultural agent for the area is one of the services highest priorities, but everytime he requests one in the agencys budget, the money gets whacked by the Legislature.

Mat-Su is the center of agriculture, and an inability to provide an agent there isnt good for us or the university, Nakazawa told a Frontiersman reporter.

The Frontiersman couldnt agree more. We wonders why those in the Legislature cannot seem to see, or care about, the negative impacts their budget cuts are having on the Mat-Su, its people, and its economy.

Well done, young man

Young Charlie Thomas, 9, of Wasilla, last month applied a lesson he learned at the Alaska State Fair to an emergency situation at home.

While at the fair, Charlie visited the Anchorage Fire Departments booth and learned that if there is a fire at home, the first thing to do is let your parents know of it.

On Sept. 20, Charlie Thomas awoke when a fire ignited in electrical wires near his bed. Charlie ran downstairs and woke his parents, Clint and Chawndra, who, in turn, were able to get Charlies two younger sisters out of the house to safety.

Charlies quick thinking saved his family. Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin thanked him publicly for his courageous action in averting what could have been a tragic loss to his family. The Frontiersman adds its congratulations to Charlie Thomas for a job well done, and for keeping his cool in a hot situation.

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