80-year history in Valley

The Cooperative Extension Service connection with the Mat-Su Valley goes back 80 years.

It’s not surprising that extension came to the Valley the same month it was formally organized as a department of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines (now University of Alaska Fairbanks).

During a July 1930 trip to introduce Alaska to the new extension service, home economist Lydia Fohn-Hansen offered programs in Eklutna, Matanuska, Anchorage, Seward, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Wrangell. She started nine 4-H clubs and 12 home economics clubs for women on that trip. Responding to the needs of Matanuska colonists and other residents, Extension chose Palmer in 1936 as the site for its first field office and was a major partner in the development of the Mat-Su Valley. Today, the Valley is one of the fastest-growing areas in our state and Cooperative Extension is part of that dynamic growth. As in 1930, Cooperative Extension still offers fact-based university information in agriculture, family consumer sciences and 4-H youth development. However, a closer look reveals that we have changed over those years.

Our Master Gardener program in Mat-Su is one of the largest programs in the state. Steve Brown’s experience and work in GIS/GPS systems contributes to the development of precision agriculture practices in Alaska. Julie Cascio, our family consumer science faculty member, conducts workshops on hearing loss for farm workers, family economics classes in basic budgeting and classes for child care providers. Lee Hecimovich, the district 4-H and youth development agent, provides leadership statewide in science education and organizes science camps for teens.

It truly is not the Cooperative Extension that we grew up with. Today we are directed by a new extension strategic plan (uaf.edu/ces/about/strategic). The plan addresses six major issues that were identified by our clientele and other community members during a yearlong process.

1. Food safety and security — working to enhance Alaska’s regional vegetable production and making sure the food supply is properly stored and safe to eat.

2. Health — helping Alaskans make healthy food choices and reduce the burden of living with a chronic health condition and conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

3. Climate change — working with communities to adapt to changing climate conditions.

4. Energy — working with families and small businesses to increase energy efficiency in their homes and business.

5. Youth, family and community — promoting positive youth development and working with families to prepare them for success in the home, workplace and community.

6. Economic development — helping develop entrepreneurs’ business ideas and promoting work-force readiness.

Cooperative Extension has been working in your community for 80 years and we are here today to help your family and small business with fact-based information from UAF.

Fred Schlutt is vice provost for Extension and Outreach and director of the Cooperative Extension Service.