Ag needs cooperation, not division, with state

It is both frustrating and disappointing to read River Bean’s letter to the editor in the Oct. 18 edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.

“That amount makes the division’s efforts even smaller because the Division of Agriculture has done nothing for farmers, nor do I expect it ever to with the contentious climate that now exists,” Bean says about the state working against farmers.

As a produce manager, farmer, farmers’ market manager and member of the Mat-Su Chapter of the Alaska Farm Bureau, I have had numerous opportunities to work with the Division of Agriculture. That is why I feel compelled to respond to the above statement.

As a former produce manager for the largest grocery chain in the state, I have seen first-hand what the division has done for the Alaska Grown program and farmers. Every summer, when local produce is available, the division gives Alaska Grown promotional material to grocery stores, including, but not limited to, banners, signs, stickers, tags, hats, aprons, brochures and posters. When you go to your local grocery store and are looking for local produce, all the signs, banners, aprons, stickers and tags featuring the Alaska Grown logo were provided free of charge by the Division of Agriculture.

As a farmer, I am one of more than 300 authorized users of the Alaska Grown logo, most of whom are other farmers. In response to Bean’s statement that farmers are being sued by the state, I am compelled to set the record straight. The state is not suing farmers. It is my understanding the state is suing the one registered user of the Alaska Grown logo (the Mat-Su Chapter of the Alaska Farm Bureau), which allegedly infringed upon the state’s trademark rights.

It is my understanding that since 1999, the division has provided more than $90,000 in financial support to farmers’ markets throughout the state (there are 15 such markets).

As manager of the South Anchorage Farmers Market, I can say without a doubt that the division has provided a tremendous amount of support to our local farmers’ market. The farmers’ market creates an opportunity for direct sales and this is an incredible opportunity for farmers and for farming in Alaska. The division provides money for advertising (radio and newspaper) and for the creation of signs, not to mention the stickers, tags, pens, balloons and posters for the market. I can say that for myself and the South Anchorage Farmers Market, the division has been great to work with.

There are some complex problems facing the farming community in Alaska, and it is going to take honest and open dialogue from both sides to address these issues. Blanket accusations based on feelings, attitudes and past situations are not going to improve the opportunities for reconciliation. It’s time to be positive and look for solutions, not create more problems. I applaud the governor for doing just that — looking forward and being positive.

The negative statements that are being made only widen the communication gap between the division and the Mat-Su Chapter of the Alaska Farm Bureau, further hurting good people on both sides of the issue. What I know is that because of our geographic location, this state more than most needs its farms and farmers. It is in the best interest of everyone in the state to support local farmers and farms. Fundamentally, we are all on the same side and we need to work together.

Agriculture is the ultimate renewable resource. Let’s renew it!

Arthur Keyes

A&M Farms

South Anchorage

Farmers Market