Alaska Board of Agriculture & Conservation unanimously support creating a Department of Ag.

On February 25, the Alaska Board of Agriculture & Conservation voted unanimously 7-0 in support of Governor Mike Dunleavy’s executive order to create a Department of Agriculture.

The Board's motion backs the Dunleavy Administration's mission to strengthen Alaska's food security and increase agriculture economic activity through a new Commissioner's Office and Cabinet-level agriculture executive.

In December, 2024, Governor Dunleavy announced an executive order to establish the Alaska Department of Agriculture, which was then introduced to Alaska’s Legislative Session. The order creates the Department of Agriculture by transferring the responsibilities of the Division of Agriculture within the Department of Natural Resources to the new department.

The new department’s mission will be to bolster Alaska’s agricultural sector which in turn will create increased economic activity and strengthen Alaska’s food security, which currently imports approximately 95% of its food products.

“The Department of Agriculture’s mission will be to provide expert support for new and established farmers and ranchers and administer programs that improve Alaska’s food security. This will also grow the state’s economy with new jobs and commercial activity. I look forward to working with lawmakers in the upcoming session on this plan for future economic growth and greater food security for all Alaskans,” Governor Dunleavy said in December.

Currently, the Alaska Division of Agriculture sits within the Department of Natural Resources, which oversees 6 other divisions and 6 separate offices. The top recommendation of both recent Food Security Task Forces was to establish a department bolstering Alaska’s agricultural sector.