Experimental farm land dwindles

MAT-SU -- Roughly 87 years ago an innovative experimental farm was established just off Trunk Road, and for most of the last century it served as a state-of-the-art research facility for sustainable agriculture and other natural resources in Alaska.

Today, as multi-million-dollar construction projects, road expansions and population explosions surround the old farm, its future is less certain.

For 73 years the University of Alaska has owned the 1,060-acre farm along Trunk Road. Last year, eight acres were sold for the new Valley Hospital site.

Since then, the university estimates that 30 to 40 acres were taken by the Trunk Road extension project. Another 15-plus acres are under consideration for sewer lines to the new hospital and Matanuska Electric Association may soon run power lines across sections of the farmland.

Most recently, the university is considering putting up nearly 10 acres for sale adjacent to the new hospital site and, according to Joe Beedle, University of Alaska vice president of finance, future sales might not be far off.

"In a couple years we could very well be thinking about another 40 acres to sell," Beedle said.

According to Beedle, a 300-lot subdivision has been proposed on private land adjacent to the experimental farm.

"Two or three years down the road the [university] property might be more valuable to sell for development, especially if other developments go in around it first. It has a great view," he said.

While part of Beedle's job is to generate revenue for the university, other university officials who work at the experimental farm and Mat-Su residents who use the popular area for recreation have different ideas of how to best use the land.

A changing landscape

The U.S. Department of Agriculture first established the experimental farm in 1917 for the purpose of researching sustainable agriculture in Alaska. In 1931, the farm was transferred to the University of Alaska.

According to Allan Mitchell, associate director of the experimental station, the emphasis of the farm has gradually changed over the years.

"Promoting agriculture is still the primary purpose, but we have also expanded into forestry and natural resource management," he said.

The expanded use of the farm is partly due to decreased state funding for agricultural research. According to Mitchell, state funding has remained relatively flat, while the cost of doing business has increased over the years.

Mitchell said the experimental farm was forced to find other partnerships and expand its programs in order to secure more funding. Today the station is used for everything from researching hearty turf grass for northern golf courses to firefighter training to growing and studying fish populations.

By added programs, the farm now receives funds from a combination of federal money, state matching funds and federal and private grants.

"We have fewer university people but with these state and federal partnerships we have kept the overall faculty numbers stable," Mitchell said.

Despite the new partnerships, Mitchell remains cautious about the future of the experimental farm.

"If you look at the location of the farm, it is at the busiest two intersections in the Valley and there's going to be a lot of pressure to sell off that land," he said. "Hopefully we will have a long-term plan and not go sell off all the land just because we can."

From hay fields to real estate

From a financial and practical standpoint for the University of Alaska, however, Beedle thinks portions of the farm could be put to better use if sold to developers.

"There used to be hundreds of head of cattle out there. We're down to a couple dozen now," Beedle said. "The vision is to do research on active farms, not on experimental farms. You still need labs to look at insects, viruses and plant roots but we simply don't need as many fields for livestock anymore. Very little research is being done with livestock. The farm probably needs some acres for experimental hay and grasses but they only need a few acres for that."

Beedle said the University of Alaska stands to make millions of dollars if it sells portions of the farm. The current 10-acre plot for sale is listed at $2.5 million but Beedle said he has received offers for nearly twice that.

Beedle is quick to point out that money from land sales goes into the university's Alaska Scholars Program, providing financial aid for the top 10 percent of graduating high school seniors.

Modern projects for the old farm

While the real estate value of the farmland is on the rise, those who manage and direct the activities on the farm believe the bulk of the land should remain set aside for present and future agricultural and natural resource development projects.

"I think [Beedle] is looking at it from the standpoint that we would continue research like in the past," Mitchell said.

Mitchell is aware that the farm must adapt to changing research needs and said the farm is always open to new uses and projects.

Recently the farm began studying the movement and behavior of cattle and reindeer using global-positioning technology.

"We have someone looking at the distribution of cattle related to climate and other factors. He is also working with reindeer to track animals," Mitchell said. "Those studies take more land than just a couple acres."

Carol Lewis, the director of the experiment station, agreed that most of the land is still needed.

"Because it is multiple-use land for research, recreation and other uses, a much larger community uses it now," Lewis said. "We plan to expand the beef herd and we are definitely expanding work with trail users. In reality we could probably use more land."

Nontraditional projects include research into turf grass for local golf courses, sports fields and lawns. Firefighters from multiple state and local agencies also use the open fields for live training exercises.

Other projects include recent studies into new crop opportunities in Alaska, investigating the pharmaceutical uses of devil's club and producing high-moisture grasses to feed Alaskan-grown cattle, which are in high demand, according to a report by the experimental farm.

"The original purpose of the farm was to conduct research to promote the Alaska agricultural industry, and that is still the primary purpose," Mitchell said. "But we have expanded into forestry, natural resource management in general and other nonagricultural uses."

Recreational uses

Many Valley residents are concerned that the expansive views and trails on the farm will be replaced with subdivisions and commercial lots if the land is sold.

Portions of the farm connect the popular Crevasse-Moraine trail system with the Kepler-Bradley State Recreation Area, thereby uniting the last large tracts of remaining nonprivate green spaces in the core area of the Mat-Su Borough.

Locals have long used the trails, informally, for recreational activities that do not interfere with farm operations. Uses include bird watching, orienteering, mountain biking, running and a variety of other activities.

According to the experimental farm, migratory waterfowl, wildlife and other bird species routinely use the area for feeding and habitat, making the area a unique place to learn to study ecology as well.

An undecided future

Before finalizing any land sales, either now or in the future, the University of Alaska first holds a period of public comment. After the comments, the university's land management department decides the next step.

While administrators for the farm have plans to use much of the land, the current lot proposed for sale is not in farming use.

"We are not using that property, and we don't see using it in the future," Lewis said. "Public comment will, of course, make a difference."

The general trend toward selling the farm land is what concerns Mitchell, who said he has noticed a gradual decline in agricultural research funding as prime farm land in the state has disappeared.

"If there is less land in farms, then funding decreases. We are bringing in more and more food from outside the country," Mitchell said. "We are giving up farmland and once it's gone, it's gone."

Mitchell said there is probably more land in farming, overall, in the Mat-Su Borough but the prime farmland is disappearing fast.

"The Valley soil is very deep, not too acidic and just perfect for agriculture," Mitchell said. "We're losing the best soil in the state and it's worrisome."

Those interested in making a public comment on the current proposal to sell roughly 10 acres for commercial development must comment in writing before Sept. 29. Written comments may be sent to: University of Alaska Land Management, 3890 University Lake Dr., Suite 103, Anchorage, AK 99508.

More information on the University of Alaska's land program is available online at www.ualand.com or by calling (907) 786-7766.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.

com.