Governor Dunleavy Introduces CROP Act to encourage food production in Alaska

On January 26, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy introduced the Capital access, Revenue protection, and Open Procurement (CROP) Act to improve food security and independence for Alaska.

The CROP Act, HB 296 and SB 211, will reduce risks and incentivize growth of food production within Alaska through amendments to existing statues.

“Alaska’s reliance on importing so much of our food creates a vulnerability. While we can’t change the weather, we can change policy to optimize Alaska’s agricultural output,” said Governor Dunleavy in a press release.

There are three major components of the CROP Act: Increasing access to and availability of agricultural loans, revising crop insurance premium subsidies, and stimulating state spending on Alaskan agricultural and fisheries products.

The bill modifies the Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund by repealing outdated loan limits and allowing the Board of Agriculture and Conservation to set new limits in regulation. It also expands the range of loans to include shipping costs and refinancing. The CROP Act would also provide a $4 million capital injection into the fund – the first capital injection since 1986.

The CROP Act would also amend existing laws requiring the state to provide premium support to farmers for crop insurance policies, instead providing for a staggered level of support in which the State will pay the full farmers’ shares for revenue protection policies offered in Alaska for 4 years, and partial support in the following years provided farmers contribute to a minimum level of coverage.

Crop insurance premium support will create incentives for increased planting and provide an asset that can be leveraged for farm improvements. With an increased in-state supply of feed grains, Alaska’s livestock producers can grow their herds with less risk, and meat processors will also benefit from increased production.

The bill provides an initial level of $4 million for premium support payments. That amount accounts for current acres in production and potential growth.

Finally, the bill repeals limits on purchasing Alaska grown or harvested products for 5 years. Under current law, any entity receiving state funds, including state agencies, school districts, and municipalities, are required to purchase Alaska grown or harvested products so long as they are no more than 7-15% more expensive than a comparable product from outside of the state. In place of percentages, the bill will require eligible entities to purchase an available Alaskan agricultural or fisheries product if the product is of “like quality” compared to a product harvested out of state.

“Farming has always come with risks that are outside of man’s control. However, the CROP Act will reduce financial risks and cultivate an economic environment where Alaska’s food producers can succeed and Alaska can be more self-reliant. Furthermore, the legislation will also keep a greater percentage of money spent on food circulating within Alaska rather than flowing to producers out of state.”

"Governor Dunleavy's CROP Act addresses financial policies that restrict some farmers from reaching their full potential to put more Alaska Grown food on Alaskans' tables," said DNR Commissioner John Boyle. "This legislation will provide better loan options for the agricultural industry, make critical crop insurance less risky, and ensure that State of Alaska purchasing power is invested back into Alaska."