Local farmer named new ag director

WASILLA — A Palmer vegetable and strawberry grower and farmer’s market advocate has been chosen to lead the state Division of Agriculture.

Arthur Keyes, 44, who owns Glacier Valley Farm, was named to the job Wednesday night by Gov. Bill Walker, who announced the choice via a Facebook post.

Keyes replaces Palmer’s Franci Havemeister, a 2007 appointment of former Gov. Sarah Palin whom Walker asked to step down in November. Keyes will begin his duties Feb. 17. Rob Carter has been acting division director since Havemeister’s departure.

According to Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Elizabeth Bluemink, the state Board of Agriculture and Conservation on Jan. 7 forwarded the names of Keyes and Lucas Knowles — son of former Gov. Tony Knowles — to DNR commissioner Mark Myers for a final decision. Bluemink said Myers consulted with the governor on Keyes’ selection. The Agriculture Department falls under the jurisdiction of DNR.

Other candidates reviewed by the Board of Agriculture included Joshua Scott and Steve Seefeldt, according to the state.

“I am excited to have been chosen,” Keyes said Friday. “My general theme for 10 or more years now has been in promoting Alaska agriculture and I am looking forward to that.”

The chairman of the Board of Agriculture is Valley farmer Ben Vanderweele, Keyes’ father-in-law. According to the minutes of the board’s Jan. 7 meeting, Vanderweele said he had been advised by the state Department of Law on more than once occasion that there was no conflict of interest with the relationship.

Bluemink expanded on the subject, citing state statute.

“A father-in-law or son-in law is not considered a family member for the purposes of the Ethics act (AS 39.52.960(11)), and the general requirement of not misusing one’s official position for personal gain is what applies,” she wrote in an email.

A former produce manager for Carrs-Safeway, Keyes started Glacier Valley Farm in 2003 and later co-founded and co-owned Glacier Valley CSA, a statewide community produce delivery business that operated from 2008-11.

In 2006, he started the South Anchorage Farmer’s Market, which was recently voted one of the best in Alaska. His farm, which employs 18 people during the height of the growing season, supplies produce for several farmer’s markets in Anchorage as well as his own stand at the farm, located near the fairgrounds in Palmer.

Keyes and his wife Michelle have three children. He currently sits on the boards of the Alaska Farmland Trust, the Alaska Farm Bureau and the Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District. He said the state ethics staff and Department of Law are preparing to review any interests that might pose a conflict with his role as director.

He said he was encouraged with Walker’s commitment to agriculture in the state.

“The governor has shown tremendous support for agriculture-related issues,” Keyes said. “I am excited to work with the administration.”

Keyes takes the post as state legislators consider the possible closure of the state-run Mount McKinley Meat and Sausage slaughterhouse, which is operated by the agriculture division. Walker’s proposed budget includes about $2 million of single-year operations funding for the facility, which would stay the anticipated closure of the plant June 30.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com