Mat-Su Farm Bureau hosts annual meeting

The Mat-Su Chapter of the Alaska Farm Bureau Inc. held their annual membership meeting on April 22nd at the Palmer train depot. A hearty Alaska grown meal of beef and potato soup, Palmer grown wheat bread, and microgreen salad was provided by Carol Kenley. The members shared concerns about the rising prices of agricultural supplies and difficulties with the ever-changing agricultural market. Amy Petit, executive director of the Farm Service Agency, reported to farmers on the economic state of farming in Alaska. The 2023 fiscal year saw a 33% increase in farm related expenses and a net income decrease by 20% for farmers. This economic trend is reflected by increasing shipping costs and manufacturing costs across the United States. Amy Sietz, executive director of the State Alaska Farm Bureau Board, shared concerns over state legislation affecting farmers in the 2024 session. She shared house Bill 161 would effectively remove tax breaks for non-food producing farmers across the state, a move that would put significant financial pressure on peony, cut flower, reindeer, and fiber farmers throughout the Kenai Peninsula, Matsu Borough, and Fairbanks. She urged farm bureau members to contact their representatives to advocate for non-food farms throughout the state. The farm bureau annual meeting continued with elections to the Mat-Su Farm Bureau Board where 6 out of 7 board positions were open for nominations. Carol Kenley was elected to president, Lara Bickford to vice president, Payton Moser to secretary, Eric Waite to treasurer, Alexandria Hoffman to press secretary, Denise Hardy to 1st director at large, and Marc Pratt to 2nd director at large. Kenneth Hoffman also began his term as Mat-Su Farm Bureau Executive Director as appointed by the board. The evening finished up with a lively auction sale with donations from Alask Helicopter Tours, William’s Reindeer Farm, Mat-Su Microgreens, Pioneer Mobile Tireworks, the Muskox Farm, Alaska Rodeo, VanderWeele Farms, Alaska Mill and Feed, and many more generous donors. All proceeds went to the Mat-Su Farm Bureau.

For questions, concerns, to leave a tip on ag news, or to get involved with volunteer opportunities through the Mat-Su Farm Bureau please reach out to matsufarmbureau@gmail.com.

Information courtesy of the Mat-Su Farm Bureau.