Valley cooperative extension office dodges big cuts — for now

PALMER — Ongoing budget cuts in the University of Alaska system tipped another domino last week with the planned Oct. 28 closure of university-run Cooperative Extension Service offices in Anchorage and Sitka, part of a $1 million proposed cut to that system and some $15 million to the university as a whole.

University of Alaska Fairbanks interim Chancellor Mike Powers made the decision May 23.

For now, the Mat-Su Copper River District office in Palmer and its 14 employees have been spared. But the effect on programs and other outreach provided by the extension service remains unclear, Cooperative Extension Service Director Fred Schlutt said Tuesday.

“A $1 million cut is a staggering figure,” Schlutt said. “This comes after around $1.2 million in cuts the previous two years.”

The extension service also has offices in Soldotna, Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Juneau and Nome. The service offers a variety of community classes and workshops that touch on food preparation, gardening, health and business development. It also supports a range of community organizations.

Originally, the Alaska Legislature was set to cut some $50 million from the University of Alaska’s current $350 million budget. Tuesday’s approval of a bipartisan budget deal funded the state university system at $335 million. The deal averted the Wednesday mailing of layoff warnings to state employees, and now rests with Gov. Bill Walker.

“Right now, Palmer is in good shape… and is probably going to be a hub and utilized even more,” Schlutt said. “But until the budget is settled we aren’t going to know. It will probably be 30 to 45 days until we get a better idea.”

He said some of the Anchorage-area services could be offered through the Palmer office. Budget cuts already have ended soil testing at the Palmer location.

The decision to close the Anchorage and Sitka offices came from a committee of faculty and staff spent that reviewed budget numbers and impacts on employees and communities, Schlutt said. Anchorage has 12 employees and Sitka has one.

“We either had to cut people or facilities,” Schlutt said. “My emphasis the whole time has been to keep as many people employed.”

In a letter posted on the extension service website, Schlutt outlined the changes and rationale behind the cuts. The affected employees will either be laid off, transferred to other vacant extension positions or assisted in finding employment in the university system.

Facility costs also weighed in the decision. The rent on the Anchorage office was $225,000 annually, Schlutt said.

“We own the building in Palmer,” he said of the offices located in Kerttula Hall at the university’s Matanuska Experiment Farm.

The Palmer facility was a hub of activity Wednesday as those lucky enough to secure a plot in the extension service’s community garden program participated in an official “planting day.” The 10-by-20-foot plots went fast, according to planners. A $25 fee covered shared garden tools and well costs.

Across the road from Kerttula Hall, members of the Mat-Su Master Gardeners worked on a raised bed the group plants every year. Palmer resident Rhonda Bowman said she felt for the people in Anchorage affected by that office’s impending closure.

“It is incredibly important to the community,” Bowman said. “The level of expertise and knowledge here is invaluable. The cooking and canning classes and all the programs are wonderful.”

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