Service is provided to the: • Greater Delta Area• Communities along the Alaska

Highway • Taylor Highway • North & South along the Richardson

Highway • The Copper Valley communities • Other areas include Mat Su, Kenai, and

Kodiak   

UAF-CES Delta Junction

•Forage and Grain Production - Statewide•EQIP – pest and nutrient management plans•Certified Noxious Weed Free Forage & Straw Statewide Program Contact – gravel pits also•PSEP – Statewide Program Contact•IR-4 – Statewide Program Contact – herbicide for peony production (potential export crop)•CNIPM – Statewide Advisory Board•Local: Noxious Weed Program, Bison Issues (a very complex ongoing issue), Farm Bureau, SWCD Board, Local Farmers Market

Barley

Delta Outreach

Large-scale agricultural

development in Delta has

occurred in three different areas:

It began with homesteading in

the Delta-Clearwater area in the early 1950’s.

In April of 1978 the State of Alaska sold

approximately 15,000 acres of agricultural land

in the Tanana Loop area.

Larger parcels of ag land were sold by the state in August of 1978. Twenty-two farms encompassing nearly 60,000 acres were released in parcels averaging nearly 2750 acres.

Another such sale occurred in March of 1982 transferring around 25,000 acres of ag land in 15 farms to private ownership.

Tanana Loop

Sawmill Creek

Clearwater

Forage is a major crop in the Delta area. There is approximately 10,000 acres produced in the

Tanana Valley. Barley and oats are primary grain crops, canola is being considered as a bio-fuel

crop.

The livestock industry includes, dairy (Northern Lights Dairy - dairy and creamery), beef, hogs, bison, elk, reindeer, and yak production.

Delta produces approximately 300 acres of commercial potatoes. There is an ongoing effort to develop a certified seed potato export market to Pacific Rim countries.

Delta has three commercial greenhouses selling bedding plants and vegetables, plus a number of small-scale truck farms reaching the local market with fresh produce and homemade products.

Potatoes

Elk

Vegetables

Contact with other CES districts/agents and or other agencies AK Division of Agriculture, AK Department of Environmental Conservation, Salcha Delta Soil and Water Conservation District (SDSWCD), Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, AK DNR Forestry, AK DNR Fish & Game) to define needs in their area and administer.