Community and Economic Development

Traditional Foods for Healing

In 2023, more than 280 pounds of �ֻ�ֱ�� Native Tlingit (Lingít) potatoes were harvested from the Palmer Farm by �ֻ�ֱ�� Native Tribal Health Consortium employees and volunteers to be used by the �ֻ�ֱ�� Native Medical Center as part of a program to ensure patients have access to traditional foods during times of healing.

Reaching �ֻ�ֱ��ns off the Road System

In 2023, UAF Cooperative Extension faculty embarked on a third summer on the waters of Southeast �ֻ�ֱ��, traveling to many communities around Prince of Wales Island and offering nearly 50 classes in food preservation, wild harvest and gardening alongside subjects like slug and bug management, avian influenza, yoga, strength and balance. The agents also tested over 50 canner gauges, an essential service to ensure the safe canning of fish and other local foods.

Mining and Petroleum Workforce Development

The Mining and Petroleum Training Service is a world- class training entity with three divisions that provide service to most of �ֻ�ֱ��’s industries: Petroleum, Mine Safety and Health Administration, and Underground Mining. Demand for critical minerals has created an even greater emphasis on MAPTS programs and curriculum. The MAPTS program’s ability to adapt to �ֻ�ֱ��’s ever-changing industrial needs is critical to �ֻ�ֱ��’s workforce development.

Herding as Economic Driver

Reindeer herding in �ֻ�ֱ�� has long been considered an important industry for economic development and food security in the state. UAF’s Cooperative Extension faculty is bringing high latitude range management expertise to �ֻ�ֱ�� in coordination with UAF Northwest Campus in Nome. Through an international cultural exchange, �ֻ�ֱ�� delegates and students from UAF, Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association and Nunivak Island Mekoryuk have shared new ideas to increase workforce development, youth involvement, commercial meat sales, tourism, and value-added byproduct craft production all stemming from the development of the �ֻ�ֱ�� reindeer industry.

Pesticide Safety Education Program

The Pesticide Safety Education Program provides training to people in �ֻ�ֱ�� who apply restricted use pesticides, apply any pesticides on property other than their own or their employers, or apply pesticides on public school (K-12) grounds and facilities. UAF’s Cooperative Extension provided this Department of Environmental Conservation-mandated training to over 100 �ֻ�ֱ��ns last year, ensuring our communities, homes, farms and schools are safe from dangerous pesticide application.

Nutrition Education

By teaching nutrition and physical activity classes free of charge to low-income families, children and young adults, the Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) programs support families and individuals in making healthy and informed lifestyle choices. Combined, the programs reached more than 4,000 �ֻ�ֱ��ns last year.