Food Security

Annual Celebration Gives �ֻ�ֱ��ns Currant Information

The Far North Currant Festival highlights the tasty, nutritious and easy-to-grow currant. �ֻ�ֱ�� has six native species of currants, and researchers have trialed more than 75 varieties at Georgeson Botanical Garden in Fairbanks. In the festival's first two years, almost 900 visitors attended to learn about the history, nutritional qualities and how to produce and consume currants.

Reaching Rural Communities With Practical Information

Potatoes The �ֻ�ֱ�� Tribes Extension Program helps �ֻ�ֱ��ns in remote communities access culturally relevant information, incorporating Extension expertise with local resources and knowledge. Collaborations with traditional knowledge holders led to more virtual and in-person workshops focused on food security in communities that previously had no access to Extension programs.

Developing the Next Generation of Farmers

People working at booth The �ֻ�ֱ�� Harvest Collaborative is a cooperative effort between local nonprofit organizations and university programs that teaches community members how to grow and prepare fresh food while fostering community engagement. Participants learned to grow food and helped distribute almost 6,000 pounds of locally produced and healthy food to local centers and fellow community members.

Protecting �ֻ�ֱ�� Crops From Disease

Potatoes UAF Cooperative Extension agents worked with potato growers across the state to identify five previously unknown varieties of potato scab and instances of powdery scab. Both diseases pose a risk to an important �ֻ�ֱ�� crop. This work positions agents to help potato growers control diseases, improve marketability and increase yield.

Boosting Year-round Crop Production in Greenhouses

To enhance opportunities for local year-round crop production, UAF researchers look for suitable varieties to grow in greenhouses in cold and rural areas, find strategies that produce the highest yield of food, and research energy-efficient practices. By donating more than 1,400 pounds of produce to the local food bank and UAF’s culinary arts program, this research also provides fresh produce to underserved communities and supports workforce development programs.

Citizen Scientists Contribute to Information on Slugs in �ֻ�ֱ��

Slug snack cabbage UAF Cooperative Extension invasive species experts were able to identify slug species and map their distribution around �ֻ�ֱ�� with help from citizen scientists' reported sightings. Their work led to new species being deemed potential threats and a more educated public on its �ֻ�ֱ�� Slug and Snail Watch online portal. Researchers also set up studies to determine how many slugs are in a given area and which control methods are more effective.