We’re going to get a little interactive here as we start off this article. Please raise your hand if you eat food (do it in your mind if not literally!). Now nod your head yes or no to the following questions. Do you think food security and agriculture should be partisan? Should they be bipartisan issues? Do you think a commonsense policy should be rejected by a legislator because of who the bill sponsor or the person promoting the idea is?
I’m sorry to report that unless certain legislators change their tune, food security and agriculture may fall prey to politics. I hope that won’t be the case – and maybe it won’t if enough Alaskans speak up. Governor Dunleavy proposed – in response to the number one recommendation of a bipartisan legislative task force mind you – a small, lean and mean ag focused department to help clear the path for industry growth.
Dismantling the Excuses
Some legislators who’ve been cheerleaders and champions of ag in the past appear to be backpedaling, and from what I can tell, it’s purely for political reasons. Some are using the excuse that we can’t afford it (but the department could be established with the present funding the Division of Agriculture currently receives – so funding isn’t a legitimate excuse).
Some are saying the division can do whatever a department can do, but that’s not legitimate either. First, if that were the case, it would be happening. Secondly, it takes a commissioner who isn’t consumed with oil and gas matters day in and day out who has time to focus on ag. Thirdly, it takes a commissioner to prioritize ag matters at the governor’s cabinet table. A small Department of Ag would remove those barriers, and that is why farmers and ranchers are asking for this change.
It depends on you and what you want
You, my friends, have influence. You can insist to legislators over the next two weeks (before the vote) that now is the time for Alaska to focus on food independence and to have a Department of Agriculture. You can copy all the emails in one swoop right here to send a message to all 60 legislators. Prefer phone calling? Here a handy-dandy phone list for you.
Food is basic to existence and to life. Our supply chain could be disrupted in a variety of ways. We need to become a more food independent state and less reliant on imports. When we are spending nearly $3 billion outside of the state for food and Asian markets are hungry for what we can grow and raise, while at the same time we have amazing soils, long summer light, and a slightly lengthening growing season each year, it doesn’t make sense to neglect our ag producers. It’s simple: we need to support existing and new farmers and ranchers to increase Alaska grown production, and the best way to do that is to establish a Department of Agriculture so we have a constant force working to eliminate the barriers and increase the opportunities.
Time to act
It baffles me, when individuals who have been quick to admire those who toil to fill our tables, suddenly turn on a dime and pull their support. It makes no sense unless it’s “political sense” – which we all know is not commonsense. We expect the vote whether to reject the Department of Agriculture to be held in joint session the week of March 10. Again, please waste no time and contact legislators to strongly encourage them to support the Department of Ag and the growth of an essential industry in our state.
