Agriculture in Alaska

Abstract

An original version of this bulletin was first issued by the Alaska Experiment Station in 1917. Authored by C. C. Georgeson, it was revised many times to meet changing needs. A 1945 edition titled "Information for Prospective Settlers" by G. W. Gasser, Territorial commissioner of Agriculture, was revised in 1948. This was followed by Bulletin 15 of the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station compiled by Hugh A. Johnson. The present information was gathered by many agencies It was put together and edited by Mrs. Lenora Hedla and published by the University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service, and the Alaska Department of Agriculture. Assisting in this publication were the U. S. Department of Land Management; the U. S. Forest Service, the Soil Conservation Service, the Farmers Home Administration, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee, and the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation.Alaska's agriculture is a growing industry. In 1957 some $4 Y2 million worth of food and feed grown by 200 full-time and 350 part-time farmers brought nearly$9 million in the market place. Crop volume doubled between 1950 and 1955. While Alaskan agriculture has been rapidly expanding, growers have been also keeping abreast of Stateside grading and packaging practices. They now offer homegrown products of the highest quality. A few farms are as modern as any in the States. Some farmers net $10,000 year or more, although the average is closer to$4,000 because many farms are small and others are in early stages of development