The Division of Agriculture provides marketing and production expertise to Alaska growers by increasing their ability to market Alaska Grown products and maintain viable farms. The division provides opportunities for local producers and marketers of food, fiber, and revegetation materials, and for other industries as well. Effective marketing service programs are maintained, providing quality assurance of production. Some of the division's marketing programs include: the Alaska Grown program, which includes a logo for authorized users to highlight their local products; the Alaska Food & Farm Products Directory, a publication listing Alaska producers and their products, and for the past couple of years, a Cooperative Marketing Program (see below) that provides matching funds to assist in making Alaska Grown products more visible to the public.

Food & Farm Products Directory

Produce Seasonal Availability Chart

Farmers Markets 2009

Late Blight Disease of Potato and Tomato in Alaska

Nurseries & Greenhouses

Alaskan Livestock

Egg Producers

The Cooperative Marketing Program (CMP) began in 2000. The cooperative Marketing Program funds come directly from our state Marketing Budget, in an effort to support our Alaska Grown producers, to encourage the public to purchase Alaska Grown products, and to promote the agricultural industry.

The CMP is intended to promote industry, not solely benefit an individual. Cooperative Marketing ranges from general advertising, to education in the classrooms, producers grouping together to advertise their "industry", i.e. livestock, dairy, greenhouses, vegetables. Many of our state fairs have used this grant to encourage agricultural participation at the fairs, one of the largest public promotions in the state. Our farmers markets have also been successful in utilizing this grant to promote their markets, and encourage the public to "buy local." The CMP is a great way to promote the Ag industry, and it is not limited to any specific area, but open to anyone involved in the agricultural community, granting they are an approved Alaska Grown user.

The Cooperative Marketing Program is a match grant. For every dollar received, a dollar must be spent. In-kind match funds are acceptable. This allows marketing funds to be maximized. This grant has ranged in previous years, from $2000 - $5000. Typically this grant is open to receive proposals beginning from January / February, and then closes in February / March. Each year it varies slightly, depending on other grants available, and conferences being held. We send out a request for proposals to members on our general mailing list. If you do not received grant announcements from us, contact us to be added to our mailing list. You can also access the application online, if you do not wish to be on our mailing list. Keep a watch on our website to see when next years grant will become available.

The agriculture industry in Alaska created the Alaska Grown logo to highlight products grown in Alaska.

The Alaska Grown program is designed to increase consumer awareness and consumption of Alaska agricultural products. As part of the food and fiber marketing system in Alaska, you are encouraged to utilize the Alaska Grown logo in conjunction with sales of farm products grown in Alaska.

The Division of Agriculture has artwork images of the logo available for producers, wholesalers, retailers, and the media to use in their efforts to promote Alaska Grown products. We encourage use of the logo on all local product packaging for vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, nursery products, honey, furs, and wool products. We also want to encourage the retail industry to develop Alaska Grown point of sale material to identify locally grown products.

Our policy is to allow use of the logo on quality local products that meet the established grade standards for the top two grades for the particular item. Those products not having USDA or state grades established will be evaluated on the basis of commodity or industry association guidelines. The second issue is that all food products will be 100% locally grown except in the case of processed food items which require some condiments, spices, etc. Processed products will have at least 75% content of items grown in Alaska. Click on the PDF link below to view and print the Alaska Grown Logo Application.

ALASKA GROWN APPLICATION AND CRITERIA - fill out form (pdf)

Alaska Grown Certification Program Director's Finding and Decision November 18, 2009

Alaska Grown Certification Program Director's Policy November 18, 2009

The Alaska Statutes, Title 3, Chapter 40, Brands and Marks, gives Division of Agriculture the authority to issue brand registrations for livestock, including cattle, reindeer, bison, musk oxen, sheep, horses, mules, and asses. Applications for new brands are accepted at any time, and all brands must be renewed during years ending in 5 or 0. Click on the link below to view/print the brand application.

Alaska Brand Application - fill out form (pdf)

MARKETING SERVICES LINKS

Western United States Agricultural Trade Association Website

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service Website