State Technical Committee Meeting Postponed until Spring 2013
 

Palmer, November 20th 2012 —Alaska Natural Resources Conservation Service is unable to schedule a fall/winter State Technical Committee meeting this year. We are currently operating under a continuing resolution and waiting for Congress to pass a new Farm Bill.  We are planning a 2013 spring meeting and as soon as we have more information to report we will notify our participants.

Thank you for your past participation, and we look forward to seeing everyone in the spring.  As always, if you have questions or need information, please contact Helen Denniston at 907-761-7756 or by email at helen.denniston@ak.usda.gov.

We are in the process of updating our current e-mail list; if you are still interested in attending our State Technical Meetings or wish to be added to our e-mail list please contact dee.covalt@ak.usda.gov

Spring 2012 Meeting Notes

SoilWeb Application
 

SoilWeb for the iPhone is a portable version of our online interface to USDA-NRCS digital soil survey data. The application uses the GPS built into the iPhone to acquire your current location, and then submits an HTTP request to our server via the SoilWeb API. A graphical summary of the soils mapped at your current location is presented on-screen with a link that provides a detailed description of the soil.

Soil survey is a detailed report on the soils of an area. Soil Survey information including soil maps and associated information is available for much of the road system in Alaska including the Kenai Peninsula, Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks and Delta Junction.
 

Presentation on Application

High Tunnels
 

High tunnels, also known as hoophouses, can help extend the growing season. They provide protection to plants early and late in the season. By expanding the availability of healthy, locally grown food, high tunnels benefit both producers and consumers.

Crops in high tunnels are grown in the natural soil profile or in raised beds. NRCS can provide financial assistance to fund up to 2,178 square feet of high tunnel, which is five percent of an acre.

National Initiative
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Innovation Grants for Conservation Awarded in Alaska
 

Palmer, Oct. 15, 2012 — Farming used to bring images to mind of old red barns and men in overalls but now farming is high tech with GIS satellite programmed tractors and precise nutrient input systems. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) supports the development of new concepts for farming and conservation through its Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program.
 

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USDA Notice to Women and/or Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers
 

If you are a woman or Hispanic farmer and believe you were improperly denied farm loan benefits by USDA between 1981 and 2000, you may be eligible for compensation. Earlier this year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans.

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