Resolution 1 passed at the Alaska State Grange Convention 2010

ALASKA STATE GRANGE

RESOLUTION 2010-01

(Sponsored by the Northland Pioneer Grange No. 1)

 SUPPORTING THE ALASKA CERTIFIED POTATO SEED PROGRAM

WHEREAS, Alaska’s conditions for growing clean tubers for certified seed has advantages over warmer areas of the lower 48 states; and

WHEREAS, there is an existing seed potato growers association that includes certified seed growers throughout Alaska; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Agriculture’s Alaska Plant Materials Center develops generations of potato seed from tissue culture to disease-free tubers for field planting by farmers to grow certified potato seed; and

WHEREAS, the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, in cooperation with the Alaska Division of Agriculture provides a recognized certified lab for testing to assure that seed produced is disease and virus free; and

WHEREAS, Larsen Farms, Inc. a nationally recognized broker for certified potato seed worldwide, is working in conjunction with a large Chinese corporation that has signed a contract to purchase large quantities of seed potatoes for export to China; and

WHEREAS, an initial purchase of tested Alaska certified seed potatoes has been completed and will be shipped to China in the spring of 2010; and

WHEREAS, farmers in Delta and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough plan to grow certified seed for Larsen Farms to export this season; and

WHEREAS, this presents a sizable increase in the certified seed production program; and

WHEREAS, this increase in the size of Alaska’s potato seed industry will require an increase in the support provided by the Alaska Plant Materials Center’s certified seed program as well as the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station certified seed testing laboratory services;

THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED that the Alaska State Grange requests the Department of Natural Resources Commissioner, the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Commissioner, and the University of Alaska President meet with the Governor of the State of Alaska to coordinate procurement of the necessary funding for the Alaska Plant Materials Center and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station seed potato certification laboratory to ensure that this developing new export industry has the state’s technical support; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Grange supports the developing seed potato export industry, which will bring new farmers, farm-related jobs, and farm-related support services to Alaska; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall be provided to the Governor of Alaska, The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and the President of the University of Alaska.