AFPC 2024 Budget Priorities

AFPC in collaboration with over 175 agencies and individuals representing federal and state agencies, tribal entities, schools, university programs, farmers, fisheries, and food systems businesses has developed the following 2024 Budget Priorities. We believe these will significantly improve food security and the agricultural industry in Alaska:

• $4.5M for direct food purchases for food banks and food pantries across Alaska

• 30 additional eligibility technicians at the Division of Public Assistance

• Increase capacity through additional staffing at the ADNR Division of Agriculture

• Increase capacity through additional staffing at the DEED Child Nutrition Services office

• Last year, the Legislature created the Agriculture Forgivable Loan Program but has not funded this new program. Without funding, ADNR will not draft regulations and this program is not functional. Please consider a small appropriation within the capital budget to the AFLP to help kickstart this newly created program.

• Provide funding for the University of Alaska Agricultural Research Programs and the Cooperative Extension.

• Provide funding for Alaska’s Soil & Water Conservation Districts

• Support in-state procurement of Alaska Grown & Alaska Harvested foods through funding Farm-to-Schools and Fish-to-Schools programs.