Welcome to the Alaska Farm Service Agency Website

Our primary mission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is to assist Alaska farmers and ranchers secure the greatest possible benefit from programs administered by FSA such as farm loans, commodity price support, disaster relief, conservation, reimbursable transportation cost payment program (RTCP) or other available resources. The hard-working men and women of Alaska’s FSA county offices are at the forefront of our efforts and remain the primary contact for program participation. We encourage you to speak with the staff at your local FSA office on how we can be of service. Our user friendly web site can help you learn more about FSA programs and services.

Alaska State Farm Service Agency
800 West Evergreen Ave., Suite 216
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 761-7738

Alaska State Executive Director

Bryan J Scoresby
(907) 761-7750

Alaska State Committee

Committee Chair Scott Mugrage - Delta Junction
Joe Orsi - Juneau
Richelle Plummer - Matanuska Valley
Al Poindexter - Kenai Peninsula                                                                                         Lorne White - Kodiak

FSA Encourages Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections

The 2018 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections will begin on November 5, when ballots are mailed to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is December 3, 2018. 

County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws. 

To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote.  

Eligible voters in the Northern County local administrative area 3 and the Southern County local administrative area 1, who do not receive a ballot can obtain one from their local USDA Service Center.  Dec. 3, 2018, is the last day for voters to submit ballots in person to local USDA Service Centers. Ballots returned by mail must also be postmarked no later than Dec. 3. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2019.

The following are this year’s candidates who have been nominated in their LAA’s to serve as a committee member. All candidates have agreed to serve if elected.

Northern County LAA-3 which includes the area beginning at the SE corner of the Matsu Borough proceeding north to NW corner of SE Fairbanks Census area, east to line following Clearwater road intersecting AK Hwy, proceeding SE to AKGREAA line, south then SE following line to Canadian border, south following Canadian border to Chugach Mtn. Range, turning west following Chugach Mtn. west to SW corner of Matsu Borough. (Includes Delta Junction, Glennallen, and Kenny Lake.) 

Robert Green moved to the Delta area in 1965. The family was highly involved with all stages of bringing land into production in the Delta area. In 1971 the first crops were planted, and since then they have raised hay, grain, and have had up to 450 head of livestock at a time. Currently the farm is actively producing hay and grain with all crops processed and marketed throughout the state. Bob is involved with many aspects of farming and wants to see agriculture remain strong throughout the state.

Joshua Scott resides in LAA-3 and has cleared and put into production over 30 acres of cropland, producing brome hay, bees/honey, constructed a high tunnel, and raises a variety of vegetables that have been sold through the local farmers market for over 8 years. Joshua is active with Copper River Valley Soil and Water Conservation District and serves as President. Joshua also works with the Kenny Lake Soil and Water Conservation, Alaska State Soil and Water Conservation, has organized Ag Forum for Kenny Lake area, and instrumental in expanding SWCD to the whole copper valley area, works with the local Alaska Native Corporations,  and is vocal in raising local farming issues with legislatures. Participates with FSA in several programs.

Election Ballots will be Counted in Public at the Northern County FSA Office at 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2018.

Southern County LAA -1 which Includes all of the following boroughs and census areas: Wade Hampton, Bethel, Dillingham, Bristol Bay, Lake & Peninsula, Aleutians East and West, Kodiak Island and the Kenai Peninsula Borough south of the Kasilof river (includes Homer and surrounding area).

Rita Jo Shoultz is the managing partner of Alaska Perfect Peony (APP)a family owned business.  APP was the first commercial peony cut flower farm in Alaska. In 2017 APP harvested over 50,000 stems.  Past experiences include owner of Fritz Creek Gardens, a small retail nursery in Homer; 40 plus years in marketing positions, finance, 25 years in Commercial Real Estate Development and just finished 4 years as President of the Kenai Peninsula Farm Bureau.  Rita Jo was a nominee for ‘Champions of Change for the Future of Agriculture’ and invited to the White House and was just recently named the ‘Small Business Champion’ for Alaska.

Paulette Selkirk is a farmer originally from New Mexico. Her dad and uncle taught her about farming and running the business at a young age. Her passion was to grow up and have her own farming business one day. Her and her husband moved to Kodiak in 2009. She has been in the poultry business for over 15 years. She is the owner of Beaks n Feathers. Her husband, children and grandchildren help with the operations, building the next generation of farmers. She sells fresh eggs and adult meat chickens. Along with poultry she raises and sells mealworms for poultry, wild birds, reptiles and amphibians on the Island. Great source of protein and treat as well.

Election Ballots will be Counted in Public at the Southern County FSA Office at 2:00 p.m. on December 6, 2018. 

More information on county committees, such as the new 2018 fact sheet, can be found on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center http://offices.usda.gov.

Alaska County Office Committee Structure

The three-member Northern and Southern County Farm Service Agency committees will meet as announced. A notice will be posted in the monthly State newsletter announcing the next scheduled meeting.

Northern Committee members

Rebecca Hammond, LAA-1
Steven Helkenn, LAA-2
Robert Green, Chair LAA-3

Southern Committee members

Christine Ford, LAA-1
Abby Ala, LAA-2
Janet Dinwiddie, Chair LAA-3

Elected county committee members serve a three-year term and are responsible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity, and price support programs, as well as other important federal farm program issues.

County committee members are a valuable asset because they are comprised of local producers who participate in FSA programs themselves and have a direct connection to farmers and ranchers in the community.

More information on county committees, such as the new 2018 fact sheet, can be found on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center http://offices.usda.gov.

• Alaska LAA Map
• County Committee Elections 2018
• Eligibility To Vote and Hold Office as a County Committee Member Fact Sheet
• County Committee Elections Fact Sheet
• 2018 Nomination Form for County FSA Committee Election