Creating a Northern Agriculture. III. Defining Parameters of Agricultural Potential in Alaska

Abstract

Alaska's current land-use planning is characterized by a particular void in providing for future agricultural development. One reason for this void in planning has been a profound lack in identification of production possibilities in most areas of the state. While the report, ALASKA'S AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL (4), generally identified some 16 million acres suitable for tillage, and millions of acres suitable for livestock grazing, it did not provide other than a cursory review of product types which might be grown in Alaska. Further, it did not identify probable locations where particular crops and livestock would be produced, nor possible scope and magnitude of such industry development.