Alaska's Agriculture An Analysis of Developmental Problems

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Economic Research Service, the State of Alaska through the Department of Economic Development, and other federal and state agencies contributed data and financial support for studies of Alaska agriculture that provided a partial basis for this report. Ors. Leigh H. Hammond and Harold 0. Carter served as consultant to the Economic Research Service and provided technical consultation to the University of Alaska staff during the early stages of a preliminary study regarding data and procedures on farm types, demand projections, and economies of scale in processing agricultural products. Dr. Robert C. Haring was the principal investigator on an earlier ISEG R economic evaluation of potentials for agricultural development in Alaska. While the present report is in part based upon his earlier work and other sources, its authorship is strictly that of Dr. Wayne E. Burton with appropriate assistance provided by ISEGR editor, James D. Babb. Technical consultation was provided the author by a number of persons including: Mr. Blaine 0. Halliday, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, on soil capabilities and production potential; Mr. Duane Skow, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Statistical Reporting Service, on agricultural statistics and geographic regions; Ors. Dana Myrick, Charles H. Rust, Walter G. Heid, Clarence W. Jensen, and William Lassey, Montana State University, on preparing his doctoral thesis "Alaska's Agricultural Production Potential: An Economic Analysis;" and Dr. Donald H. Dinkel, on horticulture and floriculture possibilities. Dr. Burton's work in preparing this report was in major part supported by the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, previously the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station. The conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the State of Alaska, or the University of Alaska.