The Economics of Barley Production in the Delta Junction Area of Interior Alaska

Abstract

The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay on the north slope of Alaska and the subsequent initial lease sale for rights to drill for oil on state land marked the beginning of a new era in the economy of the state. Construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline to carry oil 860 miles from the northern coast to the port of Valdez brought jobs to the state and increased personal income for many residents. When oil began to flow, the state began to receive revenues from royalty oil sales. Wealth from oil revenues made it possible for the state to support the development of Alaska's renewable resources. One of the resources considered was land which had been classified as having potential for production of agricultural products . There had been attempts in the past by the Federal and state governments to increase substantially agricultural production in Alaska, but none were completely successful (Stone 1950, Burton 1971, Snodgrass et a!. 1982, Lewis et al. 1987) .