Governor Mike Dunleavy announced on Friday, Dec. 20, an executive order he will introduce to establish the Alaska Department of Agriculture. The executive order will be introduced on the first day of the upcoming Legislative Session on Jan. 21.
The order will create the Department of Agriculture by transferring the responsibilities of the Division of Agriculture within the Department of Natural Resources to the new department.
The new department’s mission will be to strengthen Alaska’s agricultural sector, which will, in turn, increase economic activity and strengthen Alaska’s food security.
Alaska currently imports approximately 95% of its food products. This dependence on imports not only creates a vulnerability for Alaska but leads to billions of dollars leaving the state each year. Increased agricultural production will keep Alaska dollars circulating in the state economy.
“The COVID pandemic was a wake-up call. It revealed how much Alaska had become dependent on functioning supply chains and how quickly a disruption at West Coast ports could wreak havoc in Alaska,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “The Department of Agriculture’s mission will be to provide expert support for new and established farmers and ranchers and administer programs that improve Alaska’s food security. This will also grow the state’s economy with new jobs and commercial activity. I look forward to working with lawmakers in the upcoming session on this plan for future economic growth and greater food security for all Alaskans.”
The new department will continue all functions currently carried out by the Division of Agriculture but will be better positioned to effectively carry out its mission. Establishing the Department of Agriculture will create a Cabinet-level position and a dedicated budget for the new Department and require the Legislature to provide greater attention to the state’s food production systems and implement policies that facilitate success for the state’s producers.
“Creating a Department of Agriculture has been a long-standing priority of the Alaska Farm Bureau. Agriculture was a key industry here in territorial and early statehood days, with support, we can get back to that. We appreciate the Governor’s willingness to hear from us and our farmers and ranchers on this important issue and look forward to seeing more details of this Executive Order. This conversation is an important one to move forward, as it could bring key opportunities for building a robust agriculture industry in our state,” said Scott Mugrage, President Alaska Farm Bureau.
“The Alaska Food Policy Council welcomes the Governor’s announcement to create a Department of Agriculture,” said Advocacy and Policy Director Rachel Lord, Alaska Food Policy Council. “This initiative has been a key policy priority for us over the past several years as a strategic way to support and grow Alaska’s agricultural industry. We are eager to learn more details in the coming weeks and to collaborate with the Governor, Legislature, and partners across Alaska’s food system on this exciting opportunity for our state.”
“Reestablishing the Alaska Department of Agriculture under the Executive Branch demonstrates Governor Dunleavy’s ongoing commitment to Alaskan agriculture,” said Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle. “As a top recommendation of both recent Food Security Task Force reports and a longstanding policy priority of agricultural stakeholders such as the Alaska Farm Bureau, a department dedicated to ensuring stronger strategic alignment with the agriculture industry will result in more focus and attention to Alaskan farmers and ranchers.”
The Alaska Food Security and Independence Task Force established by the Governor under Administrative Order 331 (modified by Aos 334 and 241) and the Alaska Legislature’s Food Strategy Task Force established under HB 298, which was signed by the Governor in 2022, have recommended the creation of a Department of Agriculture.
The EO will be introduced under the Governor’s Constitutional authority in Article 3, Section 23, to reorganize the Executive Branch. Unless rejected by a majority of lawmakers, the Department of Agriculture will be official on Jul. 1, 2025.