Alaskan farmers on the cutting edge of on-Farm Technology

Alaska may be the largest state in the United States, but due to the geographic location, farmers have an extremely short growing season. On average, Alaskan farmers only have about 105 growing days in a year according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which limits what types of crops we can grow, in comparison with about 198 days in northwestern Missouri, according to NOAA.

Despite the length of our growing season, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, there are 762 farms in Alaska, up 11 percent from the last Census, conducted in 2007. Nearly 834,000 acres of the land is dedicated to farming and ranching. In 2012, Alaskan farms produced nearly $59 million worth of agriculture products. By the way, nearly a third of all of the farms in Alaska are run by women, significantly outpacing the national percentage.

Alaska a strong vegetable production industry. Long summer days and cool nights can result in some of the best-tasting potatoes and carrots. Vegetable growers also produce more than 90 other types of vegetables that are often sold in local grocery stores, CSA’s and more than 40 farmers markets across the state.

The state's agriculture industry is also one of the leading sectors when it comes to new technology. More than 85 percent of farmers have access to the Internet, putting them in first place in the nation. And, despite the fact that Alaska has the longest winter nights in the nation, we have 57 farms that produce renewable energy with solar panels.

Technology is not the only new trend on the farms. As of 2012, many Alaskan farms are offering agritourism and recreational services. In 2012, farms raised more than $2 million in this manner. Alaska also now has 23 organic farms.

Alaska may be known as The Last Frontier, but our farmers are on the forefront of many new developments in U.S. agriculture.

Source: blogs.usda.gov