We've got a brand new look, some brand new resources, and some great upcoming events!
We've been hard at work at the Alaska Farmers Market Association, helping to create tools and resources to grow our local food markets and farmstands. We are so excited to unveil our projects:
- Updated user-friendly website
- New directory tool, with listings for markets, CSAs, farm stands, and food hubs
- Alaska Farmers Market Toolkit
- National Farmers Market Week Resources
Thanks to everyone involved in the creation of these exciting addtions- there are too many to name. And thank you for all you do to support Alaska's market community!
See y'all at the market!
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Why was Dr. Dre kicked out of the farmer's market?
He kept dropping the beets.
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A Brand New Website!
So many thanks to our friends at RISING TIDE COMMUNICATIONS! We've been working hard on bringing our website up-to-date, with a more user-friendly setup!
This project, along with our new virtual and printed Market Directory, was funded by a 2021-2024 USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant.
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A Brand New Directory!
Use this resource to more easily find details about markets, CSAs, farmstands, and food hubs. Choose by market type, location, benefits accepted, and more. It's interactive and a great planning tool for that Alaskan road trip!
Are you a market/farmstand owner? Check and see if you are listed. You can make changes and addtions - email meghan@alaskafarmersmarkets.org to get started.
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A Brand New Farmers Market Toolkit!
This toolkit, TWO YEARS in the making, provides most of the information you’ll need to start a market from scratch or to grow your market with more programs, along with helpful information, tips, and templates for running a successful market.
To navigate the toolkit, follow the chapter number and names along the left side of the screen. There are multiple chapters, each with subcategories that will open when you hover over the chapter name. In each chapter, you will find downloadable resources that you can adapt to your market’s needs. This toolkit is a living document and is meant to be updated regularly, so please send us any recommendations you may have or resources that you’d like to share.
The toolkit is available online and as a print version–if you would like to request a physical copy for your market, or provide feedback, please contact us at info@alaskafarmersmarkets.org. The online version will be a living document and may change over time. Be sure to check back regularly for updates and additional resources that may not be included in your printed copy!
Later this summer we will release our updated FOOD ACCESS toolkit - updated to include tools for farmstands, individual farmers, and more to accept SNAP, WIC, SFMNP, gleaning programs, and more! STAY TUNED!
This project was funded by a 2020-2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Alaska Division of Agricultural and the USDA. A very special thank you to Kari Odden (Moontide Design) and Colleen Donovan (WA State Farmers Market Association), and to all the many market managers in Alaska and beyond who contributed to this resource.
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"So so cool y’all, it’s looks great!
We’re absolutely going to use it"
-Stinging Nettle Farm
"What an amazing and easy to use resource!!"
-BuyAlaska
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National Farmers Market Week! August 7-13, 2022
It's the best week of the year- National Farmers Market Week!
National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity to show the nation how much value markets bring to their communities. With fun events, specials, contests, and activities, the week helps to boost market attendance and visibility – while at the same time being loads of fun!
Last year, our Governor declared Alaska Farmers Market week, and we're hoping for the same in 2022. We're also asking markets and market supporters to reach out to your local city council and mayors offices and encourage local Farmers Market Weeks as well. Take a look below for proclamation templates and other resources to help celebrate.
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We've created lots of Alaska specific resources, like the graphic below, to help make planning your week easier!
Look for another email with plans to be released soon.
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"The first week of August, farmers markets across the nation celebrate National Farmers Market Week, highlighting their role in supporting healthy communities, food systems and stimulating local economies." - USDA FNS
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Celebrate & Thank your Market Manager!
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If every household in Alaska spent just $5 week on Alaska Grown products for only 6 months (during the summer and fall) it would generate over $33,000,000 in sales. Help grow Alaskan industry and food security. #buyalaskagrown |
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FROM OUR FRIENDS AT ALASKA COMMON GROUND:
"Alaskans! Between redistricting, Alaska’s new voting system, and several upcoming deadlines there is a lot to pay attention to so you can vote in the upcoming Special/Primary election on August 16 as well as the General Election on November 8. Please read on for more information, important dates, and sign up for our upcoming informational event, or to work at a polling station!
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Your Polling Place might be Different:
As a result of redistricting due to the 2020 Census and recent state court rulings, most voting precinct boundaries have changed. This means that your polling place might also have changed. In mid-July the Alaska Division of Elections will mail out new voter registration cards with the voters’ precincts and polling place locations. Make sure to check your new voter ID card for your polling location before you vote!
Check your polling location
Early and Absentee Voting:
Unlike the recent special primary election, you WILL NOT receive a ballot in the mail unless you request one up to 10 days before the election, so before August 6. You can request one online here. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by August 16th and received by the Division of Elections by or on August 26th if mailed from Alaska to be eligible for counting. DON'T FORGET TO HAVE A WITNESS SIGN YOUR BALLOT!
Alternatively, there are early in person voting locations which you can find here.
Important Election Dates:
- Sunday, July 17: Deadline to register to vote in the August 16 election. You can register here.
- August 1: Early in-person and in-person absentee voting begin and continue through August 16. You can find those locations here.
- August 6: Last day to request a by-mail ballot. You can request that ballot here.
- August 16: Both the Regular Primary Election for state offices and the Special General Election for U.S. Congress will be held. With both elections on the same ballot, it could be confusing. Pay attention to the directions on the ballot! You can take a look at your ballot, which differs by house district, here.
- Regular Primary Election – Vote for only ONE candidate on the ballot for each seat on the state to the federal levels – including a vote for a US House candidate to serve a full 2-year term.
- Special General Election – Rank the top 3 vote getters from the Special Primary Election to serve out the rest of Representative Don Young’s term.
- November 8: Regular General Election – Rank UP TO FOUR candidates (the top 4 vote-getters from the August 16 primary) in your order of preference for each seat on the state to the federal levels – including yet ANOTHER vote for a US House candidate to serve a full 2-year term.
Lots more information on the website for the Division of Elections. |
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