Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveiled news that he has an executive order he plans to sign that would create a new department: The Alaska Department of Agriculture.
In a press release he said the department’s mission is to bolster the agricultural capacity of Alaska, and create more economic activity and food security.
Currently, there is a Division of Agriculture in the Department of Natural Resources, but a new department creates a new cabinet member.
The executive order will be introduced on the first day of the upcoming legislative session on Jan. 21.
Alaska imports about 95% of its food products.
“The COVID pandemic was a wakeup 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 Dunleavy in a statement. “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, his office said.
The move has the support of the Alaska Farm Bureau and the Alaska Food Policy Council.
“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 [Alaska] 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.”
Dunleavy made no mention of the new department when he unveiled his 2026 budget last week.
Unless rejected by a majority lawmakers, the Department of Agriculture would be official on July 1, 2025, the start of the 2026 fiscal year.
The announcement by the governor came with no fiscal note. The budget for the Division of Agriculture in Fiscal Year 2024 was $6,891,400.
A new department would require a new commissioner and at least one deputy commissioner and other positions. They’ll be in charge of Alaska’s biggest agricultural crop: Cannabis.
Earlier in his administration, Dunleavy created a new Department of Health when he split Health off from the Department of Health and Social Services.
Dang. I thought the cash crop was cabbages or giant pumpkins. Nope. It’s dope. Go figure.
Government has ZERO business doing this…..just like his BS “immigrant employment office”….