Alaska Agriculture Day
Effective Date: Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
WHEREAS, agriculture is a core foundation of every civilization and was integral in the settlement of Alaska. From early Russian trading posts to the settlers of the Tanana Valley, Alaskan frontiersmen have seen the potential for agriculture and development in the settlement and sustainability of Alaskan communities; and
WHEREAS, today, Alaska agriculture is a vital, multi-million dollar industry composed of a wide range of businesses including farms, ranches, nurseries, and gardens; and
WHEREAS, Alaskan agriculture is part of our lifestyle of self-sufficiency and adaptability. Alaska’s farmers and processors provide safe, healthy, high-quality products, offering Alaskans local options, and creating food security for our state, which would otherwise be dependent on imported products; and
WHEREAS, agriculture provides what we eat, use, and wear on a daily basis. As Alaskans, it is important to teach our youth how food and fiber are produced, emphasize the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy, and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products; and
WHEREAS, Alaska agriculture producers are modern day pioneers who provide the food, fiber, and energy resources necessary to ensure a sustainable future for current and future generations. Alaska is a state rich with resources; with continued dedication, generations of Alaskans will reap the benefit of their harvest.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2012 as:
Alaska Agriculture Day
in Alaska, and encourage Alaskans to support local agriculture by seeking out and purchasing products produced and grown in Alaska.
Dated: April 26, 2012
