Carol E. Lewis

Alaskan Direct‐Market Consumers: Perception of Organic Produce

Perception of organic produce among Alaskan direct-market patrons (N = 417) was examined in a mailed survey. Response rate was 80%. Responsefrequency was tabulated, and relationships were delineated using chi-square analysis. Healthfulness of the food supply was a concern, despite a perception that quality and healthfulness of thefood supply had improved since 1987. These attributes were also important infresh produce selection. Organic produce preference was related to both environmental and personal-safety concerns. More than half of these consumers had purchased organic produce within the last year; supermarkets and direct markets were the primary sources. Although organic produce was not purchased exclusively, previous purchase increased the likelihood offuture purchase. A certification process was desired. Half preferred a government certification agent; 28% preferred public and private sector involvement. Information dissemination should address (a) pesticide usefor cosmetic purposes, (b) appearance and food safety, (c) flavor and shipping characteristics, and (d) production method and nutritive content.

Premium honeys: Response of sensory panelists

Abstract Four honeys and one synthetic ‘honey’ were ranked by 62 panelists for relative acceptability; willingness to buy was ranked after price information was provided. Data were analyzed with the R-index procedure and Friedman ranked sums test. Honey floral source and production location differed. Panelists completed a questionnaire concerning food selection and perception and selection of honey. Instrumental techniques were used to characterize the honeys. Honey was perceived by these panelists to have a unique flavor and positive image. Alaska wildflower, a fireweed table honey and Alaska fireweed/clover were the most acceptable. Acceptability did not necessarily correspond to willingness to buy. Similar results were obtained from both the R-index and rank sums analyses. The instrumental assessment of color and acceptability were significantly correlated. Generally, characteristics that distinguish premium from table honeys were unimportant in the selection process used by these panelists.

Conservation tillage in the subarctic

Abstract Three tillage practices were compared on a subarctic silt-loam soil to evaluate whether conservation tillage could be used effectively to reduce soil losses from wind erosion without delaying crop maturity or reducing yield. Urea and ammonium nitrate were also compared as sources of fertilizer nitrogen. Plots were cropped to rapeseed ( Brassica campestris L.) and barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) in a rapeseed-barley-fallow rotation and in continuous barley. Zero-tillage did not delay maturity nor did it result in reduced yields except where there was excessive competition from perennial grassy weeds. Neither placement appeared to be less than optimum in zero-tilled plots. With proper fertilizer placement and grassy-weed control, conservation tillage appears to be a viable method of reducing the potential for wind erosion in the subarctic.

Agricultural development in Alaska

Development during approximately 200 years of agricultural activity in Alaska has been varied and generally inadequate. Four stages are here identified. During the period from Russian and early American colonization to the late 1880s production was largely for personal consumption. From 1898 to World War II federal intervention stimulated local commercial agriculture, and from the late 1940s to the late 1960s commercial production expanded. Since then a state- supported strategy to develop an export-based agriculture has been tried, but implementation has not been completed. Alaska remains a frontier which has yet to find a workable manner in which to implement a strategy for its agriculture.

Food Acquisition, Availability, and Allocation in Urban Alaska

Food acquisition practices and related attitudes of urban Alaskan consumers as affected by setting and resource availability and allocation were examined. Pri mary food purchasers (N = 400) were surveyed by telephone. Frequency re sponse was tabulated, and relationships were delineated using chi-square anal ysis. Responses were compared to a national profile where appropriate. Urban Alaskans, like consumers in the contiguous 48 states, expected a nutritious, safe, and abundant food supply of high quality. These consumers were most dissatis fied with the quality of available fresh products, particularly produce. Convenient supermarkets were the major channel through which food was obtained, al though large numbers of urban Alaskans participated in subsistence activities. Smaller numbers frequented alternative vendors. Urban Alaskans were more aware of food processing and food safety problems than were their national counterparts. Despite this awareness, concerns existed about nutrition, health, and the food supply. Dissemination of nutrition information through newspapers will reach the largest segment of Alaskan primary food purchasers.

Alaskan agribusiness: A Post-statehood review

Analyses of statistical and historical data reveal three growth models in the Alaska agribusiness industry since statehood in 1959. These models are based on the degree of federal and state investment in agriculture. There have been minimal investments in vegetables and potatoes. Investments in dairying have been modest but long sustained. Those in the feed grain and red meat segment of the industry have been highly variable. Growth characteristics and potentials for each of these three segments of the agribusiness industry are analyzed.

Soil properties and barley yield under a twenty-years experiment of tillage, straw management and nitrogen application rate in the sub-arctic area of Alaska

Abstract A tillage and straw management study was started near Delta Junction Alaska (64°49′N, 147°52′W) USA in 1983 to determine the impact of tillage, straw management, and nitrogen fertilizer application rate on soil properties and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain yield. In October 2003, soil samples were collected from the 0–5, 5–10, 10–25 cm depths in the treatments: no tillage (NT); disked once each spring (DO); disked twice (each for spring and fall, respectively) (DT); straw and stubble retention (SS); straw and stubble removal (NSS); and 11 and 131 kg N ha−1 nitrogen fertilizer application rates, to determine soil total nitrogen and carbon concentration, cation exchange capacity, mineral N, Mehlich-3 extractable phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, pH, electrical conductivity and bulk density. From 1983 to 2003 grain yield was measured from each treatment except in those years in which yield was lost due to birds, weeds, or chemical fallow. The no-tillage treatment tended to increase soil total organic C and N concentrations at 0–5 cm depths. Soil bulk density (0–5 cm) was lower with NT (p<0.05) than with DT. Retaining straw (SS) on the soil surface increased soil organic C concentration at 5–10 cm depth (p=0.06). Mineral N concentration in soil was higher with NT at 0–5 cm depth (p=0.05). Barley grain yield of NT was better than that of DT but varied with time. Rate of N application increased grain yield up to 91 kg N ha−1. Overall, the no-tillage and straw management had impact on some surface soil properties in sub-arctic Alaska, and no-tillage and minimum tillage increased barley crop yield.

Market Planning in Agricultural Development: An Alaskan Example of How Not to Do It

Less developed countries (LDC) often suffer from development malaise caused by discrepancies between export dreams and development structures. A major economic activity of LDC’s is in many cases concerned with raw material development for export. Infrastructure development, an internal economic activity, is often ignored even though such an economic goal could enhance export of raw goods. Without internal development, LDC’s remain dependent on activities requiring little capital support, i.e., subsistence agriculture. If such countries are to gain economic independence, both external and internal development objectives must be met to reduce dependence on subsistence agriculture and raise the capacity of the nation for self-generating economic growth. A major problem is the coordination of the internal and external development policies so as not to seriously limit each other. In this respect, governments often attempt to facilitate both of these activities by acting as an employer and an administrator for a substantial range of marketing and infrastructural development programs.

Agriculture and economic reform in Russia

The economic and political climate of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is changing rapidly. Because of these dramatic changes, it is difficult to provide an analysis of development in agriculture. Average annual agricultural production for the 1986-1990 period increased somewhat in volume when compared to the 1980-1985 average. However, the trend of increasing production did not continue in 1991, when agricultural output fell below the 1990 level. The primary causes of this downturn are crisis in the financial sector, disintegration of the material and equipment supply system to farm enterprises, price differences between industrial and agricultural commodities, the rigid purchasing system for agricultural outputs, weakening of central authorities, and state monopoly. Financial recovery and political stability are necessary for future growth of the agricultural sector.