Virtual seminar explores Alaska food independence scenario

Virtual seminar explores Alaska food independence scenario

December 5, 2025

A University of Alaska Fairbanks professor will explore how Alaska might grow enough grain to supply its needs and limit reliance on imported food.

The presentation by Jakir Hasan, research assistant professor of plant genetics with the UAF Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension, is part of the seminar series "Circumpolar Connections: A Dialogue on Arctic Food Systems."

Hasan will share case studies from other circumpolar countries and discuss how their successes can help us grow more food, process it and sell it locally. He will outline the steps needed for a scenario in which Delta Junction becomes the hub for cereal-grain production in Alaska.

This seminar will be on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Elvey Building Globe Room and will also be streamed on Zoom. Register to attend at https://bit.ly/CircumpolarConnections. All those registered will receive the recorded presentation.

IANRE hosts the monthly Circumpolar Connections seminar series, with short presentations followed by open discussion to encourage audience participation and interdisciplinary connection. More information about the series is available on the website: https://bit.ly/FoodSystemSeminar.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at [email protected] or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to [email protected].

Read the original announcement from UAF here.

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.