Upper Lynn Canal residents interested in food security are invited to an asset-mapping workshop February 12

Upper Lynn Canal residents interested in food security are invited to join a workshop this Saturday to talk about local resources for growing food, economic opportunities, and self-sufficiency. It’s part of a statewide project with the Alaska Food Policy Council, to create a 10-year strategy for a sustainable food future in Alaska. KHNS’ Corinne Smith reports.

 

Asset-mapping is a tool to identify community resources and services – or assets –  that exist already, and build off of them. This Saturday, a workshop hopes to do that for upper Lynn Canal food systems – gathering residents virtually to talk about those assets: from land and local crops, to new economic opportunities, and tackling food security.

One of the local partners is the Haines Economic Development Corporation. Sue Chasen is on the board.

“Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, it’s focusing on what we have, what our assets are,” Chasen said.

It’s part of a project spearheaded by the Alaska Food Policy Council with communities across the state to create healthier and more secure food systems.

Haines and Skagway are participating as one of 13 regional partners – called “regional food nodes” – to collaborate on local projects, and support food security and agricultural development. 

Kaitlyn Jared is executive director with the Skagway Economic Development Corporation. 

“Most of Alaska is super reliant on the barge and airline services to bring our food in. And there’s always concern that if something happens, if a major disruption happens with any of those supply chains, then we don’t have enough food in our communities to feed ourselves,” Jared said. “And also they provide economic opportunities and new job types and those additional benefits that happen by a strong food network.”

These are complex issues, and the upper Lynn Canal has both great potential for agricultural development, and many challenges as rural communities. Jared says a larger goal is to find more opportunities for collaboration as a region. 

“So for Skagway, specifically, we don’t have a lot of flat land,” Jared said. “But what can our role be in ensuring and helping Skagway, Haines and Southeast Alaska increase its food security and self sustainability and become more resilient.”

Several food security projects are underway now in the Chilkat Valley. The Chilkoot Indian Association has a food box program serving low-income families in Haines The victory garden at the Mosquito Lake community center is volunteer-run and provides fresh produce to the community throughout the growing season. 

Sue Chasen is also on the board of the Chilkat Valley Historical Society, which has several projects funded by federal grants, harkening back to Haines’ agricultural history. One is supporting residents in growing fruit trees with its Chilkat Valley Orchard Project –  

“Trying to help folks learn about building orchards here, you know, their best methods. And, you know, the hope was to eventually put up an experimental orchard. The second project we got funded is called the Charles Amway berry project.”

Named after the Klondike Gold Rush-era homesteader and farmer Charles Amway, the project is focusing on best practices for commercial cultivation of blueberries and strawberries. 

Chasen says she hopes the workshop will help people better understand all the moving parts of the food system. 

“I’m hoping that what this workshop shows us is all about, you know, the enormity of a food system,” Chasen said. “And maybe learn about some things we weren’t even thinking about.”

Many Alaskans are already seeing food prices increase due to inflation and supply chain disruptions. The initiative aims to help communities build off of resources already available, and develop stronger, more local food systems. 

The asset mapping workshop for upper Lynn Canal food security is from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday February 12 via Zoom. Login details here.