Performance Details

Department of Natural Resources - Alaska Plant Material Center (PMC)

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Mission

Promote and encourage development of an agriculture industry in Alaska.

Core Services

• Provide plant solutions for erosion control, seed production, and revegetation Statewide.
  
• Provide technical assistance and management efforts against terrestrial and freshwater invasive plants.
• Administer plant material services meeting the needs of Alaska natural resource developers and agricultural industries.
  
  
• Implementation of the States Industrial Hemp Pilot Program.

Mission Results

Core Services

A: Ensure that plant materials and industry services are available for Alaskan agricultural and environmental needs statewide.  Details > TARGET #1: Plant Materials available for use and production in Alaska's circumpolar environment.

A1: Provide plant solutions for erosion control, seed production, and revegetation Statewide.  Details > TARGET #1: Respond to 95% of requests for plant solutions. A2: Provide technical assistance and management efforts against terrestrial and freshwater invasive plants.  Details > TARGET #1: Respond to invasive inquires and actively manage priority infestations. A3: Administer plant material services meeting the needs of Alaska natural resource developers and agricultural industries.  Details > TARGET #1: Meet 95% of requested seed testing, seed cleaning, seed sales, and pathology services requested by Alaskan industries and agencies. A4: Implementation of the States Industrial Hemp Pilot Program.  Details > TARGET #1: Actively provide technical assistance about Industrial hemp and the proposed pilot program.

Performance Detail

Target #1: Plant Materials available for use and production in Alaska's circumpolar environment. Plant Materials Available Fiscal Year Crops Target FY 2021 218 100 FY 2020 219 100 FY 2019 211 100 FY 2018 115 100 FY 2017 113 100 FY 2016 111 100 FY 2015 109 52 FY 2014 104 52 FY 2013 103 52 FY 2012 44 52 FY 2011 68 52 FY 2010 75 68 FY 2009 78 68 Analysis of results and challenges: The total number of plant materials made available for commercial production and reclamation activities in-state is the true result of the facility. The plant materials are a critical link for commercial seed producers to produce true to type native seed to support the protection of the state's soil and water resources. This is the source of high-quality plant material used for the production of revegetation and reclamation plant materials, animal forage, and certified seed potatoes. This also represents the species and varieties specifically developed for use in Alaska's unique environment. There is no other source of foundation class seed or plant materials of these varieties in the world.

Target #1: Respond to 95% of requests for plant solutions. Annual Plant Solutions Year Calls Solutions 2021 5661 5598 2020 4781 4711 2019 3569 3421 2018 1083 1034 2017 1152 1113 2016 762 754 2015 568 550 2014 419 414 2013 154 151 Analysis of results and challenges: The Alaska Plant Material Center (PMC) provides information to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, various mining companies, engineering firms, state and federal agencies and the public regarding recommendations on revegetation, reclamation and erosion control methodology and agricultural production. These recommended specifications are based on the PMC evaluation plots and promote the use of native seed and other agricultural products produced by Alaskan agricultural businesses. Increases over the past few years are due to the outreach, education, and staff involvement with development projects statewide. A significant increase from previous years was due to the amount of information requests due to Covid-19 and the need for knowledge transfer on general plant production methods for small scale food production e.g. gardens, homesteads, small acreage farms.

Target #1: Respond to invasive inquires and actively manage priority infestations. Year Requests Acres Treated 2021 1124 1500 2020 1097 1375 2019 943 1155 2018 701 2017 776 2016 736 2015 423 2014 174 2013 105 Analysis of results and challenges: The Alaska Plant Materials Center provides technical assistance to landowners, land managers, and industry groups regarding the identification and management of invasive plants and agricultural pests. The technical assistance provided is based on current science and data for existing invasive issues in Alaska. These numbers represent requests for consultation or information including requests for informational materials, assistance in identification of specimens, guidance on management options, and site consultation. The increase in requests from FY2020 to FY2021 is due to the outreach and education Statewide on current infestations of Elodea. Acres treated as a metric to measure the program's ability to rapidly respond to invasive populations is a new metric from FY2019 forward, hence the limited data prior to FY2019.

Target #1: Meet 95% of requested seed testing, seed cleaning, seed sales, and pathology services requested by Alaskan industries and agencies. Plant Material Services Year Requested Fulfilled 2021 8875 8651 97.5% 2020 8112 7941 97.9% 2019 6721 6647 98.9% 2018 4758 4686 98.5% 2017 5149 5102 99.1% Analysis of results and challenges: The Alaska Plant Materials Center (PMC) offers multiple plant material services to include seed cleaning and conditioning, seed testing, plant pathology testing, foundation seed sales, generation zero potato seed sales and seed certifications. The PMC houses the only nationally certified seed testing lab in the state of Alaska. The lab offers a variety of tests including purity, germination, tetrazolium (viability), noxious weed seed, moisture content, seed count and pathological testing services. Alaska State Seed Lab is a vital link between seed growers, seed retailers and customers. The lab ensures that the seed marketed in the state meets state and federal seed laws and industry standards prior to being offered for sale in the state. These services are provided at a fee to the client to cover the cost of the testing, sale of plant materials, or cleaning and conditioning of the seed lot.

Target #1: Actively provide technical assistance about Industrial hemp and the proposed pilot program. Requests for Information Year Contacts 2021 4867 2020 3216 2019 1800 2018 500 Analysis of results and challenges: Since the passage of Senate Bill 6 the Plant Materials Center has been fielding requests for information about industrial hemp and the pilot program. During the initial conversation about the proposed industry the Division expected less than 250 individuals interested in the program, since the bill's passage and changes in federal law the division has had over 4,000 inquires. This number includes both in and out of state individuals and businesses. The Division is actively registering and endorsing products on a daily basis. All industrial hemp produced in 2020 under the program tested well below the define limit for industrial hemp, showing great potential for increased future production.

Current as of November 12, 2021