Workshop stresses "grown in Alaska"

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Municipality of Anchorage, UAF Cooperative Extension Service, and the USDA Forest Service announce a two-day workshop focusing on producing, marketing, and planting Alaska-grown trees, shrubs, and perennials. The workshop will be held Sept. 22-23 at the Palmer Community Center, 610 South Valley Way, Palmer.

Each year, Alaska sends millions of dollars to nurseries outside of Alaska to purchase plants that could be grown in the state. Although growing conditions and market limitations make it a challenge to compete with larger nurseries in the Lower 48, the workshop will explore ways to expand the nursery industry in Alaska and help connect producers to purchasers.

This workshop is intended for nursery growers, landscape designers, contractors, garden retailers, public and private land managers, and government agencies. Register by Sept. 17 to receive the early bird rate of $30. Late registration fee is $40. SNRAS Professor Pat Holloway will speak about propagating Alaska native plants. Other topics include market demand and trends, how growers can tap into the market for locally grown plants, the twelve most wanted native plants for restoration and landscaping, ways to increase sales by meeting standards and needs of purchasers, finding and bidding on large contracts for plants, and locating local growers of plants.

For more information about the workshop call 907-269-8465 or 907-269-8466.