University of Alaska Fairbanks students passionate about local food are hosting a symposium March 5-6.

The Chancellor’s Student Food Committee has been working to increase the amount of local food served on campus. Founded by anthropology student Azara Mohammadi, the group is committed to leveraging the purchasing power of UAF to address food security in Alaska. Their motto is “20 percent by 2020,” meaning that the committee’s goal is to try to have at least 20 percent local food on students’ plates within six years.

Bryce Wrigley

Bryce Wrigley, Delta Junction farmer and food security champion, is the featured speaker. “We wanted to invite Bryce to Fairbanks because he can share and show, from his own successful experience, that a robust local food system in Alaska is not only possible, but also delicious and healthy,” Mohammadi said.

Wrigley and his family started Alaska Flour Co., which produces barley flour and barley cereal made from barley grown on their farm. The Sunshine Barley the Wrigleys grow was developed at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm by SNRAS researchers. The Wrigley mill is the first commercial one in Alaska in decades.

Wrigley is president of the Alaska Farm Bureau and an outspoken proponent of Alaska’s need to increase food production. “What will we do if the planes, trucks and barges don’t make it? We need a mechanism to fall back on,” he stated at the 8th Circumpolar Agricultural Conference held in Girdwood in  2013. “We’ve got to develop policies and raise awareness of the process. Burying your head in the sand is not a solution. Let’s build something and solve problems.”

Symposium schedule:

Wednesday, March 5

Lecture: “Alaskans Feeding Alaska: how do we move the concept from the discussion state?” (Bryce Wrigley)

This will be for the UAF Resilience and Adaptation Program (RAP)

Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Location: IARC room 501
Catering: Culinary club 
 Lecture: “What Would You Try if You Knew You Could Not Fail?” (Bryce Wrigley)

Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Hartung Hall in Ester

Thursday, March 6

Workshop: “Cooking with Barley and Barley Flour Workshop” (Bryce and Jan Wrigley)

Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Fairbanks Community Food Bank, 725 26th Ave. #101
Space is limited. To register contact Aly Englert.

Wolf Run Luncheon

Time: 1 p.m.
Space is limited. To purchase a ticket contact Aly Englert
Location: Wolf Run Restaurant 
Contact Azara Mohammadi for more information or visit the CSFC’s Facebook page.

Further reading:

Alaska farmer challenges CAC attendees to take action, 8th Circumpolar Agricultural Conference, Sept. 30, 2013, by Nancy Tarnai

Idaho transplant finds farming success and happiness in Alaska, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Sept. 26, 2010, by Nancy Tarnai

This Wrigley makes flour, UAF Cornerstone, Jan. 11, 2011, by Nancy Tarnai

Farming adds to Alaska’s security, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, May 9, 2013, by Bryce Wrigley