\nPresented by \;the Alaska Division of Agriculture (headshots and bios below).
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\nPLUS\, a new member presentation from \;Allan Carraway\, FocalPoint Coaching Alaska.
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\nMicro Grants for Food Security Program Overview
\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has awarded funding through the Micro Grant for Food Security Program to the Alaska Division of Agriculture for the purpose of increasing the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small- scale gardening\, herding\, and livestock operations in food insecure communities in areas of the State that have significant levels of food insecurity and import significant quantity of foods. The Alaska Division of Agriculture competitively distributes funds from this grant program through subawards to eligible individuals and organizations for select project types. \;MORE INFO

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\nMia Kirk is currently a Natural Resource Manager for the Department of Natural Resources/ Division of Agriculture. \; In this leadership role she oversees a variety of Agricultural Development Programs and has 17 years&rsquo\; experience in state service working for the Alaska Division of Agriculture in various roles.
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\nAmanda Swanson is a Program Coordinator for the State of Alaska\, Division of Agriculture. \; She manages the Division&rsquo\;s Grant and Marketing Programs including the Micro Grant for Food Security Program\, the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants\, the Alaska Grown Program\, and the Division&rsquo\;s international export program in partnership with the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association. \; Amanda has been with the Division of Agriculture for over 13 years\, beginning as the Loan Officer for the Division&rsquo\;s Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund Program. \; Amanda moved to Grants and Marketing section in 2019. \; She has a Bachelor Degree in Political Science\, International Relations and Affairs. \;
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\nBryan Scoresby began as director of the Division of Agriculture in Feb. 2023. \; Prior to state government\, he led the USDA Farm Service Agency in Alaska and enjoyed a 22-year career in mortgage finance. \; His finance background is helpful as he brings lending experience to the division&rsquo\;s Agriculture revolving loan fund. \; Bryan has a master&rsquo\;s degree in Agribusiness Management\, lives in the valley with his wife Mary where they enjoy 3 of their 5 kids and 11 of their 18 grandchildren who live within a 3 mile radius. \; \;
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