The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is in Alaska for a first visit to see for herself the challenges for farming and ranching in the state. Teresa Lasseter joined Senator Ted Stevens and state USDA officials today to discuss new funding for Alaska through the Geographically Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher provision of the farm bill. Lasseter says even though weather prevented a trip to Shismaref, a tour of the grocery store in Nome helped her understand what rural Alaskans are up against.
Lori Townsend, APRN & Jennifer Canfield, KNBA – Anchorage
