Circumpolar Connections: A Dialogue on Arctic Food Systems

Across the circumpolar North, communities face similar challenges in building resilient and sustainable food systems due to harsh climates, remote geographies and rapidly changing environmental conditions. 

The Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension at the University of ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Fairbanks hosts a monthly seminar series designed to engage researchers, students and community members in dialogue about food systems and agricultural challenges across the circumpolar North. Each session will feature a 30-minute presentation followed by open discussion, encouraging audience participation and interdisciplinary connection.

While the series centers on agriculture and wild-harvested food in ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ and other northern regions, its broader goal is to inspire curiosity, strengthen partnerships, and support resilient, sustainable food systems.

Conversations with the following UAF faculty and staff will take place from noon-1 p.m. in the Elvey Building Globe Room and on Zoom on the following dates:

Oct. 14: From ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ to Norway: A Look at High-Latitude Agriculture — Jodie Anderson, director of IANRE

Nov. 11: Glenna Gannon, assistant professor of sustainable food systems

Dec. 9: Jan Dawe, assistant professor of natural resource education and community engagement

Jan. 13: Meriam Karlsson, professor of horticulture

Feb. 10: Lacey Higham, directing manager of the Georgeson Botanical Garden

March 3: Jakir Hasan, research assistant professor of plant genetics

March 31: Jessie Young-Robertson, research associate professor of forest ecology

April 14: Caley Gasch, research assistant professor of soil science

April 28: Jim Vinyard, research assistant professor of livestock nutrition and Melissa Good, mariculture specialist

Seminars are open to researchers and students from University of ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥, other circumpolar institutions, land-grant university experiment stations and the public.

Woman driving tractor

Photo by Stephen Nowers
IANRE Director, Jodie Anderson at UAF's Matanuska Experiment Farm in Palmer

 

Register to attend on Zoom at . 

 

For more information, contact Laura Weingartner at 907-474-6009 or lgweingartner@alaska.edu.