While University of Alaska offices are closed, Extension is taking it online and offering a variety of distance-delivery programs from tapping birch trees to knitting sessions.
The closure of Cooperative Extension offices has been extended through April 30. While our offices are closed to the public, we’re still working, offering programs and answering your questions.
Upcoming workshops
Kenai Peninsula agent Casey Matney is hosting a series of Zoom webinars on various agricultural topics. He will host part one of a pasture and hay workshop April 14 at 5:30 p.m. These webinars are free, but please register on the district website. Connection details will be sent via email after registration.
In the Virtual Garden with Cooperative Extension: The Anchorage Outreach Center and Gina Dionne will host a weekly 30-minute session filled with tips and tricks for successful home gardening in Alaska. The series will meet Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m., through April 29 by Facebook Live and Zoom. The April 8 topic is identification of weeds and invasives, with Extension’s Invasive Plants Instructor Gino Graziano. Please register at https://bit.ly/AOC_ITVGCES.
The Alaska AgrAbility project is holding a three-part series on Zoom about using adaptive technologies and other methods to improve accessibility in the garden. These free classes will be held on Zoom from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on April 7-9. Register at bit.ly/CES_GardenforLife to receive the Zoom link.
The Anchorage Movement Culture will meet via Zoom on Wednesdays in April from 3- 3:30 p.m. The featured activity for April, taught by Birgit Hagerdorn, is a family-friendly tai chi class. It’s available at https://alaska.zoom.us/j/414289537.
And, if you are a knitter or want to be, consider Anchorage Extension’s Warm Up Virtual Knit-along Fridays from 10:30-11 a.m. Each class session will include a brief review of the basics and time for hands-on instruction. A 90-minute session on April 24 will include instruction on the seed stitch. Log in in at https://alaska.zoom.us/j/448560894.
Mat-Su agent Julie Cascio will teach birch tapping basics by Zoom from 6-7:30 p.m. April 9 at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. The class is free but register to receive the Zoom link.
Mat-Su agent Steve Brown will present a virtual introduction to gardening at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, as part of the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center’s Third Thursday series. A Zoom link will be available soon on the Mat-Su Extension Facebook page.
Publications
Although our offices aren’t open, hundreds of our publications are free and remain available online. We have recommended variety lists for Southeastern, Southcentral and Interior Alaska if you’re thinking about what to grow this summer. Check out our publications on chickens! We have information on everything from raising chicks, laying hens and meat birds. Search our publications database for topics.
We also have over 100 educational videos on our YouTube channel. Topics include gardening, money management, food preservation and more!
Kids activities
Our 4-H group has also put together ideas for kids’ activities, our Learn By Doing at Home Series with great ideas for kids activities including, yoga, letter writing and watercolor painting.
Nutrition educator Britanny Balthaser will host an online Feed Your Bones webinar for kids and teens at 1:30 p.m. April 15. Here’s the Zoom link: https://alaska.zoom.us/j/982171326.
The Alaska 4-H Facebook page is highlighting activities from 4-H youth around the state.
Follow Extension’s Facebook page for announcements of upcoming events.
Faculty and staff are still working, so don’t hesitate to contact them with questions. Emails are best since many of us are working from home. Look up contact information on our directory or use the Ask an Expert form to get your questions answered!
