Margaret Frans Brady Fund 2024 Scholarship application period is now open. 

Up to $10,000 is available for students pursuing arts; the deadline to apply is April 15, 2024 

The Juneau Community Foundation and the Brady family of Skagway have announced that the Margaret Frans Brady (MFB) Fund will make available up to $10,000 in scholarship funding in 2024 for qualifying area students who are pursuing artistic excellence. Applications for the 2024 Margaret Frans Brady arts scholarships are requested. 

Application forms are available on the Juneau Community Foundation website at https://www.juneaucf.org/fund/margaret-frans-brady-fund/ . The application and requested materials are due no later than midnight, Monday, April 15, 2024. 

The Margaret Frans Brady Fund was established in 2012 at the Juneau Community Foundation to support arts and education projects and programs in Skagway and northern Southeast Alaska. A separate MFB Scholarship Fund was established a year later to assist students and artists in our area with scholarships to help them improve their creative abilities. Since 2013, more than $77,000 has been awarded to 84 area students. 

Food protection manager course offered Feb. 27 – available in Skagway

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer a certified food protection manager training on Tuesday, Feb. 27, with proctors for testing available in 16 communities. The food safety management training will be held from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 Georgeson Road, Palmer. The computer-based certification exam is included, with proctors in Fairbanks, Galena, Glennallen, Haines, Homer, Juneau, Klawock, Palmer, Sitka, Skagway, Soldotna, Talkeetna, Tok, Unalaska, Valdez and Wrangell. If requested, proctors may be available in additional communities.A certified food protection manager is responsible for monitoring and managing all food establishment operations to ensure that the facility complies with regulations. State regulations require that all food establishments have at least one certified food protection manager on staff. Participants must register by Feb. 12 in order to receive the study guide on time. Registration and more information are available online, bit.ly/CFPM2024. For more information contact: Julie Stricker, 907-474-5406, jestricker2@alaska.edu. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made seven business days in advance to the instructor, Julie Cascio, at jmcascio@alaska.edu.

2024 Micro-Grants for Food Security now available

 (Palmer, AK) – An additional $2.2 million will be invested in Alaska’s agricultural economy through the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program. The Alaska Division of Agriculture distributes the grants on behalf of the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food products in food insecure communities through small-scale agricultural related projects such as gardening, herding and livestock operations. Eligible entities may apply for the competitive grants, with priority given to those in rural Alaskan communities that have significant levels of food insecurity. 

The grant application period runs Wednesday, Feb. 14 to 5pm on Friday, March 15, 2024.  

 Grants up to $5,000 are available for individuals, and organizations may apply for a maximum of $10,000 [CONFIRM]. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the Request for Applications. Categories for eligible projects: Small-Scale Gardening, Greenhouse, Subsitence and Small-Scale Herding and Livestock Operations.

DNR encourages food-insecure Alaskans who could benefit from this program and are interested in agriculture-related activities to apply for this grant opportunity.” 

 Applications must be submitted electronically via the Division of Agriculture grants portal. Successful applicants will be notified of their funding status upon conclusion of the review and approval process (estimated for July 2024). Project period for this grant cycle is Sept.1, 2024- Aug. 31, 2025. Previous years’ applicants who did not receive funding may reapply. 

 Alaskans with questions may email dnr.ag.grants@alaska.gov with “2024 MGFSP” in the subject line, or visit https://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ag_grants.htm to see all grants available through the Division.

Alaska certified pesticide applicators workshop set

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will host a two-day continuing education course for Alaska certified pesticide applicators, arborists and landscape professionals.The Alaska Certified Pesticide Applicators Workshop will take place both in-person and via Zoom from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 14. Participants can attend one or both days and earn a total of 11 continuing education credits from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.On Wednesday, topics will focus on pest control in structures. Participants can receive five continuing education credits. Register online at bit.ly/PSEPMarch13.On Thursday, the course will include presentations on outdoor integrated pest management for trees, shrubs and landscapes. Participants can receive six continuing education credits. Register online at bit.ly/PSEPMarch14. The fee is $60 for each day.In-person classes will be held in Room 107 at the University of Alaska Anchorage Gorsuch Commons, 3700 Sharon Gagnon Lane. Lunch will be provided for those attending in person. Parking is free in the Willow Lot for registrants.

For more information, contact Eve Karczmarczyk at eekarczmarczyk@alaska.edu or 907-895-4215. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Karczmarczyk.

IRS Free File is now available for the 2024 filing season – from the Internal Revenue Service

IRS Free File is now available for the 2024 filing season. With this program, as many as 70% of taxpayers in Alaska may be eligible to prepare and file their federal tax returns using IRS Free File. Each IRS Free File provider sets its own eligibility rules based on age, income and state residency.

Taxpayers, including active-duty military, with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $79,000 or less in 2023 can likely find an offer from an IRS Free File provider that matches their needs. Some providers also offer free state tax return preparation. Those with an AGI over the limit can still file their return for free using Free File Fillable Forms.

 To find the right IRS Free File offer, taxpayers can go to the IRS Free File webpage.

Taxpayer information is protected from unauthorized access while it’s sent to the IRS. IRS Free File partner companies can’t share or use tax return information for purposes other than tax return preparation without the taxpayer’s permission. 

IRS Free File products support mobile phone access. Taxpayers can do their taxes on their smartphone or tablet.

These tax providers are participating in IRS Free File in 2024: 1040Now, Drake (1040.com), ezTaxReturn.com, FileYourTaxes.com, On-Line Taxes, TaxAct, TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA), TaxSlayer

Local Fishing Group Seeks Applicants for Crew Training  Program

The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), a Sitka-based fishing group and partner organization Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) are ALFA and ASFT are seeking applicants for the 2024 fishing season. The crew training application period is currently open and will close March 31st, 2024.  Applicants must be 18 years or older to qualify. It’s free to apply; application information can be found at https://www.alfafish.org/crewtraining. The Crew Training Program aims to 1) provide young people with an interest in pursuing a career in commercial fishing an opportunity to gain experience; and, 2) give young people the opportunity to better understand commercial fishing, the lifestyle it provides, and its important role in supporting coastal communities. 

 In 2024, ALFA and ASFT hope to place several apprentices with local and regional skippers and enhance local employment opportunities. Contact Natalie at 907-738-1286 or program.director@alfafish.org for more information.