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. 

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.

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.

Learn gardening basics in statewide webinar series

Grow your gardening knowledge. University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service agent Casey Matney will teach a series of 11 gardening webinars to help you get your garden ready for the upcoming growing season. 

The free classes will be held online via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, from March 19 to May 28. Contact Matney at camatney@alaska.edu or 907-262-3443.

March 19 — Seed Starting from Scratch 

March 26 — Large Seed Starts: Corn, Pumpkins and Pot ting Soil

April 2 — Soil Testing and Interpretation for Garden and Farms 

April 9 — Working with Fertilizers and Compost 

April 16 — Warming Things up with Plastic, Glass and Plastic Mulch 

April 23 — Raised Rows, Raised Beds, and How to Make Them 

April 30 — Herb Gardening: Inside and Out

May 7 — Seeding Directly into the Garden 

May 14 — Planting Potatoes   

May 21 — Hardening Plants and Transplanting into the Garden 

    May 28 — Composting: No Time to Waste

Go to this link to register for classes:   https://www.uaf.edu/ces/garden/webinars/index.php

Kluane Chilkat Int’l Bike Relay Registration

Registration for the 29th KCIBR opens on March 15, offering solo riders and teams the chance to secure their spot in this iconic event. The race categories cater to various team sizes, ensuring an inclusive experience for all participants.

This years’ categories are: Solo, 2, 4 or 8-person teams. 

ADDITIONAL EVENT DETAILS:

This international event often fills up within days, drawing riders from the Yukon, Alaska, Canada, the US, and beyond. Race officials expect all 1200 rider spots to fill up, with a limit of 95 teams in the 8-person category. 

E-bikes are permitted for 8-person teams, adding a dynamic element to the competition. Teams can choose whether or not to include E-bikes for an added layer of strategy. Any 8-person team with an e bike may not place 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay 2024! Visit www.kcibr.org to register starting March 15, 2024 at 9am. 

Hather Family Scholarship Fund 

The Juneau Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of a new scholarship fund for Skagway students, the Hather Family Scholarship Fund.

Betty Hather and her husband Don’s collective ambition has been to support youth in the community they loved. To that end, when Don passed in 2011, Betty created a scholarship for Skagway graduates in honor of her husband.

  Upon Betty’s passing, in 2022, the scholarship was moved to the Juneau Community Foundation so that this scholarship will continue to enrich the lives of others – a passion of theirs, which they were well known for.

The application period for the Hather Family Scholarship is now open. The scholarship is open to graduates from Skagway High School to pursue higher education at a university, college, or vocational school. All 2024 graduating seniors and any past graduates from Skagway High School are welcome to apply. Selection will be based on your application, personal essay, and letter of recommendation.

Up to $10,000 will be awarded in 2024. The scholarship may be used for tuition or to enable the purchase of necessary books, academic supplies, tools, equipment, or uniforms. The scholarship will be sent to the institution the awardee will be attending.

The deadline to apply is Monday, April 22, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.

Application and details can be found at

https://www.juneaucf.org/fund/the-hather-family-scholarship-fund/.