http://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/nentot/

Any idea how much they might sell for per acre ?

Looks like they are doing/did an appraisal. What did it say?

Well, for example: there is one parcel of land a bit over 183 Acres . Appraisal Value on that is $39,400. Then, they say that is the Estimated Market Value. What I am wondering, is what is the average selling price per acre for Agriculture land in that area.? They don't mention what the tax rate for Agriculture land is in that area. What can you actually grow and raise for Livestock up there ? Dairy ??? Or just Beef ?

Alaska is a tough time be agricultural wise! Not a market on every corner like the lower 48. You basically find your own market. As far as taxes go it isn’t in a Burrough so you don’t have property taxes. Only like two dairy’s in the state. Maybe just one now not sure. Beef cows are grown in some decent numbers in the delta area. Still have to market your own and need a locker that will butcher more then just their own animals. As far as crops grown barley they s the main crop. Some grow peas and oats for livestock feed. That area doesn’t have a average price as they are just trying to start a ag area over there. Most of the ag area is in Delta Junction. Some in the valley but getting fewer and fewer.

Their descriptions of the areas, and the lots they are looking to sell, don't say if the land is clear fields; or all Forests. Then, there is the cost of building a house to live in. Building the Barns for the Livestock and Machinery. They don't mention what the price of Diesel Fuel in in that area. Water supply, Septic System construction, What Vegetables can grow in that Region. ( Looks like it is not far from the Yukon River), Permafrost in the area ? , What kind of Sales market is in that Region,

The clearing I would bet isn’t done! I read it has been burned a couple of times but trees grow back fast every few years you have to do something to keep trees under control. Won’t be permafrost as they picked best ag soils in that area. Definitely be acidic, veggies grown outside will be limited to cool early season veggies of lower 48. Potatoes, kale, peas things like that. High tunnels are very popular in Alaska thanks to USDA. That is how you would grow tomatoes and things like that. Fuel prices are always a minimum of at least dollar or two higher or higher depending on where you are located could be much higher. Wells are the water sources and if water is not good hauling water. I imagine water is good along the river and probably not deep close to river. Cost of building all that you can imagine what that costs no doubt it is expensive. Most equipment is hauled up from Canada or lower 48. Your markets will be in bigger populated areas no doubt.

Another thing to think about is the Delta area only farms maybe 25% of what is cleared and farmable. Most of that being is they haven’t figured out the markets to do Expand so they literally just try to keep trees under control on what isn’t farmed. Thousands of acres idle in that ag project.

I'd say you could do well growing muskrats and mosquitoes. Access looks like a huge impediment. The first thing a guy would need is an air strip.

I spent 17 years in Alaska working with farmers and ranchers. You can raise any livestock/poultry in that part of Alaska that you can raise in NY. Farmers markets are very popular, check out the Alaska Farmers Market Association. There are processing plants that do custom cutting, but alot of livestock is sold on the hoof private treaty. There is no sale barn in the state, but at one time the meat plant in Palmer bought live animals. That was when the state prison system ran it. It is now a private facility.

I agree with wyo marten man, the land most likely is not cleared. As far as access, there is a bridge across the river and a road into the first phase. Some of the parcels front the road, a call to the state department of ag should get you info on additional access roads.

I would also contact the Alaska Farm Bureau, someone there should be able to get you info on ag in Alaska.

You should re-read wyo marten man's post, pretty spot on.

I would add, since the Delta AG Project was mentioned a couple of times, that project was doomed as a large-scale ag project pretty much from the beginning. The state sold the land and required that large tracts be cleared to justify the transportation and loading facilities that they would build to ship grain out of Alaska. Then the state abandoned the project and those facilities were never built. That is a very short version of the project's history, but there were quite a few other projects, not just ag, where lots of state money was spent on grandiose schemes that were never completed.

I looked at the link and it has aireal photos of the project. Doesn't look like there is any trees on the whole thing. A lot is going to depend on if you really own the land after you buy it or is the state going to have their nose stuck in it, telling you what you can and can't, and what you have to do, all the time.

[quote=Canvasback2]Well, for example: there is one parcel of land a bit over 183 Acres . Appraisal Value on that is $39,400.


Wish i could find PA land that cheap

Honestly, I don't know how any Alaska ag project can compete with imported ag products; maybe with the exception of cabbage, potatoes and the like. Ag in Alaska seems to be a labor-of-love. Almost an ideology that doesn't look too hard at the economic fundamentals.

You are spot-on, waggler.

You summed it up nicely!

Pete

x2

Kinda like trapping then! Lol