Alaska Weed Free Program

Land managers are increasingly concerned with the spread of selected highly invasive weeds to new areas such as natural areas, rivers and wetlands. Work is being done to address the introduction and spread of invasive weeds to these high-value areas through construction practices, seeding specifications and weed free products.

The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) has led the way in developing nationwide weed free forage/straw and gravel certification standards. The Division of Agriculture, in partnership with Alaskan stakeholders and agencies, has adapted these standards as a voluntary program to meet the unique needs of our state.

The Alaska Weed Free certification programs offer a way for producers to ensure that their products meet NAISMA standards and have reduced potential for transport and dispersal of listed weed species.

The Division of Agriculture has certification programs in place for both forage and gravel materials, offering producers and gravel pit managers the opportunity to have their sites certified during the growing season. Each program is based on NAISMA standards and is adapted to Alaska.Weed Free Forage Certification Program

Weed Free Gravel Certification Program

Weed Free Forage

Alaska's Weed Free Forage program offers certification for forage and straw products. Straw and hay can be certified by an inspector who has attended training in the past five (5) years. The certified field must be inspected within 10 days of harvest, be free of the listed weed species and meet other minimum program standards.

Weed free forage and straw provide consumers the opportunity to help prevent the spread of weed species to places they visit or manage. Certified Weed Free Forage is also a value added product for farmers.

Resources

NAISMA Weed Free Forage Minimum Certification Standards

Weed free forage brochure (AACD)

Weed free forage brochure (Alaska Division of Natural Resources)

Weed Free Gravel

The Weed Free Gravel Certification Program, structured much like the existing Weed Free Forage Certification Program, involves a coordinated inspection by trained personnel to document the material site does not contain any propagative parts of noxious or undesirable (listed) plants. A material site must be inspected twice per growing season to fully meet the standards with an exemption made for remote material sites that meet certain criteria.

Resources

NAISMA Weed Free Gravel Minimum Certification Standards

Weed free gravel brochure (Alaska Division of Natural Resources)